Maschinenbau/Mechanical Engineering
Do you want to build on your bachelor's degree in Maschinenbau/Mechanical Engineering and develop a clear professional profile? The Master’s in Maschinenbau/Mechanical Engineering will provide a specialization in foundational engineering knowledge while giving you the freedom to pursue your own areas of focus. Focus on topics such as hydrogen technology, automotive engineering, or Biomechanik, and prepare yourself for challenging roles in industry or a Ph.D. program.
Profile
Degree
Master of Science (M. Sc.)
Study Language
German
Standard period of study
3 Semester
Starts of study
Summer and winter semesters
Application deadline
January 15 / July 15 (application period for winter semester 2026/2027 extended until September 18)
Admission requirements
completed bachelor's degree
ECTS
90 Credits
Place of study
Campus Offenburg
Selection process
Yes (NC)
Do you have any questions about the application or enrollment process?
The team at the Zulassungsamt will be happy to assist you:
Phone: 0781 205-4792 (Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Tue 1:00 PM–3:00 PM)
In person: Room: A 007
Everything you need to know
Course Content
During the first two semesters, you will engage in specialization in your foundational engineering knowledge through courses such as Advanced Mathematics, Engineering Mechanics, and Engineering Thermodynamics. At the same time, you will choose your preferred courses from a wide range of required electives.
You can focus on the following areas:
Hydrogen Technology
Automotive
Biomechanik
Mechatronics
Product development
Simulation
Materials Science
In your term paper and the accompanying seminar, you’ll learn to solve complex problems using methodology. This is excellent preparation for your master’s thesis, which you’ll complete in the 3rd semester. Here, you’ll conduct scientific research on a topic of your choice.
We emphasize team-oriented work: In seminars and projects, you’ll strengthen your soft skills and learn to tackle complex challenges together.
By the way: In the Master’s program, you’ll learn in small groups and always have direct access to your instructors.
Key Areas
If you earn at least 18 ECTS credits (including a seminar paper) in a specific field, we will explicitly indicate this area of concentration on your transcript.
Hydrogen technology
Green hydrogen is the key to storing and transporting renewable energy. As an engineer, you can play an active role in transforming our energy system. After all, the energy transition can only succeed with professionals and leaders who have a solid foundation of knowledge. And even if your path takes you in a different direction later on, a broad foundation will always open doors for you.
Automotive
In the Automotive track, you’ll bring topics like lightweight construction and battery-electric powertrains directly to the road. Through projects like the Schluckspecht or the Black Forest Formula Team, you’ll contribute to the development of highly efficient vehicles. Specializations in topics such as technical acoustics or the Lattice Boltzmann method will sharpen your expertise in the vehicle engineering of the future.
Biomechanics
How do we improve prosthetics, orthotics, and sports equipment? In Biomechanik, you’ll develop and test systems that facilitate interaction between people and technology. In our in-house Biomechanik lab, you’ll learn about state-of-the-art 3D motion analysis to precisely evaluate innovative products and answer specific research questions.
Mechatronics
In mechatronics, you combine electrical engineering, Maschinenbau, and Informatik into a cohesive whole. This interdisciplinary approach is in greater demand than ever on the job market. You’ll learn everything about industrial digitalization and modern mobility. And you’ll apply your knowledge directly in student projects such as the Black Forest Formula Team, Schluckspecht, and Sweaty.
Product Development
Innovation is a structured process. We’ll show you how to systematically solve technical problems using best-practice methods such as TRIZ or the Advanced Innovation Design Approach, including AI-Inventive-Design. This will enable you to create forward-looking products with real market potential. Become an expert in innovation management and learn how to drive real breakthroughs in industry.
Simulation
Before machines or processes are ready for the market, they must pass simulation tests. Here, you will learn the necessary tools: computational fluid dynamics, modeling and simulation, finite element methods, multibody dynamics, and even Lagrangian neural networks. Building on your foundational knowledge of advanced mathematics and Engineering Mechanics IV, you will create digital models that are indispensable in modern development.
Materials Science
Components must withstand increasingly complex stresses while remaining energy-efficient. In materials engineering, you will explore how materials behave during manufacturing and in operation. In elective courses such as high-temperature materials mechanics and materials-based FEM, you will combine theoretical models with practical application in our computer labs.
Perspectives
A Master of Science degree opens many doors for you—both regionally and internationally. Since our degree offers equal opportunities to a university degree, you have excellent prospects for leadership positions or a career in the civil service.
Direct Entry into the Workforce: Through the department’s close ties to global market leaders in the region, you’ll find the right entry point. Work as a development engineer on exciting projects that align with your chosen specialization. Or pursue a management role within a company, building on the fundamentals you’ve learned in courses like the elective in Business Management.
Academic career: Want to continue researching? The master’s degree qualifies you for a Ph.D. At Hochschule Offenburg, Ph.D. programs are available through a doctoral consortium or in a cooperative format. Contact the research institutes directly or speak with the project leaders.
Fees and Funding
Semester Tuition and Fees
Hochschule Offenburg charges an administrative fee of 80.00 euros per semester and a social contribution of 65.00 euros for the Studierendenwerk Freiburg. In addition, the University’s student body charges all enrolled students a student body fee of 25.00 euros per semester to fulfill its responsibilities. Students on leave of absence from their studies are also required to pay these fees; however, foreign students enrolled on a temporary basis are exempt pursuant to Section 60(1), sentence 2, of the Higher Education Act (LHG).
= 170 euros per semester
Additional costs for PLUS Education degree programs (degree programs with a teaching certification option)
For students in the following bachelor's programs
Elektrotechnik/Informationstechnik PLUS Pädagogik
Mechatronik PLUS Pädagogik
Media Technology/Business PLUS Education
Wirtschaftsinformatik PLUS Pädagogik
an additional fee of 28.00 euros for local public transportation (semester ticket) applies, in accordance with the fees regulations of the Freiburg Studierendenwerk.
Note: You pay the semester fee to Hochschule Offenburg; however, you are enrolled at both Hochschule Offenburg and Freiburg University of Education.
Additional Costs for International Master's Programs
Students in international master's programs must also pay a flat-rate service fee of 150.00 euros per semester.
Tuition Fees for International Students and Students Pursuing a Second Degree
Since the 2017/18 winter semester, universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg have been charging international students tuition fees of 1,500.00 euros per semester and students pursuing a second degree 650.00 euros per semester.
You can find more information about these fees here:
https://www.landesrecht-bw.de/bsbw/document/jlr-HSchulGebGBWrahmen
http://www.bw-studyguide.de/en/studying/finance-and-funding.html
Exceptions to Tuition Fees for International Students:
According to Section 3 of the LHGebG, international students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA country and do not hold a German university entrance qualification are required to pay tuition fees. However, the law provides for a few exceptions.
To determine whether you are required to pay tuition fees, you can use the following information form and send it, completed and accompanied by the necessary supporting documents, to studiengebuehren@hs-offenburg.de:
Tuition Fee Information Form (PDF)
To apply for an exemption from tuition fees, please use the corresponding application form:
Application for Tuition Fee Exemption for International Students (PDF)
Application for Tuition Fee Exemption for a Second Degree Program (PDF)
Pursuant to Section 6, Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the LHGebG, Hochschule Offenburg may fully or partially exempt a limited number of international students from tuition fees if it deems them to be particularly gifted. The requirements, etc., are set forth in the bylaws governing tuition fee exemptions for international students based on exceptional talent. Students at the University can find more detailed information in the relevant announcement on the intranet.
BAföG
Information about BAföG is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. If you have any questions about BAföG, the Freiburg-Schwarzwald Studierendenwerk—which is responsible for Hochschule Offenburg—will also be happy to assist you under the “Money” section. You can submit applications for financial aid at the Studierendenwerk’s branch office on the Offenburg campus.
Studierendenwerk Branch Office
Badstraße 24, 77652 Offenburg
Phone: 0781 205-328
Office hours:
Mon and Wed from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.,
as well as by telephone appointment
Here you’ll find a PDF in which we’ve summarized the criteria for what are known as “standard achievements”—the requirements you must demonstrate to continue receiving funding after two years of BAföG support.
Contact Person for M+V
Scholarships
A scholarship takes the financial pressure off you. Find the right support in our overview of scholarship programs.
Application
Your Application, Step by Step
Here's how to submit your application for your master's program quickly and easily.
Application period: extended until September 18, 2026
Step 1: Registration and Online Application
First, create an account on our applicant portal. You will receive an email with your password—please keep it safe. Once you have confirmed your account, you can fill out your application online and submit it directly. Please print out the application for admission and sign it.
You can apply for up to 3 programs at the same time. In this case, please print out the corresponding application form for each program you wish to apply to. Each of your applications has an equal chance of being granted admission. Please check carefully in advance what admission requirements apply to your desired master’s program.
Step 2: Send documents by mail
Send us your signed application along with the other documents (see checklist (German, pdf)) by mail. If you are applying for multiple degree programs (up to 3), we need a complete set of your documents in paper form for each application.
Address:
Hochschule Offenburg
Admissions Office
Badstraße 24
77652 Offenburg
Important notes:
Completeness matters: We will only process your application if all documents have been received by us by the deadline (deadline: January 15 / July 15). For mail submissions, the date the letter arrives at our office applies, not the postmark.
Include your applicant number: If you submit documents later, please always include your applicant number. You can find it on your application form.
Checklist (German, pdf)
for Master’s Applications
Your current status
After you have submitted your online enrollment, you can log in to the applicant portal at any time to check the status of your enrollment. There you will also find out if we need anything else from you.
Do you have any questions about the application or enrollment process?
The team at the Zulassungsamt will be happy to assist you:
Phone: 0781 205-4792 (Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Tue 1:00 PM–3:00 PM)
In person: Room: A 007
Highlights from the study program
Do you have any questions about the application or enrollment process?
The team at the Zulassungsamt will be happy to assist you:
Phone: 0781 205-4792 (Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Tue 1:00 PM–3:00 PM)
In person: Room: A 007
Contacts
