Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

General information

• Location: Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. The main campus is Campus Süd in the city centre; KIT also has large research sites outside the centre.
• Founded: today's KIT was created on 1 October 2009 through the merger of Universität Karlsruhe (founded in 1825) and Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (founded in 1956).
• Profile: strongly focused on engineering and natural sciences, computer science, mathematics and technology. It also offers economics, humanities, social science and teacher-training programmes.
• Students: around 23,083 in the 2025/26 winter semester, of whom over 14,000 are in engineering
• Programmes: over 100 – as of the 2025/26 winter semester this is 45 bachelor's, 61 master's and a further 6 continuing-education master's programmes
• Admission: depends on the programme – some bachelor's programmes have open admission, others are restricted (NC). You apply through KIT's own system; deadlines depend on the programme and your nationality.
• Distinctive feature: KIT combines a university with a large national research centre and is part of the Helmholtz Association – meaning a very close link between teaching, fundamental research, applied technology and industry.
• Career prospects: KIT graduates are among the most sought-after young specialists, especially in engineering, technology and science.

Programmes – bachelor's

Bioengineering (Bioingenieurwesen)

• Duration: 6 semesters (3 years), 180 ECTS
• Faculty: Chemieingenieurwesen und Verfahrenstechnik
• Start: first semester only in the winter semester
• Deadline for EU applicants: 15 July
• Admission: restricted (NC), 80 places per first semester. After pre-allocated quotas, around 90% of places are awarded through the university's own selection process, and 10% by waiting time.

Ranking (maximum 35 points):

• up to 15 points for the overall grade on the diploma
• up to 15 points for the grades in mathematics, the best science/technical subject and German or a foreign language – mathematics and the science subject count double
• up to 5 points for a relevant professional qualification, work experience, an internship or other achievements

Content: the programme combines engineering, biology and chemistry – mathematics, chemistry, biology, thermodynamics, process engineering, transport processes, reaction engineering, as well as analysis and optimisation of biotechnological processes. It is significantly more engineering-focused than classic biology.

Applying with a Bulgarian diploma: the procedure for EU applicants applies – through KIT's portal, not through Hochschulstart. KIT checks the diploma. On enrolment, EU applicants must provide proof of having completed an orientation test (Studienorientierungstest) or a counselling session.

Maths in your school-leaving exams: not explicitly required, but mathematics feeds directly into the ranking and counts double – a strong grade is very important.

Career prospects: biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, the food and bioprocess industry, process engineering, manufacturing, process development and plant engineering. If your goal is "biology, but with a stronger engineering and industrial outlook", this is one of the best options in Germany.

Mechanical Engineering

• Duration: 6 semesters (3 years), 180 ECTS
• Start: first semester only in the winter semester
• Deadline: for German and EU citizens – 15 September; for non-EU applicants – 15 July
• Admission: open, no NC – there is no minimum grade, what matters is meeting the formal requirements

Content: a strong foundation in mathematics, science and engineering – mathematics, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, design, manufacturing engineering, fluid mechanics, control engineering, simulation and technical systems. It covers everything from mathematical simulation and design to production chains and quality management.

Work placement: under the 2023 curriculum, the bachelor's includes a 12-week professional placement (12 ECTS). At least 8 weeks must be a specialised placement (Fachpraktikum), and at most 4 weeks can be credited as a basic placement (Grundpraktikum). A placement completed before applying or enrolling is not required – the faculty recommends it, but it is not a condition of admission.

Maths or physics in your school-leaving exams: not required separately, only a recognised diploma is needed. However, a good grounding in mathematics and physics is very important for the studies themselves.

Applying with a Bulgarian diploma: through KIT's portal, under the procedure for EU applicants. Since admission is open, there is no ranking by grades.

Distinctive feature: mechanical engineering is traditionally one of KIT's strongest fields, with very good links to industry – automotive engineering, manufacturing, energy, robotics, design and process engineering. After the bachelor's, you can continue with an M.Sc. Maschinenbau or a more specialised engineering master's; for the master's, pay attention to the requirements for proven work experience.

Electrical Engineering

• Duration: 6 semesters (3 years), 180 ECTS
• Start: first semester only in the winter semester
• Deadline: for German and EU citizens – 15 September; for non-EU applicants – 15 July
• Admission: open, no NC – for both first semester and higher semesters

Focus: automation, electrification and digitalisation – from electromobility to intelligent technical systems. In later semesters there is more freedom to specialise, for example in information technology, automation, microelectronics, energy, communications or systems engineering. Through project work, students also take part in real KIT research topics.

Work placement: compulsory practical components and laboratory courses – for example, information technology includes practical exercises with C/C++, microcontrollers and embedded systems. The faculty has separate rules for the professional placement.

Applying with a Bulgarian diploma: as an EU applicant through KIT's system. With a recognised diploma and the language requirements met, there is no competition by grades.

Mechanical Engineering (International) – in English

• Duration: 6 semesters (3 years), 180 ECTS; entirely in English, leading to a Bachelor of Science
• Start: first semester only in the winter semester
• Deadline: for the 2027/28 winter semester, applications open in December 2026 and close on 30 April 2027
• Admission: restricted – 125 places per first semester and a selection procedure. Depending on prior education, an applicant may receive direct or conditional admission. Unlike standard mechanical engineering, meeting the formal requirements alone does not guarantee a place.

Core subjects: higher mathematics, engineering mechanics, mechanical design, manufacturing technology, materials science, IT and data science, engineering thermodynamics, electrical engineering and mechatronics, fluid mechanics, measurement and control engineering, and energy conversion.

Specialisation: in later semesters you choose one of four tracks – Mobility Systems, Energy, Global Production Management or Applied Materials. There are also elective subjects, an International Project and opportunities to build an individual profile.

Work placement: laboratory exercises, design seminars, project work and a compulsory placement in industry. In the 6th semester the focus is on the professional placement and the bachelor's thesis.