University of Stuttgart

About the University of Stuttgart

The University of Stuttgart is situated in the middle of a highly dynamic economic region with a worldwide reputation for excellence in the fields of mobile and information technology, production, process engineering as well as in life sciences. The University of Stuttgart was founded in 1829, at the beginning of the industrial age in Europe, and has celebrated its 175-th anniversary in 2004. The cooperation between technical, physical and human sciences has always been an advantage of the University of Stuttgart. Today the university is a modern, achievement-orientated institution with a comprehensive range of subjects and a focus on technical and physical disciplines. The maxim is not only „job-qualification“, but "technology, knowledge and education for people“, as the motto of the University of Stuttgart says.

Important Impulse-Transmitter

The income from external funds, which is always high, was around 193 million Euros in 2013 and shows, that the University is a much sought-after partner by international and German, state and private funding organisations and by the economy. More than 5.000 employees work in over 150 institutes,10 faculties and in central institutions; this makes the University of Stuttgart one of the greatest employers of the region. At the moment, 27.200 students are registered, 3.000 students graduate every year and start their careers. Additionally, about 60 trainees from many different branches train for their jobs here. They become biological laboratory technicians, cabinetmakers and many other trades - in the university workshops, laboratories and offices. 

Attractive Environment

As campus university with two well connected locations, close to attractive recreation possibilities in the environment and closely integrated in the cultural live of the city, the university provides the best conditions for studying and working as well as a diversity of job chances for graduates. Together with modern information technologies, comfortable hostels and housing for guest lecturers, the neighbouring institutions of the Max Planck-, the Fraunhofer Institute and the German Aerospace Center constitute a fertile ground for innovations and scientific communication. And those who want to found a company with their new know-how can find support and office space in the local center for technology. And what`s more, the quality of life is also high: The charming position of Stuttgart between forests and vineyards, the Swabian Mountains and the Black Forest with their attractive leisure activities and a wide range of cultural events - from ballet to variète - make living here a pleasure.

Core Competences

The main emphasis of the University of Stuttgart is on engineering and the natural sciences. However, combining these areas with the humanities and the social sciences adds something special to its profile.

Indicators of the excellent status are the two projects that were successful in the recent “Excellence Initiative” sponsored by both the Federal and the State governments. One project is the Cluster of Excellence “Simulation Technology” and the other, the Graduate School “Advanced Manufacturing Engineering”. We are also involved in a number of Collaborative Research Centres and Research Training Groups. Another outstanding project is the Research Campus ARENA2036, that provides a platform for researchers from institutes and companies to cooperate in synergy on the topic of Production and Lightweight Structures.

The research activities are concentrated around eight interdisciplinary areas, “Modelling and Simulation Technology”, “New Materials”, “Complex Systems and Communication”, “Concepts of Technology and Technology Evaluation”, “Energy and the Environment”, “Mobility”, “Integrated Product Design and Production Organisation” as well as “Building and Housing”. The Universität Stuttgart is going to strengthen its research through interdisciplinary networks of cooperation in order to continue to expand the cutting-edge position in these fields.

The University of Stuttgart is going to increase its international presence and concentrate on themes that are of central importance to the future. Behind this lies the vision of undertaking research on the whole life-cycle of a product. This begins with the molecular model, continues through the material and process levels on design, production and utilization, and ends with the recycling process. This involves not only the technical engineering implementation but also the evaluation of the sustainability of the technical innovations. 

Guest from all over the world

Graduates of the University of Stuttgart are prepared for the international competition by stays abroad and an increasing number of master and bachelor courses of study in English language. The share of international students (20%) is far above average. Right from their start in Germany foreign students are taken care of with a special welcome program. An alumni program is designed to help stay in touch with the university after graduation.

The university consists of ten faculties:

• Architecture and Urban Planning 
• Civil- and Environmental Engineering 
• Chemistry
• Energy Technology, Process Engineering and Biological Engineering 
• Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology 
• Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy
• Engineering Design, ProductionEngineering and Automotive Engineering 
• Mathematics and Physics
• Humanities
• Management, Economics and Social Sciences 

History of the University of Stuttgart

From 1770 to 1794, the Karlsschule was the first university in Stuttgart. Located in Stuttgart-Hohenheim, it has since 1818 been the University of Hohenheim and is not related to the University of Stuttgart, except for some joint activities.

What is now the University of Stuttgart was founded in 1829, and celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2004. Because of the increasing importance of the technical sciences and instruction in these fields, from 1876 the university was known as the Technical College. In 1900 it was awarded the right to grant doctoral degrees in the technical disciplines. The development of the courses of study at the Technical College of Stuttgart led to its renaming in 1967 to the present-day "Universität Stuttgart". With this change of name came along a built-up of new fields, such as history of science and technology and the social sciences, and the extension of existing ones, such as history and art history.

Since the end of the 1950s, a part of the university has been located in the suburb of Stuttgart-Vaihingen. Most technical subjects (computer science, engineering, etc.) are located in Vaihingen, while the humanities, the social sciences, architecture, and similar topics are still located in the city center campus.

Accreditation

Institutional Accreditation or Recognition - Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg

Rankings

• Universität Stuttgart is consistently ranked among the world's top universities in various international ranking surveys such as the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Times Higher Education Supplement which ranks over 1000 universities worldwide.
• As of 2014, University of Stuttgart is ranked 85th in the world in the field of Engineering & Technology according to QS World University Rankings.
• University of Stuttgart is one of the best universities in the fields of mechanical, aeronautical, and manufacturing engineering (48th worldwide and 3rd best in Germany) and has been ranked several times as one of the best engineering universities in Germany.

Student life @the University of Stuttgart

The City of Stuttgart

Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden-Württemberg, has a population of about 600.000. The city lies in a basin. The lowest point is the River Neckar, which is about 200 metres above sea-level, and the highest is at Stuttgart-Vaihingen at approx. 550 metres. The climate is moderate and the average annual temperature is 10 °C. The relatively warm summers and mild winters are characteristic of the Stuttgart climate. However, it is quite possible that the temperature in winter will go far below freezing-point which makes it necessary to have winter clothes as well as rainproof clothing.

Stuttgart is the cultural centre of the state of Baden-Württemberg with a wealth of theaters and concert halls. It is also the home of a world-famous ballet. There are museums, art-galleries as well as academies of music and art and a musical. Every year thousands come from far and near to enjoy the Cannstatter Volksfest, a public festival with a huge amusement park which takes place at the end of September on the common called the Cannstatter Wasen. Over the course of time this festival has become second only to the most famous in Germany, namely, the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Stuttgart is also one of the largest agriculture, fruit and viticulture centres in the Federal Republic of Germany. Many of the most renowned companies like Mercedes-Benz and Bosch have factories here. In addition, there are numerous smaller companies involved in the production of machine tools, textiles and clothes, precision instruments, food and luxury items. There are also companies that specialise in woodworking, leather processing and making shoes and musical instruments as well as a number of large breweries. There is also a small paper and chemical industry. Over 300 publishing houses and a highly developed graphic industry has given Stuttgart the reputation of being one of Germany's most attractive "Book Towns.

Living expenses

In general, all students will need about EUR 700 per month. This will cover the following:

• Rent: approx. EUR 280 to EUR 330 (without meals)
• Health insurance: appox. EUR 80
• Semester ticket for public transport: approx. EUR 199 per semester
• Food: approx. EUR 150
• Broadcasting Contribution fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): EUR 17,50
• Other incidentals: approx. EUR 100

Semester fees

Students have to pay an administrative fee, a fee for the student services (Studentenwerksbeitrag) and a students union fee of total EUR 164,50 per semester since SS 2016.The tuition fee of EUR 500 per semester was abolished and is no longer charged since summer semester 2012.

Exchange students only have to pay a reduced contribution fee of EUR 104,50 per semester.

Medical care

German universities do not provide medical service on campus. Like all other persons with health insurance, students have a free choice among doctors registered by the health insurance company. As mentioned on the page Health Insurance, health insurance companies that offer insurance for students settle directly with the doctor, dentist or hospital.

Psychological Care

If a student has a psychological problem, it is possible to receive assistance from the Psychological Counselling Services (Psychologische Beratungsstelle des Studentenwerks) free of charge.