The Top Universities for Civil Engineering in Germany

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By Dean McClements

11 June 2019

Civil engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and construction of large-scale structures like bridges and high-rise buildings. To work as a civil engineer, one must understand the basics of how static objects behave – in order to design buildings – as well as having a thorough grasp of the underlying forces inside structures like bridges and dams.

In Germany, civil engineering is called Bauingenieurwesen. Aspiring civil engineering students must complete three years of an undergraduate degree in engineering and then go through an accreditation process before they can use the professional title of an engineer legally. Below are the top ten civil engineering universities in Germany for those interested in becoming civil engineers.

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Top universities for civil engineering in germany

1. Technical University of Munich

Established in 1868, the Technical University of Munich is a research university that is also one of the largest universities in the country. It has a noble history and has connections with 17 Nobel laureates. The university´s Department of Civil Engineering is home to numerous research institutions and laboratories, while the university has over 40,000 students from around the world.

To complete a civil engineering undergraduate degree here, one must go through three years of courses in which the fundamentals of natural and civil engineering sciences are taught. Upon the completion of an undergraduate program, the student can choose to complete a Master’s program where they can specialize in a chosen field of civil engineering.

To apply to the Technical University of Munich, interested applicants must go online at the TUMonline portal. Once the online application form has been filled out, a paper application must be printed, signed, and mailed to the main enrolment office of the university before the application deadline.

2. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

This is another large public research university in Germany and is the result of a 2009 merger between The University of Karlsruhe and the Karlsruhe Research Center. It is one of the best universities in Europe for science, engineering, and technology. The university’s civil engineering department is split into ten branches of civil engineering, which include the institute for structural analysis, the institute for concrete structures, the institute of mechanics, and the institute of transport studies.

The Bachelor’s program at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is split into two parts. The first part of the program teaches the student the necessary scientific foundational knowledge to understand the problems faced in engineering work. The second part of the program teaches students the practical components of engineering work, such as relevant fieldwork. A Bachelor’s thesis is also required from the student in order to graduate, which should be completed over a duration of three months.

3. Berlin Institute of Technology

The Berlin Institute of Technology, also known as the Technische Universität Berlin, was founded in 1879. It is one of the largest and most notable German institutes of technology and belongs to the prestigious TU9.

The school’s civil engineering department offers a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in civil engineering. In fact, civil engineering students make up the largest group of students at the university. Students with both German educational certificates and foreign ones can apply to study here. The application process can be completed online on the TU Berlin website.

4. Technical University of Dresden

Located in the eastern German state of Saxony, the Technical University of Dresden is one of the top ten largest universities in Germany. The school was established in 1828 and is a member of TU9. The founding of the school is tied to the founding of the German empire, and as a result, many of the buildings on campus are over 100 years old.

The faculty of civil engineering at the Technical University of Dresden offers different types of civil engineering degrees to meet the needs of students. A diploma program is available for those not interested in obtaining the full degree. A distance-learning Bachelor’s program is also available. Once admitted, the student will also complete eight weeks of practical work experience that is required for graduation.

5. Technische Universität Darmstadt

This is another TU9 university located in the south-eastern city of Darmstadt. It was established in 1877 and was one of the first universities in the world to have an electrical engineering department. In fact, Albert Einstein even recommended this university!

The civil engineering department at this university offers two majors, which are civil engineering and geodesy. To obtain an undergraduate civil engineering degree, the student must complete general courses, specialized courses, optional generalized and specialized courses, and a Bachelor’s thesis. Both German and international students can apply, with the application process being conducted online.

6. University of Stuttgart

The University of Stuttgart is one of the oldest TU9 universities in Germany and has the best engineering programs in various disciplines of engineering. The faculty of civil and environmental engineering is made up of 14 different institutes and employs over 400 people.

Students interested in studying at the University of Stuttgart can complete Bachelor’s programs in German, and Master’s programs in English. Specializations offered include computational mechanics, structural engineering, transportation systems, and water and the environment.

7. Ruhr University Bochum

The Ruhr University of Bochum was founded in 1962. The school’s civil and environmental engineering department offers a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree. The Bachelor’s degree can be completed over six semesters while the Master’s degree can be completed over four semesters.

Interested applicants can apply online with the deadlines being July 15th and January 15th. Once admitted, the student can take advantage of the school’s many programs, research facilities, and workshops where they can learn to use engineering software such as Revit and LaTeX.

8. Technical University of Braunschweig

The Technical University of Braunschweig is another TU9 university, with a history that dates back to 1745. The university is known for its interdisciplinary research, and has a research focus on 'smart future' cities.

The civil engineering course at the University of Braunschweig is designed to meet both current and future demands in civil engineering knowledge. Both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s program is offered here, with the Bachelor’s degree occupying six semesters. During the Master’s degree, students can specialize in numerous subjects such as waste management, building materials, fire protection engineering, and more.

9. University of Duisburg-Essen

Founded in 1654, the University of Duisburg-Essen is home to 40,000 students and is one of the top ten largest universities in Germany. The school’s civil engineering department offers specialized studies in 14 different disciplines.

Interested applicants can apply to complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s program. Some subjects of civil engineering in which students can specialize include construction management, geotechnical engineering, concrete structures, mechanics, urban water and waste management.

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