Cairo University and Alexandria University, Egypt
The course is held entirely in English language.
15 July for the following winter semester
The standard four-semester degree programme is tuition free.
Within the double degree along with local semester fees, additional 3,000 EUR will be charged for the second and third semester as well as 750 EUR for the fourth semester.
The Master's programme in Urban Design and Sustainable Revitalisation cordially welcomes motivated individuals from across the globe and Germany. Prospective applicants are expected to hold a Bachelor degree in architecture, urban and regional planning, urban design, landscape architecture, or related disciplines.
This programme offers a diverse curriculum designed to equip students with essential urban design skills, with a specific focus on revitalising existing neighbourhoods and urban landscapes of cultural significance. Graduates will acquire the expertise necessary to address the multifaceted challenges of contemporary urban environments, fostering innovative solutions for sustainable, inclusive, and culturally rich communities.
At the core of the curriculum lies an interdisciplinary approach to learning and practical engagement. Through design-based projects and comprehensive coursework, students explore the intricate relationship between architecture, urban design, urban development, and cultural heritage preservation. This approach empowers students to envision and implement holistic solutions that shape the built environment across various scales.
The programme offers two study options:
Standard four-semester programme
The Master's programme revolves around Urban Design, where analytical thinking and critical analysis are the key aspects. Each semester, students take on a design project and choose from several elective modules. The programme delves deep into urban design concepts.
First Semester
Focuses on Urban Design and Rehabilitation
Students work on a design project and take a module on Fundamentals of Urban Design and Development. Various elective modules are also available.
Second and Third Semesters
Cover a broad range of urban design, planning, landscape architecture, and architecture topics
Students can choose one mandatory project and other elective courses.
Fourth Semester
The fourth academic semester is dedicated to working on the Master's thesis, which is supervised by two professors.
Double Degree programme
The Double Degree option includes two mandatory semesters in Egypt. Participants begin by studying the first semester at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, followed by the second semester at Cairo University and the third semester at Alexandria University. During the fourth semester, dedicated to the Master's thesis, students have the flexibility to select their university based on their chosen topic and preferred supervisors.
First Semester – BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Focuses on Urban Design and Rehabilitation
Students work on a design project and take a module on Fundamentals of Urban Design and Development. Various elective modules are also available.
Second Semester – Cairo University
Focuses on Urban Development
Students can choose from elective modules covering up topics such as Urban Regeneration and Mobility Planning.
Third Semester – Alexandria University
Emphasises on Architecture in Historic Context
Students will have the chance to learn about adaptive re-use of old buildings and new technologies for sustainable building rehabilitation.
Fourth Semester – BTU I Cairo University I Alexandria University
The fourth academic semester is dedicated to working on the Master's thesis, which is supervised by professors from two of the three partner universities.
Upon successfully completing the programme, participants are granted a double degree Master of Science from two partner universities. The determination of which universities award the degrees is based on the affiliations of the two supervisors chosen by the students for the Master's thesis.
PDF DownloadStudents of the Urban Design and Sustainable Revitalisation Double Degree programme will spend one semester at each of the three partner universities:
Students of the Urban Design and Sustainable Revitalisation standard programme can choose to spend one semester at one of the partner universities.
While internships are not a mandatory part of the curriculum, they are encouraged. The summer break between the second and third semester is the longest in the programme and lends itself to doing an internship. Programme advisers and professors can assist students in finding an appropriate internship.
The standard four-semester degree programme is tuition free.
Within the double degree along with local semester fees, additional 3,000 EUR will be charged for the second and third semester as well as 750 EUR for the fourth semester.
Apart from a few degree programmes, education offered at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is without tuition fees. However, the university does charge a semester fee each semester (summer semester 2024: 341,40 EUR). This covers costs for student services organisation, the Student Council as well as the semester ticket.
Studies abroad often have different types of expenses from the ones you know from your home country. You are responsible for covering your own living expenses. Accommodation and other essential living expenses will amount to around 600–900 EUR/month. Of course, this amount depends entirely on individual lifestyle. The following list gives you an idea of some fixed and variable costs that you should take into account for your stay in Germany. Monthly costs:
rent (including utilities): 200–400 EUR
groceries: approx. 170 EUR
health insurance, medical fees, medication: approx. 120 EUR
miscellaneous (clothing, study materials, other activities): 200–300 EUR
total: 700–950 EUR
The so-called "Deutschlandticket" included in the semester ticket allows you to travel using all local public means of transportation throughout Germany.
Studying at BTU is mostly free of (study) fees. Because of this, there are only limited scholarship opportunities for international students. The International Relations Office is nonetheless pleased to be able to award a limited number of scholarships to international students already enrolled at BTU. You can find more information on BTU scholarship opportunities on our websites: https://www.b-tu.de/en/international/international-students/during-studies/scholarships
A certificate of proficiency in English must be provided. Accepted tests and minimum scores are:
Applicants with a higher education entrance qualification from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain (including Northern Ireland) or the United States of America do not have to submit a separate proof of English language skills. Applicants who completed a secondary level degree in English in Germany or in one of the above mentioned countries are also exempted from presenting a formal English language certificate.
German language skills are not required for admission to this study programme.
15 July for the following winter semester
International applicants must submit their application via the uni-assist e.V. online application platform "My assist": www.uni-assist.de/en/. The application is submitted entirely online, no hard copies required.
Detailed information on application requirements, process, and documents is available here: https://www.b-tu.de/en/urban-design-ms/application.
There are job opportunities both in town and on campus. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is high, and it is not always easy to find a part-time job. Students from non-European countries are allowed to work either 120 whole days or 240 half days annually. The 120-day rule is not affected by mandatory internships or student assistance jobs at university. Students from EU member countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can work without restrictions during their studies in Germany.
BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is a university with three locations where numerous student dormitories are provided. Students can choose between different room types.
In Germany, it is also very common for students to live alone or with friends. If three or more people share an apartment together, this is called a "WG" in German ("Wohngemeinschaft", which means a shared flat).
Located on three campuses and with about 60 study programmes, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers a broad spectrum of market-oriented programmes as well as traditional degree programmes.
From the natural sciences and engineering to economics, cultural studies, and even health sciences, BTU offers a wide range of courses. Our 13 study programmes taught exclusively in English are very popular among both German and international students from all over the world.
BTU is partnered with over 220 universities throughout the world, which provides students with a multitude of excellent opportunities to spend part of their time studying or conducting research abroad. Furthermore, in cooperation with our international partner universities, BTU offers a wide range of double-degree and joint-degree programmes.
Cottbus is located in the north-east of Germany, between the country’s capital, Berlin (100 km), and Dresden (120 km). With a population of approx. 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the second largest city after Potsdam in the federal state of Brandenburg. The Polish border is only approx. 30 km away. The location of Cottbus offers a convenient starting point for trips into the picturesque region of Lower Lusatia. The landscape of Lower Lusatia is characterised by the Spreewald with its small canals and waterways as well as by the Slavonic minority called Sorbs or Wends. Their language, similar to Polish, is still used and spoken in Lower Lusatia. For this reason, many of the road signs and informational boards in Cottbus and the surrounding region are written in both Sorbian and German. Cottbus gained importance as a trade centre in the 12th century. Parts of the original city wall from the 14th century as well as the beautiful townhouses around the old market square are proof of the city’s early splendour. Additionally, the city is characterised by buildings from the "Wilhelminian" times of rapid industrial growth in Germany, which occurred towards the end of the 19th century. The city that first rose to prominence with its cloth and linen weaving industry soon evolved into a growing centre of brown coal mining. Today, Cottbus is in the midst of a structural transformation. The BTU supports this development with its engagement in the Lausitz Science Park megaproject, which aims to build an appealing innovation landscape.
Senftenberg is the centre of the Lusatia Lake District. Former excavation and mining pits have been flooded in order to create the largest artificial lake system in Europe, with a total of 23 large lakes. The water sports area "Senftenberger See", with its water surface of 1,300 hectares, offers exceptional sailing and surfing opportunities, and it is suitable for all kinds of water sports. Senftenberg has thus become a tourist attraction within the region.
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