STUDIES / APPLICATION
Studies
As an alternative path to university studies in civil engineering, the university of Wuppertal offers a combination of vocational training for skilled workers and academic studies, the content of which fully corresponds to the bachelor's degree program in civil engineering described in the separate study information flyer. The course of studies accompanying the apprenticeship represents an intelligent combination of vocational training and studies.
Within a standard period of study of eight semesters, you will obtain two equivalent degrees:
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A skilled worker's certificate and
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the academic degree Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering.
Bergische Universität is the first university in Germany to offer a degree program in civil engineering to accompany vocational training. The program provides methodological and leadership skills, professional technical training, solid practical knowledge and valuable experience for future managers, e.g. in the construction industry. This course of study is offered in cooperation with the Berufsförderungswerk der Bauindustrie NRW e.V. and the Bildungszentren des Baugewerbes e.V..
Admission requirement and application
The admission requirement for the civil engineering study program accompanying the training is the certificate of the general university entrance qualification or the relevant subject-related university entrance qualification (to be acquired e.g. at the vocational college) or admission on the basis of admission with vocational qualification or other certificates recognized by the responsible ministry as equivalent for university admission. The Fachhochschulreife is not sufficient.
In addition, a training contract must be concluded with a company in the construction industry or the main construction trade. It is advisable to apply for a training position early, as training begins on 1st of June. Support is provided by the Berufsförderungswerk (vocational training center) and the Bildungszentren des Baugewerbes (training centers for the construction industry). Admission to the program is only possible for the winter semester. There are currently no admission restrictions. Information on application and enrollment can be found on the website of the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB).
BRIEF OVERVIEW
Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Start: Winter semester
Duration: 8 semesters
Admission requirement: University entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur)
Training contract
Open admission (without NC)
Required German language skills for foreign-language applicants
Foreign-language applicants: Before enrolling in a German-language course at the Bergische Universität Wuppertal, applicants must prove that they have the German language skills required to start their studies. You can find more information on the websites for international students.
Course of studies and content
Vocational training in a company: The companies conclude a training contract with the prospective students. Remuneration is in line with current collective agreements. At the end of the training (3 apprenticeship years) there is a qualification as a skilled worker or the journeyman's certificate. Prospective students should look for their own training company. They can also contact the Berufsförderungswerk der Bauindustrie (Vocational Training Center of the Construction Industry) or the Bildungszentren des Baugewerbes (Educational Centers of the Construction Industry) (see Student Advisory Service and further information). Students on the course accompanying their apprenticeship are exempt from attending vocational school during the three years of vocational training. During the first 16 months, the focus is on industrial training in the chosen construction trade at the training company. During this time, inter-company instruction takes place in blocks at training centers (boarding school accommodation is possible).
During this time, students attend university courses two days a week. This is followed by alternating periods of study especially during the lecture-free period & commercial training periods. In the 3rd and 4th semesters, studies at the university comprise three days per week; from the 5th semester onwards, studies continue predominantly on a full-time basis. This phase ends after three years with the final examination in the chosen profession (HWK or IHK examination). The study program continues with the 7th and 8th semester and is finalized in the 8th semester with doing the Bachelor's thesis.
In terms of content, the course of study accompanying the vocational training corresponds completely to the six-semester course of study in civil engineering. However, due to the acquisition of a skilled worker's certificate, it is stretched to a standard period of study of eight semesters.
Currently the following professional degrees are offered:
Bricklayer
Plasterer
Road builder
Tiler, slab and mosaic layer
Sewer constructor
Concrete and steel constructor
Carpenter
Screed layer
WKS insulator
Track layer
Building mechanic
After graduation
Occupational fields
The course of studies accompanying the vocational training opens up all professional fields of civil engineering with special emphasis on the implementation of the diverse construction tasks. The broad basic education required for this is imparted in the university bachelor's degree program - still without any particular subject specialization. In combination with the professional training, the graduates are predestined for management tasks on the construction site or in the construction company, where above all qualified generalists are needed.
Degrees and Perspectives
The academic degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) is a first professional qualification. Graduates of the program, which parallels training, have excellent career opportunities in construction management and in the management of small and medium-sized companies in the main construction industry. It also entitles students to apply for a consecutive master's degree program in Wuppertal or at another academic university worldwide that is related to civil engineering. However, admission may be subject to conditions (e.g. final grades in examinations, language skills, etc.), depending on the individual university. The successful completion of studies leads to the academic degree B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science), which is a necessary prerequisite for further academic Master's programs. The master's degree may be followed by a doctorate in engineering.
Quick links
Information regarding the Civil Engineering program (Vocational education and training, B.Sc.): B.Sc. - Program flyer
Application portal of the University of Wuppertal: Application portal
Central Student Advisory Service can be found under the following link.