Mechanical Engineering
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Mechanical Engineering B.Sc. at HAW Hamburg is taught entirely in English and is designed to prepare you to tackle technical challenges in a digitalised environment across design, manufacturing, mobility, and renewable energy supply.
You study a core programme in the first semesters, then deepen and apply your knowledge through a practice-oriented specialisation with electives, an internship, and a Bachelor’s thesis.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Mathematics 1
- Mathematics 2
- Engineering Mechanics 1 and Engineering Mechanics 2
- Engineering Mechanics 3
- Industrial Management and Cost Accounting
- Experimental Physics and Technical Drawing and CAD
- Technical Thermodynamics 1
- Fluid Mechanics 1 and Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
- German Language
- Measurement and Control Systems
- Project Management Fundamentals / Bachelor Project
- Study Research Paper or Machine Elements and Systems C Design Project
- Elective specialisation modules such as Finite Element Methods and Systematic Product Development
- Industrial Internship (13 weeks)
- Bachelor Thesis with Colloquium
Curriculum
B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (HAW Hamburg) study plan extracted from the official Bachelor module handbook (credit points/CP per module). Credit unit is ECTS/CP.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core foundation modules | Technical Drawing and CAD | 6 | 33 |
| Engineering Mechanics 1 | 8 | |||
| Mathematics 1 | 8 | |||
| Introductory Lab / Learn Project | 5 | |||
| Communication Skills | 3 | |||
| Industrial Safety and Occupational Health | 3 | |||
| German Language | 0 | |||
| Semester 2 | Core engineering modules | Engineering Mechanics 2 | 8 | 33 |
| Mathematics 2 | 6 | |||
| Materials Science | 6 | |||
| Manufacturing Technology | 5 | |||
| Machine Elements 1 | 5 | |||
| Engineering Lab / Learn Project 2 | 3 | |||
| German Language | 0 | |||
| Semester 3 | Core thermodynamics and systems | Technical Thermodynamics 1 | 5 | 28 |
| Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer | 5 | |||
| Technical Thermodynamics 2 | 5 | |||
| Electrical Engineering Basics | 5 | |||
| Control Engineering Basics | 5 | |||
| Technology Management | 3 | |||
| German Language | 0 | |||
| Semester 4 | In-depth studies (electives) and core application modules | In-depth Studies Elective 1 (from elective catalogue) | 5 | 26 |
| In-depth Studies Elective 2 (from elective catalogue) | 5 | |||
| Production Planning and Control | 5 | |||
| Industrial Internship Preparation | 3 | |||
| Technical Drawing and CAD (advanced / continuation) | 5 | |||
| Seminar and Project Work | 3 | |||
| German Language | 0 | |||
| Semester 5 | In-depth studies electives and engineering integration | In-depth Studies Elective 3 (from elective catalogue) | 5 | 26 |
| In-depth Studies Elective 4 (from elective catalogue) | 5 | |||
| Manufacturing Systems Design | 5 | |||
| Machine Elements and Systems Design Project | 6 | |||
| Technology Elective (from elective catalogue) | 5 | |||
| German Language | 0 | |||
| Semesters 6–7 | Industrial internship, study work, and bachelor thesis | Industrial Internship (Hauptpraktikum) | 15 | 38 |
| Industrial Management | 3 | |||
| Study Work (Studienarbeit) | 5 | |||
| Bachelor Thesis with Colloquium | 15 | |||
| Total | All modules across semesters including industrial internship, study work, and bachelor thesis | 210 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with an industry-ready foundation in mechanical engineering design, calculation and construction, built to support direct entry into engineering roles in digitalised production environments.
- Your elective specialisation options help you tailor your profile toward high-demand areas such as product development and product lifecycle, manufacturing, digitalisation, sustainable energy and vehicle-related engineering.
- The programme includes an industrial internship module, giving you practical industry contact and work experience you can leverage when applying for jobs after graduation.
- Because the programme is entirely taught in English and positioned as Mechanical Engineering made in Germany, you gain a qualification that is easier to present to multinational employers.
- Repeated project work throughout your studies strengthens teamwork and presentation skills, helping you perform effectively in intercultural engineering teams from day one.
- You are prepared to continue into a relevant Master’s degree, giving you a clear pathway to deeper specialisation and future senior engineering responsibilities.
Employability rate
Mechanical engineering graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 82% and an unemployment rate of about 18% because demand is tied to engineering hiring cycles and sector conditions in areas like manufacturing, energy technology and automotive.
Together, these figures indicate a generally stable job outlook for graduates who can demonstrate practical skills and project or internship experience.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Secondary school qualification equivalent to German university entrance | International applicants who completed secondary education outside Germany must have an academic qualification that corresponds to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. |
| Preliminary review documentation (VPD) via uni-assist for foreign qualifications | International applicants need a VPD from uni-assist issued explicitly for HAW Hamburg as part of the admission process. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | Direct match | Apply with a foreign secondary school qualification equivalent to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife, and ensure your preparation includes the scientific and technical foundations needed for mechanical engineering study. |
Language requirements
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at B2 level (Common European Framework of Reference). HAW Hamburg’s recognised English certificates are listed on the university’s application information pages.
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 €397 including semester ticket and Germany-wide rail pass. |
Proof of financial resources
For Germany, you must show you can cover your living costs and study-related expenses for the planned period of stay. HAW Hamburg typically uses the semester contribution model for tuition (not tuition fees), so your financial proof should reflect living costs in Hamburg and the semester contribution you will need to pay after admission.
- Proof of sufficient funds for living expenses for your stay in Germany, as required by the German residence permit process
- Funds to pay the semester contribution charged by HAW Hamburg for each semester of enrolment
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | October 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | November 30, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | April 01, 2027 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | April - Summer 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
Check eligibility and English level
Confirm your foreign secondary education qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife for admission to the bachelor programme. Make sure you can provide English proficiency at B2 level before you submit. If you are applying with foreign qualifications, plan early for the VPD process required for HAW Hamburg.
Prepare your uni-assist VPD for HAW Hamburg
For international applicants with secondary education outside Germany, you must obtain a VPD from uni-assist issued explicitly for HAW Hamburg. Ensure the VPD is completed in time so you can upload the relevant information/documents in your myHAW application. Use the programme’s international applicant guidance to avoid using a VPD issued for a different university.
Apply via myHAW during the application window
Submit your bachelor application for Mechanical Engineering using the online application process in myHAW. The published application period is October 1 to November 30 for the summer semester (starting in April). Upload the required documents during the online submission and ensure the VPD and English proof requirements are covered.
Admission decision and next steps
Because the programme is restricted, the selection committee uses ranking to determine available study places. Admission letters are sent approximately two weeks after the application deadline. If you are admitted, follow the enrolment steps to complete your registration by the required deadlines and pay the semester contribution when prompted.