Study Civil Engineering in Germany

Studying Civil Engineering in a country like Germany will equip you with essentially everything you need to know to excel in a civil engineering career. Engineering programs at German universities attract thousands of international students every year.

Reasons to Study Civil Engineering in Germany

• Professional growth. Studying Civil Engineering in Germany will give you professional growth at a highly affordable cost.
• Good financial prospects. It has been projected that the civil engineering revenue in Germany will amount to approximately $61.6 billion by 2024.
• Job opportunities. The construction industry in Germany is growing by the year. In 2018, Germany counted around 2.13 million employees in the construction industry.
• Affordable tuition. Top Civil Engineering universities in Germany, such as the Technical University of Munich or RWTH Aachen University, are government-funded (and therefore have affordable tuition fees).
• Worldwide recognition. Germany is internationally recognized for its expertise in any engineering field, including Civil Engineering.

Structure of Civil Engineering Courses in Germany

Civil Engineering programs, either at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, are plentiful in Germany. Prospective students can find anything they are interested in, which, when matched with the expertise of German universities, creates an exceptional arrangement.

Bachelor Programs

A bachelor’s in Civil Engineering in Germany takes three years of full-time study to complete, meaning six academic semesters. The bachelor’s programs in Civil Engineering at German universities will provide students with the thorough understanding and knowledge required to construct buildings and structures. The curriculum is focused on a wide range of topics related to civil engineering directly. Such subjects include the likes of mathematics, physics, and specific civil engineering sciences.

Generally, the course content of Civil Engineering programs in Germany is divided as follows:

• The First Academic Year (Semester 1-2): Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Applied Mechanics, Descriptive Geometry, Computer Science, etc.
• Second and Third Academic Year (Semester 3-6): Fundamentals of Civil Engineering, including Dynamics, Hydromechanics, Construction Process Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Residential Water Management, Solid Construction, etc.

During the sixth semester, students are expected to begin working on their bachelor’s thesis. Additionally, some universities offer Civil Engineering students the opportunity to complete an internship in their selected specialization.

Master Programs

A master’s in Civil Engineering in Germany takes two years (four semesters) of full-time study to complete. After gaining the fundamental knowledge of civil engineering during bachelor studies, the master's programs in Civil Engineering at German universities will equip students with the skills to meet the job market demands and achieve management or leadership positions in construction companies.

A few Civil Engineering specializations available in Germany include:

• Transport Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering

Master’s programs in Civil Engineering in Germany focus heavily on independent work and scientific research methods. The programs create highly skilled graduates fully prepared for doctoral studies and careers in research or the industry.

Job Prospects and Other Facts

The German higher education sector provides engineers with the necessary skills to become competitive in the job market. In fact, Civil Engineers who have received training in Germany are sought after not only within Germany but also worldwide. Studying Civil Engineering at German universities gives students an extra edge due to the skills they earn. An important thing about finding employment in Civil Engineering occupations is that, more often than not, knowledge of the German language is necessary.

Some of the companies where Civil Engineers can seek employment are:

• Arup
• GOLDBECK GmbH
• BAUER Group
• Max Bögl
• Zeppelin GmbH, etc.

The average civil engineer's annual salary in Germany is approximately €68,932, with an equivalent hourly rate of €33. The salary depends on experience, level of education, and occupation, meaning an entry-level civil engineer will earn less than the average. The more experienced, the higher the salary.