Flugzeugbau
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Engineering for tomorrow’s aviation: the Master’s programme Flugzeugbau (M.Sc.) at HAW Hamburg deepens your knowledge in future-relevant areas such as lightweight design, cabin technology, and system integration, with practice-focused and research-oriented learning.
The programme is designed for engineering graduates who want to qualify for complex development, management, or research tasks in the aviation industry; it includes a third-semester master thesis, ideally in cooperation with an industry partner or in an applied research project.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Advanced topics in aircraft design and lightweight construction within the chosen specialisation (Entwurf und Leichtbau).
- Aircraft cabin design and cabin systems focused on comfort, ergonomics, and technical interfaces (Kabine und Kabinensysteme).
- Study of system management, business administration and general engineering fundamentals as programme-wide supporting content.
- Preparation for the research and application-oriented master work in the final semester.
- Master thesis in the third semester.
- Thesis work ideally in cooperation with an industry partner or in an applied research project at the university.
- Application-oriented research focus linking the chosen specialisation to complex development, management or research tasks in aviation.
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Systems Engineering | 6 | 36 | |
| Faserverbundstrukturen | 6 | |||
| Flugmechanik 1 | 6 | |||
| Zuverlässigkeit und Sicherheit | 6 | |||
| Aeroakustik | 6 | |||
| Vertiefung Entwurf und Leichtbau (Wahlpflichtmodul) | 6 | |||
| Semester 2 | Flugzeugsysteme | 6 | 36 | |
| Leichtbaukonstruktionen und Fertigung | 6 | |||
| Flugmechanik 2 | 6 | |||
| Strukturdynamik und experimentelle Methoden | 6 | |||
| Simulation und Modellierung | 6 | |||
| Projektarbeit / Teamprojekt (studiengangsbezogenes Modul) | 6 | |||
| Semester 3 | Masterarbeit | 18 | 18 | |
| Total | 90 ECTS | |||
Career outcomes
- You qualify for complex development, management, or research tasks in the aviation industry using a master-level focus on aircraft design and lightweight construction or cabin and cabin systems.
- You build job-ready expertise for roles with aircraft and engine manufacturers, suppliers, engineering consultancies, research institutions, and public authorities.
- You graduate with structured, practice-oriented learning designed to support roles in systems development and engineering integration for modern aircraft products.
- Your master thesis can be completed with an industry partner or within an applied research project, helping you graduate with real, applied outcomes.
- You strengthen a foundation for advancement into specialist engineering roles and, with experience, leadership-oriented tasks in aviation product development.
Employability rate
Aviation and aircraft engineering master graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 88% and an unemployment rate of about 12%, reflecting ongoing hiring needs in the air transport and aerospace supply ecosystem.
Together, these figures point to a reasonably stable career outlook, especially for graduates who can demonstrate applied engineering competence through their master work.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or Diploma | Applicants need a Bachelor or Diploma with a minimum duration of 3.5 years and at least 210 CP (or the equivalent), plus a Diploma Supplement/Transcript of Records. |
| Language requirements for international applicants | The programme requires German language skills (C1) as a prerequisite for application for international applicants, and English skills at least B1. |
| Preliminary credential review for international applicants | For international applicants, HAW Hamburg asks applicants to send school and study certificates for review to uni-assist as part of the application process. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Maschinenbau | Conditional | Selection may reject applications if key core areas relevant to the Aircraft Engineering and Vehicle Engineering profile are missing; the selection committee checks the applicant profile against the programme's subject requirements. |
Language requirements
The Flugzeugbau (M.Sc.) programme requires German language skills (C1) for international applicants. English proficiency is also required at entry level (at least B1). If your qualification was taught in English, you may be able to use official proof to support your case during admission review.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 397 / per semester | Semester contribution for winter semester 2026/27: 397.00 EUR (includes semester ticket and administrative fee). |
Proof of financial resources
International students applying to HAW Hamburg generally need to show they can cover living costs in Germany. Prepare documentation for your visa and residence permit process (financial resources) as required by German immigration procedures.
- Proof of sufficient financial resources for studying and living in Germany, required for the visa/residence permit process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | January 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 | N/A |
| 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
Prepare your eligibility and language proof
Check that your Bachelor or Diploma meets the minimum duration (3.5 years) and credit requirement (at least 210 CP) and that you can provide the required language evidence for international applicants. For international credentials, ensure you have your documents ready for the preliminary review process required by HAW Hamburg.
Send your documents for the international review (uni-assist)
If you are an international applicant, HAW Hamburg requests that you send your school and study certificates for review to uni-assist before applying for the Master's programme. Plan this early, because the review process can take significant time.
Submit your Master's application within the deadline
Submit your application during the published application window for the relevant intake season. Applications are checked by a selection committee, and your final admission depends on meeting all requirements. Upload the required supporting documents and keep copies for your records.