Mechanical engineering

The dual Bachelor's degree course in mechanical engineering gives you an incredible amount of freedom - you learn how to design the technology of the future. With the KIA (sandwich-style) degree course (cooperative study program with integrated training), you complete a university degree and vocational training at the same time. After just 4.5 years, you will have two valuable degrees in your hands: your Bachelor of Engineering and a Chamber of Industry and Commerce certificate as an industrial mechanic, mechatronics technician or in another metalworking profession.

What you can expect during your studies

This practice-oriented degree program provides you with in-depth knowledge and practical skills for a successful career in mechanical engineering:

• Fundamentals of machine design and component design
• Innovative materials and their processing
• Modern manufacturing processes and quality assurance
• Structural analysis and computer-aided simulation methods
• Plastics technology and surface treatment
• Joining and assembly technology for complex assemblies
• Project management and economic thinking

Mechanical engineering is a high-tech field with excellent prospects for the future. You will learn to develop creative solutions to technical challenges and design sustainable production processes. You decide for yourself where your focus lies - whether in the design of innovative products, the optimization of manufacturing processes or the development of energy-efficient systems. Your versatile know-how will be in demand in numerous industries.

Your studies follow a well thought-out concept that optimally combines theory and practice. After an initial full-time semester at the university, the dual division begins: for four part-time semesters, you will regularly alternate between the university and the training company. In this rhythm, you combine theoretical knowledge directly with practical application and prepare for the IHK examination, which you take after around 2.5 years.

After successfully completing your vocational qualification, the second study phase begins as a full-time course with part-time work in your company. An internship semester gives you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in industrial practice. You benefit from modern laboratories and practical projects in which you work independently and gain important experience. In the higher semesters, you can set your own focus and specialize in areas such as plastics technology, production metrology or machine testing. Your Bachelor thesis, which is often written in cooperation with industrial companies, rounds off your studies.

The semesters marked in light green (2.1 / 2.2 / 3.1 / 3.2) are part-time semesters. Here, the 2nd and 3rd semesters from the Bachelor's curriculum are each extended to 2 semesters. You complete these in a 4-week rhythm at alternating learning locations (university/company). You will complete this study section with the 1st vocational qualification (Chamber of Industry and Commerce examination). This results in a total of 9 semesters.

You will find even more opportunities with us in other related degree programs:

How does the dual study program work?

KIA is a dual course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree after 4.5 years - with integrated vocational training (including IHK/HWK qualification).
It combines theory and practice very intensively, creates an early bond with the future company and is therefore recommended by the state government of the Free State of Saxony and expressly demanded by companies.

Our future KIA students apply to a company that cooperates with the university.companyup to one year before the start of their studies, have a university entrance qualification, are interested in scientific problems and have the necessary mobility.

The companies conclude a cooperation agreement with the university and contracts with the applicants for practical vocational training (vocational training contract or internship contract) or, in the case of KIApro, a qualification contract. In the case of _KIApro, a qualification contract.

After completing a training contract or internship contract with the company, you must register at the university with your university entrance qualification - this is possible from mid-May.

The course usually begins on September 1st with 4 weeks of basic practical training in the company. Depending on the degree program, you will then complete one to three semesters at the university. (course of studies)

The study-free periods between the semesters are reserved for practical training in the company. The training in the company takes place during the basic studies according to the study schedule (e.g. in a 4-week rotation between the company and the university) and ends with the examination before the responsible chamber (IHK or HWK). Separate vocational school lessons are not provided. The theoretical knowledge required for the vocational training is taught through the scheduled lectures and additional "vocational specifics" teaching units at the university. During the practical training period, you are entitled to collectively agreed leave and receive a monthly salary from the company, which is based on the remuneration for apprentices.

After completing the vocational training, the remaining semesters are completed as full-time studies with part-time work (often with a study support contract from your company) and end with a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Accommodation at the Görlitz and Zittau study locations is provided byhalls of residenceavailable, we also have accommodation for you in theKIA housesrooms in the KIA houses.

Which apprenticeships are on offer?

• Industrial mechanic
• Construction mechanic
• Mechatronics technician
• Metalworker
• Process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology
• Machining mechanic