Data Engineering (B.Eng.)

• English at B2 level
• German at A1 level
• Higher education entrance qualification

Applications are submitted online.

Information for:

International applicants

Applicants with a German university entrance qualification (Abitur)

The Bachelor Data Engineering is a 6-semester, interdisciplinary on-site program based on five pillars:

• programming
• distributed systems
• databases
• mathematics and statistics
• and machine learning

The program follows a structured learning progression, with each semester building specific competencies.

After the first semester (“settle in”), you will have acquired the fundamental skills in programming and mathematics, for example through modules such as Introduction to Computer Science (based on Harvard CS50) and Math for Programmers. This semester aligns different prior knowledge levels and requires no previous experience.

After the second semester (“scale up”), you will understand parallel data processing within a single machine. You will learn how to use multiple CPU cores efficiently and strengthen your mathematical and statistical skills.

After the third semester (“scale out”), you will design and work with distributed systems that process large datasets. You will gain experience with distributed data pipelines and databases and further develop your foundation for machine learning.

After the fourth semester (“synthesize”), you will apply your knowledge in domain-specific contexts. Through electives, you will work in areas such as robotics, civil engineering, life sciences, building technology, or geoinformation with experts from other BHT departments.

After the fifth semester (“apply”), you will complete a full-time industry internship of approximately 23 weeks. You will work on real projects in a company of your choice and gain practical experience in professional environments.

After the sixth semester (“finish”), you will complete your Bachelor’s degree. You will deepen your knowledge in advanced topics such as Deep Learning or Large Language Models and prepare for further academic study, for example in a Master’s program in Data Science.

You will work on real data engineering problems: designing data pipelines, processing large datasets, and operating reliable machine learning systems. These are the same challenges faced by companies such as Zalando, SAP, or Amazon. Through projects, modern tools, and the industry internship, you gain experience with production systems rather than simplified examples.

Graduates are well prepared for roles such as Data Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, or Backend Engineer. These roles are in high demand across industries, including e-commerce, healthcare, finance, and mobility. The program also provides a strong foundation for pursuing a Master’s degree.

What sets us apart:

You can start the program without prior experience in computer science. In the first semester, you will build the foundations in programming and mathematics and align your knowledge with that of your peers.

The program focuses on building and operating real-world data systems. You will learn how to design scalable data pipelines and distributed systems from early on. The structured progression - from foundations to parallel and distributed systems to applications - ensures continuous skill development.

You will apply your knowledge in interdisciplinary contexts and gain practical experience across domains. A key component is the extended industry internship, where you will work on real projects. Combined with teaching that integrates research and industry experience, this prepares you to contribute quickly in professional engineering environments and supports both career entry and further academic study.