Microelectronic Systems

The course is run in cooperation with West Coast University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule Westküste, FHW) in Heide in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The synergies that emerge from the combination of the two institutions‘ core competencies give students an outstanding, real-world-centred higher education and opportunities to make use of the institutions‘ networks of contacts with businesses and other higher education institutions outside Germany. The course is ideal for those seeking to take on high-level roles as managers or specialists, as well as for students interested in progressing to doctoral studies. 

The degree course’s standard duration is three semesters. We welcome new entrants in both summer and winter semesters, with HAW Hamburg providing teaching in winter and FHW in summer semesters. Any professor involved with delivering the course, regardless of their institution, can supervise your Master's thesis.

This Master’s degree course is intended primarily for those with a completed Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree in electrical engineering, specialising in either information engineering, digital electronics or communications technology. We also welcome applications from graduates with comparable first degrees in the fields of IT engineering or mechatronics.

This inter-institutional Master’s degree course in Microelectronic Systems builds on and advances students' existing specialist knowledge and skills, enabling them to apply scientific methodologies and insights to complex problems in professional and applied research settings.

Lectures provide a grounding in how integrated circuits are produced and how they work, in configuring and programming individual components, and in combining them to create complex systems. Among other topics, they explore EDA (Electronic Design Automation), CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) and CAD (Computer-Aided Design).
Labs, practical exercises and projects provide opportunities to apply and extend this knowledge in realistic scenarios, using development software of the type found in industrial settings and the algorithms used to describe and develop complex ICs.

The course’s key focus is components and systems, from specific production techniques and modelling the properties of innovative system components to cutting-edge applications in microelectronics in areas such as digital signal processing.

Students conclude their degree in its third semester with their Master's thesis.

Essential:

• A completed Bachelor's or Diplom or equivalent degree in electrical or information engineering and/or computer science or in a comparable subject
• Diploma Supplement/Transcript of Records
• International applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the German language at level C1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or above via a recognised language test, which should be one of the following: Goethe Institute C1, TestDaF 4, telc C1 Hochschule, DSH2, Deutsches Sprachdiplom issued by the KMK (Kultusministerkonferenz), or Kleines or Großes Sprachdiplom issued by the Goethe Institute.

Additional documents you may submit to enhance your application (optional):

• CV, including any continuing education courses you have taken, with proof of your qualifications and experience where relevant; in particular, please submit any written references from employers
• A letter of motivation
• A letter of recommendation

N.B.: Applicants whose (six-semester) Bachelor’s degrees are equivalent to 180 credit points are required to attain a further 30 credit points during their Master’s degree, and must be able to prove they have done so before they will be permitted to register their topic for their Master's thesis. If this applies to you and your application is successful, your studies will generally take one semester longer. Our point of contact for subject-related queries (see contact information below) will be happy to advise you of the modules and examinations you will need to undertake. You may be exempt from this requirement if you have acquired relevant work experience of at least six months – or have completed a relevant one-semester internship – after completing your Bachelor’s degree.

This degree course accepts entrants in both the summer and winter semesters. Applications are open between 1 December and 15 January for the following summer semester (at FHW in Heide) and between 1 June and 15 July for the following winter semester (at HAW Hamburg).

For winter semester:

Applications and admissions for commencement of the course in the winter semester are managed by the Student Admissions and Registration Office (Studierendensekretariat) at HAW Hamburg. We only accept online applications. You can find the online application form (only accessible when applications are open) and more information at Applying for a Master's degree course.

For summer semester:

Applications and admissions for commencement of the course in the summer semester are managed by the admissions and registration office at FHW. You can find details of how to apply at http://www.fh-westkueste.de/studieninteressierte/bewerbung