Would you like to combine technology with environmental awareness? Would you like to work on projects in laboratories right from your first semester? Can you do without traditional lectures and seminars? Then you’ve come to the right place! This degree programme will prepare you for careers in sustainable product development, environmental technologies or international projects. It is aimed at anyone who wants to approach engineering in a holistic and forward-looking way.
At a glance
Bachelor of Science
Full-time
7 semesters
Restricted
Kleve
English
1 September
Why study Engineering for Sustainability, B.Sc. at Rhine-Waal?
The forward-looking engineering degree programme with a focus on sustainability
Programme structure and content
With this degree programme, you’ll have opportunities in fields such as sustainable product development, environmental technologies, and, of course, international projects. Academically, this programme is grounded in modern mechanical engineering but is always closely linked to the concept of sustainability. So you’ll likely not enter a traditional mechanical engineering career, but rather pursue careers that focus specifically on innovation, future-readiness, and, of course, sustainability.
With this degree programme, careers in areas such as sustainable product development, environmental technologies and, of course, international projects will be open to you. Academically, this degree programme is based on modern mechanical engineering, but is always closely linked to the aspect of sustainability. You are therefore unlikely to enter a traditional mechanical engineering career, but rather careers that focus particularly on innovation, future-proofing and, of course, sustainability.
In this programme, we are fully committed to project-based learning. You’ll start right away in your first semester with several small projects to get acquainted with this unique approach to learning and studying, and you’ll receive close guidance from your mentor.
You won’t find traditional lectures or seminars. Instead, we focus on personalized learning paths and support you in building on your strengths and developing new skills. You’ll spend your time both working in teams in our labs—where you can immediately put what you’ve learned in theory into practice—and engaging in self-study to really delve deeply into specific topics.
As your studies progress, the projects will become more complex and challenging. You’ll be able to choose for yourself which specialized skills you want to acquire, allowing you to become either an expert in a specific field or a generalist.
In the sixth semester, you’ll complete an internship or study abroad before concluding your degree in the seventh semester with your bachelor’s thesis and a colloquium.
Not only can you, but you’re actually required to: In the sixth semester of your degree programme, an internship or a semester abroad is mandatory. With our support, you can either find an internship at a suitable company or broaden your academic horizons by spending a semester at one of our partner universities.
On our campus and during your degree, you’ll meet lots of people from all over the world. The language we all share – and the language of your degree programme – is English. Even if you don’t feel confident with another language at first, you’ll find that you’ll quickly get the hang of it and English will become your everyday language. You’ll pick up the specialist terminology as part of your studies anyway.
By the end of your degree, you’ll not only be really good at technical English but also at everyday English. This means you’ll be ideally equipped for jobs in international teams all over the world.
- … you fancy a completely different way of studying
- … you’d prefer to study as part of a team on campus, at least three days a week
- … you’d rather work in a lab than sit through a lecture
- … you want to become an engineer and keep sustainability at the forefront of your professional life
- … you’re prepared to work hard not only on your specialist knowledge but also on your personal skills
A degree programme with a specialized project structure
This programme has a few requirements for you: For example, you must be on campus full-time at least three days a week during the semester so that you can participate in the projects. The remaining two days are set aside for independent study, though field trips are often held on one of those days. Please plan accordingly.
Application process
This degree programme has restricted admission. This means that there are only a limited number of places available. If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, a selection process will take place. Places are allocated in accordance with the regulations of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Following the selection process, you will receive either:
- a letter of admission or
- a letter of rejection.
If you are offered a place, you must enrol at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences within the specified deadline (you will find instructions on how to do this in the letter of admission, which you can download from the university’s application portal). Only then is your place on the course secured.
Admission letters for degree programmes with restricted admission are usually sent out at the beginning of August.
Nummerus Clausus (NC)
For some degree programmes, admission is only possible with a specific (subject) A-level mark (Nummerus Clausus). The NC is set anew each year; figures from previous years serve as a guide.
Waiting list procedure
Sometimes, admitted applicants do not take up their place. In this case, the vacant places are allocated through the waiting list procedure.
This procedure usually begins in late August or early September. If you have applied by the deadline, you will automatically be included in the process.
Lottery
If places are still available after this, a lottery may also take place. The lottery procedure is used to allocate study places that remain available after the regular allocation process has been completed. Interested applicants can register for the lottery procedure via the university’s application portal by 1 September; places are then allocated by random selection from among all valid applications.
First, register on hochschulstart.de. There, you will be given an applicant ID (BID) and an applicant authentication number (BAN).
You can then use these details to apply via Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences’ Application portal.
First, register on hochschulstart.de. There, you will be given an applicant ID (BID) and an applicant authentication number (BAN).
You can then use these details to apply via uni-assist.
Impressions
Questions und Contact
Campus
Kleve Campus
Related degree programmes
Student information
Are you already studying Engineering for Sustainability? If so, you'll find important and helpful information here, such as the course catalog and the examination regulations.
Nützliche Links
Study programme
Timetable
Examination Schedule (September 2026)
Module Handbook
Examination Regulations
Student Council
All about your studies
The Examinations Service is here to help you with the following matters:
- the final processing of your recognised academic achievements and examination results
- organising your examination registrations via HISinONE
- Certificates of achievement, certificates, degree certificates and the certification of the aforementioned documents
- applying for approval to undertake your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis
- applying for your work placement or semester abroad
- the acceptance of your final thesis and its forwarding to the examiners
- Issuing duplicate copies of your certificates and diplomas
Links and downloads
Examination timetable (September 2026)
Examination regulations
page Examination Servicespage, including FAQs
Examination Board page
Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences offers you advice and support not only with your studies but also with various aspects of your personal life, for example:
- Literature research
- Starting a business
- mental health
- Studying with a child
- Studying with a disability
- Anti-discrimination, etc.
Here you’ll find an overview of all the support services available
In addition, your faculty offers support tailored to your degree programme.
Here you will find an overview of the support services offered by your faculty
General Services
Student Services can help you with:
- your application, as well as the admission and selection processes for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes
- enrolment and withdrawal (enrolment and deregistration)
- re-enrolment, taking a leave of absence or exemption from mobility requirements
- matters relating to guest student status, secondary student status or studying as a young person
- changing degree programmes or joining a programme at a higher semester
- the issuing of official documents, such as certificates of enrolment
- any queries regarding semester fees and payments
- Notifications to health insurance providers in accordance with statutory requirements
In the 6th semester of the degree programme, you will either undertake a work placement or study at a partner university abroad.
For the work placement, it’s best to speak to one of your lecturers.
You can find all the important information about the semester abroad here.