Bauingenieurwesen (weiterführend)

The program is offered at universities and universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen). Learning takes place at the university in lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, libraries, and laboratories. Additionally, students engage in home study, such as preparing for and following up on courses, completing assignments, and potentially participating in online courses.

The standard duration of the program is 2-4 semesters.

Study costs include enrollment and administration fees, as well as semester contributions (e.g., for the student union, student representation, semester ticket). There may also be tuition fees for 'long-term students,' those pursuing a second Studium (degree), or after exhausting a set study credit. Expenses for learning materials and study needs, such as specialized literature and excursions, are also incurred. Contributions for student health insurance may apply, typically when exceeding the age limit of 25 years or certain income thresholds. Information on funding opportunities can be found from the German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) and the Federal Education Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG).

Duale Studiengänge (dual study programs) combine a Studium (degree program) with professional activity or practical phases in a company. In the advanced civil engineering program, there are practice-integrating study programs. Further information and search for dual study programs can be found on the AusbildungPlus portal.

Compulsory modules may include construction operations and management, engineering geology and soil mechanics, computer-oriented methods in statics and dynamics/FEM, river basin management, geoinformation systems, flood risk and resilience in hydraulic engineering, engineering mathematics/operations research, sustainable urban development, programming, environmental planning, and geoinformation systems (GIS). Elective modules may include construction site monitoring, building and industrial construction, urban water management, structural systems and constructions, and wind effects - engineering structures and wind energy plants. Practical study content varies by university and may include internships, practical modules, practical semesters (e.g., in a construction company), or semesters abroad.

Universities may conduct aptitude tests or selection interviews.

Students should prepare for the following conditions and requirements: Lectures are attended during the semester in the lecture halls and seminar rooms of the university; if necessary, online lectures can be joined from home. In part-time Studium (university studies) programs, students work during the day on weekdays and attend university in the evenings or on weekends. Practical exercises include, for example, conducting building chemical analyses in the laboratory. Students are expected to engage in independent work such as preparing for and reviewing lectures, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, and completing assignments (also during lecture-free periods). Scientific research aims to deepen skills in scientific work. Students must plan their Studium independently, adhere to specified study periods, and complete Studium and examination requirements on time (self-discipline and organizational talent are required). As part of career preparation, internships (e.g., in a construction company) may be completed if necessary.

Students can complete parts of their Studium abroad. For example, there are trinational (German-French-Swiss) advanced Civil Engineering Studium programs in France/Switzerland. These programs are offered at universities such as Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Institut universitaire de technologie Robert Schumann (Strasbourg), and Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (near Basel). The degree awarded is a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.). Further information can be found on the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences' trinational Master's program in Civil Engineering.

The following Studium subjects can be alternatives for the Civil Engineering (advanced) Studium program: In the field of Architecture and Building Technology, these include Architecture (advanced), Construction Business Administration, Construction Management (advanced), and Building Physics (advanced). Common to these areas is carrying out planning and calculations for construction projects, checking the technical feasibility of projects and estimating effort, and acquiring knowledge of construction planning, execution, and management. In the field of Building Services Engineering, Facility Management, Technical Building Management (advanced), Building Services, Building Energy Technology (advanced), and Supply Engineering (advanced) can be alternatives. Common to these areas is planning supply and disposal systems, performing technical calculations, and acquiring knowledge of construction execution.

Universities typically require the following Studium degrees for admission to the Civil Engineering (advanced) program: Architecture (undergraduate), Civil Engineering (undergraduate), Building Physics (undergraduate).

Additional and key qualifications facilitate a successful career entry. Topics such as management, presentation techniques, and negotiation techniques are relevant. Elective modules like urban water management can also provide additional qualifications. Internships, for example in a construction company, specifically prepare students for professional life. Opportunities to acquire additional and key qualifications can be found at the Career Centers of universities (see contact details of the respective university): Universities in Germany - Hochschulkompass university search engine.

The advanced Studium program deepens knowledge gained from the undergraduate Studium program and, if applicable, from professional experience. Students usually specialize in specific topics. These can include building maintenance, energy-efficient construction and renovation, infrastructure, or structural engineering. In addition, there are Master's Studium programs that cover a broad spectrum of civil engineering. This Studium leads to a second university degree. This Studium subject is also available as a dual, part-time, or distance learning Studium program.

Examples of study program titles include Civil Engineering (Diplom), Civil Engineering - Infrastructure, Water and Mobility (Master), Civil Engineering - Sustainable Planning and Construction (Master), Building Damages, Defects and Restoration (Master), Construction and Robotics (Master), Engineering Management (Master), Engineering of Hydro-Environmental Extremes (Master), Structural Engineering and Digital Construction Processes (Master), Sustainable Engineering of Infrastructure (Master).

Master graduates in Civil Engineering have various career opportunities in the private sector and public service, such as construction planning, site management, or expert/appraiser activities. Those aiming for an academic career at a university usually need to pursue a doctorate. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector and research.

In the mid-19th century, an engineering science combining practical construction knowledge with scientific fundamentals was established, with study programs heavily focused on construction machinery dominating. In the mid-20th century, the Institute for Construction Management (Institut für Baubetriebswesen) was founded in Dresden in 1955, bringing together technical and scientific knowledge. The Bologna Process, which began in 1999, reformed the European higher education landscape with goals including creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing study programs and degrees through the introduction of Bachelor and Master programs, and improving the mobility of students and lecturers.

Degree titles vary depending on the study program, including Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.). Additionally, the Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.) degree is also awarded.

No remuneration is received during studies. For practical phases, such as during an internship in a company, a remuneration can be agreed upon. It may be possible to complete the Master's thesis as part of an activity in a company, and the remuneration during this time usually aligns with that of an internship. Remuneration during a dual study program (duales Studium) varies depending on the company.

Legal regulations for studies are determined at the federal level by the Higher Education Framework Act (Hochschulrahmengesetz - HRG), inter-state structural guidelines, and the Qualifications Framework for German Higher Education Degrees. At the state (Bundesland) level, higher education laws in conjunction with administrative regulations, for example, on the accreditation of study programs, apply. At the university level, the university's statutes and the study and examination regulations for the respective study programs are applicable.

The prerequisite for this Studium (university degree program) is a first professionally qualifying university degree; usually, a foundational degree in civil engineering (Bauingenieurwesen) is required. For advanced degree programs, at least one year of professional experience is necessary. Depending on the university, an internal selection process takes place. Selection criteria may include performance in the first professionally qualifying degree. For dual (cooperative) degree programs, a traineeship or employment contract with a suitable company (known as a practical partner) is generally a prerequisite. If necessary, proof of English language skills must be provided.