Gateway to success - SHIFT Study Sprint - Master in Renewable Energy Systems

Renewable energy is an innovative and forward-looking solution that is reshaping how we think about power production and consumption, offering a fresh, eco-friendly approach. It's fostering sustainable development and will be key to business growth in the future. In the “Renewable Energy Systems” (short: RES) Master´s program, THI trains students in precisely this area. Studies always begin in October at the start of the winter semester.

For international students, we offer the uniqiue opportunity to participate in the SHIFT Study Sprint, a preparatory program that takes place in the summer semester.

Our intensive program is designed to transition you smoothly into our Master's program in RES at THI. During the semester prior to the regular start of the Masters´program, you will deep-dive into the key concepts and polish your understanding of foundational concepts of renewable energies. The program prepares participants for their studies in Germany, in terms of subject matter, general academic standards and culture. It amounts to a normal semester workload of 40 hours per week and takes place in the summer semester (mid-March through end of July).

Designed for international students, our tailored German language proficiency classes increase your possibilities in Germany and especially in the labor market, for internships and future employment in Germany.

Get the competitive edge and the confidence you need to tackle your Master's degree head-on.

More information on the first SHIFT Study Sprint will be posted here in January 2025. The program will start in mid-March.

Please note: A regular application to the M.Sc. Renewable Energies is still necessary.

Duration	Language
15 weeks	English
Start of studies	Location
Summer semester	Ingolstadt

The program is an exciting mix of courses, excursions and workshops that make it easier for international students to start their Master's studies. Once accepted into the RES Study Sprint, participation in all the program items and modules listed in the curriculum is compulsory.

The following classes are part of the SHIFT Study Sprint:

Thermodynamics 1
Electrical Engineering
Elective (choice between: Energy Distribution and CHP Plants, Energy Markets and Coupling Sectors or Energy Storage)
Academic writing
German classes (level A1 or A2)
Intercultural Training
Trips to local and regional companies
(Download comprehensive course catalogue in the right column)

The following guided tours and excursions are part of the program

City Tours in Ingolstadt, Munich, Nuremberg
Visit to career fairs
More to come

Quick Info

Start of application period: January 15, 2025

End of application period: February 15, 2025

About the process

Inform yourself about the program and its requirements
Check with the Germany embassy or consulate on requiremenst and appointements, if necessary. If required, you will need to apply for a visa. (§ 16b AufenthG - Einzelnorm)
Send all information via an online form. (to be published here by January 10th)
You will then hear from our team on further requirements and documents that need to be sent in.
We will admit on a rolling basis. You will hear latest by February 28th from us. We will issue a document stating your admission into the program. Please note: You will not be enrolled into THI as a student.

The requirements for the pre-semester are:

The successful completion of a Bachelor or "Diplom"-degree in Engineering or Science, or an equivalent degree at a German university with a minimum of 210 credit points (in conformity with General Examination Regulations) - or - the successful completion of an equivalent degree at a foreign university
A successfully passed aptitude test (according to § 4 of Examination Regulations) with following criteria: documented proof of energy specialization in their study programme or experience in the field of Energy Engineering by internship and/or project work/academic papers. The aptitude test is carried out on the basis of documents provided by the applicant. There is NO interview. Energy experience can be gained by way of professional jobs, suitable internships, a Bachelor's thesis, and other project work. You have to upload documents on our online platform during the application process.
Admission for applicants with Bachelor's degrees comprising 180 ECTS:
For applicants who have a Bachelor's degree with less than 210 credits (but with a minimum of 180 ECTS), an approval of 30 ECTS on the basis of the qualified working experience is possible if the examination board agrees. The extent and nature of the working experience must comply with the rules for a second practical semester at Bavarian applied universities (§ 13 RaPO ) and must be documented with a certificate of employment, i.e. an internship or work experience for the duration of a semester.
Applicants will also have to submit proof of their English skills (B2 of the European reference frame)

Required documents:

CV including listing of education and practical experience
Bachelor degree (certificate and list of courses)
Copy of passport/ID (all relevant pages)
proof of English skills B2
further douments providing proof of competences

Once the application period is over, a board will review the application material and THI will send out the admission letters by early January 2025.

Up to 25 students may be accepted into the program.

Note: Dubious Application Agencies

Currently, THI is receiving an increasing amount of information regarding fraudulent activities in connection with student applications to THI. Therefore, it is important for you to know the following:

THI does not work with agencies. Please use the application process described on our pages only.
THI never asks for money via agencies for application purposes.
THI only sends emails from @thi.de.

Since THI received generous funding by the DAAD for this program, there are no direct fees for this preparatory program. You will still be able to access all the services of the International Welcome Center (IWC), such as housing assistance, language counselling, and events and excursions.

Since you will not be an enrolled student, you will unfortunately not qualify for the discounts the student union fee would usually offer.

However, you will also NOT have to pay the service fee for international students from non-EU countries.

The International Welcome Center will support you in your search for suitable housing.

There is no automatic transfer to the Master's program “Renewable Energy Systems”. Participants of the SHIFt Study Sprint program need to apply for the Master separately starting May 2nd. Our team will guide you through the application procedure.

The completion of the SHIFT Study Sprint will be taken into consideration in your application.

All successful participants will receive as certificate of participation.

Participation in all courses of the program (see curriculum) is mandatory.