Automotive Engineering
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Automotive Engineering at HAW Hamburg gives you a practical, interdisciplinary engineering education focused on developing innovative vehicle concepts. The programme helps you build strong problem-solving skills in the interaction of mobility and technology, supported by coursework designed for hands-on learning and current engineering practice.
International applicants must meet HAW Hamburg’s requirements for university entrance qualification equivalent to German Abitur/Fachhochschulreife, including proof of German language skills at level C1 and proof of English proficiency at level B1 for this programme. You apply online via the myHAW portal during the published application period.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Mathematik 1
- Physik und Messverfahren
- Werkstoffkunde
- Technische Mechanik 1
- Programmierung und Datenverarbeitung
- Mathematik 2
- Technische Mechanik 2
- Thermodynamik
- Elektrotechnik
- Konstruktion und Fertigungstechnik
- Datenverarbeitung und Simulation
- Strömungslehre
- Grundlagen der Fahrzeugtechnik
- Fahrzeugkomponenten und Systeme
- Ingenieurpraxis / Labor
- Antriebsstrang und Maschinen
- Fahrwerk / Fahrverhalten
- Regelungs- und Steuerungstechnik
- Energie- und Mobilitätswirtschaft
- Elektrische Systeme im Fahrzeug
- Entwurfsprojekt (Fahrzeugtechnik)
- Specialisation elective modules (5 modules; chosen from a list of 17)
- Praxisphase
- Bachelorarbeit
- Kolloquium
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 5 modules | Mathematik 1 | 5 | 25 |
| Physik und Messverfahren | 5 | |||
| Werkstoffkunde | 5 | |||
| Technische Mechanik 1 | 5 | |||
| Programmierung und Datenverarbeitung | 5 | |||
| Semester 2 | 5 modules | Mathematik 2 | 5 | 25 |
| Technische Mechanik 2 | 5 | |||
| Thermodynamik | 5 | |||
| Elektrotechnik | 5 | |||
| Konstruktion und Fertigungstechnik | 5 | |||
| Semester 3 | 5 modules | Datenverarbeitung und Simulation | 5 | 25 |
| Strömungslehre | 5 | |||
| Grundlagen der Fahrzeugtechnik | 5 | |||
| Fahrzeugkomponenten und Systeme | 5 | |||
| Ingenieurpraxis / Labor | 5 | |||
| Semester 4 | 6 modules | Antriebsstrang und Maschinen | 5 | 25 |
| Fahrwerk / Fahrverhalten | 5 | |||
| Regelungs- und Steuerungstechnik | 5 | |||
| Energie- und Mobilitätswirtschaft | 5 | |||
| Elektrische Systeme im Fahrzeug | 5 | |||
| Entwurfsprojekt (Fahrzeugtechnik) | 0 | |||
| Semesters 5–7 | Specialisation modules + industrial placement + Bachelor thesis | Specialisation elective modules (5 modules; chosen from a list of 17) | 25 | 55 |
| Praxisphase | 15 | |||
| Bachelorarbeit | 12 | |||
| Kolloquium | 3 |
Career outcomes
- You build job-ready competence in vehicle design and core automotive engineering topics, preparing you for engineering roles in automotive product development in Germany.
- You develop practical engineering skills through FEM and design teamwork, helping you stand out for hands-on roles in engineering departments and technical project teams.
- Your Automotive Engineering research project supports a deeper technical profile, which is valuable when employers look for candidates who can work independently on development topics.
- Because HAW Hamburg focuses on applied engineering and close cooperation with the automotive industry, you gain experience that aligns with real industry workflows and expectations.
- You prepare for roles across the automotive value chain, including design, engineering analysis, and engineering project work, where your program-specific foundation is directly useful.
- You gain a degree pathway that supports progression into more specialized responsibilities, such as senior engineering tasks and project leadership in automotive technology teams.
Employability rate
Automotive engineering graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 86% and an unemployment rate of about 14%, reflecting steady demand for engineering talent across the automotive and mobility sector.
Together, these figures indicate a generally reliable career outlook, especially for graduates who build practical project experience during their degree.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Secondary education qualification (foreign) | If you completed your secondary education outside Germany, you need an academic qualification that corresponds to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife for admission to study in Germany. |
| English proficiency (B1 CEFR) | You must provide proof of proficiency in English at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference. |
| German proficiency (C1 CEFR) | You must provide proof of German language skills at C1 level. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | Direct match | This programme focuses on automotive engineering knowledge areas such as vehicle design, powertrain and chassis fundamentals, and applied engineering methods. |
Language requirements
For this Bachelor’s programme, international applicants must provide proof of German language skills at C1 level and proof of English language proficiency at B1 level (CEFR).
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 397 / per semester | Semester contribution for winter semester 2026/27: 397.00 EUR. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants may need to show they can cover study and living costs while in Germany as part of visa and residence-permit requirements.
- Blocked account (Sperrkonto) or other proof of financial means for residence/visa purposes, as required by the responsible German authority
- Evidence of sufficient funds for the intended study period, following the German immigration guidance for student visas
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | June 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | July 15, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | July 01, 2026 |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Register and prepare your application
HAW Hamburg accepts online applications. Before you apply, register with the dialogue-oriented service procedure (Hochschulstart) unless your situation is an exception stated by HAW Hamburg for other degree courses. International applicants are also required to apply during the published application period for the relevant intake.
Complete the online application during the application period
During the application period for the winter semester (1 June–15 July) and for the summer semester (1 December–15 January), submit your online application and upload all required documents in the application portal. HAW Hamburg states that the application deadlines are final deadlines and that documents must also be uploaded by the deadline. Applications received after the closing dates will not be considered.
Meet language requirements and upload certificates
Make sure your German language proof meets the C1 level requirement and your English language proof meets the B1 level requirement stated by HAW Hamburg for this programme. Upload your language certificates together with your other application documents during the application period.
Track your application and follow admission steps
You can check the status of your application and HAW Hamburg admissions offers in your Hochschulstart account and through HAW Hamburg’s myHAW information and application portal. After an offer is published, you must meet the acceptance and enrolment steps within the given timeframe. HAW Hamburg also notes that no paper documents are required for the bachelor or master application submission, because documents should be uploaded to the portal if needed.