What is it about?
Vehicle development is a dynamic, innovative and interdisciplinary field that is at the heart of modern mobility solutions. It plays a crucial role in the automotive industry by focusing on the conception, design, construction and production of vehicles. Advanced technologies such as electromobility, autonomous driving systems, alternative fuels and connected vehicles are becoming increasingly important. These developments aim to make the vehicles of the future safer, more efficient, user-friendly and environmentally friendly.
Profile of the study program
The Bachelor's degree course in Vehicle Development at Fachhochschule Dortmund provides you with a broad spectrum of engineering knowledge. At the same time, you can design your studies individually and according to your interests through our compulsory and compulsory elective modules in the specializations of vehicle electronics and vehicle technology. We attach great importance to practical and project-oriented teaching and learning methods. Through internships in our state-of-the-art laboratories(Opens in a new tab) or through real project work in cooperation with companies from the industry, we promote your skills in project and process management as well as your teamwork and communication skills. In this way, we prepare you optimally for the demands of professional practice as an engineer.
Structure of the study program
Basic studies: In the first three semesters, we provide you with the necessary basic knowledge on which the course content of the higher semesters is based. In addition to mathematics, physics and chemistry, you will attend courses in computer science, design theory and strength of materials. Electrical engineering, vehicle electronics and fluid mechanics are just as much a part of the basic subjects as sustainability and ethics.
Study focus: In the fourth and fifth semesters, you will attend your individual compulsory and compulsory elective modules in addition to a few final basic subjects. You can choose from the following areas:
- Vehicle electronics
- Automotive engineering
You can find an overview of all compulsory elective modules in the module handbook for the study program. You can find the module handbook on the right-hand side under "Further information".
Practical semester: A practical semester of twenty weeks takes place in the sixth semester. During this semester, you will be introduced to the professional activities of an engineer through specific tasks and subject-related work. The work takes place in companies in the automotive industry or other companies and institutions in professional practice that correspond to the study objective. Alternatively, it is also possible to spend time abroad at one of our partner universities (e.g. in India, Peru, USA or France).
Degree: In the seventh semester, you will work on an independent engineering thesis in our laboratories or in a company. This can serve as preparation for your Bachelor's thesis, which you also write in this semester. After successfully completing your studies, you will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.).
Specializations in the study program
Vehicle electronics
Vehicle electronics deals with electromobility and the integration of electronic systems in vehicles to improve performance, safety, comfort, efficiency, sustainability and entertainment. as part of the compulsory modules, you will attend courses on controller and processor technology, software engineering and vehicle electrical systems and power semiconductors.
Automotive engineering
Automotive engineering deals with the design and development of vehicles and systems as well as their integration into the vehicle. As part of the compulsory modules, you will attend courses on vehicle elements and design, vehicle dynamics, energy and resources in vehicle development and production engineering.
Course of studies - focus on vehicle electronics
This is a thematic overview of the course content. Detailed information on the exact names of the courses, information on ECTS or semester hours per week can be found in the examination regulations and in the module handbook.
| 1st semester | Fundamentals of Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry) |
Mathematics 1 | Electrical engineering Basics 1 |
Construction and design 1 | Statics | Engineering methodology / English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd semester | Scientific basics (physics) | Mathematics 2 | Electrical engineering Fundamentals 2 |
Vehicle electronics | Computer science | Materials in vehicle development | Strength of materials |
| 3rd semester | Thermodynamics | Fluid Mechanics | Construction and Design 2 | Vehicle electronics | Computer science | Measurement, control and regulation technology | Sustainability & Ethics |
| 4th semester | Vehicle drives | Controller and processor technology |
Software Engineering engineering |
Compulsory elective module 1 | Compulsory elective module 2 | Compulsory elective module 3 | |
| 5th semester | Applied Mathematics | Wiring systems and power semiconductors |
Practical course in vehicle electronics | Compulsory elective module 4 | Compulsory elective module 5 | Student research project | |
| 6th semester | Practical semester (20 weeks) | Practical seminar | |||||
| 7th semester | Special areas of vehicle electronics |
Engineering work |
Thesis & colloquium |
Course of studies - focus on automotive engineering
This is a thematic overview of the course content. Detailed information on the exact names of the courses, information on ECTS or semester hours per week can be found in the examination regulations and in the module handbook.
| 1st semester | Fundamentals of Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry) |
Mathematics 1 | Electrical engineering Basics 1 |
Construction and design 1 | Statics | Engineering methodology / English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd semester | Fundamentals of natural sciences (Physics) |
Mathematics 2 | Electrical engineering Basics 2 |
Vehicle electronics | Computer science | Materials in vehicle development | Strength of materials |
| 3rd semester | Thermodynamics | Fluid Mechanics | Construction and Design 2 | Vehicle electronics | Computer science | Measurement, control and regulation technology | Sustainability & Ethics |
| 4th semester | Vehicle drives | Vehicle elements and design | Vehicle dynamics | Compulsory elective module 1 | Compulsory elective module 2 | Compulsory elective module 3 | |
| 5th semester | Applied Mathematics | Energy & resources in FZE | Production engineering | Compulsory elective module 4 | Compulsory elective module 5 | Student research project | |
| 6th semester | Practical semester (20 weeks) | Practical seminar | |||||
| 7th semester | Special areas of automotive engineering | Engineering work |
Thesis & colloquium |
Impressions from your studies
We have asked...
Our student Timu answered our questions. The result is this interview in which he talks about his personal experiences and impressions of the Vehicle Development study program. He gives an insight into his everyday life as a student, the special features of his course and the challenges he has faced so far.
Insights into our laboratories
A high practical component in the course is particularly important to us. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering therefore has a large number of state-of-the-art laboratories in which our students can directly apply the theoretical knowledge they learn in practice during the course of their studies. The following picture gallery gives you a few impressions of everyday laboratory life.
Prospects after graduation
Vehicle development is an extremely diverse field and the automotive industry is the largest economic sector in Germany. A wide range of fascinating fields of work are open to our graduates.
Automotive industry: This is the most obvious sector for graduates of a vehicle development course. Here you can work in car manufacturers or supplier companies in various areas such as design, development, production, quality assurance and sales.
Aerospace industry: Many of the skills and knowledge acquired in the field of vehicle development are also in demand in the aerospace industry, particularly in the areas of design, structural analysis, aerodynamics and propulsion technology.
Rail transport: Companies that specialize in the development and construction of rail vehicles, rail infrastructure and rail technology also offer employment opportunities for vehicle development graduates.
Maritime industry: In the maritime industry, you can work in companies that develop and manufacture ships, boats and maritime equipment. Knowledge of fluid mechanics, materials science and shipbuilding is in demand here.
Research and development: Research institutes, universities and private research institutions employ vehicle development graduates in the development of new technologies, materials and systems for vehicles of all kinds.
Electric and hybrid vehicle technology: With the increasing focus on alternative drive systems, companies specializing in electric and hybrid vehicle technology offer attractive career opportunities for vehicle development graduates.
Consultancies: Technical consulting firms that specialize in the automotive and vehicle industry offer engineering, design, process optimization and project management services and are often looking for talented vehicle development graduates.
We have asked...
Graduate Daniel successfully completed his bachelor's degree in vehicle development with a focus on vehicle electronics with us some time ago. We visited him at his employer and accompanied him for a day.
Graduate Jannis successfully completed her bachelor's degree in vehicle development with a focus on vehicle technology with us some time ago. We visited him at his employer and accompanied him for a day.
Master's program
After successfully completing their Bachelor's degree, good graduates have the opportunity to gain further qualifications with a Master's degree. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Fachhochschule Dortmund offers you various options here - both full-time and part-time.
Overview of the Master's programs in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering(Opens in a new tab)
Information and counseling on the transition from university to work
Why study at Fachhochschule Dortmund?
What makes Fachhochschule Dortmund special? What should you know about the city and the region? How is Fachhochschule Dortmund positioned in terms of internationality and what counseling and support do we offer you? Find out more about Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Who is it for?
Desirable subject-specific and interdisciplinary knowledge
Are you interested in technology and vehicles and do you enjoy abstract and logical thinking? If you like discovering and designing and enjoy dealing with a wide variety of technical challenges, this course could interest you.
It is helpful if you had a good grasp of math, physics, chemistry and German at school. Knowledge of English is important, as technical literature is often written in English, project groups are usually international and technical English is used in technical and negotiation discussions.
Basic PC skills are also an advantage, but you do not need to be proficient in programming languages. Do you enjoy manual work such as soldering or assembling circuits? Did you study technical subjects at school and are you interested in technical or electronic contexts in your free time? Then studying vehicle development is a good choice.
Stay abroad possible during your studies
What do I need?
1. qualification / certificates and degrees
The qualification for studying at universities of applied sciences is proven by the certificate of the university of applied sciences entrance qualification or a previous education recognized as equivalent.
Here you will find a detailed description of the various recognized qualifications.
2. register now!
The study program starts annually in the winter semester and is admission-free.
Who can help me?
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the study program and Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Central Student Advisory Services (ZSB)
Student advisory service
Prof. Markus Thoben, Dr.
Make an appointment by e-mail or telephone
Contact with students
Admissions Office for Student Affairs
Registration office team
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