Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Regular program length: 4 semester (full-time program)
Credit points (ECTS): 120 credit points
Language of instruction: German
Higher semester: no
Higher semester: winter and summer term
First semester: September 30 for winter term, March 31 for summer term
Higher semester: September 30 for winter term, March 31 for summer term
First semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
Higher semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
Program details
Program structure
The profile of the master's degree program in Civil Engineering corresponds to training as a generalist in several specialist areas. The student chooses two of the following five areas of specialization for the core studies:
- engineering structures
- water and environment
- mobility and infrastructure
- technology and management in construction
- geotechnical engineering
Modules can be selected from all of the aforementioned specializations in the supplementary studies.
The program is divided into a specialization and a supplementary part. Students are required to choose 2 of the above-mentioned specializations at the beginning of their studies. Students must complete 5 modules (30 CP) in each of the two chosen specializations. A different number of compulsory modules are specified for each specialization. The remaining modules can be selected from the range of specializations (specialization modules). Further specialization modules can be chosen in the supplementary studies (24 CP).
Qualification profile of the graduate
The study program Civil Engineering at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) with the degree Master of Science (M.Sc.) provides a deepened and research-oriented qualification in all typical professional fields of civil engineering. The focus of the qualification in the Master's degree program is set on engineering applications based on developing solutions for exemplary problems in the framework of student projects. The qualifications acquired during the Bachelor's studies are accompanied by advanced and extended knowledge in at least two of the five study focuses 'Structural Engineering', 'Water and Environment', 'Mobility and Infrastructure', 'Technology and Management in Construction Operation' and 'Geotechnical Engineering'. The 'Subject-Specific Supplements' either deepen the technical qualifications of the selected study focuses or add other study focuses.
The graduates are able to independently apply their scientifically profound and interdisciplinary knowledge and methods in the fields of system analysis, measurement techniques, modeling and management, also across disciplines. They can evaluate a significance and scope for solving complex scientific and societal problems. They can develop innovative problem solutions beyond the application of established structurally engineered and scientific rules, and therefore enter new fields of engineering. Because of the increasing complexity of these problems they can develop overall economic, socially and ecologically acceptable solutions within an interdisciplinary team.
In particular, the graduates who
- selected the study focus 'Structural Engineering' are able to design, plan and independently calculate buildings and constructions considering technological, ecological and economical aspects with their broad knowledge on properties of building materials and dimensioning approaches;
- selected the study focus 'Water and Environment' are able to develop efficient and adapted solutions for water management problems of any kind based on a deep understanding of fluid mechanical processes of water and matter fluxes as well as the methods of their quantification;
- selected the study focus 'Mobility and Infrastructure' are able to holistically plan, construct and operate transport systems under logistical, ecological and economical consideration based on deep knowledge of the relationships between town planning, regional planning, mobility behavior and required infrastructure;
- selected the study focus 'Technology and Management in Construction Operation' are specifically able to apply their deep knowledge of project management, construction process technology and construction economics as well as the knowledge of methods of project development and facility management for solving problems in order to realize buildings in all fields of civil engineering by their deep understanding of legal, economic and technical relationships;
- selected the study focus 'Geotechnical Engineering' are able to apply their broad expertise in materials science and constructive expertise at the interface between civil engineering and geosciences, solving problems on the preservation, usage and configuration of the earth as living environment and cultural space, particularly the planning, calculation and construction of underground buildings and infrastructures.
The graduates have the capability to present technically complex issues understandably and to perform convincingly which also prepares them very well for executive functions – and in an interdisciplinary team. They are qualified for responsible activities in planning offices and consultant companies, industrial enterprises, administration and science. They also acquire qualifications that allow pursuing doctoral studies.
Career prospects
Depending on your career goals and personal interests, a master's degree will qualify you for management positions at a construction company, engineering office or public building authority for tasks in construction management, construction planning or design. Civil engineers with a master's degree have excellent career prospects and many fields of activity; they can be found in management positions in the following sectors: structural and civil engineering, in engineering offices, public administration, consulting firms, railroads, postal services, insurance companies, the energy industry, software companies and several others. In this profession, you mainly design, plan, calculate, build and manage residential, commercial, administrative and industrial buildings, transportation routes (roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, hydraulic structures (locks, dams, reservoirs, etc.), power plants, environmental protection facilities (irrigation and drainage systems, sewage treatment plants, waste incineration plants), civil protection structures and much more.
If you have scientific ambitions and a good master's degree, then it could also be interesting to pursue a doctorate and a subsequent career at a university or research institution.
Characteristic features of the degree program
Characteristic features of Civil Engineering M.Sc. at KIT
study in small, well-supervised groups
research-oriented teaching through active involvement in research projects and engineering projects
integration into the Eucor university network enables participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse
What KIT has to offer
- central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
- 24-hour library offering single and group working places
- wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
- numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
- study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
- excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
- comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
- extensive support for career entry and self-employment
- internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
- modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
- Lernraum app
- diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
- stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
Admission and language requirements
Admission requirements
The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Civil Engineering are based on the current admission regulations:
- bachelor's degree
a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Civil Engineering (or a course with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits. - minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas
- statics and mechanics amounting to at least 28 CP
- mathematics to the extent of at least 20 CP
- building materials and construction of at least 18 CP
- structural engineering to the extent of at least 10 CP
- water and the environment (at least 10 CP)
- technology and management in construction operations of at least 10 CP
- geotechnical engineering of at least 10 CP
Language requirements and certificates
For the master's degree program in Civil Engineering, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must be at least level C1 and your English language skills at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Proof of sufficient German language skills
Your school-leaving certificate is sufficient proof of your German language skills if
- you obtainted it at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad
- you are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB)
- you obtained your degree at a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country on the recoginition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany
A complete list of foreign school-leaving and language certificates that are recognizes as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the webste of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).
If you have not obtained your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) at one of the above-mentioned institutions, you must provide a separate language certificate - regardless of your nationality. Only the following are accepted
- the passed „Prüfungsteil Deutsch“ of the Feststellungsprüfung,
- the passed DSH with an overall result DSH-2,
- the passed TestDaF level 4 in all four parts of the examination (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, oral expression)
- a comparable, recognized certificate of sufficient German language skills
To find our which other recognized certificates can be accepted by KIT as comparable, please contact
- as a German or German-equivalent applicant: Studierendenservice
- as an applicant with non- EU citizenship: International Students Office
Please note:
Language certificates are extremely important application documents that can prevent your enrollment if you do not submit them on time. Therefore, check early on in the application process whether you have the necessary language certificates for your degree program and, if necessary, plan to take one of the language tests mentioned above. The deadline by which you must submit language certificates corresponds to the enrollment deadline stated in your admission offer. In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of this deadline. The extension can be granted until the start of the lecture period at the latest.
Application portal
Application for the 1st semester
Application for a higher semester
Contacts
Student advisor
Student advisory services (ZSB)
+49 721 608 - 44930
Annette Hildinger ∂does-not-exist.kit edu
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Zentrale Studienberatung (ZSB)
Engelbert-Arnold-Str. 2
76131 Karlsruhe
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Studierendenservice
Kaiserstr. 12
76131 Karlsruhe
First point of contact for international applicants
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
International Students Office (IStO)
Adenauerring 2
76131 Karlsruhe
Printed matter
Module handbook
Titel | Download |
---|---|
Module handbook Civil Engineering Master | PDF (German) |
Public view Civil Engineering Master in the Campus Management System | Link (German) Link (English) |
Statutes and regulations
Titel | Stand | Download |
---|---|---|
2016 KIT 038 Satzung für den Zugang zu dem Masterstudiengang Bauingenieurwesen am Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) | 10.05.2016, veröffentlicht 09.05.2016 |
Titel | Stand | Download |
---|---|---|
2015 KIT 043 Dritte Satzung zur Änderung der Studien- und Prüfungsordnung des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT) für den Masterstudiengang Bauingenieurwesen | 29.05.2015, veröffentlicht 29.05.2015 | |
2014 KIT 019 Satzung zur Umsetzung des Übereinkommens über die Anerkennung von Qualifikationen im Hochschulbereich der Europäischen Region vom 11. April 1997 gemäß §§ 32 Abs. 2, 4 und 36a LHG in den Studien- und Prüfungsordnungen am KIT | 28.03.2014, veröffentlicht 28.03.2014 | |
2012 KIT 006 Satzung zur Änderung der Studien- und Prüfungsordnung des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT) für den Masterstudiengang Bauingenieurwesen | 19.03.2012, veröffentlicht 03.04.2012 | |
78. Studien- und Prüfungsordnung der Universität Karlsruhe (TH) für den Masterstudiengang Bauingenieurwesen | 08.09.2009 |
Teaching calendar
WT 2024/25
10-21-2024 to 02-15-2025
ST 2025
04-22-2025 to 08-02-2025
WT 2025/26
10-27-2025 to 02-21-2026
ST 2026
04-20-2026 to 08-01-2026
WT 2026/27
10-26-2026 to 02-20-2027
ST 2027
04-19-2027 to 07-31-2027
WT 2027/28
10-25-2027 to 02-19-2028
ST 2028
04-18-2028 to 07-29-2028
Lectures will not take place:
- From 12-24 to 01-06
- the week after Pentecost
- on all public holidays in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg