One of our strengths is excellent teaching Teaching and research are core tasks of our university

Excellent teaching is the necessary prerequisite for a successful career start for our graduates. Our professors demand of themselves that they offer students high-quality university teaching. We strive to maintain the excellent reputation that our graduates enjoy in the industry at all times.

Applied research is the necessary prerequisite to prepare our Master's graduates for a doctorate or a position in advanced development and research. Our professors demand of themselves that they offer students a scientific, theoretical foundation in order to prepare them for a leading position in pre-development and research.

Our qualification objectives for excellent university teaching in the Bachelor's degree programmes

• Professional degree for a job as an engineer in the field of information technology
• Teaching of scientific methodologies
• Practice-oriented teaching with clear profile sharpness
• To provide a broad range of basic knowledge as a solid basis for lifelong learning
• Competence transfer in interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue
• Promotion of study-related stays abroad
• Individual support and encouragement of students

How we achieve our qualification goals of excellent university teaching in the Bachelor's degree programs

• Highly qualified teaching staff
  Highly qualified professors impart the necessary subject-specific knowledge and scientific methods. All professors had to go through a complex appointment procedure. They have the practical experience of several years in a managerial position in industry. Before their appointment, they worked in pre-development or research. Almost all professors take the opportunity to spend a sabbatical term
  at regular intervals. Numerous lecturers with many years of professional experience support the transfer of current methodological knowledge.
• Modern, professionally qualifying curriculum with a clear profile
  The curriculums of our Bachelor programmes are regularly revised and updated at short intervals with industry representatives and our students.  Structure and content of the Bachelor programmes must then be reviewed by an accreditation commission. A clear orientation of the curriculums of the Bachelor's degree programmes and a sharpening of the profile of the degree programme is given by the choice of a major field of study and suitable optional subjects. Elective subjects must not only be chosen in depth, but also interdisciplinary.
• Practice-oriented teaching
  All professors have an industrial background and a network in all industrial fields. They know about the practical relevance and are able to design curriculums in a practice-oriented way. The theoretical knowledge acquired in the lectures is illustrated by practical exercises. Practical exercises are carried out in small groups in labs for almost all lectures. Our labs are always up to date and meet industrial requirements. Students quickly come into contact with companies and gain insight into their future industrial careers. During the internship, all students are involved in company projects for one semester. As a rule, the final thesis is also completed in industry.
• Promotion of intercultural competences
  During the main study period, lectures in English are held in all Bachelor programmes in preparation for a study-related stay abroad. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must also be completed. We have a strong and wide network of cooperating universities in many countries. We support students who are looking for a study-related stay abroad. The examinations taken at a partner university are credited by us. In order to promote intercultural competence, several compulsory modules are offered in English only.
• Individual support and encouragement of students
  We take special care of students during the introductory phase of their studies. Due to the different university entrance qualifications, first-year students start with very different prior knowledge. It takes time to make up for a lack of previous knowledge. We give this time to our students in the study model of Individual Speed. Within the framework of this study model, students receive intensive, individual support and advice regarding study organisation, examination planning and preparation. In return, they receive one semester more longer in both undergraduate and graduate studies. This study model is also suitable for students who are forced to make a living, raise a child, or care for a family member. We support a large number of additional courses for interested students. Block seminars on advanced topics and new technologies are offered throughout the semester break.
  
  All professors practice the open office door method. They are available not only during the official office hours, but also after the lectures. The ratio of supervision, i.e. the number of students in relation to the number of professors and lecturers, is significantly higher compared to other universities. Our students are not anonymous matriculation numbers, but we maintain personal contacts with them. For example, students and professors meet once a month at the it-Café during the first break between lectures to exchange ideas.
• Established and functioning quality management for university teaching
  Esslingen University has adopted its own evaluation regulations. Each semester, students evaluate all courses they have attended. Results of evaluations are reflected back to the professors and lecturers and will be discussed with the students. This ensures a continuous improvement of teaching. The Study Commission is an official committee with the task of monitoring the quality of teaching and making suggestions for its improvement. This committee consists of students and professors. Several times a semester the Study Commission meets with student representatives from all semesters in order to analyse possible problems.

Our Qualification Goals FOR Excellence in Higher Education in the Master's Programmes

• Qualified second professional degree for a leading position in development, pre-development, research in the field of information technology
• Transfer of advanced theoretical knowledge
• Research-oriented teaching with a clear profile
• Ability to do a doctorate
• Competence transfer in interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue
• Promotion of study-related stays abroad

How we achieve our qualification goals of excellent university teaching in the Master's degree programmes

• Highly qualified teaching staff
  Highly qualified professors impart the necessary theoretical knowledge to qualify students for a position in development, pre-development or research.  All professors have the practical experience of several years in an executive position in industry and have worked in fields of development, pre-development or research.
• Research-oriented teaching with a clear profile
  The selection of suitable elective modules for a major of study sharpen one's own study profile. In addition, the curriculums of the master's programmes provide sufficient time to work intensively on research projects. Two extensive research projects have to be completed. The topics for these research projects are predominantly proposed by industry and generally have an interdisciplinary character. A publication ready paper is to be produced from the research results. Finally, a research-related master thesis will be prepared. Research projects, master's thesis and scientific, theoretical training prepare students for a career in pre-development and research or for a doctorate. The Fraunhofer Competence Center for Energy and Information Technology Mobility Interfaces is located in our department of Information Technology and offers an opportunity for a subsequent doctorate in cooperation with the University of Stuttgart.
• Promotion of intercultural competences
  The Master's programmes also offer the possibility of a study-related stay abroad at one of our partner universities. Examination achievements acquired at a foreign partner university are recognised. The master thesis can also be carried out abroad at a partner university or foreign company. In order to promote intercultural competence, some optional modules are only offered in English.
• Established and functioning quality management for university teaching
  The same statements apply here as for the Bachelor's programmes, as already explained above.

Concluding remark

We are proud to announce a 75 year old successful engineering education in the field of information technology. Many of our former graduates hold leading positions in industry. Several of our graduates have a doctorate and some have become professors at other colleges and universities. Our graduates enjoy a very high reputation in the industry and are always preferentially employed due to our excellent education.

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