Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)

Study digital engineering in mechanical engineering

Engineers in the field of digital engineering work at the interface between mechanical engineering and computer science. By using software, simulations, AI or digital twins, digital engineers develop sophisticated technical solutions - from wind turbines to autonomous vehicles - and thus take responsibility for a sustainable, resource- and climate-friendly future.

About the application
Zwei Studenten vor einem Bildschirm, auf dem die Simulation eines Fahrzeugs zu sehen ist
Foto: Andreas Ellermeier / OTH Regensburg

Learning content

What is the Bachelor's degree programme in Digital Engineering in Mechanical Engineering about?

What is a digital twin and how can it improve the performance of machines in order to conserve valuable resources?
How can artificial intelligence be used to develop environmentally friendly products? And can the CO2 footprint of your last holiday trip be reduced with the help of AI?
What does predictive maintenance mean and how can we predict how long a new washing machine will last?
What are smart machines and systems and why is networking so important for a sustainable economy?

 

The Bachelor's degree programme in Digital Engineering is all about digital tools and their use to solve challenging issues (technical problems) in the field of mechanical engineering. Digital engineers learn, among other things:

  • how digital models for simulating machines are developed on the computer
  • how performance improvements are achieved by collecting and analysing machine data
  • how digital twins are used to simulate and optimise real machines
  • how projects are organised and monitored
  • how design thinking or agile product development processes work and are used in the development of products

As specialists with interdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of mechanical engineering and computer science, digital engineers have the freedom to focus on individual topics of their choice - both during their studies and in their working life.

Alhe course content is designed to train our students to become responsible engineers who act sustainably and are able to contribute to solving global challenges, e.g. with regard to climate, the environment and mobility.

 

The following focal points are on the curriculum:

  • Mathematical and scientific fundamentals, e.g. engineering mathematics and engineering informatics
  • Engineering fundamentals, e.g. technical mechanics, electrical engineering and materials engineering
  • Engineering applications using software tools, e.g. machine elements and thermodynamics
  • Interdisciplinary teaching content, e.g. sustainability and project management

In addition to specialised knowledge, our students also train social and methodological skills, e.g:

  • Scientific work
  • Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Organisational skills (project planning, execution and presentation)
  • Communication skills
  • Independence and ability to work in a team
  • Awareness of leadership responsibility
  • Responsible, ethical behaviour (technology assessment)
Magnetschwebebahn, im hinteren Bereich als reales Objekt, im vorderen Bereich als digitaler Zwillinger dargestellt
Picture: OTH Regensburg

Strengths of the degree programme

Being at the forefront

The Digital Engineering in Mechanical Engineering degree programme is brand new, cutting-edge and teaches the latest digital working methods in industry. We start with a small group of students, which guarantees intensive, project-orientated teaching with lots of fun.

Study with the best

OTH Regensburg is Bavaria's best university for mechanical engineering! This is according to the university ranking published by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE) in March 2023, in which students rate their study conditions. In 13 categories, the degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering were ranked among the best in Germany.

Teaching at eye level

Whether in joint discussions in seminars or when working together on exciting research projects - students and professors work as equals here.

 

Eine Gruppe Studierender sowie ein Professor beim Unterricht in einem Seminarraum
Foto: Andreas Ellermeier / OTH Regensburg

Career opportunities

What career prospects do I have as a digital engineer in the field of mechanical engineering?

You've completed your Bachelor's degree - now what? Do you want to hit the ground running in your professional life, do a Master's degree first or even aim for a doctorate?

Information on various follow-up options is summarised here:

Eine Gruppe männlicher Studierender arbeiten an einem kleinen Fahrzeug
Foto: Andreas Ellermeier / OTH Regensburg

Structure and modules

How is the degree programme structured?

The Bachelor's degree programme in Digital Engineering in Mechanical Engineering is designed as a full-time course and comprises a standard period of study of seven semesters. It consists of six theoretical and one practical semester. Students can set individual specialisations during their studies with elective modules.

Studium und Organisatorisches

Damit alles rund läuft

Wo und wann finden die Vorlesungen statt? Welche rechtlichen Vorschriften müssen beachtet werden? Und wie kann ich mein Studium finanzieren?

Antworten auf diese und weitere Fragen rund um das Bachelorstudium Digital Engineering im Maschinenbau sind hier zu finden.

Info zur Bewerbung

1. Please register in the  OTH Regensburg application portal. It is not necessary to register with “Hochschulstart” for this degree programme.

2. The application process is entirely online. Complete the online application and upload all required application materials. This includes as a minimum your university entrance qualification. If further documents are necessary, they will be requested in the application portal.

3. Make sure you regularly check your status in the application portal. Here you can also see whether any documents are still missing. You can upload missing documents by the end of the deadline. If you upload the required documents, your status will change.

4. You will automatically receive email notifications via the application portal when your application status changes.

 

5. If all application documents have been received within the application deadline and are valid, you will then receive an offer of a place of study online via the portal as well as an additional e-mail notification from the Admissions and Organisation Office of the OTH Regensburg. Please note that it is no longer possible to apply after the application deadline. 

6. So what comes next? You can find all the information you need in the section under "Admissions and enrolment".

 

For winter semesters:

Application period for first semesters: 1 May - 15 September
Application period for higher semesters: 1 May – 15 June

For summer semesters:

(no start of studies, therefore an application is only possible for a higher semester. This requires creditable achievements from a relevant programme of study).

Application period for higher semesters: 15 November - 15 January

 

General Information:

During the pre-study placement, practical ideas and knowledge are to be conveyed, i.e. no auxiliary activities should be performed. It is to be completed full-time ( which is normal in companies/institutions).
If you are attending the FOS/BOS, please do not enclose any internship documents, proof of activities, etc. Your school leaving certificate is sufficient, as it states the field of study.

Confirmation of pre-study placement:

- Submit one complete confirmation and not several partial confirmations.
- The number of weeks must be included in all pre-study placement confirmations; i.e. not only the period of time.
- If the previous pre-study placement was not completed in Germany, a certificate in at least English is required.

You are welcome to use our ”Praktikumsbestätigung” (pre-study placement confirmation) form as an aid and submit it to the company/institution for signature.

Special information for this study programme:

The pre-study internship requirement does not apply if the FOS/BOS certificate with the subject technology is uploaded with your application for admission. In all other cases, the following information applies:

Due date of the pre-study internship certificate:

From the beginning of the degree programme until the start of the fourth semester at the latest (not with your application for admission). To be submitted by e-mail to the Examinations and Internships Office.

Duration:

6 weeks

Splitting up your pre-study internship:

The pre-study internship can be divided into two periods and two internships. The documents must be submitted once in full, not several times with partial confirmations.

Content:

Getting to know technical materials and processes as well as production methods and equipment. Please also refer to the separate information sheet.

1. Please register in the application portal of OTH Regensburg .

2. You can now select the programme you want to apply for. Please go through the steps of the application, read the information carefully and upload the required documents when prompted. If you are applying for a higher semester, the most important documents are your university entrance qualification (for details please also check the tab „International“), certificates of language proficiency, official transcripts of records showing the courses you already completed, as well as a completed and signed application for credit recognition. Additional documents will be pointed out in the application portal.

Important!
You should only apply for a higher semester if you have already completed at least one semester in a similar university degree in terms of academic level (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) and field of study. If you are currently enrolled in your first semester at university, you should not apply for a higher semester because you will most likely not receive your exam results before our application deadline (we do not accept any documents after the deadline).

To assess whether you have already completed creditable work, you should first read the study and examination regulations of the programme you wish to study, in particular which courses and modules are included in the curriculum. Further details of course content can be found in the programme’s module handbook. You can find these documents on the OTH Regensburg programme website. If you believe that you have already completed courses that are equivalent in terms of content and workload to courses from the programme’s curriculum at OTH Regensburg, you can make a proposal for recognition to the Admissions Board by listing these courses in the application for credit transfer. You also need to submit transcripts of records. Please combine these with course or module descriptions from your previous university. Instead of uploading the complete module handbooks, you should only upload the module descriptions of the courses you have completed. If the courses were taken at OTH Regensburg, module descriptions are not required. If you would be interested in studying the programme in the first semester as well, you should apply separately for the first semester (different deadlines or requirements may apply).

3. Please check the OTH Regensburg application portal regularly for updates on your status or missing documents. If necessary, you can upload any missing documents before the application deadline.

4. As soon as your application has been processed by the Admissions Office, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with additional information. Please note that receiving a confirmation e-mail does not imply that you will also receive admission.

 

5. If all application documents have been received within the application deadline and are valid, you will receive an e-mail with further information after the examination committee has checked the documents. Please note that it is no longer possible to apply after the application deadline. 

6. The examination committee decides on the crediting of academic achievements and whether a placement in a higher semester is possible. This placement is based on the creditable achievements and not on the semesters completed. Please note that there may also be admission restrictions in the admission procedure for higher semesters. 

7. So what comes next? You can find all the information you need in the section under "Admissions and enrolment".

 

For their application at the OTH Regensburg, international applicants need

  • a university entrance qualification
  • an adequate knowledge of German

 

UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE QUALIFICATION

For an application for a Bachelor’s degree programme at the OTH Regensburg (university of applied sciences) international certificates, transcripts of your educational records and diplomas must first be recognized by uni-assist. Please request a so-called “preliminary review documentation” (in German abbr. VPD). (Exceptions are applications from the PR China and Vietnam. The recognition lies in the responsibility of the particular Academic Evaluation Center. However, if the APS certificate does not show a grade, a VPD is also required. Applicants from India need a certificate of the Academic Evaluation Center of India in order to request the VPD from uni-assist.)

 

GERMAN LANGUAGE SKILLS

German language skills on level DSH 1 are required. You have to upload your German language certificate either when applying or when enrolling via the online portal.

These certificates are recognized as an alternative to the DSH 1 certificate:

  • TestDaF: TDN 3 in all sections of the exam
  • Studienkolleg: Feststellungsprüfung „Deutsch“
  • DSD: Level II with B2 in all sections of the exam
  • Goethe: C1
  • telc: telc Deutsch C1, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
  • ÖSD: C1
  • UNIcert® Deutsch III

Please read all texts and, if available, linked documents directly under Application Info!

 

If you need a visa to study in Germany, you should look into the visa procedure and (if necessary) register on the waitlist as soon as possible. Depending on your country, receiving a visa appointment can take a long time. On the other hand, our admission letters are only valid for one semester and admission cannot be deferred.

You can find more information for prospective international students (on visas or other issues) on the web pages of the International Office.

For prospective students with a master craftsman's certificate

With a master craftsman's certificate or an equivalent equivalent qualification, you can apply without restriction and have no subject restrictions, as you have a general university entrance qualification. In the application portal, you will be asked for your higher education entrance qualification. Please enter "Beruflich Qualifizierte Meister" (vocationally qualified master craftsman).

When applying, in addition to your complete certificate including grade point average, you must also submit documentary proof of an interview with the departmental advisor for course guidance. Please make an appointment as early as possible. The name and contact details can be found in the "contact" section of each degree programme. Your course guidance advisor will also provide you with documentary proof that the interview took place. Documentary records of academic counselling from other universities in Bavaria are recognised for the same or similar degree programmes and must also be uploaded in the application portal. Other documents specific to your chosen study programme can be found in the application portal.

Attending a preparatory course (including mathematics) is particularly useful for taking up a technical or engineering degree programme. The OTH Regensburg offers suitable preparatory courses for those with vocational qualifications.

If you would like to study part-time - i.e. parallel to your job - rather than full-time, we recommend that you visit the pages of the Centre for Continuing Education and Knowledge Management (ZWW).

 

For prospective students with a vocational qualification certificate

If you have completed vocational training, it is possible to apply for a place at university with a specific subject in mind. Your vocational training and the degree programme you wish to pursue must have a subject-related connection. In the application portal, you will be asked for your higher education entrance qualification. Please enter "Beruflich Qualifizierte Gesellen" (vocationally qualified journeymen).

Please upload the following documents with your application:

1. Certificate of completion of vocational training including grade point average

2. Certificate of completion from a vocational school

3. Proof of subsequent full-time employment of at least three years relevant to the vocational training.

4. Other documents specific to your chosen study programme can be found in the application portal.

5. Documentary record of an interview with the departmental advisor for course guidance. Please make an appointment as early as possible. The name and contact details can be found in the "contact" section of each degree programme. Your course guidance advisor will also provide you with confirmation that the interview took place. Documentary records of academic counselling from other universities in Bavaria are recognised for the same or similar degree programmes and must also be uploaded in the application portal.

For full admission, applicants are still required to complete a two-semester probationary period, i.e. admission is tentative and subject to certain conditions.

Attending a preparatory course (including mathematics) is particularly useful for taking up a technical or engineering degree programme. The OTH Regensburg offers suitable preparatory courses for those with vocational qualifications.

If you would like to study part-time - i.e. parallel to your job - rather than full-time, we recommend that you visit the pages of the Centre for Continuing Education and Knowledge Management (ZWW).

Admission and enrolment

If your application has the status “Gültig” ("valid"), you can already be assured that you will be offered a place in a study programme at the OTH Regensburg. (This does not apply to Bachelor degrees in Architecture, Industrial Design and Midwifery). You can download the corresponding “Zulassungsbescheid” (admission letter) in the application portal. You can accept your offer of admission immediately in the application portal and enrol online.

Enrolment generally takes place in August for the winter semester and in February for the summer semester.
If you have also applied for a degree programme with restricted admission, please wait with your current enrolment until the allocation of places in study programmes has been decided. However, to be on the safe side, you should enrol by the end of the deadline at the latest.
If you cannot be admitted due to missing documents, you will receive a letter of rejection.

Documents

The following documents must normally be uploaded for online enrolment at the university:

  • “Antrag auf Immatrikulation” (Application for enrolment) along with other documents required, depending on the individual case. You will be able to download the application for enrolment after accepting the place of study online in the OTH Regensburg application portal.
  •     Signed “Einwilligungserklärung zum Datenschutz” (declaration of consent regarding data protection). You will receive this together with the application for enrolment.
  •     Copy of valid identity card/passport
  •     Digital notification of health insurance, see the following notes "I would like to enrol. What do I have to do?"

Semester fee

You will receive the transfer details for the semester fee with your application for enrolment.

I want to enrol as a student and have to provide proof of health insurance. What do I need to do?

  • If you have chosen public / statutory insurance, please contact your health insurance company and inform them that you are planning to enrol at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg. Your health insurance company will then send us a digital notification known as M10. Please note that we cannot accept any insurance membership certificates in PDF or paper form. Our institution number is H0000048 (please provide this to your insurance company if necessary).

    If you have questions about public vs. private insurance, please check the website of the DAAD.


  • If the insurance from your home country is not accepted in Germany and you are over 30 years old, you may have chosen a private health insurance for Germany. In this case, please contact any public health insurance company in Germany with your insurance documents. Please inform them that you would like to enrol at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg and remain privately insured. The health insurance company will then send us a digital notification of your exemption from public insurance. Please note that we cannot accept an insurance membership certificate from your private health insurance instead of the exemption. Our institution number is H0000048.

    If you have questions about public vs. private insurance, please check the website of the DAAD.


  • If you are already insured in another EU country, your insurance may be accepted in Germany. If that is the case, you need to apply from exemption from compulsory public insurance. To do that, please contact any public health insurance company in Germany, send them your insurance documents and inform them that you would like to enrol at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg. The health insurance company will then send us a digital notification of exemption. Please note that we cannot accept any insurance membership certificates in paper form. Our institution number is H0000048.

    If you are coming from a non-EU country and/or are over 30 years old, you need to take on public or private health insurance which is valid in Germany. The website of the DAAD should help you better understand your options and choose the type of insurance which is best for you. After you have chosen your insurance, please ask your insurance company to send us a digital confirmation message of your insurance, or (if you have chosen private insurance) apply for exemption as instructed above.