European Literatures and Cultures and Europ and auml;ische Literaturen und Kulturen

An enduring and sustainable supply of energy is the issue of the future. The finiteness of fossil fuel reserves and the problem of climate change resulting from increasing emissions call for the development and implementation of new and sustainable energy solutions. Renewable energy systems satisfy the requirement for an ecologically compatible and enduring energy supply. They constitute the market of the future. With their decentralised approach, renewable energy systems give structurally weak regions access to energy, and thus provide fundamental support in the struggle against poverty in developing countries.
The interdisciplinary MSc Renewable Energy Engineering and Management programme with its explicit international focus is the only one of its type in the world. It is designed to close the strategic gap between the technical aspects of renewable energy and the vision of sustainable development. Therefore, it is not composed deductively from existing university structures and study programmes, but inductively from analysis of the potential international employment market and the qualifications it requires.
Our aim is to provide international students with context-sensitive, first-class training in the field of Renewable Energy Engineering and Management. Providing pivotal management skills for practical business purposes, the REM programme offers application-oriented specialisations in three different fields of renewable energy:
1. Energy Systems Technology (e.g. energy systems hardware, energy informatics, smart grids, energy efficiency)
2. Energy Conversion (e.g. photovoltaics, solar thermal energy)
3. Environmental Planning and Management (e.g. decentralised energy systems, landscape and nature protection, landuse conflict, bioenergy, management)

Coursework will focus on:

• Technological principles
• Climate and energy policy
• Environmental economics and environmental management
• Principles of the social, behavioural and legal sciences
• Ethics

Graduates will have the ability to plan projects and facilities for the utilisation of renewable energy and to implement them while taking account of economic, political and societal concerns. Thus the curriculum is designed to enable unique career prospects in the vocational fields of planning, engineering, consultancy and investment of renewable energy.

Educational organisation

The Renewable Energy Engineering and Management coursework is very concentrated and is taught mostly in three-week modules. Students will not have to attend conventional lectures given by one tutor. They will instead be taught by teams of lecturers recruited from departments of different faculties, from external research institutions and from the private sector.
Structuring the curriculum into modules offers the possibility for concentrated work and the integration of a range of teaching and learning techniques (role play, papers, team work in small groups).

First semester
1. Energy and Sustainable Development
2. Scientific Framework for REM: Politics, Economics, Business, Law or Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering
3. Natural Resources and Conversion Technologies
4. Climate and Energy

Second semester
1. Generation & Distribution of Energy
2. Management (Part I)
3. Research Skills
4. Society and Economy
5. Elective Wind Energy or Elective Bioenergy
6. Internship

Third semester
1. Elective Track "Energy Systems Technology" or
2. Elective Track "Energy Conversion" or
3. Elective Track "Environmental Planning and Management"
4. Internship
5. Project

Fourth semester
Master's thesis

Study abroad unit(s)

Students are encouraged to conduct their compulsory internship (between the second and the third semester) abroad. The department offers assistance in finding a placement.

Internships

Compulsory internship between the second and the third semester

Forms of assessment

Depending on the type of course and the learning goals of a module: written and oral exams, assignments, presentations and/or reports

Course objectives

Our aim is to provide international students with context-sensitive, first-class training in the field of Renewable Energy Engineering and Management. Graduates will have the ability to plan projects and facilities for the utilisation of renewable energy and to implement them while taking account of economic, political and societal concerns.
See our website for more information about the courses (http://www.rem.uni-freiburg.de).

Language requirements

Proof of proficiency in English (if not your native language):

• TOEFL paper-based 600 points, computer-based 250 points or Internet-based 100 points (should not be older than two years) or
• IELTS band 7

Academic requirements

Above-average qualification (BSc or German "Diplom") in engineering, natural sciences, or applied life sciences
The admission commission will decide on the equivalence of other degrees in individual cases.
Application documents:
1. completed application form of the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources
2. certified copy and a certified translation (if not German or English) of each achieved degree
3. two letters of reference from university officials, professors or employment supervisors (plus evaluation form "Referee's Questionnaire")
4. official transcript of records
5. test results (TOEFL or IELTS) if English is not your native language
6. letter of motivation (one to two pages in German or English)
7. curriculum vitae (two to three pages in German or English)

Enrolment fees

Approx. 150 EUR per semester

Costs of living

Participants must make sure in good time that sufficient funds are available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 800-900 EUR. Some details:

• Student accommodation costs approx. 280-450 EUR (monthly).
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR (monthly).
• Health insurance is available for approx. 45-90 EUR (monthly).
• Transport: A special student fare for regional transport costs approx. 89 EUR (per semester).

Job opportunities

We would like to stress that it is not advisable to come to Germany for university studies if you do not have a secure source of funding. The job market conditions in Germany make it difficult for students to find jobs. Apart from that, you will not have much time to spare during the semester, as our modularised course structure will require your full attention.

Arrival support

Information on the town, the university, and formalities is distributed prior to arrival.

Services and support for international students

In addition to services and support offered by each coordinator of a course of study, the International Office organises a special four-day orientation session which generally takes place two weeks before the beginning of the semester. This orientation session includes information about various aspects of everyday life (e.g. accommodation, work opportunities, etc.), presentations and visits to important institutions (e.g. the university library), and opportunities for socialising with other international students. During the semester, the "International Club", coordinated by the Studentenwerk (students' social services), offers a great variety of events, trips, and services for international students in cooperation with the International Office. Furthermore, the UNIKOS team, a group of international students who have been studying at the University of Freiburg for some time, give practical advice and can be approached for help in several languages.

Accommodation

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable place to live can take a little time. Only a small number of students can be offered a room in a student dormitory. The Studentenwerk (students' social services) is in charge of the student dormitories. Applicants must expect a waiting period. In addition to these dormitories, several independent dormitories are listed on the university website. The Studentenwerk also offers a list of available private rooms and the International Office can be contacted for further assistance in finding accommodation (http://www.international.uni-freiburg.de/wohnen-en).