Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (Sustainable Energy Systems) (B.Eng)

In this internationally oriented degree program, you will receive an education that will make you a specialist in the field of renewable energies, energy storage and energy efficiency.

The energy transition, the expansion of renewable energy, the adaption of energy efficiency measures to reduce CO2 emissions and the sustainable use of natural resources are topics of high social and ecological importance and experts in these fields are in great demand on the job market.

The study program is praxis-oriented and has an international focus. Through our cooperation with the Turku University of Applied Sciences in Finland you even have the possibility to graduate with a double degree (B.Eng. Sustainable Energy Systems from the Hochschule Emden/Leer + B.Eng. Energy and Enviromental Technology from Turku University of Applied Sciences).

Your studies will lead you to a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) degree over 7 semesters. You will first receive the mathematical, scientific and technical fundamentals in 3 semesters. From the 4th semester onwards, you will gain specialized knowledge in the field of renewable energy technology, energy storage and energy efficiency. In addition, from the 4th semester on, some courses are held in English, so that you are well prepared for the internationally oriented job market. 

You can choose to complete the 6th semester at one of our numerous partner universities within and outside of Europe. There is even the possibility of graduating with a double degree in cooperation with Turku University of Applied Sciences in Finland.
In the 7th semester you will complete an internship and write your Bachelor's thesis, which you will usually do at a company or research institution.

Degree
Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)

Type
Full time

Standard period of study
7 semesters

Start of studies
Winter semester

Study location
Emden (+ optional semester abroad at a European partner university)

Language
German and English

Admission requirements
You need the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife) or general university entrance qualification (allgemeine Hochschulreife) or subject-related university entrance qualification (fachgebundene Hochschulreife) or a practical training with special qualification corresponding to the chosen course of studies.

Admission Restrictions
No

Credit points
210 ECTS

Accreditation
Accredited by ZEvA

Faculty
Faculty of Technology

The program prepares the students for a professional career in different fields related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage as well as environmental technology. Most often, our graduates pursue a professional career in interdisciplinary tasks at the intersection between mechanical engineering, energy management, renewable energy and sustainability.

Some examples of common tasks for which you will be prepared after studying Sustainable Energy Systems include the design of renewable energy plants, the energetic optimization of buildings or industrial processes, the sustainability evaluation of different technologies, the simulation and analysis of energy systems, etc.

Although most of our graduates pursue a professional career in the industry (for example in engineering consultancies or energy enterprises), some of them prefer to work in the public sector, research institutions or in non-governamental organizations (NGOs).

After graduation, there is also the possibility to start a master's degree, in Emden or at another university.

Our graduates can contribute to climate protection, the energy transition and the reduction of fossil fuel imports by being able to plan renewable energy plants, develop energy efficiency measures and design sustainable energy systems.

Since such technical solutions contribute to overcoming some of the greatest challenges of our time, the degree programme is of interest to anyone who wants to play an active role in shaping the energy transition and climate protection. Specifically, graduates can find employment with energy suppliers, manufacturers of energy systems, municipal companies and in planning and engineering companies, to name just a few examples.

The degree not only qualifies graduates for employment in the above-mentioned professional fields, but also for a consecutive Master's degree programme.

The contents of your studies can be divided into three areas:

  •     - Engineering fundamentals
  •     - Energy
  •     - Sustainability

The engineering fundamentals include subjects such as mathematics, technical mechanics, chemistry and thermodynamics. The courses in the field of energy are mainly related to the renewable energies (biomass, solar energy, wind energy), as well as energy storage and energy efficiency. The courses on sustainability give you an overview of the environmental impact of different technologies and an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships between energy systems and the environment.

In the first half of the study program, German prevails as the teaching language. However, in the second half of your studies, you can take many courses in English language.

Our university has cooperations with other universities throughout Europe. In the 6th semester, you have the opportunity to spend the complete term in one of our partner European universities (this is optional). Additionally, you can also spend the 7th semester (consisting on an internship and the bachelor thesis) abroad. Both the internship and the bachelor thesis are usually performed at a company or research institution. In this way, you can apply the theoretical knowledge that you gained during the study program directly to a real work environment and gain initial professional experience.

The university has numerous contacts with other universities throughout Europe. In the 6th semester, you therefore have the opportunity to take a semester abroad (this is optional). You will then visit a university abroad for one semester and complete the corresponding courses there. These will then be automatically recognized at the Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences, so the length of your studies is not affected. Through our cooperation with Turku University of Applied Sciences in Finland, you even have the possibility to obtain a double degree (B.Eng. Sustainable Energy Systems of the Hochschule Emden/Leer + B.Eng. Energy and Environmental Technology from Turku University of Applied Sciences).

The study programme is very hands-on and project-oriented, so you can directly apply the theory that you learn in the lectures. An example of a students' project is presented in the following video:

The application process takes place on-line. Please follow the following link to the application portal.

Admission restriction: No

Study begin: Fall semester (end of September)

Application deadline: 30 September

Apply now

  • About the study program:

Prof. Dr. Iván Herráez
E-Mail: ivan.herraez|at|hs-emden-leer.de
Phone-number: (04921) 807-1598
Room: T 1022
Constantiaplatz 4
26723 Emden

  • About studying at the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer:

Student Advisory Service

  • About the application procedure:

Matriculation office

  • About the study-start:

Information for new students

Everyone should think about their future and that of others!

And everyone should do what they can to create a better future. Now or never! So why not to start with a sustainable career?

I am a student at the Hochschule Emden / Leer and I study "Sustainable Energy Systems". I decided to study this bachelor program because, over time, I found out that sustainability is not only a matter of great interest to me, but also the most important issue for everyone in the future. But also the bilingual or the international orientiation of the program was a reason for my choice.

And I am very happy with my decision!. Some lectures are sometimes a bit challenging, but the motivation for this topic is always there and helps to keep going.
Studying at the Campus Emden is very pleasant and familiar, which contributes to a positive learning climate.

I hope that more and more people will be interested in this program and come to study it! It is worth it! Come to Emden!

Valentin (2nd semester)


This degree is exactly the right one for anyone who is interested in a practical, future-oriented study program in a familial atmosphere!

Of course, choosing a degree that has never been offered before is always a risk, but I have not regretted my choice: this course focuses on renewable energy, and is internationally-oriented (some lectures are in English and good opportunities are offered to spend one or two semesters abroad). The forward-looking orientation of the program was indeed one of my main motivations to enroll at the Hochschule Emden / Leer.

What awaited me here were interesting study projects and lectures with a practical orientation, as well as professors who work for and with us so that we are succesful in our studies. Especially after my aborted studies at a large university, where the contact to teachers was very impersonal, I was pleasantly surprised that at the Hochschule Emden/Leer one always finds a contact person for any kind of problems. I also appreciate a lot the fact that already in the first semester we worked in practical-oriented projects.

The university itself is rather small, and you quickly get to know people, also through the first weekend on the island of Borkum. This makes you feel at home very soon at the university and in Emden itself.

In addition to studying, there are also a wide range of activities and projects for students, such as the solar boat team, the sustainability team, the Gambia project and much more. Since sustainability is also one of the leitmotifs of the university, a lot is on offer in this area.  Therefore, you can try and gain experience with many things, which may become important later in your studies or in your professional life.

I am very happy with my choice of stuying Sustainable Energy Systems at the Hochschule Emden/Leer and I hope you will do that too :)

Lotte (2nd semester)


The Sustainable Energy Systems degree programme at the Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences offers a good mix of theory and practice. The theory lectures are complemented by laboratory and simulation courses, which makes it easier for students to develop a good understanding of the contents and makes the degree programme very practice-oriented.

After the scientific and technical fundamentals are taught in the first semesters, the lectures focus on the various aspects of sustainability. Here, it is not only about sustainable energy production through renewable energy sources, but also about energy recovery and storage as well as sustainability in production and chemical processes.
The professors are always very helpful and cooperative when it comes to questions, which makes a lot of things easier.

Some lectures in the higher semesters are in English, which may seem a little daunting at first. In retrospect, however, this was not a problem and was easily mastered with basic school English.

Mirco (7th semester)


Currently, the topic "energy" is widely discussed in daily life. Both on a personal level (increase in energy prices) and on a political level ( energy independence and climate protection), questions often arise on this topic. The study programme provides the technical background to better understand the multifaceted topic of "energy". Theory and practice are well combined through numerous laboratory experiments and practical projects. For example, early on in our studies we developed concepts for an energy self-sufficient district in cooperation with the city of Brake.

The Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences offers a variety of laboratories where professors and academic staff conduct research. Personally, I worked in the laboratory for renewable energy while studying, which gave me the opportunity to familiarise myself with the latest developments and research questions in the field of energy.

Thanks to cooperations with many universities around the world, it is very easy to go abroad. In addition to gaining new knowledge, you can also make new friends and gain intercultural experience.

Hauke (7th semester)

Impressions