Master Smart City Solutions

SCS is a multidisciplinary programme. Applicants from a broad spectrum of disciplines are accepted.  A first university degree qualifying for a profession (Bachelor, Magister, Diplom or equivalent) in architecture, construction, infrastructure, economics and geosciences or other planning-related disciplines in the subject areas of the smart city is ideal. The university degree comprises at least 210 credit points or equivalents to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which corresponds to a full-time study programme of 7 semesters. In the case of degrees from other disciplines, an examination is carried out by the selection committee on a case-by-case basis (see next question).

You must complete additional coursework worth 30 ECTS before starting the Master Programme. The workload to complete 30 ECTS equals to one semester (18 weeks) of full-time study. You can complete them at your own pace at any accredited university through distance or in-person studies, or you opt to complete them at HFT-Stuttgart during a pre-semster. For the pre-semester the fee for additional semesters of 1,000 EUR applies as outlined in the Fee Statues (in the download sections.) If you opt to complete them in Stuttgart you may apply for the Master Programme before November 15^th to commence the pre-semester in March the following year. Suitable modules will be selected in consultation with the Dean of Studies.

Please review the section "Module recommendations to top-up a 180 ECTS bachelor" in the SCS Module Descriptions in the download section. 

Above-average academic degrees are expected, meaning you performed above the average of your class. Proven commitment to social causes or achievements in your subject-related professional career may offset average or below-average grades. Please state this in your motivation letter.

Demonstrated knowledge of English language is a prerequisite. HFT accepts:

TOEFL

• 550 points (paper-based test)
• 213 points (computer-based test)
• 80 points (internet-based test) 

The official TOEFL report can be sent directly through the Educational Testing Service (institution code: 8514).

IELTS Academic  min. score 6,5

Applicants whose language of instruction is stated to be English in their leaving certificate from school, university or college, can proof their knowledge of English if the graduation certificate states so. 

No. Candidates of all ages are welcome to apply.  HFT supports life-long learning and a diverse student body.

Yes. We only accept applications submitted by e-mail.

You may provide certified copies of your documents once you arrive in Stuttgart after being admitted.

Yes. The master programme a non-consecutive continous education programme, You need to provide proof of at least one year of relevant professional experience gained after you finished your first univeristy degree (Bachelor, Magister, Diplom or equivalent). The proof will be in the form of a certificate of employment or letter from your employer or employers if your experience was gained at different jobs.

No. As of March 2023 you application review and the interview will be free of charge. You also do not need to pay a reservation fee. HFT Stuttgart reserves the right to change this policy.

HFT Stuttgart advises against outsourcing the application process for its study programmes to a service provider or consultancy. 

Reasons are: 

• The process is straightforward and you can always ask the staff of the programm via e-mail scs-master(at)hft-stuttgart.de or call us on the phone. We are happy receiving updates on your process of coming to HFT.
• In the past, students reportedly lost money to fraudulent consultants.
• In the past, students arrived late or lost their study place because the manager of their account changed and did not submit their case to a successor.
• In the past, students were ill advised as to which German consulate/embassy to apply for visa and as to how many instalments of tuitions payments satisfy the requirements of the German consultancy/embassy in charge of their application. This resulted in a loss of precious time and money.
• Handling administrative matters related to your application yourself will prepare you to handle the administrative matters necessary after arriving in Germany.

Full-time study:

Semester 1 and 2: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Semester 3 (Master Thesis) own arrangement, some Saturdays

Part-time study:

Semester 1 and 2: Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Semester 3 and 4: Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Semester 5 (Master Thesis) own arrangement, some Saturdays

The part-time programme is available only for EU-citizens and residents.

German immigration law stipulates that student visa shall only be issued for the purpose of full-time studies.

If you hold non-EU citizenship but have resident status through marriage you could be eligible for part-time studies. Please inquire with the relevant authorities.

HFT Stuttgart is currently working to make selected Modules available and issue a certificate upon completion. 

Please note that a fee will apply.
Applicants must fulfill the same requirements as applicants to the full programme, specified in the Admission Statutes in the download section.
Applicants to only one Module must be EU-citizens or reside in the EU with a work or spouse visa.
Courses will be taught in presence at HFT Stuttgart.

Should you be interested, please contact scs-master@hft-stuttgart.de. 

• No lectures will take place during a 2 week Christmas break in the last week of December and first week of January.
• No compulsory lectures will take place from second week of February till second week of March.
• No compulsory lectures will take place in summer from second week of July till second week of September.

Yes. We encourage our students to work during their studies. However, you need to reserve at least one day per week for completing homework in addition to the teaching days.

If you are an EU citizen: You may continue your employment at a reduce number of workdays.

Students from non-EU countries are only permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year (voluntary internships included), Those who wish to work longer require permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the Alien Registration Office. Obtaining permission depends on the labour market in one’s place of residence.

If you are a non-EU Citizen: The employment regulations for international students apply. Please check the DAAD-Homepage.

There are several options. Please check the German Federal Ministry of the Interior.

The M.Eng. you will earn is worth 90 credit points (ECTS). The optional M.Eng. MBA is worth 120 credit points (ECTS). Please compare with the admission requirements of the PhD programme you are interested to enrol in.

The quality of the Master Programme Smart City Solution is certified by the academic accreditation agency ASIIN e.V. (Accreditation Agency for Study Programmes in Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Mathematics).

The ASIIN certification seal was last issued in 2018 and is valid until September 2024. HFT-Stuttgart has completed the update of the study programme and has submitted documentation for re-accreditation at the German accreditation council. 

The quality is also determined by the success that graduates achieve in their profession.

Some scholarships ask for a minimum number of Credit Points (CP) in the area of design/projects. At Smart City Solutions it is possible to earn a maximum of 35 CP out of the total 90 CP with (architectural/ urban) design projects. In accordance with the Dean of Studies and lecturers respectively, the student can opt to fulfil the course requirements with architectural/urban design in Module 10.3 “Master Thesis Project” (23 CP) and Module 9 “Case Study” (12 CP). In order for you to do so, your first academic degree (B. Sc.) and/or your professional experience need to be in the field of architectural design to be able to complete the task in the given time. If you plan to opt for design projects, please include samples of your design in the application documents and mention it in your motivation letter and in the admission interview.

SCS is a countinuous degree for professionals and therefore provices subjects related to smart city solutions. The curriculum has a strong international orientation and prepares students to work on international projects, which often requires English language skills. Among the students are also native Germans. Therefore, the SCS curriclum does not include German language modules. 

Should you plan to seek employment with German companies after graduation, studying German with a professional teacher in your country of residency, will put you at a huge advantage. Students who arrive with no German language knowledge tend to find it hard to make time for learning the language during the semester.

HFT offers German couses with the third party provider VESPA.  Intensive online German courses of various levels take place for three weeks in September and in February/March at a discounted fee for HFT students. 

During the semester, German courses are offered every Wednesday afternoon for different levels. Availabiltiy is limited so make sure to register early. 

No, a compulsory internship (Pflichtpraktikum) is not part of the SCS curriculum for two reasons: (1) The programme is targeting mid-career level professionals with one year of relevant professional experience after completing their first degree, ideally more. Thus, work experience is a prerequisite for enrolling in the programme, not a new skill the programme teaches. (2) In Germany, companies hosting students for compulsory are not required to pay them, as they are considered to render a service to students by contributing to their education. It would not be conductive to professionals in a further education programme like SCS to work under such a condition. Students are encouraged to find vorluntary internships during their studies or continue to work for their existing employer at reduced hours.

Students may be granted leave of absence ("Urlaubssemester") for a good cause upon application. The duration is for the full semester. Leave of absence can be granted for up to two semesters in total for the duration of the study programme. Leave of absence must be applied for before the start of lectures of the respective semester. Administrative fees of approx. 200 € incur regardless and must be paid to keep the student status active and maintain student privileges (e.g. student health insurance, renting in the student dorm, access to library, access to canteen, etc.). No tuition fees incur during the leave of absence semester.

During the semster in which a student is on leave of absence, a maximum of 10% of CPs of the regular semester (3 CP) can be credited. 

Please check Leave of absence on HFT website for detailed information.

The tuition fee for the entire programme is 10,000 € for both full-time and part-time students. Tuition fees will be paid in two instalments per semester.
The finance department will send you payment requests with the exact amounts and payment deadlines required.

All fees, costs or expenses that are not tuition fees, such as:

- Any registration, enrolment, or other fees charged by either HFT, any of its affiliates, and/or any government agency in connection with your studies:

• Student ID Card:  15 € (10 € deposit and a 5 € credit balance)
• Student Services: ca. 200 € (per semester)
• Costs for mandatory field-trips: approx. 600 €

- Costs depending upon your individual life-style:

• Health insurance (mandatory, depends on citizenship and age, see below in the FAQ section "Living in Stuttgart")
• Room, housing, meals, living expenses, travel, supplies, computer or IT equipment;
• Cost of the semester public transportation ticket: 206 € (per semester)
• Printing costs (your coursework)
• Late-fees for registration and returning library books or failing to register for exams if applicable.
• Costs to attend recommended but extra-curricular events like the Smart City World Expo and Conference in Barcelona, other trade fares and conferences.

Most German scholarships (DAAD, etc.) only cover travel and living expenses. Should you apply for a scholarship or already hold a scholarship that covers the tuition, please make sure this will be the case. In the past we had applicants who found out only after successfully completing the application process to Smart City Solutions that their scholarships does not cover the tuition fee and had to cancel. Another substantial financial position, scholarships may not cover is the deposit in the "Blocked Account" (see below).

1. The "blocked account" is required by German consulates/embassies/foreigner office at townhall at the time of visa application or visa renewal for some non-EU students. They will be required to open the "blocked account" a and transfer about 11,208 EURO (as of Nov. 2022) to proof their financial liquidity during their stay in Germany. This is not a fee. The money remains yours and you can withdrawn the amount later. However, you need to prepare to transfer this sum. You also will not be able to touch the money for the time the blocked account is active. If you are a scholarship holder, please make sure whether the scholarship covers the "blocked account" deposit. Since this payment is not levied by the school, HFT cannot assist with matters concerning the "blocked account".

Some German consulates/embassies (e.g. in India) require proof of funds equivalent to the tuition fees for the first two semesters. This can be either of the following:

            (a) Confirmation of payment issued by the university OR
            (b) proof of education loan OR
            (c) unblocked deposit added to your blocked account (i.e. deposited in addition to the 11,208 EURO mentioned above).

We recommend you follow the steps outlined in www.study-in-germany.de/en for obtaining a student visa. It has been prepared by the German Academic Exchange Service which is an agency of the Federal Government of Germany and is frequently updated. 

https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/plan-your-studies/requirements/proof-of-financing/

2.  Cost of currency exchange and money transfer is another cost non-EU citizens may have to budget. Your bank at home is likely to charge for currency exchange, for transferring money to your blocked account, your tuition fee to HFT, or your living expenses to your German bank account may all come at a cost, which will not be refundable. Check with your local banks for best, safe options. To minimize costs approach the HFT Examination office to reduce the number of instalment rates for tuition payments.

No. The master programme is a non-consecutive programme, requiring one year of work experience and is subject to tuition fees. Hence, the programme is exempt from this regulation.
You only have to pay the fees mentioned under tuition fees.

No. SCS is a non-consecutive master programme. Hence, the acceptance into the Erasmus / DAAD scholarship programme does not waive the tuition fee.

If you are a refugee from Ukraine, please get in touch with scs.master(at)hft-stuttgart.de. The Stuttgart Technical University of Applied Sciences and a number of companies have indicated their eagerness to sponsor tuition and living expenses.

Application for the scholarships offered by HFT Stuttgart is only possible AFTER students have enrolled and arrived at HFT Stuttgart and started their studies. This means that they have already made the payment for the first semester, transferred money to the blocked account (non-EU nationals), started to pay their health insurance and rent. Still, the HFT Scholarsips (Deutschland Stipendium and Stipendium Freunde der HFT) are competitive and not all applicants can be considered. For students who need to secure a scholarship before coming to Germany these are the options. All are very competitive and require about one year of planning in advance.

DAAD (various types) https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/

Neufert Foundation (2,500 Euros) https://www.neufert-stiftung.de/en/scholarship

Konrad-Adenauer Foundation Scholarship (30 years age limit, German B2, actively engaged in voluntary work, above average academic performance)  https://www.kas.de/de/web/begabtenfoerderung-und-kultur/kultur/veranstaltungen/detail/-/content/digitale-sprechstunde-studieren-mit-stipendium 

You will need around 850 € per month to cover your living expenses as of 2020.

The prices for food, accommodation, bills, clothes, and entertainment are in line with the EU average. Your monthly rent will be your largest expense.
For further information please contact the International Student Office (ISO).

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. It is not possible to enroll at a German University without health insurance. Up to the age of 30 years you qualify for a public health insurance.
If you are older than 30 years, the International Student Office (ISO) will help you to find a private health insurance.

EU citizens:

Students from EU countries usually get an International Health Insurance Card (EHIC - European Health Insurance Card) in their home country, which is also recognized in Germany (also by doctors). With this certificate, please register with another public health insurance company.

Non-EU citizens:

Students from non-EU countries need to apply for an insurance once they are in Germany.

• TK
• AOK

These are two examples of public insurances. On their websites, you will find an indication of the monthly fee.

We recommend you arrive in Germany during the first half of September. September 1st is the date that will be stated on your matriculation certificate. You will need this certificate to convert your visa status issued upon entering Germany to a student resident status, to open a German bank account, to buy student health insurance and to obtain your student ID. Your matriculation number and student ID also give you access to your HFT e-mail, the student canteen, the library and e-library, the university buildings and lecture rooms, moodle, etc.

In September the German language courses of various levels will take place at a discounted fee for HFT students. M sure not to miss this opportunity, particularly if you plan to seek employment with German companie in the future.

The International Student Office (ISO) is the first point of contact for international students. The ISO assists with visa related questions and updates an FAQ list on topics like finding a dormitory and assigns German students as buddies to supports international students.

The ISO arranges weekly coffee breaks, regular events, and trips to bring international students closer to the German culture.

If you are an international student, the Welcome Center of the City of Suttgart will be your point of contact concerning all matters of registration of a residence permit. Please familiarize yourself with the services of the Welcome Center before departing for Stuttgart. 

The most common types of student residences:

1. Student dorms, managed by Studierendenwerk-Stuttgart (https://www.studierendenwerk-stuttgart.de/) or VSSW (https://www.vssw.de/en/). These are single rooms with shared kitchen, living room and bathroom facilities. Buildings are located at several locations. Register early to avoid the waiting list. Monthly rent (including utilities) can be around 287-340 Euros. A deposit of 400 Euros will be returned after moving out. Most dormitories enforce an certain age limit. Make sure you check when applying, should you be 30 years or older.
2. Apartments owned by private landlords, either rented by student cohabitations that select their flatmates, or entire apartments. Both are advertised online. Furnished rooms or apartments are rare in Germany. Beware of fantastically low prices as they may be scams.

Commuting time:

Student dorms are located all over the city of Stuttgart. They can all be reached easily by public transportation Verkehrsverbund Stuttgart (VVS). Our students spend an average of 20 to 40 minutes to arrive at HFT.

Cost of transportation:

For about 206 € the city of Stuttgart offers a student ticket valid for 6 months which can be used on all buses and subways across the Stuttgart Region. Alternatively, the student ID card entitles you to use public transport is free of charge from 6 p.m. till 6 a.m. on weekdays, and all-day on weekends and public holidays.

Special note:

Saturdays and Sundays are regluar lecture days for students of the master programme Smart City Solutions. Please note that the frequency of trains, busses, U-Bahn and S-Bahn will be reduced on those days, particularly on Sunday mornings. You might therefore want to choose a dormitory close to the HFT Stuttgart Campus.

International students from countries that do not belong to the European Economic Area will be allowed to work more days per year from 1 March 2024: 140 full or 280 half working days are possible. Read the leaflet "Job regulations for international students in Germany" here.
To ensure a good learning outcome during your studies, SCS recommends you work no more than 10 hours per week in a job during the semester. During semester breaks you may work full-time (mid-February to mid-March and mid-July to mid-September).

Germany has a free market economy. Getting hired by a company or public entity depends on motivation, initiative and qualifications of the applicant as well as on the overall demand for labour. Therefore, HFT Stuttgart or the SCS office cannot guarantee a job placement. However, the SCS office has done its best to create favorable conditions for SCS students to find employment while studying. Among these conditions are: (1) Teaching schedule from Friday to Monday permitting to work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. (2) Selection of lecturers and members of the Advisory Board keen on employing students in their companies during and after studies. (3) Experience report during the Welcome Week by lecturers with migration background on their arrival in Stuttgart and job search strategy at the time. (4) Frequently updated list of online job portals for AEC and research assistant jobs. In addition, the SCS office employs one student assistant per intake who will assist with daily matters.

The website  https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/ offers detalied and current information about planning your studies in Germany for non-EU and EU nationals. 

Please check for the nearest German consulate or embassy depending on your nationality and country of residency here https://visa.diplo.de/en/index.html#/vib/infoseite?infoseiteUrl=visum_studium_mit_zulassung. 

As of November 1st 2022 the procedure of applying for student visas for Indian nationals has changed. Since there are  now long waiting times to obtain the APS certificate, we recommend applicants secure their appointment with the APS as soon as they decide to submit their application to SCS.  Please check the offical website of the German diplomatic service.