Master’s in European Railway Systems (M.Sc.)
This international continuing academic education program is run jointly by the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences (Austria), the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW, Switzerland) and the Czech Technical University in Prague. This 5-semester, fee-based degree program in "European Railway Systems" is designed to be taken part-time and follows a blended learning concept involving face-to-face and distance learning phases. This model also takes into account the additional work experience gained during the 5 semesters.
The goal is to provide employees in companies and public authorities in the railway and transport sector with opportunities to pursue a railway-specific degree course that will foster staff loyalty and career development. It aims to train and qualify future management personnel in the railway sector. As a result, we hope to be able to assist the transport and railway industry in meeting the demand for future managerial staff.
Special features of the degree program
- unique degree course with a trinational profile (Germany - Austria - Switzerland)
- it brings together the expertise of the cooperating universities: FH St. Pölten, FH Erfurt, ZHAW Winterthur, Czech Technical University in Prague
- On-campus classes per semester: approx. 3-4 weeks (1 week each in Erfurt and in St. Pölten, Winterthur or Prague and an additional 1-week field trip in Summer Semester 2027)
- high level of market orientation, especially due to incorporating the wishes/needs of ÖBB, DB and SBB when designing the program
- part-time study alongside work (blended learning)
- strong practical orientation
Curriculum
1st semester:
- European Transport Policy (6 ECTS)
- Infrastructure Management (6 ECTS)
- English for Railways (4 ECTS)
- Academic Work (3 ECTS)
2nd semester:
- Railway as part of the transport system (6 ECTS)
- Rolling Stock & Interoperability (6 ECTS)
- Economic Feasibility Studies and Contracting for Railway Projects (6 ECTS)
- Practical Project (small) (6 ECTS)
3rd semester:
- Sustainable Design and Construction (6 ECTS)
- Operations and Dispatch Planning and Management (6 ECTS)
- Control, Command and Signalling & Telematics (6 ECTS)
- Practical Project (large project) (12 ECTS)
4th semester:
- Field Trip (5 ECTS)
- European Rail Freight Transport (6 ECTS)
- International Strategies (6 ECTS)
5th semester:
- Master's Thesis and Colloquium (15 + 5 ECTS)
Downloads
Overview
The Master's program is designed to be taken alongside your work, with a combination of face-to-face teaching phases and self-study units (blended learning approach). This continuing education Master's program also takes into account the additional professional experience gained during the four semesters of the course.
Relevant professional experience is a prerequisite in order to obtain the 10 ECTS credit points and complete the degree program. This admission requirement will be verified prior to the degree program (work experience certificate/report and interview).
In total, the students will have approximately 70 days of face-to-face teaching.
Here you will find the program schedule.
Target group
The international Master’s in “European Railway Systems” is aimed at:
- graduates of the cooperating universities (FH Erfurt, FH St. Pölten, ZHAW Winterthur and the Czech Technical University of Prague),
- interested employees in the transport sector,
- German-speaking graduates from other universities.
Entry requirements
The entry requirements for admission to the International Master's degree program "European Railway Systems" are:
1. Undergraduate degree or similar from a state or state-recognized college of cooperative education in the field of Railway or Transport Engineering (or comparable degree program) and
2. At least 2 years of relevant practical experience (please also refer to the provisions in the program regulations for the Master's).
Please note: In addition to 1., we also encourage applications from certified master craftsmen (IHK/chamber of industry and commerce) or transport technicians from state-recognized technical colleges. These students may be admitted to this degree program if they pass an additional entrance examination.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee of approximately €19,500 cover the entire degree program (€4,875 per semester)
The following are not included in the tuition fee:
- travel and accommodation
- teaching materials and field trips
- charges for resitting exams
The universities are happy to help students find suitable and affordable accommodation.
Enrolment / Registration
Application period: 01.03.2025 - 15.07.2025.
Prospective students should enrol at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt.
Please apply here: https://ecampus.fh-erfurt.de/qisserver/pages/cs/sys/portal/hisinoneStartPage.faces
If you require any more information, please contact: weiterbildung@fh-erfurt.de