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 during the Master Programme. Suitable modules are selected in consultation with the Programme Director. The 30 ECTS must be completed before the Master Thesis registration (after 2 semesters of full-time studies or 4 semesters of part-time studies).

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.

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

• 2 week Christmas break (last week of December and first week of January)
• no lectures in spring from second week of February till second week of March
• no lectures 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 2023.

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.Therefore it does not have its own lecturers for German language.

HFT offers German couses with the third party provider VESPA.  In the third week of September and in February the German language basic course (at a discounted fee for HFT students) will take place. If you have not taken German lessons before, make sure not to miss it as you will have to provide proof of attending a basic German Course by the start of the second semester as per SCS Admission Statute.

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.

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: 500 €

- Costs depending upon your individual life-style:

• Health insurance (mandatory, depends on citizenship and age, see below under "Questions about LIVING"
• 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 if applicable.
• Costs to attend recommended but extra-curricular events like the Smart City Expo and Conference in Barcelona or 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).

At the time of visa application, some non-EU students will be required to open a "blocked account" 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 can be withdrawn 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).

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/germany/visa/blocked-account-germany/#:~:text=A%20German%20blocked%20account%20is,the%20student%27s%20arrival%20in%20Germany.

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 University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart and a number of companies have indicated their eagerness to sponsor tuition and living expenses.

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.

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.

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.
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.

The latest information about the Corona regulations and hygiene concept at HFT can be found under Corona Update.

Information about the current situation in Stuttgart can be found on the website of the Municipality of Stuttgart.

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 the third week of September the German language basic course (at a discounted fee for HFT students) will take place. If you have not taken German lessons before, make sure not to miss it as you will have to provide proof of attending a basic German Course by the start of the second semester as per SCS Admission Statute.