Software Engineering for Embedded Systems

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Dieses Studienangebot ist englischsprachig, deshalb stehen die nachfolgenden Informationen
ausschließlich in englischer Sprache zur Verfügung.

Scientific director: Prof. Dr. Peter Liggesmeyer

Software-dominated product areas

Software plays a dominant role in most areas with embedded systems (for example in the automotive sector). Businesses are faced with the challenge of tasking experienced engineers with software engineering more and more frequently.

Target group

The English-language Master's programme is aimed at professionals in the field of software development.

Objective and degree

The distance learning programme provides the participants with well-founded theoretical knowledge and the ability to acquire according practical methods, techniques and tools in the field of software engineering.

Graduates are awarded a diploma from the RPTU Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, a certificate documenting conferment of the academic degree Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) as well as an English-language Diploma Supplement.

Programme concept

Programme content

The distance learning programme comprises six compulsory modules that focus on, for example

Project management,
Software quality assurance,
Software product line engineering,
Requirements engineering,
Software architecture for embedded software systems,
Component-based software development,
Model-based component engineering,
Real-time systems and dependability engineering.

Admission requirements

Access with a first university degree: The application is open to persons with a first university degree of at least six semesters qualifying for a profession in computer science or computer science-related disciplines, mathematics or natural or engineering sciences and at least two years of relevant and qualified professional experience in the field of embedded systems, of which at least one year in the context of software development, afterwards.
Access without a first university degree: Interested persons without a first university degree qualifying for a profession, but with a university entrance qualification (e.g. Allgemeine Hochschulreife or Meisterprüfung) as well as relevant and qualified professional experience of at least three years, have the opportunity to qualify for the degree programme by passing an aptitude test. In addition, evidence of at least two years of relevant and qualified professional experience in the field of embedded systems, of which at least one year in the context of software development must be provided.

For detailed and legally binding information on the admission requirements, please refer to the examination regulations of the degree programme.

Schedule and organisation

The distance learning programme in Software Engineering is offered in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE). The Master's programme has a standard period of study of four semesters (part-time). Mandatory on-campus phases take place once per semester at IESE in Kaiserslautern. In general, there is a three-day on-campus phase from Friday to Sunday in the first semester and a one-week on-campus phase (from Saturday to Friday) in each of the second and third semesters. The written module examinations are completed during mandatory on-campus phases.

A weekly commitment of around 14 hours is required to study the material, take the examinations, complete the Master's thesis, et cetera (amongst others).

At a glance

At the moment, the tuition fees amount to EUR 2,450 per semester. In addition, there is a social contribution, which, starting in the winter semester of 2023/24, will amount to 114 euros per semester. The one-time fee for the Master's thesis is EUR 720. The tuition fees do not include travel and accommodation expenses or meal allowances during the on-campus phases. Only the social contribution is charged in the first semester after the end of the standard period of study. Tuition fees are reduced to 30 percent of the original fee as of the second semester exceeding the standard period of study; this does not apply to the Master's thesis fee. The tuition fees are exempted from German VAT and may be tax-deductible if the legal requirements are fulfilled. An instalment payment request is possible, further information can be found here.

Subject to change.

The aim of the aptitude test is to determine whether candidates with professional experience but no university degree have comparable skills and knowledge to candidates with a completed undergraduate degree. The application for admission to the aptitude test must be submitted to the Subdivision Distance Student Affairs.

Information on deadlines and requirements will be provided in due time.

The distance learning programme starts in the winter semester (October) of every year. Information on the application procedure and deadlines are provided here.

The legal and organisational framework of Software Engineering for Embedded Systems is defined in the examination regulations.

The distance learning programme's scientific director is Prof. Dr. Peter Liggesmeyer (RPTU). The distance learning programme Software Engineering for Embedded Systems is organised in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE).

The distance learning programme Software Engineering for Embedded Systems is accredited to award the academic degree Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) by Akkreditierungsrat (the Accreditation Council). The agency responsible for the assessment of the accreditation process is ASIIN. In addition, the programme was awarded the Euro-Inf Master Quality Label of the European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education (EQANIE). Information on the accreditation of the study programme is also provided in the database of Akkreditierungsrat (the Accreditation Council).

Distance learning programmes are basically defined by the fact that students do not physically attend the institution of higher education, instead the institution of higher education comes to them. Both programme organisation and the didactically prepared learning materials are based on the concept of independent learning: the learners are supported in taking personal responsibility for their own learning process by a teaching-learning arrangement that consists of a combination of self-learning materials, on-campus phases and online-based interactions in the online campus. Each programme has an own virtual learning environment within the online campus that accompanies the students for the duration of their course. During the on-campus phases, the students have the opportunity to consolidate and substantiate the self-taught content in the context of practical classes and group work and to further discuss their acquired skills and knowledge in consideration of current issues.