Pre-semester course - a semester to try things out

Get a taste of student life!

Are you wondering whether a degree programme is right for you? Are you interested in technology, but are unsure which degree programme might be right for you and whether you are good enough? Then why not give it a try!
With our Technical Orientation (OT) prep course, we offer you the opportunity to get a taste of all of the Internal link opens in the same window:Applied Materials Science, Internal link opens in the same window:Engineering Psychology, Internal link opens in the same window:Mechatronics and Digital Production and Internal link opens in the same window:Medical Engineering - Technologies and Development Processes degree programmes on our Tuttlingen Campus in one semester!

ECTS: Acquired ECTS can be credited in a subsequent bachelor's programme
Programme duration: 1 semester
Campus: Tuttlingen
Faculty: Industrial Technologies
Programme begins: summer semester (March)
Application deadline: 15 January (summer semester)
Entry requirements: university entrance qualification
Teaching language: German
Accreditation: no

Take a look around You'll experience everyday student life on the Tuttlingen Campus, get familiar with lecture halls and labs and meet new people. You'll have lots of contact with other students and our professors. You can bet you'll find the right degree programme with us!
The full diversity We'd like to show you everything! That's why your timetable will focus on a wide variety of subjects - fundamentals of natural sciences, soft skills, orientation seminars, internships, excursions, ...
Personal & practically oriented You learn the basics at your own pace - we support you with exercises and personal supervision. Everything you learn can be used later on in your bachelor's degree programe. You'll also get to know the real world through company excursions and internships.
and afterwards? If you complete the Technical Orientation prep course, you can continue directly with a bachelor's degree with us! You can get credit for many subjects and already know your way around, so it will be an easy start!

Apply now for OT!

Details of the programme

During the Technical Orientation tryout semester, we introduce you to the basics of engineering within six months. You'll study theoretical subjects such as mathematics, physics and electrical engineering and deepen your knowledge through laboratory work. All of this will be supplemented by orientation seminars, time management and other soft skills.

40% Engineering
25% Mathematics
25% Technical orientation: practicals, seminar, workshops
10% Skills, e.g. working methods, self-management

Make contacts

An absolute highlight on the Tuttlingen Campus is the close cooperation with companies in the region. That's why you'll visit companies, gain insights into different sectors and perhaps even get to know your future employer. The exchange with former and current students will also help you decide on your course of study.

In black and white

Just like any other degree programme, there are exams at the end of your semester (absolutely doable, we promise). We'll award you a certificate for successfully completing your preliminary studies on the Tuttlingen Campus, which you can have credited towards a subsequent degree programme.

To apply for the Technical Orientation prep course you need a university entrance qualification.

You need either the general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), the subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or a previous qualification recognised as equivalent.

General higher education entrance qualification: Abitur at

general grammar schools and comprehensive schools
vocational grammar schools and specialised grammar schools
vocational high schools
colleges as full-time schools
evening grammar schools
independent Waldorf schools

Subject-specific higher education entrance qualification: school-leaving examination at

specialised grammar schools
vocational high schools

Fachhochschulreife: school-leaving examination at

gymnasien/Fachgymnasien/Gesamtschulen/freie Waldorfschulen after the 12th grade (academic part), a vocational part must also be proven
technical colleges
vocational colleges and vocational schools
evening grammar schools

Did you know that you can even study without an Abitur? If you have completed vocational training and have at least three years of professional experience, you can apply to study via an aptitude test.

These subjects are on your timetable:

Mathematics
Physics and electrical engineering basics
Subject-related skills development
Technology orientation
Methodological skills

Download file:OT Study and Examinations Regulations (SPO)

OT module descriptions:

Download file:Module catalogue

Flexible, goal-oriented study entry with personal support
Practical relevance through laboratory internships and excursions to companies
Individual learning pace through exercises and tutorials in basic subjects
BAföG eligible, as full-time studies
Many subjects can be transferred to other universities and colleges
Equalization of later basic studies and free time during studies (can be used for language courses and internships, for example)
The second semester provides optimal preparation for successful studies
State-of-the-art labs and equipment on the Tuttlingen Campus
Personal contact with specialists and managers in companies
Wide range of media in the HFU libraries

Faculty of Industrial Technologies

The Faculty of Industrial Technologies on the Tuttlingen Campus is something very special. At HFU, all subject areas are taught with a lot of practical relevance– but on the Tuttlingen Campus, students benefit from a special proximity to companies in the region. The focus here is on cooperation with industry in many practicals, students are allowed to work in company labs and can thus also make important contacts for their future careers. At "ITE", we focus our degree programmes on current topics of the future – digitalisation and technologisation, smart materials, medical technology, the energy transition, sustainability and human-machine interaction are just some of the exciting topics that we are helping to shape the future with.

Find out more about the Faculty of Industrial Technologies (ITE)

As one of the strongest research universities in the country, HFU is very active in the field of medical engineering.

Current research projects at HFU including medical engineering projects

OT Study and Examinations Regulations (SPO)

OT module descriptions: