International Infrastructure Planning

A well-planned system of infrastructure facilities is the primary prerequisite for development. On the international level, there is a pressing need for professionals capable of directing the conception, planning and construction of necessary infrastructure facilities for transport, water, and waste management at the urban as well as the regional level of integrating economic, social, ecological and management requirements. With the Master's programme Infrastructure Planning, the University of Stuttgart has offered a practice-oriented and internationally acclaimed Master's programme since 1983.
Faculty members of 13 different institutes and experienced practitioners offer their knowledge to the limited number of 40 students per course. Emphasis is placed on an interdisciplinary approach to planning, which is essential for modern infrastructure planning and international cooperation.
Modules offered include the following: Introduction to Integrated Planning, Transportation Planning and Modelling, Regional and Urban Planning, Economics, Statistics and Information Processing, GIS and Data Acquisition, Methodological Aspects of Planning, Tendering, Contracting and Project Management, Development Policy and Planning, Ecological Aspects of Infrastructure Planning, Energy Supply, Water and Waste Management, Project Appraisal, Planning and Financing, Integrated Case Study, and more.
Details on the modules offered can be found on the homepage of the Master's programme Infrastructure Planning.

Educational organisation

The tightly structured full-time programme is divided into four semesters. The first semester provides basic modules to broaden the professional horizon and the second semester offers a variety of electives.
In the third semester, besides additional electives, a large case study deals with the complex problems of integrated infrastructure planning and the challenges of interdisciplinary teamwork. Intensive group work provides training in methods applied successfully in Germany.
During the fourth semester, students write their Master's theses on an interdisciplinary topic from the field of infrastructure planning, which may deal with a problem/project relevant to the individual home country.
The University of Stuttgart does not offer financial aid. Students seeking a scholarship should inquire and apply first at a local or international funding agency in their home country, e.g., the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD, http://www.daad.de). A limited number of scholarships is offered by the DAAD for the Master's Programme Infrastructure Planning, which are awarded on the basis of academic merit. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of professional experience after receiving a Bachelor's degree in order to qualify for this scholarship.

Study abroad unit(s)

It is recommended for students entering the Master's programme Infrastructure Planning to already have professional experience before they enter the programme. Professional experience of at least two years is a mandatory requirement in case they want to apply for a DAAD scholarship in relation to their MIP studies. Thus, there is no compulsory study unit abroad, but students with limited or no professional experience are encouraged to spend parts of the Master's thesis period in their home country or abroad working in areas related to the topic of the Master's thesis.

Internships

Students entering the Master's programme Infrastructure Planning must have at least two years of professional experience in case they want to apply for a DAAD scholarship, and it is recommended that all students have some professional experience before they enter the programme. Thus, no mandatory internship period is included in the schedule, but students who do not have extensive professional experience are welcome to integrate an internship closely related to the topic of the Master's thesis into the fourth semester of their studies.

Forms of assessment

Written and oral examinations, seminar reports, individual or group exercises, oral presentations, active participation in classwork, and compulsory excursions account for the final grade in a module examination. Combinations of the above mentioned types of examination are possible.

Course objectives

Civil engineers, architects and town planners who wish to gain insight into infrastructure planning in a broad, integrated context and who want to prepare themselves for work in international and complex planning projects are the target group of the Master's programme Infrastructure Planning. Graduates will be capable of directing and coordinating the work of international and interdisciplinary teams of specialists from a wide variety of infrastructure-related fields. Possible career goals might include employment as an infrastructure planner working in the private sector as a consultant or as a civil servant dealing with various aspects of infrastructure planning or with regional and/or national infrastructure development. Experience shows that graduates are sought-after as experts in fields of infrastructure planning, bringing profound insight to most aspects of infrastructure planning, and are capable of holding leading positions at the decision making level of important international or national projects in infrastructure development.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills: TOEFL 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), 79 (Internet-based) or equivalent.
Please see the MIP homepage for details.

Academic requirements

Admission requirements include the following: a qualified Bachelor's degree (minimum three years) or equivalent in civil engineering, architecture, town planning, or related fields

At least two years of relevant professional experience are a mandatory requirement if the applicant wants to apply for a DAAD scholarship; the two years of professional experience do not have to be completed before the date of application, but by the start of the Master's programme Infrastructure Planning session for which the application is valid.
For self-financing students, professional experience related to the field of infrastructure planning is evaluated positively during the admission process, but it is not mandatory.

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Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

Approx. 170 EUR per semester

Costs of living

To cover living expenses, you will need about 750 EUR per month. This is for rent (approx. 300-350 EUR), health insurance for non-EU residents (approx. 80 EUR), the semester ticket for public transport (190 EUR/six months), food (approx. 200 EUR), other incidental expenses and working materials (approx. 100 EUR).

Job opportunities

Owing to its location in the heart of one of Europe's largest high-tech regions, there are many opportunities to find employment. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is very high and it is not always easy to find a part-time job. Non-EU citizens are allowed by law to work for a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year. Students who are employed by the university in one of the institutes or departments ("Studentische Hilfskräfte") are exempt from this regulation, but other restrictions apply. You are not allowed to work during the first year while attending a German language class in preparation for the test of German as a foreign language (TestDaF).

Arrival support

A pick-up service is part of our welcome package. If you wish, you will be contacted before your departure, and if you arrive between 8am and 8pm, you will be met at Stuttgart airport or railway station and taken to your accommodation. Your host partner will also help you to deal with all formalities. This service is free of charge.

Services and support for international students

Cross-Cultural Mentoring Programme
The Office of International Affairs invites international degree students to sign up for the "Cross-Cultural Mentoring Programme". The programme is intended to ease initial challenges at the university as well as to offer study information, counselling services, subject-specific tutorials, courses, and activities during the whole study programme.
For further information, please contact: heidenreich@ia.uni-stuttgart.de.

The Welcoming Service
The Office of International Affairs offers a buddy programme in order to support you with all formalities at the beginning of your studies. For further information, please visit our website: http://www.ia.uni-stuttgart.de/internat/studierende/services/buddyprogramm/index.en.html.

Accommodation

Both campuses in Stuttgart-Vaihingen and in Stuttgart city centre have on-site halls of residence. Dorm rooms (ranging from 240-350 EUR per month) are furnished, some are equipped with a sink, and all have access to kitchen and sanitary facilities, telephone, and Internet. From the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, the city of Stuttgart can be reached by suburban railway within 10 minutes. If you are under 30 years old and want to apply for a room in one of the student dormitories, please contact the student service:

Studentenwerk Stuttgart
Rosenbergstraße 18
70174 Stuttgart
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)7 11-9 57 44 70
Fax: +49 (0)7 11-9 57 44 50
E-mail: wohnen.sws@t-online.de
Internet: http://www.sws-internet.de