Although studies at a Bundeswehr university do not differ from public universities as regards content, there are nonetheless a couple of special features.
The academic year is divided into trimesters
One trimester lasts 12 weeks; the academic year is split into three trimesters followed by a three-month break. As a trimester is about two weeks shorter than the average semester at a public university, the number of lessons per week an HSU student spends in lectures is somewhat increased so that a trimester corresponds to a semester as regards the amount of lectures attended.
Graduation with a master’s degree after four years
For all bachelor’s and master’s programmes, the standard duration of study is seven and five trimesters respectively. Together, this equals a period of four years. All our academic courses are intensive study programmes. This means that up to 75 ECTS credit points can be obtained per academic year, whereas students at public universities can only obtain up to 60 credit points per year.
Financial security
German officers and officer candidates studying at the HSU neither depend on a monthly check from their parents nor do they need a job to pay for their studies. They receive their salary (depending on age, rank and marital status) even while they are studying. Special conditions apply to civilian students.
Campus university
Students do not have to waste time trying to find some cheap place to live. They live in comfortable hostels directly on campus (Holstenhofweg) or in the university’s nearby living quarters (Stoltenstraße, Jenfelder Allee). Normally only students from the same branch of study but from different classes share one corridor or floor. This way the older students can support the younger members of the community. If required, and where capacities allow, civilian students have the possibility to live on campus against payment of an accommodation fee. In addition to the academic and research buildings the campus also hosts libraries, a cafeteria and sports facilities. Medical practitioners and dentists, a Protestant and a Catholic community are located here. Pretty much everything is within easy walking distance, saving precious time.
Concept of small group teaching
An integral part of the ambitious study concept of Bundeswehr universities is the concept of studying in small groups, thereby enabling the students to complete their studies within the standard period of study. Apart from the few lectures held in large auditoriums, most classes are conducted in groups of up to 25 students.
Being a university of the German Armed Forces, nearly all courses and lectures are taught in German language.
Above-average equipment and personnel resources
Very high standards regarding personnel and equipment are mandatory to ensure the proper functioning of the trimester system and to enable the students to complete their studies within the short standard period of study. The university has an exceptionally favorable professor/student ratio: One professor supervises 25 students.
Interdisciplinary studies
Interdisciplinary study elements are also available at public universities. There, courses that students can attend voluntarily—in addition to their compulsory classes—are referred to as “Studium Generale” (extracurricular studies). At the HSU, however, attending interdisciplinary study elements as a subsidiary subject is mandatory.
Study Programmes
History (BA/MA)
According to scope and content, this study programme focuses on imparting fundamental knowledge about historical eras and subjects as well as about methods and theories of the science of history. Moreover, students are prepared for advanced qualification courses in higher education (master’s degree programme) and adequately qualified for their future profession, which means that they are prepared in a multidisciplinary manner for different occupational fields. Based on the extensive foundations laid by the bachelor’s degree programme and in combination with a specialisation in either a certain era or a certain subject to be chosen by each student, the master’s degree programme offers our students the opportunity to further develop their individual interests, specialisation subjects and personal profile. In contrast to the bachelor’s degree programme, the students can focus even more on their individual profile.
More information on the History programme (BA/MA)
Psychology (BSc/MSc)
As an empirical science, psychology studies human experiences and behaviour with the aim of finding a way to describe, explain and predict them systematically and comprehensively. Psychology students at the Helmut Schmidt University complete a modular bachelor’s degree programme as a basis for a consecutive master’s degree programme.
More information on the Psychology programme (BSc/MSc)
Educational Science (BA/MA)
In both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree programme, students are familiarised with the requisite knowledge, capabilities and methods in the field of educational science considering the challenges of a changing professional environment. This is done in such a manner as to enable them to work scientifically, to make informed judgements, to critically analyse scientific findings and to act responsibly not only at work but also in society.
More information on the Educational Science programme (BA/MA)
Political Science (BA)
Studying political science at the HSU involves gaining systematic insights into the normative foundations of political thinking as well as into the empirical structures, processes and subjects of official political action at various levels and in various areas. The bachelor’s degree programme is intended to impart fundamental skills, which will enable students to identify the political core of both intra-societal and international processes, problems and conflicts and to analyse this political dimension on a sound theoretical and methodological basis.
More information on the Political Science programme (BA)
International Relations (MA)
The International Relations master’s degree programme deals with the complex relationships among the actors in international politics as well as with transnational policies shaping the relationships between different nations. This master’s programme focuses on imparting in-depth knowledge concerning global governance, international organisations, regions in the international system and Europe’s role in the world.
More information on the International Relations programme (MA)
Comparative Democracy Research (MA)
The Comparative Democracy Research master’s programme covers different theoretical and empirical aspects of democratic systems. Not all democracies are the same. The practical implementation of the “rule of the people” varies greatly from country to country: Democracies may be parliamentary or presidential; some are majoritarian systems, others are consensus-oriented systems. Comparative Democracy Research takes a closer look at the structures, functions and developments of democratically organised communities. This field of research provides students with theories and methods, which enable them to empirically study and normatively evaluate democracies.
More information on the Comparative Democracy Research programme (MA)
Civil Engineering (BSc/MSc)
Civil engineers plan, develop and construct; they calculate and experiment, monitor, provide security and support the users of infrastructure facilities. In doing so, they can work in a wide range of different fields: Civil engineers build residential and office blocks, streets and tunnels, railway stations and airports, sewers and sewage plants, canals and harbours, coastal protection facilities and offshore wind power installations. Both the bachelor’s and the master’s programme are conducted in cooperation with the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes).
More information on the Civil Engineering programme (BSc/MSc)
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (BSc)
Apart from imparting the necessary skills to comply with the admission requirements for a more specialised master’s programme, the Electrical Engineering and Information Technology bachelor’s programme provides its students with a basic occupational qualification enabling them to practise the profession of an electrical and information technology engineer. It provides access to a broad spectrum of professional occupations both within and outside the Bundeswehr.
More information on the Electrical Engineering and Information Technology programme (BSc)
Electrical Power Engineering (MSc)
The master’s degree programme Electrical Power Engineering covers essential topics regarding the generation and distribution of electric power and power-electronic and electro-mechanical energy conversion. The subject area of electrical power systems comprises both the conventional production of energy by burning fossil fuels and the generation of energy from renewable sources using wind power and photovoltaics.
More information on the Electrical Power Engineering programme (MSc)
Renewable Energies and Intelligent Grids (MSc)
One of the most important current and future challenges in this field of technology is the transition to a sustainable energy supply with renewable energies. The use of renewable energies helps to save fuels, to protect the environment and to minimize adverse effects on the climate. With modules such as High-Voltage Engineering, Grid Operation and Intelligent Networks, Operating Systems and Computer Networks, Measurement Engineering for Intelligent Networks, Power Electronics for Intelligent Networks, Nonlinear Regulation Systems and Regenerative Energy Systems in Grid Parallel Operation, the Renewable Energies and Intelligent Networks master’s programme provides students with the skills and competences necessary to tackle the aforementioned tasks.
More information on the Renewable Energies and Intelligent Grids programme (MSc)
Computer Aided Engineering (MSc)
Information, obtaining and transmitting information and the ability to process huge amounts of data (big data) — all these elements constitute the operational factor of the “information domain”, which is of decisive importance both in the economy and the military. Computer Science and Engineering is a study programme in the field of applied computer science. It comprises the engineering sciences of mechanical and electrical engineering as areas of application with a special focus on the fields of IT management and IT security.
More information on the Computer Aided Engineering programme (MSc)
Information Technology (MSc)
Information technology has been the basis for the design, implementation and operation of the global Internet. One of the main tasks of information technology is the capturing and processing of multimedia signals (voice, audio, video, sensor signals) and their transmission via mobile radio networks, satellite systems or computer networks such as the Internet.
More information on the Information Technology programme (MSc)
Engineering Science (BSc)
Engineering Science combines the fundamentals of two fields of engineering, namely mechanical engineering and electrical engineering and information technologies.
More information on the Engineering Science programme (BSc)
Engineering Science: Defence Systems (MSc)
Engineering Science with a focus on Defence Systems (DSYS) provides students with fundamental knowledge on modern military and civilian security and defence systems. Addressing the challenges of our time, DSYS is taught in English and enables its graduates to develop technical solutions in a global context for the Bundeswehr, allied armed forces, governments, industry, relief organisations and NGOs.
More information on the Engineering Science: Defence Systems programme (MSc)
Mechanical Engineering (BSc)
Since the beginning of industrialisation, the term mechanical engineering has been used with regard to a broad range of industries. As an umbrella term, it includes the design, manufacturing and operation of technical products, i.e. machinery installations and their different components, and of facilities used for the transformation of energy, materials and signals (information). Mechanical engineers develop, compute and test, they design and plan, control and monitor production and operating procedures.
More information on the Mechanical Engineering programme (BSc)
Energy and Environmental Engineering (MSc)
The master’s degree programme Energy and Environmental Engineering imparts basic professional knowledge and skills. More in-depth fundamentals are imparted in the modules Mathematics, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat and Mass Transfer and Methods of Control Engineering. Aside from Heat and Mass Transfer, Energy and Waste Technology was also integrated into the curriculum as a compulsory subject that is specific to the master’s degree programme. Depending on the choice of subjects, this master’s programme gives students the opportunity to gain deeper knowledge in one of two specialisation subjects: Power Engineering or Environmental Engineering.
More information on the Energy and Environmental Engineering programme (MSc)
Automotive Engineering (MSc)
Upon completion of the bachelor’s programme, students can choose a master’s programme from the field of Mechanical Engineering. This includes advanced lectures on mathematics, numerical analysis, mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, machine dynamics and control engineering. During specialisation, students are acquainted with the fundamentals of automotive engineering. In addition, students may also specialise in Marine Engineering. This course is conducted in cooperation with the Hamburg University of Technology located in Hamburg-Harburg.
More information on the Automotive Engineering programme (MSc)
Mechatronics (MSc)
Applied Mechanics and Automation Engineering are the cornerstones of mechatronics and thus suitable thematic focuses of this study programme. Military Engineering is considered to be a branch of applied mechatronics: Advanced, highly dynamic weapons systems, smart munition and autonomous unmanned reconnaissance systems would not be conceivable without mechatronics. This field of work is of great interest for the majority of our students, and most of them choose a career in this area, which is why we offer this specialisation.
More information on the Mechatronics programme (MSc)
Product Development and Logistics (MSc)
The Product Development and Logistics programme broadens and deepens the basic skills imparted in the bachelor’s programme Mechanical Engineering, thus offering access to higher-level positions in manufacturing and trading companies, the service industry or public service. It allows for a higher degree of specialisation and promotes the ability to work scientifically on an independent basis. This master’s programme comprises five trimesters (eighth to twelfth trimester) and ends with the completion of a master’s thesis.
More information on the Product Development and Logistics programme (MSc)
Industrial Engineering (BSc/MSc)
The Engineering Management study programme is designed to provide students with a broad spectrum of technical knowledge and skills in the fields of business administration, economics and mechanical and electrical engineering. Special emphasis is placed on assuming an interdisciplinary point of view as regards the technical disciplines involved. Moreover, these bachelor’s and master’s programmes are aimed at providing students with specific capabilities that enable them to act in a qualified and responsible manner in their professional environment, to grasp economic and technical matters, to analyse them with scientific methods and to actively control them.
More information on the Industrial Engineering programme (BSc/MSc)
Business Administration (BSc/MSc)
The Business Administration study programme is designed to provide students with a broad spectrum of technical knowledge and skills in the field of business administration and offers the possibility of pursuing in-depth studies. Based on a solid theoretical backbone consisting of the sub-disciplines of business administration, economics and relevant areas of legal studies, students will acquire relevant implementation skills.
More information on the Business Administration programme (BSc/MSc)
Economics (BSc/MSc)
The Economics study programme is designed to provide students with a broad spectrum of technical knowledge and skills in the field of economics and offers the possibility of pursuing in-depth studies. The main emphasis is placed on imparting methodological skills. Consequently, this study programme contributes to promoting the students’ specialist competences as well as their personality development. Both the design and focus of the academic training largely correspond to the challenges future leaders will have to face—they need to become “all-rounders”. This is important not only for military officers, but also for executive personnel in the business world, in administration, associations and society in general. In terms of content, the Economics study programme focuses on matters related to national economies, preparing students for general decision-oriented specialist and leadership tasks.
Law for Public Administration (LLB)
The successful completion of the degree program “Jurisprudence for Public Administration” qualifies you directly to a professional activity as a civil servant / civil servant in the higher non-technical administrative service in the Bundeswehr administration. The study as well as the job description of the administrative officer are as versatile as the German law itself. You will get to know the core areas as well as numerous specialties from the three classical subjects of jurisprudence.
More information on the Law for Public Administration programme (LLB)
Letzte Änderung: 14. January 2021