Our curriculum aims at providing you with a high degree of flexibility to shape contents according to your personal interests, while providing you experienced guidance ensuring knowledge of benefit throughout your career.

We distinguish between

• Core subjects which are compulsory
• specialisation subjects according to the specialisation you have chosen
• practical subjects and
• complementary subjects.

The study plan 2021 according to FSPO 2021 offers four different specialisations:

• Communications Engineering emphasizing applied telecommunications theory,
• Communications Circuits and Systems with a focus on hardware aspects of modern communication systems,
• Intelligent Embedded Systems focusing on machine learning, pattern recognition, embedded and secure system engineering, and
• Sensor Circuits and Systems emphasizing integrated circuit and sensor design

The study plan 2017 (Overview) according to FSPO 2017 offers two different options:

• the Communications Engineering Track emphasizing applied telecommunications theory, and
• the Communications Circuits and Systems Track

Apart from the rules and regulations for a specific programme, there are also "general provisions", which contain rules applicable everywhere: General Framework or "Rahmenordnung" in German.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hermann Schumacher
Programme Director Communication and Information Technology
Ulm University
89069 Ulm, Germany
phone: +49 (0)731/50-26152
E-Mail

Dr. Sandra Mann
Programme Coordinator
Communication and Information Technology
Ulm University
89069 Ulm, Germany
phone: +49 (0)731/50-26004
fax: +49 (0)731/50-26003
room: University West/41.3.107

Dr. Werner Teich
Key Academic Advising
Room: 43.2.240
Albert-Einstein-Allee 43
89081 Ulm, Germany
Institute of Communications Engineering
phone: +49 (0)731/50-26258
fax: +49 (0)731/50-26259

ci-tech(at)uni-ulm.de

For general inquiries on Communication and Information Technology

Nokia is a global leader in telecommunications serving customers in more than 100 countries. In Ulm next to Ulm University campus Nokia is operating a Research & Development center with focus on network infrastructure for LTE and 5G. Although located in Germany the number of nationalities of our employees is beyond 30 according to the global dimension of our business. Therefore we highly appreciate the international orientation of the Communication and Information Technology curriculum. The subjects taught match very well with the skill profile expected from engineers working in Nokia. As a former external lecturer in this master programme I am always happy to meet former students graduated in Communication and Information Technology who are now colleagues in Nokia may it be in Ulm or during business trips in other parts of the world.

Dr. Hans-Joachim Dreßler, Site Manager Nokia Ulm

Note that the application is a two-step process with the following compulsory steps:

1. submit pre-application first - available here only during the application phase starting as of mid July - please exclusively use Acrobat Reader! Before sending, make sure that the completed information has been saved correctly, boxes are scrollable and the file is still editable and readable using Acrobat Reader.
Note: Please understand that the only way we review your suitability during the pre-application phase is through this pre-application form. We will not evaluate CVs or transcripts of record sent as additional attachments.
2. send your online full application after receiving a reply (full applications in paper form will not be accepted!)

The application process consists of two parts - a pre-application phase for all applicants, followed by a full application for selected pre-applicants. A first assessment of your qualification will be given after you enter all the required information in our pre-application form. As a second step, after we receive your full application, we check whether your qualification is suitable for successfully attending "Communication and Information Technology".

Please read the information on this page carefully for application requirements and prerequisites. If you are in doubt - just fill in the pre-application form. If you have any questions concerning the programme, please feel free to contact us by email.

We can check your chances of admission into our programme only after receiving the completed pre-application form.

"Beware of Plagiarism! In recent years we saw a large number of Statements of Objectives which have been plagiarized from the web. Such applicants will be excluded immediately from further selection. We are using a plagiarism tracking algorithm now, so expect our detection rate to increase even further.

We don't look for novelists and poets, we look for engineers (fine if you are additionally a poet ..). So it is perfectly ok if your statement is written in a plain language. But make sure

• that it addresses your personal motivation;
• that you tell us your reasons to apply to a university in Germany, and to the University of Ulm in special;
• that you tell us about your future plans."

Common requirements for all students

• Above-average performance in the completed degree
• Good knowledge in the English language.
  • TOEFL score of minimum 570 in the paper-based, 230 in the computer-based, or 88 in the internet-based test
  • IELTS score of 6.5 or better
  • University of Cambridge ESOL Exam with level C1 or better (CPE) or grade C or better (CAE)
• The willingness to work in a challenging, multi-cultural environment

Foreign students

A B.Sc. or B.Eng. (or higher degree), usually of four year duration, in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or a closely related field.

The Master of Science programme Communication and Information Technology builds upon prior knowledge, which you should have acquired during your Bachelor education.
In order to assess your prior knowledge and to judge by yourself whether you are familiar with the background material required and presumed at the Communication and Information Technology programme, please carefully work through the following questions. Test your prior knowledge.

For German students or foreign students with a German university degree

• A Bachelor degree or a Fachhochschuldiplom or University degree in one of the above subjects

Admission Regulations or Zulassungssatzung (in German)

In December 2013, the University of Ulm issued the current rules for the admission process of Communications Technology.
The full text is available here.
However, only the German version (Zulassungssatzung) is legally binding.

Please note these important dates for the pre-application.

• Start of accepting pre-applications : Mid July
• Deadline for completing the pre-application : 1 September

For applying, all applicants first have to complete the pre-application process (available here only during the application phase starting as of mid July) by supplying the requested information (please exclusively use Acrobat Reader! Before sending, make sure that the completed information has been saved correctly, boxes are scrollable and the file is still editable and readable using Acrobat Reader).
Note: Please understand that the only way we review your suitability during the pre-application phase is through this pre-application form. We will not evaluate CVs or transcripts of record sent as additional attachments.

We will assess your chances of admission and then inform you whether a full application is requested or not. Provided we would like to encourage your full application, please print the completely filled in and signed application form you submitted for the pre-application, attach the required documentation, and send it to us as one pdf-file before the official application deadline mentioned above.
Please note that the pre-application is valid only for the upcoming term.

Please note that the deadline for the completed online full application to be received is 1 October.
Earlier sending of the applications is highly appreciated.

The full application will have to include the following:

1. Fully completed and signed application form (the one already required for the pre-application).
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score with at least 570 points (paper based), 230 (computer-based), or 88 (internet-based), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) offered by the British Council with a score of 6.5 or better, or University of Cambridge ESOL Exam with level C1 or better (CPE) or grade C or better (CAE).
   Note: All applicants must submit IELTS or TOEFL scores (irrespective of whether the medium of instruction at high school/university was English or not!). There are no exceptions!
3. Curriculum vitae (already required in the pre-application)
4. Personal statement of objectives (already required in the pre-application)
5. Two letters of reference issued by members of the university. We do not provide a specific format, but prefer a personal statement. Applicant's university letter head or a similar format is recommended. If previous studies were completed more than two years before the application, one letter may be from the current employer.
6. Photocopies of all official certificates and transcripts - including proof of grading system(s) (plus maximum and minimum passing grade) applied in your bachelor's degree.
7. Photocopies of English or German translations of all official certificates and transcripts (including proof of grading system(s) (plus maximum and minimum passing grade) applied in your bachelor's degree), in case the language of the certificates is neither English nor German.
8. Passport photo, for official use only (already required in the pre-application)
9. If applying from China or Vietnam: Original APS-certificate from the "Akademische Prüfstelle" at the German Embassy

Please note that we only accept applications using the "Communication and Information Technology"-specific application form. Applications in any other format or those which have not been pre-evaluated will be summarily rejected.

After evaluation of your documents, and upon positive decision on your application, the University of Ulm will send you a letter of admission (Zulassung).

Reporting your TOEFL Score to Ulm

If you want Educational Testing Service (ETS) to report the TOEFL score directly to us: The University of Ulm's Institutional Code is 8407
However, if you use the following address (instead of the code) the TOEFL score will be sent directly to the Communication and Information Technology office:

Communication and Information Technology
Ulm University
89069 Ulm
Germany

I do not have TOEFL score now. Can I send the TOEFL score later?

In case your TOEFL score is not yet available by the time you post your application it can be handed in separately. It must, however, be received by November 1! Please include proof of registration for a test date with your application.

Country specific application requirements

Due to Federal Regulations, special conditions currently apply for:

• China
• Vietnam
• India

Recommendations added by the Communication and Information Technology office exist for:

• India
• Pakistan
• Ghana
• Other African countries

China

For Chinese applicants, a special and faster procedure for visa application is available since July 2001. Prerequisite for participation in the faster visa application procedure is that you have your academic transcripts checked by the Akademische Prüfstelle, an institution at the German Embassy in Beijing. You will also be given an interview of about 20 minutes duration during which your academic background will be tested. The language of the interview is English or German.

Please note - All students who wish to apply at a German university are required to obtain the certificate issued by the Akademische Prüfstelle (APS).

Please include the APS-certificate with your application for the Master's programme Communication and Information Technology at the university of Ulm. The certificate is valid for twelve months and entitles you to participate in the privileged visa application. This means that the waiting time for an appointment at the embassy will be reduced considerably and visa application is facilitated.

Fees for participating in the accelerated visa procedure are at present approximately 2500 RMB, which includes fees for the visum and the examination. For participating in the new visa procedure you have to apply at:

Akademische Prüfstelle des Kulturreferates der
Deutschen Botschaft Peking
Landmark Tower 2, Office 0311,
8 North Dong sanhuan Road, Chaoyang District,
100004 Beijing.
Tel.: +86 (0)10-6590 7138
Fax: +86 (0)10-6590 7140
Email: info@aps.org.cn

Homepage: German Embassy Peking

The forms required for applying and additional information are available at the above mentioned address, the visa department of the embassy, the DAAD office and the Goethe-Institute.

Vietnam

In January 2007 the requirement for an APS certificate for applicants from Vietnam was introduced. The APS certificate issued by the German embassy is compulsory. As in China, where this certificate had already been introduced some years back, the APS certificate serves to prove the validity of documents. Important note: Documents for the APS procedure have to be handed in by the end of September or of March.

For more information contact:

Deutsche Botschaft in Hanoi, APS, 29 Tran Phu, Q. Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: 04-845 38 36/7, 04-843 02 45/6
Fax: 04- 843 99 69
Email: ku-101(at)hano.auswaertiges-amtNOSPAM.de
Website: www.hanoi.diplo.de

India

In 2022 an Academic Evaluation Center (APS) was created in India. From 1 November 2022 applicants from India need an APS certificate before applying for a German student visa. The APS certificate issued by the German embassy is compulsory. As in China and Vietnam, where this certificate had already been introduced many years back, the APS certificate serves to prove the validity of documents.

For more information please refer to the homepage of APS India.

Applicants from India are highly encouraged to include their GATE result with their application (if available).

Pakistan

The Certificate of Registration from the Pakistan Engineering Council should be included with the application.

Ghana

Applicants from Ghana need at least a Bachelor's degree. The Higher National Diploma (HND) does not entitle for enrollment in the Master's programme. TOEFL or IELTS is required for all applicants from Ghana.

It is advisable to ask for a visa-appointment well in advance, possibly already upon applying, since waiting time may be very long in some African countries.

Visa and Immigration Requirements for foreign students

Foreign students have to apply for a student visa at their nearest German Embassy in their home country. German Immigration Law does not allow to change the Immigration status whilst in Germany; never enter with a tourist visa !

As soon as you know about your admission go to the nearest embassy or consulate. Go there immediately after receiving the admission letter. Be aware that the visa procedure will take several weeks. The embassies will inform you about the details of visa application as they apply to your country. You have to present the following at the Embassy:

1. our letter of admission (Zulassung)
2. our documentation of the course
3. a proof of your financial means (800 Euro/month at the least). Be prepared to show a bank statement covering the full expenses of the first year!
4. in addition to the above the respective embassy may require you to submit additional material - check with your nearest German embassy

The excellent frequently asked questions pool at the DAAD website is a good resource (select from drop-down menu at the top of the page).

What services and assistance is provided?

Together with the admission letter you will receive detailed information on services we provide. We will assist you in finding housing, i.e. we will make reservations in the students' dormitories.
Upon arrival a senior student will meet and assist you during your first hours on foreign terrain. You will soon meet your new classmates and become familiar with your new surroundings.
An intensive German class will be offered in March, just before the beginning of the lecture period. Be sure to attend this class. It will help you meet your new classmates and feel more comfortable when roaming around town.
You will get further assistance with formalities after arrival.

Fees

Tuition Fees are only applicable for second degree and international students. Further Infomation can be found here. Additionally the university and the students union (Studierendenwerk Ulm) currently charge administrative fees approximately amounting to 165 € each semester. Students are also responsible for their own living expenses which run, as a guideline, at 700 Euro per month.

Financial support

All students will receive a very sizable support of their studies from tax revenues automatically. Students are, however, fully responsible for their cost of living.

Still, there are several possibilities of financial support. The most common way of support for our foreign students are part-time research assistantships provided by the research groups within the School of Engineering (called HiWi jobs). There are many of these jobs available. Nevertheless, you will have to look for them yourself once you are here. This allows you to choose a research group according to your interest.

However, since your main purpose of coming to Ulm is studying and obtaining a master's degree, we very strongly recommend that students do not take on more than about 40 hours per month. This leads to a monthly income of about 340 Euro.

During the breaks when no lectures are held you will also have the opportunity of taking up jobs with companies, particularly those with a presence in the "Science City" around the university. For a total duration of 120 days per year, work outside of the university does not require a labor permit. During the lecture periods, work outside of the university requires a special permission for foreign students if it exceeds 20 hours per week. This is generally not encouraged.

Overall the chances for finding a student job are very good in Ulm. So far all students who wanted a student job also managed to find one.

For information on scholarship programmes, please consult

• the DAAD website,
• Stipendienlotse - the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) scholarship database
• Stipendium Plus, a portal which combines information on several foundations and agencies supporting graduate and post-graduate studies in Germany.

Financial assistance for students in Germany

The Deutscher Bildungsserver maintains a database of links to institutions providing grants to students in Germany. The page is in German.

We often receive requests for grants or fellowships. However, as the fee charged for the studies is only a small fraction of the actual cost, there are no funds to re-distribute in the form of grants. There are quite a few institutions in Germany who provide such grants, partly only to German students, but many also to students from abroad.

The website on Bildungsserver provides a good introduction, if you know a little German. The referenced institutional websites are partly available also in English.

Please understand that the Communication and Information Technology Programme cannot make any recommendations or endorsements for any of these institutions. The article is solely provided as a service to you.

The Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg has introduced tuition fees for international students (Non-EU citizens) coming to Baden-Württemberg for academic studies. From winter semester 2017/18 onwards, international students must pay tuition fees amounting to 1,500 EUR per semester. Please find further information at UULM Study, Application and enrolment or on the Ministry's website.