Bachelor's Degree in Mechatronics.

A drone taxi, a robotic maid, an exoskeleton that could help someone be mobile again. With a JKU Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, you could create a whole new generation of the kinds of machines, devices and vehicles we can only dream about today!

From toothbrushes to airplanes - almost everything nowadays includes mechatronics. The JKU Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics combines mechanical and plant engineering, electronics and electrical engineering, control engineering, computer science and artificial intelligence.

Students acquire base-knowledge education to learn just how modern machines and equipment are constructed in the first place. You will learn how to navigate your way through these engineering fields and best combine the various possibilities in order to create successful engineering solutions. Using computer simulations, for example, you will be able to better understand and optimize complex systems.

Thousands of program graduates have found impressive professional success under this interdisciplinary study concept. As a Linz engineering mechatronics graduate, doors around the world are open to you - in industry, research and even in non-technical areas.

 

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Key Facts

Degree

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Duration

6 Semesters

ECTS

180 Credits

Language

German (Level B2)

Location

Linz

Program

Full-Time

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Why This Degree Is Particularly Attractive

  • The JKU has the world's largest department for studies in mechatronics featuring 14 institutes as well as corresponding areas of specialization in the field of mechatronics.
  • You study in a unique industrial environment that offers international internships as well as hands-on projects and research work at an early stage of the program.
  • Start with Mechatronics - learn about other fields: You begin your studies together students studying mechanical engineering, electronics and information technology, and polymer engineering technologies. You get a taste of all of these areas and if you want, you can easily change your major after your first year of study.
  • Start with Mechatronics and study a variety of options: You start your degree program together with students studying mechanical engineering and electronics & information technology. This gives you an idea of different fields and subject areas and after your first year of studies, if you want to, you can easily switch to mechanical engineering or electronics & information technology.

Did you know?

In 1990, the JKU introduced the world's first degree program in Mechatronics.

Program Structure

The Bachelor's degree program in Mechatronics consists of the following areas:

Darstellung der Fächer im Mechatronik-Bachelor nach prozentuellem Anteil

Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP)

After enrolling in a Bachelor's degree program, you will be required to complete the StEOP requirements at the start of your studies. The StEOP requirements consists of certain courses that are outlined in the curriculum. If you take other academic courses before completing the required StEOP courses, you will only get limited academic credit.

Areas of Specialization

In order to successfully move you in to the world of mechatronics as an academically educated engineer, the Bachelor's degree program provides education in the following:

  • Base-Knowledge Education in Mathematics and Physics: You will learn about the physical effects of mechanical engineering and electrical engineering as well as their mathematical description. These areas are becoming increasingly important in order to efficiently solve engineering problems.
  • Mechanical, electrical and electronic components combined with mechatronical solution concepts: This is basic knowledge in order to develop targeted mechatronic products.
  • Systematic Design and Analysis and all about mechatronical systems: This information helps you solve complex tasks to effectively and efficiently develop mechatronic systems.
  • Automatic Control and Regulation of mechatronic systems: Automation is a core element for every mechatronic system. A good understanding of the system helps you solve automation tasks.
  • Information and Communications Technologies: Students learn about this increasingly important part of modern mechatronic systems. This area is a special feature of the mechatronics program in Linz.
  • Computer Science Aspects in Mechatronics: Base-knowledge education in computer science and learning how to write computer programs.

JKU Student Ksenia talks about the Mechatronics Program

Let JKU mechatronics student Ksenia tell you about everyday life at the university.

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What You Will Learn in the Program

Your goal is to pursue base-knowledge education in physics and engineering in order to understand modern mechatronical systems. Computer-aided modelling and simulation are important methods and tools to achieve your educational goals.

  • You learn to master and optimize the complexity of mechatronical systems.
  • Your education includes training in virtualization and digitalizating your activities in engineering.
  • You will master modern control methods to apply to high-precision robots, for example, as well as successfully integrating mechatronic systems into so-called cyberphysical systems (for industrial production systems 4.0).

Various internship opportunities not only teach you how to independently solve tasks, they allow you to better understand engineering systems, modern measurement methods, and automation equipment. They also help you to improve your problem-solving skills. Every engineer needs these core skills; mechatronic engineers educated in Linz are particularly valued for their expert level of diverse skills.

JKU Podcast for Prospective Students

This podcast episode features JKU students, Sophie and Georg, talking about what makes their Bachelor's degree program in Mechatronics so special, what their career prospects are, what everyday life at the JKU is like, what living near campus is like, and what they like to do in their free time. Have fun listening!

 

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Would you like to learn more?

Click here for detailed information about "Lecture Hall Insights - The JKU Student Podcast".

Your Career Prospects

  • Mechanical and Plant Engineering: As a mechatronics engineer, you develop, test and build just about anything that contains mechanics, electrical systems, electronics or software. For example, modern excavators, electric motors for cars, chips for mobile phones, robots, knee prostheses or injection moulding machines.
  • Development: You simulate the above systems, develop control software, or focus on systematic data management for the entire product life cycle.
  • Creating a Company / Management: Mechatronics engineers educated in Linz have created hydraulic and software companies or manage large agricultural machinery companies, for example.
  • Sales / Project Management: Your broad, solid technical expertise also makes you an excellent technical salesperson or project manager.
  • Additional (Non-Technical) Occupations: From medical technology and banking to bionics - your JKU degree in Mechatronics can also give you career opportunities in other industries. For example, some of our graduates work in medical technology at Weill Cornell Medical College (NY), at banks as securities analysts, or in the field of bionics.
„Doors to positions in industry and in research were all open to me. The Mechatronics program in Linz includes a philosophy to cover an array of topics, making easy to become more involved in new areas of research. My work with engineers, doctors, physicists and computer scientists in medical technology confirms this educational philosophy.“
Simone Winkler, JKU Graduate & Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College (NY)

Admission to Studies

Admission Requirements

In order to be admitted to the Bachelor's degree program, you must fulfill the following requirements.

  • Hold general higher education entrance qualifications (such as an Austrian "Matura" diploma)
  • Proof of education in "Descriptive Geometry" (at least 4 hours/week). If the applicant did not take “Descriptive Geometry” at the high-school level, he/she will be required to pass a supplementary examination.
  • If your first language is not German, you will be required to submit proof of B2 level of language proficiency in German.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You can ask friends or acquaintances who know about - or already hold a degree in - academic programs in engineering/natural sciences. Get different opinions. The JKU also has a Study for a Day program, that also includes mechatronics. The Young Scientists Programme can also help you decide what major is right for you. We also encourage you to speak with an academic advisor at the Office of Student Information and Academic Advising Services. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have and assist you in your decision.

Mechatronics is a combination of the terms "mechanics and electronics" and aims to describe the interaction (or, "synergy") of these two disciplines. This is, in fact, not an entirely new subject area but one that pools engineering sciences, focusing substantially on common foundations. The educational concept in Linz does not consciously favor either of these areas. The mechatronic institutes, however, conduct research in various engineering sub-disciplines that can be categorized to conventional subject areas in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering.

Students are as diverse as the field of mechatronics. Most mechatronics engineers are curious individuals who want to get to the bottom of things and use their expertise to design and create something new. Having an interest in base-knowledge engineering and natural sciences is a good start, along with a strong dose of curiosity. Depending on personal inclination and talent, some students move more toward theory and others are drawn more toward a technological or experimental direction. Specialization in sub-disciplines in electrical and mechanical engineering varies by individual and students in the graduate degree program have many elective options to suit their personal interests. Many students choose Mechatronics as their major because there are so many opportunities to specialize later on, once you have the basics and can make more informed decisions.

Like any engineering or technical degree program, the Mechatronics program is challenging. However, it's not about memorizing facts and figures but rather understanding the material. Thanks to our outstanding student-to-faculty ratio, we have a strong support system and experienced experts will always be there to help. And once you have learned the basics, you can comprehend advanced material quickly and easily. Cramming information from encyclopedias and thick readers is not necessary and does more harm than good. The program is not particularly difficult but does require you to work and practice independently. The personal atmosphere at the Mechatronics departments in Linz - along with additional programs such as our mentoring program - provides you with a strong support system, especially during the first few semesters. Faculty members at the JKU are always ready, willing, and able to answer any of your questions and address any issues.

Mathematics is an essential tool when it comes to engineering. Those who did well in math during middle school should not have any problems. But experience has shown that many people start enjoying math once they start university studies because here math is no longer abstract; you apply math to solve specific problems.

From the technical point of view, the degree programs are very similar. Physics focuses more on the fundamental laws of nature, but Mechatronics focuses more precisely on the relevance of the laws of nature in engineering in a scientific capacity. In general, physicists focus on analyzing processes found in nature (as well as engineering); in addition to this analysis, the systematic use of the laws of nature play a role, such as in the development of new devices, mechanisms and instruments. In short, physicists analyze what is already found in nature, engineers create new technical systems based on the laws of physics, existing materials, and manufacturing technologies.

The degree program in Mechatronics gives students a solid foundation in the technical sciences. This concept is not new and has been taught at other universities. However, the Bachelor's degree program in Mechatronics gives students an opportunity to focus on specific technical disciplines, building on what they have learned by understanding the basics well. Students in the Master's degree program can, if they wish to, specialize in a certain area or focus broadly on various areas. There are more options to customize the program to suit individual interests and career prospects. After graduation, some of our students go on to create chips for mobile devices while others develop machine tools. A degree in Mechatronics can open the door to various areas of technology.

When it comes to studying Mechanical Engineering, there is a stronger emphasis on areas such as design/product development, materials science, and production technologies and not as much emphasis on electrical engineering and automation technology. Graduates in Mechanical Engineering acquire stronger skills in product development for mechanical engineering systems.

Unlike universities, universities of applied sciences focus more on practice-oriented vocational training. This means that universities of applied sciences place more emphasis on mastering tools and methods currently used in industry. In addition, the program is designed so that students have a set curriculum of classes to take, receive set class schedules, and have little or no flexibility in their schedule. Universities not only focus on scientific base-knowledge in technology, but also on how to work scientifically and conduct research so new ground can be broken. You not only learn to apply existing technology, but also how to develop it further. This gives you more flexibility and allows you fully quench your thirst for research.

The outstanding student-to-faculty ratio at the JKU and close cooperation to strong industries in Upper Austria give you a unique opportunity to be actively involved in specific industrial projects. You are not just a number at the JKU - JKU faculty members and students who are further along in the program have your back. Early contacts to representatives at industrial companies let you get to know potential future employers before graduation. And just to mention, the Mechatronics program at JKU has an internationally excellent reputation. Also, did you know that the JKU was the first European university to offer an academic degree program focusing solely on Mechatronics? The JKU has retained this pioneering position to this day - and you can also benefit.

Yes. The JKU Mechatronics curriculum focuses strongly on base-knowledge and its broad direction and high qualification levels meet pre-requisites and prepare students well. The degree program offered by the JKU opens doors to pursue careers in business, research and continual education - not only in Austria but internationally as well.

Mechatronics engineers develop things like robots, sensors, vehicles, mobile phone chips, diesel engines for cars and electric motors for cardiac pumps or electric vehicles, software, automated machines and manage production plants. The program's scientific basis also gives students the option to perhaps pursue a doctorate degree and go on to work in research and development at industrial companies or at universities. Many graduates (the majority) prove themselves in other occupational fields such as in upper management positions or in technical sales. Students can even apply their scientific-analytical and technical education to work in non-technical sectors.

In general, graduates in Mechatronics are highly sought-after and many students even receive job offers from well-known companies before they graduate.

The JKU offers preparation courses, opens an external URL in a new window for this degree program. Material from higher-level schools is reviewed in a condensed format, designed to help you prepare for introductory, university-level courses. These courses are for newly enrolled students. Attendance is optional.

In addition, new students can take part in a mentoring program, opens an external URL in a new window. Professors and other JKU faculty members meet in small groups with newly enrolled students provide tips and advice about studying in the program.

Browse through students' summaries about studying abroad as well as graduate profiles to learn more about studying mechatronics and your career prospects!

Still Have Questions?

Do you need help registering or do you have questions about the program? Contact the JKU's Office of Student Information and Academic Advising (SIBS)!

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Advanced Degrees at the JKU

After completing your undergraduate degree, you can continue your education by pursuing an advanced degree:

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