Master of Science

Advanced Precision Engineering

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The topics of the future in mechanical engineering - your springboard

Choosing the right materials. Coatings. Hybrid lightweight construction. Are these the topics that already fascinated you during your bachelor's degree? You can specialise further here, for example in the use of multi-axis robots, automation or management skills.

  • ECTS: 90 ECTS
  • Programme duration: 3 semesters
  • Campus: Schwenningen
  • Faculty: Faculty II: Engineering & Technology
  • Programme begins: winter semester (October), summer semester (March)
  • Application deadline: 15 July (winter semester), 15 January (summer semester)
  • Entry requirements: A first professionally qualifying degree (BSc, BEng, Diplom or similar) in the field of engineering with 210 ECTS. Otherwise a preliminary course with 30 ECTS is required.
  • Teaching language: German
  • Accreditation: yes
  • Unique in Europe Precision technology will take a leading role in the market. Be there when this key technology arrives. Benefit from the head start.
  • Study part-time Do you want to keep working and gain a master's qualification? Talk to us about your individual timetable. This degree programme is part-time.
  • Workplace relevance is first and foremost Whether it's medical technology, machine tools or the automotive industry - we prepare you with real-life tasks for positions of responsibility!
  • Where can I work? We prepare you for jobs in design, project management, technical sales and management, research and development or quality assurance.

Details of the programme

Programme content and structure

In the APE degree programme, we deepen your knowledge of design methodology and make you a professional in the selection of classic and modern materials. Whether coating technologies or material-hybrid lightweight construction - we are dedicated to future-oriented field with potential!

Programme structure

If you study full-time, your master's degree will take three semesters. During this time, you will deepen your expertise in production – we will teach you everything about manufacturing processes, automation, drive technology and the design of highly dynamic moving machine tools and multi-axis robots. Quality assurance also plays a major role.

Projects and electives

Internships are very important to us, and research and project work are an integral part of the course. A range of electives specially developed for this course rounds out the curriculum. Are you opting for management skills with patent law or would you prefer to specialise in calculation and simulation processes?

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for an application for APE are: 

  • University entrance qualification
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or natural sciences
  • Good proficiency in German and English (at least CEFR B2)
  • APE Admission regulations (in German)

What's covered

Special features

Internships are very important to us, and research and project work is an integral part of our teaching.

We are embedded in a diverse industrial landscape of successful medium-sized companies with the following product portfolio:

  • the automotive sector
  • medical technology
  • machine tools

This master's degree course is unique in Europe due to its innovative character.

Admission to part-time study is possible and strongly encouraged.

Strong partners

We work together with strong industry partners in our APE Master's programme. 
Download file:Click here for an overview

Your career prospects

Those who have completed the master's degree programme in Advanced Precision Engineering have ideal opportunities for personal development in the various fields of mechanical engineering and the manufacturing industry. Graduates can comfortably secure roles in development and research, sales, product management and management.

Possible fields of work are: Research and development, design, production, quality assurance, testing and inspection, project management, technical sales, technical management. In particular in the fields of mechanical and plant engineering, automotive and vehicle construction, the manufacturing industry (production of technically sophisticated high-precision system components, products, machines and systems), measurement and testing technology, ultra-precision technology and new technologies/inventions and patents, as well as in external development teams and committees at colleges, universities and research institutes.

Areas of specialisation

After studying Advanced Precision Engineering, you can specialise in one of these areas, for example: Precision technology, manufacturing, applications and processes, development of production systems, machine tools, robot systems and automation systems - in particular machines and systems for future ultra-precision machining, development for new tool technologies, for materials technology, coating processes and surface technology, in the field of sensor technology for drive, control and regulation technology. You can work in quality assurance and metrology, in the field of hybrid and innovative materials, plastics technology, but also in quotations and work preparation. All options are open to you.

Faculty II: Engineering & Technology

With us, you’ll immerse yourself in a world where ideas become groundbreaking technologies! As part of our renowned engineering forge, the degree programmes in this field will prepare you for a career in which you’ll not only develop machines and technologies, but also help shape the future of medicine and industry. From mechanical engineering to medical engineering and industrial technologies – with us you’ll learn how engineering knowledge is used in practical, often life-changing, applications.

Internal link opens in the same window:More about the Faculty II

Faculty II: Engineering & Technology stands for innovative research - because current future topics require inter- and intradisciplinary cooperation. Sustainable developments are a basic need of all living beings: To be mobile. This does not only mean mobility in the automobile and its further development, but also the activity of daily life (health), virtual mobility.
Internal link opens in the same window:Current research projects at HFU

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