Testimonials

I took a roundabout route to studying at FH Aachen. After leaving school, I trained as a medical technologist in radiology and then worked in the profession for three years. When I decided to study at the age of 24, I chose aerospace engineering. I was attracted by the challenge of becoming an engineer. I was also fascinated by the subject of space, because it offers physical extremes like almost no other environment.

Like many of my fellow students, I started my degree programme without any prior knowledge. As it had been 6 years since my A-levels, I first had to find my way back into learning. That was exhausting at first, but I always had the feeling that I was benefiting from my professional experience, especially when it came to structured work. The fact that the professors and students at the UAS are very enthusiastic about their respective subjects helped to motivate me right from the start.

I find projects alongside my studies and the elective and specialisation subjects particularly exciting. This gives me the opportunity to delve deeper into topics that particularly interest me while I'm still studying. For example, I'm currently taking the "Manned Spaceflight" module. We went on an excursion to the ESA's astronaut centre, which was my personal highlight this semester.

Overall, I can say that the move from working to studying has definitely paid off for me. I really enjoy studying and it has broadened my horizons enormously. I'm already looking forward to working as an engineer in the aerospace industry.

October 2024

After my apprenticeship as an automotive mechatronics technician, I wanted to deepen my knowledge in a practical degree programme and learn even more about vehicle development.

Before starting my studies, I was afraid that my mathematical knowledge would not be sufficient, as I had not chosen a maths and physics course in my Abitur (university entrance qualification) and after my training, a lot of the content from my school days was no longer so present.

I therefore started with the expectation that the foundation course would be very learning-intensive, theoretical and maths-heavy. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to new learning content and examples from the automotive industry.

The foundation course actually turned out to be demanding and time-consuming and therefore met my expectations. However, a very good maths professor managed to convey enthusiasm for maths, which is why my fears were unfounded. It's worth persevering, as the specialisation subjects of bodywork and interior are a lot of fun and very practice-oriented.

I find the lectures, in small learning groups of 20 fellow students, to be pleasant. That's what I expected. We complete exciting practical trainings that prepare us for our everyday work as engineers. The design of a vehicle interior, measurements in the wind tunnel on a Porsche 911 and drawing body sections are some of my highlights so far.

I didn't expect to take part in so many interesting excursions, e.g. to the Mercedes Sprinter plant, the seat manufacturer Adient and the Institute of Automotive Engineering.

The lectures by guest lecturers, e.g. from Ford and BMW, are also a good opportunity to gain an insight into the industry and make contacts.

I am also surprised by the personal contact with well-connected and motivated professors who are open to any questions and support us.

So far, I'm really enjoying my degree programme and my expectations have been exceeded. I would choose this programme again at any time. (see p. 32)

To be honest, after my Abitur (university entrance qualification) I was a bit overwhelmed with the decision of what to do next. However, it was very important to me to have a certain amount of practical work in my degree programme after the endlessly long time at school. I chose the Automotive and Drive Technology degree programme because I expected to work in a highly respected, future-proof industry.

It was only during the course of my studies that I realised that I was very interested in subjects such as mathematics, physics and technology. In order to understand as much of the physical interrelationships as possible, I opted for the areas of specialisation in drive technology. There I learnt how electrical machines, gearboxes, batteries, combustion engines, etc. work.

In my opinion, the factors that speak most in favour of this degree programme are: The proximity to the professors and the (so-called) practical trainings. The lecturers are highly qualified, have a lot of experience from industry and are happy to answer any questions. Practical trainings are projects within the framework of courses in which the lecture content is put into practice in the real world. I particularly appreciate the variety of practical trainings; from programming, to disassembling gears or engines, to project work, everything is included.

I have really enjoyed my time at FH Aachen so far and would choose the same degree programme again every time.

Even as a child, I was fascinated by German cars, their high quality and energy efficiency. It was always my dream to be part of this development. On the recommendation of friends who were studying aerospace engineering at FH Aachen, I decided to study automotive and drive engineering. I would recommend the programme to anyone who not only wants to learn theory, but also gain real insights into the future of the automotive industry. The flexible curriculum as well as the supportive and familiar atmosphere at FH Aachen makes it possible to work as a student trainee on the side. I am particularly impressed by the breadth of my specialisation - drive technology. Here we not only deal with traditional combustion engines, but also with alternative, environmentally friendly drive systems such as electric motors, battery development, transmission technology and alternative drives such as fuel cells and hydrogen vehicles.

One highlight was my time as a maths tutor, where I helped first and second semester students with exercises and exam preparation. This direct collaboration with the professors was an outstanding experience for me and strengthened my connection to the UAS.

In conclusion, I can say that I will definitely do a Master's degree in International Automotive Engineering in the same faculties after my Bachelor's degree. You don't feel left alone at the FH, there are always contacts, lecturers and tutors. FH Aachen not only offers knowledge, but also a community that accompanies you on your path to success.

Let my journey inspire you and discover the exciting world of vehicle and drive technology at FH Aachen!

After my A-levels, I completed a voluntary social year in building services. I was a caretaker for a year so that I could find my way around the large selection of degree programmes at the same time. I deliberately chose FH Aachen because it was important to me to combine theory with practice. I not only wanted to understand complex mathematical relationships, but also their use in the real world.

Before studying, I wanted to become an "inventor". In the first few semesters, I had to struggle to understand the complex relationships in higher mathematics. In the later semesters, I really enjoyed using it as a tool to design stable and functional components and inventions. In subjects such as vehicle integration, vehicle structure design and interior design, my layman's knowledge was supplemented with in-depth knowledge of automotive development. These subjects are particularly valuable thanks to the professors who have decades of experience in the automotive industry. The theoretical lectures are often enriched with insights and anecdotes from the lecturers' day-to-day work.

A particular advantage of studying at FH Aachen is the opportunity to complete your final thesis in industry and receive full support from the professors at the university.

One of the highlights of my Bachelor's degree was the gliding course in the second semester. Under favourable conditions, I was able to perform my first manoeuvres in a glider for a week and make my first accompanied landing - an exhilarating feeling!

I passed my Bachelor's degree a month ago and am now studying the subsequent Master's degree programme "International Automotive Engineering" at FH Aachen. I appreciate the lecturers, know the students and can also take part in an exchange programme that enables me to study for a year in Melbourne, Australia, at RMIT University.

If you are looking for practical relevance, approachable professors and support when starting your career, FH Aachen is the right place for you!

My decision to study a degree programme in vehicle and drive technology with a focus on bodywork and interiors was influenced by my enthusiasm for the technical aspects of vehicles. I was fascinated by the complexity and interaction of mechanical systems in cars from an early age. The opportunity to focus on the specific technical interrelationships of bodywork and interior was crucial for me.

What I would highly recommend about this degree programme is the breadth of the course content. From the technical basics to specialised modules dealing with, for example, body technology, vehicle dynamics and manufacturing techniques, the degree programme offers a comprehensive understanding of vehicle technology.

I personally benefited in particular from the practice-orientated project "Aixtreme Racing", the FH Aachen Formula Student Team. The opportunity to work on real challenges in the automotive industry and develop solutions to technical problems was extremely instructive. The close co-operation with fellow students gave me valuable insights into the application of my knowledge in the real world.

The practical nature of the degree programme, particularly through various practical trainings, helped me to develop a deeper understanding of the industry's requirements. Developing vehicle concepts as part of the practical trainings gave me further insight into the practical application of the knowledge I had learnt.

Overall, my degree programme not only provided me with further technical training, but also deepened my enthusiasm for the functioning and design of vehicles. The practice-orientated training prepared me perfectly for a promising career in the automotive industry.

As I come from the Aachen region, I was faced with the decision to study engineering at RWTH Aachen University or FH Aachen after completing my Abitur (university entrance qualification). Ultimately, I was convinced by the high practical component, the opportunities for specialisation and the excellent reputation of FH Aachen, which is why I registered for the Automotive and Drive Engineering degree programme at Faculty 6.

During the first three semesters, there is a wide range of basic engineering disciplines on offer. Of course, the necessary theoretical foundations of maths, mechanics, electrical engineering, design and thermodynamics take centre stage. The regular compulsory work placements in many modules enable students to make continuous progress and deepen their theoretical knowledge.

The modules in semesters 4-6 then gradually deal with more specific topics relating to the vehicle as a whole and therefore also offer significantly more practical relevance. In the fifth semester, I decided to specialise in "Drive Technology". In addition to conventional and alternative drive architectures, the modules in this area of specialisation also cover the basics of the respective drive components, such as combustion engines, fuel cells, electric machines and transmissions.

The specialisation also includes a wide range of elective modules. I would particularly like to emphasise the module "MATLAB/Simulink in vehicle development". The examination achievements in this module consist of solving a practical task using the "MATLAB/Simulink" development software. The procedure is documented in a meaningful way and the solution approach and results are then presented. "MATLAB/Simulink is a very common and important tool in the automotive industry, which is why teaching the basics and functions was definitely worthwhile for me.

After my Bachelor's thesis, I decided to enrol on the consecutive Master's degree programme in International Automotive Engineering and am currently writing my Master's thesis in the field of system development.

In conclusion, I can recommend both degree programmes due to their content and organisational structure. With the completion of the new "KMAC" building, there is now finally more space available, which can be used by students in particular.

"We became aware of FH Aachen primarily due to its good reputation and our interest in technology for the degree programme in vehicle and drive technology. The high practical component was a decisive factor. And we can confirm that the UAS rightly receives such good assessments. Especially in the specialisation phase in the fifth and sixth semesters, we had pleasantly small courses. For the practical trainings of each course, we were even divided into small groups again, which allowed us to be very well supervised. In the first four semesters, we mainly had basic engineering subjects. We had these courses together with students from other subject areas, e.g. aerospace engineering. This shows that the Automotive and Drive Technology degree programme is broadly based. With a Bachelor of Engineering, you can not only work in the areas of specialisation "Body and Interior" and "Drive Technology", but also in numerous other areas with the technical understanding you have learned.

Elsa: My studies at the UAS gave me a very good basis for specialising in urban mobility and urban planning in my Master's degree. With this specialisation, I could work for a local authority and plan the traffic flow there, among other things.

Julia: I chose the specialisation 'Bodywork and Interior'. This specialisation deals with important future topics and issues, for example: How must the interior of self-driving cars be designed to maximise protection for the occupants? After all, the seating position is no longer precisely defined in autonomous driving. I kept this focus in my Master's degree programme in International Automotive Engineering.

Fellow students who choose "Drive Technology" as an area of specialisation learn, among other things, how combustion engines and electric motors work and how to develop a battery or fuel cell.

A-level students who are interested in vehicle and drive technology should enjoy maths and have a technical understanding. We also advise: Take advantage of all offers in advance! Go to the open day, take part in Girls' or Boys' Day and attend the preliminary courses before the start of term! There is also the opportunity to talk to students. Just ask the student body of the faculty (Fachschaft).

In addition to your studies, you can develop and build Formula Student racing cars (Aixtreme Racing) or solar-powered electric vehicles (Team Sonnenwagen) together with other students in Aachen. "

After my apprenticeship as a motor vehicle mechatronics technician, I felt the need to gain a deeper insight into the development and production of vehicles in addition to my practical training. That's why I decided to study automotive engineering. Although I also considered studying mechatronics or mechanical engineering, I can say with a clear conscience that specialising in vehicles, and in the study progress in bodywork and interiors, was absolutely the right decision. Because my enthusiasm for cars made me enjoy the vehicle technology topics in the modules even more.

The specialisation subjects gave me a better understanding of the body structure and the differentiation between the various body types. Ergonomic aspects of the vehicle interior were also considered and a general overview of the integration of the individual vehicle systems was provided.

One of the reasons I chose FH Aachen was the high level of practical training in the form of practical trainings. These helped me to better understand the theoretical content and expand my technical knowledge. I also really appreciate the pleasant interaction between lecturers and students at FH Aachen. The professors are always very helpful and are happy to take the time to explain topics again in private. I find the level of the course content and the knowledge imparted to be very high and comprehensive, without neglecting detailed consideration.

Highlights of my degree programme were, for example, the interesting excursions to various suppliers, institutes such as the Foundry Institute, car manufacturers such as Ford and the seat manufacturer Adient. Aachen is also a great student city that offers a lot of variety to my studies. Not least because of its proximity to Belgium and the Netherlands.

I have always been interested in vehicles, so it was only natural that I should study something in this field. A high level of practical relevance was important to me right from the start, which is why I opted for a university of applied sciences instead of a university. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to benefit from this decision for the majority of my degree programme, as most of the practical components had to be cancelled in the second semester due to coronavirus. Many professors tried to conduct the practical trainings via livestream or other means, which of course did not offer the same experience as in real life, although it was the best that was possible under the circumstances!

However, in the last semesters before the Bachelor's degree, when the coronavirus restrictions were lifted, we were able to gain valuable insights into the real world through various practical trainings and excursions - a great motivation for me to continue my studies with the Master's degree.

What I really missed in the undergraduate programme was a connection to automotive engineering. The first three semesters are all about acquiring the theoretical foundations of engineering. Even though this is of course necessary, it can certainly act as a deterrent for many students. For this first period, I would have liked to have had at least one course in which this theoretical knowledge could have been put into practice.

However, in my various internships during my studies, I noticed how much this knowledge helped me to understand complex mechanics and to develop new components, so I can say that I would choose this degree programme again at any time.

Dear Information seekers, I am an International student at University of Applied Science Aachen. With a vision for progressing in German Automotive Industry, I got myself enrolled for the Master Program- International Automotive Engineering specialised in Automotive Body Engineering in the year 2021 and my experiences have been phenomenal.

Based on discussions with other students and from my self-experience, I can affirm that there are three crucial factors students often consider when choosing a university:

• Updated course curriculum: Students seek universities that offer relevant and up-to-date course content.
• Professors' background: Students look for universities with experienced and knowledgeable professors.
• Industrial connections: Students value universities with strong ties to industries, providing them with opportunities for practical experience.

The University of Applied Sciences Aachen fulfils these criteria by offering specialised courses that lay a solid foundation for industrial readiness. Programmes such as Vehicle Interior, Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Vehicle Engineering directly relate to the practices found in the Automotive OEMs and other relevant industries.

Furthermore, the advantage of having a smaller student body in classes allows every student to foster personal relationships with professors, enabling a more engaging and interactive learning experience.
FH Aachen's professors boast an impressive network of industrial contacts, which provides students with the chance to engage in cutting-edge research projects and helps them make informed decisions about their future careers.

The University of Applied Sciences Aachen stands as an exceptional choice for aspiring students, offering a well-rounded education with its contemporary curriculum, experienced faculty, and valuable industrial connections. By providing specialised courses that align with real-world industry demands and fostering a supportive learning environment, FH Aachen empowers students to thrive and make a meaningful impact in their chosen career paths."