The modern world places a myriad of demands on products. To ensure the performance, safety and economy of a design, it is often necessary to combine traditional mechanical components with electronics and software. The structure, engine and transmission of a modern car, to give an example, are now joined by dozens of microprocessors, thousands of electrical circuits and several kilometres of wire. A total of around 30,000 components are brought together from sources around the world, designed and manufactured by teams of people who may never meet. Yet the vehicles of today are more reliable and dependable than ever before. How does one succeed in this environment of varied technologies and intersecting cultures.
Due to the illegal, russian attack against Ukraine and the associated sanctions against Russia, all cooperation between the University of Hanover and Russian universities is currently on hold. This also affects the master degree programme „International Mechatronics“. Therefore, it is currently not possible to apply for this programme.
Mechatronics concerns the integration of mechanical, electrical, control and information-processing components. Since the emergence of mechatronics in the late 1960s, the interdisciplinary field has grown dramatically to become an essential part of modern engineering. Leibniz University Hannover recognises the importance of the field and the corresponding opportunities. The University offers both bachelor’s and master’s degree courses in mechatronics and has developed the specialised Hannover Centre for Mechatronics (MZH) to further its research and teaching. In view of the international nature of mechatronics, a partnership with Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University – a renowned technical university in Saint Petersburg, Russia – has recently been established. This partnership has enabled the creation of a new International Mechatronics master’s degree course.
International Mechatronics is a two-year master’s degree course. The first year of the course is taught at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia and the second year at Leibniz University Hannover in Germany. The language of teaching is English. The first year of the course concentrates on information engineering and mathematics. The second year concentrates on mechanical and electrical engineering, with the final semester devoted to the completion of a master’s degree project and thesis.
Under German law, students enrolled at Leibniz University Hannover must have either government or private health insurance. This also applies if students spend their first two semesters in Russia. Students should know that if they choose to have statutory health insurance in the third semester, they must pay for the two semesters they spent in Russia (around 1100 euros for one year).
If students choose private insurance, they may or may not have to pay for the two semesters they spent in Russia, depending on the policy of the preferred company. In any case, a student must be insured. The choice of insurance provider is left to the student himself/herself. This also applies to students enrolled at Saint Petersburg Polytech University.
The admission criterion is a bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or informatics. A good knowledge of the English language is essential. Applicants holding a German degree must apply to Leibniz University Hannover and applicants holding a Russian degree must apply to Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Those holding a foreign degree may apply to either institution. Applications to Leibniz University Hannover must be submitted online through the main admissions website. The application forms are only visible during the application period. An English translation of each step of the application process is provided.
Applicants must indicate on the application form whether they are submitting a completely new application for the first semester of the International Mechatronics course or, in the case that they are already taking the relevant course at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, an application for the third semester of the course. The International Mechatronics course begins in the winter semester and the application deadline is 31 May. Students pay the same fees as for any other master’s degree course at Leibniz University Hannover. During their time in Russia, they continue to pay their fees to Leibniz University Hannover. Each student is responsible for their own accommodation, living and transport costs. The web portal for application is only available from April 15th to May 31st.
Admission requirements, the application process and the FAQs
