Study

More options: Ilmenau's range of courses even more attractive

New study programmes, an expanded English-language offering and adjusted standard study times: The TU Ilmenau has completely revised its range of courses, both in terms of content and structure.

Unigebäude mit Studierenden und großem Baum im Vordergrund ari

With the revision of its study programmes, TU Ilmenau wants to integrate current research topics more strongly into academic training in order to be able to meet tomorrow's demand for skilled workers even better. Furthermore, more freedom for internships and stays abroad should be created and the range of courses should be made more international and broader with new courses. To this end, under the leadership of the Vice President for Studies and Teaching, Professor Anja Geigenmüller, an intensive university-wide coordination process was set in motion, in the course of which the range of courses offered by the TU Ilmenau was put to the test and completely revised. At the same time, the courses of study and the associated study regulations were adapted to new legal requirements. Professor Geigenmüller:

I am very pleased that we have succeeded in revising the range of courses in such a way that we can already offer the majority of our courses in the new form for the winter semester. For this, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those involved from our five faculties and the various areas of the university administration.

For 16 Bachelor's degree programmes and 15 Master's degree programmes, the changes will come into force as early as the coming winter semester 2021/22. The remaining two Bachelor's and seven Master's programmes are to be converted in the following winter semester 2022/23.

Wider range of options and greater freedom of choice

In order to optimise the range of courses on offer, some courses have been restructured to create better opportunities for integrating an internship or semester abroad. Modules that combine courses in a particular subject area have been reorganised. New modules have been developed that focus more on current developments in research, for example on sustainable energy technology, artificial intelligence or biologically inspired electronics. "This provides a broader range of current educational content and elective options," the vice president said. This allows students to choose their own subject profile during the course of their studies and to follow their own inclinations and talents better than before."

In addition, several consecutive degree programmes will change their standard study times in the Bachelor's and Master's programmes from autumn onwards. This initially affects the engineering bachelor's/master's degree programmes in electrical engineering and information technology, engineering informatics, mechanical engineering and mechatronics, as well as the social science bachelor's degree programme in applied media and communication science and the consecutive master's degree programme in media and communication science. In the future, the bachelor's degree will be reduced by one semester to six semesters and, at the same time, the corresponding master's degree will be extended by one semester to four semesters. The vice-president explains that this has further advantages: "Firstly, we have created a better connection to other universities at home and abroad. Secondly, it will be easier for Bachelor's graduates to transfer to the TU Ilmenau for a Master's degree. And thirdly, the Master's programme will have more scope for specialisation. This means that we will be even better able to live up to our claim of a research-oriented education."

New courses of study and increased international orientation

The number of courses taught in English will also be increased in order to better reflect the international orientation of the courses offered. At the same time, the flexibility of the degree programme will be increased in that modules can also be completed at international universities and then recognised at TU Ilmenau. "In this way, students acquire additional skills and experience to prepare them for an international working environment without necessarily exceeding the scheduled standard period of study," emphasises the Vice-President. And: "The more English-language courses we offer, the more likely we are to be considered as a place to study for international students."

The Master's programme "International Business and Economics", one of the two new programmes to be introduced in the winter semester 2021/22, also fits into this development planning. It offers the opportunity to deepen business and communication skills in an English-language course of study. The programme focuses on teaching methodological skills and thus also prepares students for a scientific career, among other things.

The new Bachelor's programme "Business Administration with a Technical Orientation" offers an attractive course of study for future business people who wish to pursue a career in technologically oriented companies or institutions. They should be able to apply their specialist expertise in economic contexts, particularly with regard to technological issues, while developing communication skills that will facilitate exchanges with engineers, for example.

Attractive teaching for the next generation

By updating its range of courses, the TU Ilmenau aims to further increase its attractiveness for future students. Professor Geigenmüller:

The revised courses of study should convince with the fact that they provide a qualification in current and relevant scientific fields. They feature up-to-date teaching content and methods and offer students opportunities for personal development. In addition, as a small university, we have always been able to offer a very good supervision ratio, which means that we can underpin very good teaching with very good support throughout the degree programme.

Prof. Anja Geigenmüller

Vice President for Teaching and Learning