Automotive Engineering
Automotive engineering is a key driver of economic development and industrial innovation in Germany and worldwide. Individual demand for mobility solutions is rising, which calls for us to rethink and reimagine the ways we get around. Only new and creative approaches to design and compatibility will enable us to develop exciting products which are easy on both the earth’s resources and people’s budgets.
HAW Hamburg’s Bachelor’s degree course in Automotive Engineering is recognised within Germany and beyond and provides an opportunity to take the first step in an engineering career in line with up-to-the-minute research and guided by academic staff with strong track records in industry. We ensure genuine real-world orientation and insights into all new developments in the market by working closely with the automotive sector. There is special support on offer for students interested in spending a semester outside Germany.
Your future career
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Automotive engineers primarily work in product development for major players in the automobile industry, including manufacturers, suppliers and R&D services. Their day-to-day tasks involve body design and simulation or work on dashboards or interiors. They plan and design vehicle engines, drives or chassis systems, or run tests on newly developed engines and parts for cars, commercial and special purpose vehicles.
Course content and structure
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The first two semesters focus on the subject’s theoretical basis, encompassing mathematics, data processing, materials science, engineering mechanics, key principles of design, and descriptive geometry.
During semesters 3 to 6, you work on a focal area chosen from the following:
- Powertrain and chassis systems
- Automotive body engineering
- Commercial and special purpose vehicles
The seventh semester consists of a 22-week industrial experience phase, which usually forms the basis of the Bachelor thesis that follows.
Your interests and skills
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To be happy and successful studying Automotive Engineering, you’ll need a keen interest in the interaction of mobility and technology and should be enthusiastic about solving complex issues from engineering science.
A strong ability in mathematics or physics is essential. You’ll do well in this course if you have good spatial awareness, robust logical thinking skills and are a creative team player and self-starter.
Interested – but not quite sure yet whether this is the right course for you? Our self-assessment test can help you make up your mind. Take it here: HAW Navigator.
Admission requirements
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Higher education entrance qualification
You can apply directly for this course if you hold one of the following qualifications:
- Fachhochschulreife
- Allgemeine Hochschulreife
- Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-specific HE entrance qualification)
- Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
- Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)
Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).
Find out more at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.
Proof of English skills
Applicants must provide proof of English at the B1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Pre-course experience
Students on this course are required to complete 13 weeks of pre-course experience. You don’t need to have completed it before you enrol, but you must have done so by the time you complete your second year of study. We strongly recommend that you fulfil this requirement before you begin the degree course.
International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering).
You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.
Application process
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We only accept online applications. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de. During the application period (for the winter semester: 1 June–15 July; for the summer semester: 1 December–15 January) you can find the online application and detailed information about the application process on the Applying for a Bachelor's degree course page.
You can find information about the selection process and the numerus clausus (NC) from the previous semester here: Applying for a Bachelor's degree course/Selection criteria
International applicants are also required to apply during the application period.
To make the process easier for you, we have compiled a step-by-step checklist: International applicants
Questions about selecting a course, applications, admissions and degree courses
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Applications and admissions
Student Admissions and Registration Office (Studierendensekretariat)
Stiftstraße 69, 20099 Hamburg (ground floor)
T +49.40.428 75-9898
studierendensekretariat (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact us with your questions about applications and admissions
The Information Point is open at the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Friday: closed
In-person office hours:
Thursday: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Telephone office hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am–10:00 am
For general queries about HAW Hamburg degree courses and course choice
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstraße 69, 1st floor, room 122
20099 Hamburg
T +49 40 42875 9110
Contact form
Office hours
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions
Meike Butenob/Dieter Röh
Stiftstraße 69, Haus 3, room 37
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
inklusion (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact the department
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Subject-specific enquiries:
Prof. Jan Friedhoff
Berliner Tor 9, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-7903
jan.friedhoff (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Enquiries about the cooperative degree programme:
Coordinator for cooperative degree programmes in engineering:
Berliner Tor 21, room 127, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-8610
dualstudium_technik(@)haw-hamburg.de
Queries around pre-course experience:
Practical Experience Advisor:
Prof. Dr. Eckart Nast
Berliner Tor 5, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-7896
eckart.nast(@)haw-hamburg.de
