BTU is raising its profile in the forward-looking rail sector

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is systematically expanding its range of degree programmes in the forward-looking field of rail transport. With a new specialisation within the Civil Engineering study programme, students will be able to acquire rail-specific skills from the 2026/27 winter semester onwards and gain qualifications for a growing professional field.

In doing so, BTU is strengthening its profile in the forward-looking field of rail transport and making an important contribution to securing the urgently needed skilled workforce in Lusatia and beyond.

The new course option initially comprises four compulsory elective modules and was developed in collaboration with Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Federal Railway Authority (EBA). The aim is to prepare students specifically for the growing demand for skilled workers in the field of rail infrastructure through a specialisation within the civil engineering degree programme.

Prof. Peer Schmidt, Vice-President for Academic Affairs at BTU, says:“An efficient rail infrastructure requires highly qualified engineers. With this new specialisation option, we are creating an attractive programme of study that enables students to specialise specifically in the rail sector whilst still on their Bachelor’s degree. This option is of particular interest in collaboration with industry partners within the co-op programme.”

In the 2026/27 winter semester, the modules ‘Introduction to Railway Bridge Construction’, ‘Railway Construction’ and ‘Railway Operations and Technical Equipment’ will be introduced. They build on the ‘Road and Rail’ module, which has been on offer since the 2025/26 winter semester and covers the fundamentals of Railway Engineering as well as the design, construction and dimensioning of railway infrastructure. The programme is set to be expanded to include up to seven modules. DB supports the teaching programme by providing lecturers with practical industry experience. 

Major infrastructure projects such as the new ICE maintenance depot in Cottbus and the double-tracking of the Lübbenau–Cottbus railway line are increasing the demand for qualified engineers in the region. With this new degree programme, the BTU is creating a targeted training programme in the field of railways.

About the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU)

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is the only university of technology in the state of Brandenburg. Around 7,500 students from some 130 countries study at the three campuses in Cottbus and Senftenberg. BTU offers 69 study programmes and conducts research across four key areas: the energy transition and decarbonisation, global change and transformation processes, health and life sciences, and artificial intelligence and sensor technology.

Contact

Claudia Illi
Kommunikation und Marketing
T +49 (0) 355 69-3612
Claudia.Illi(at)b-tu.de
On the Civil Engineering study programme, students can acquire rail-specific skills and gain the qualifications needed for a career in the sector (Photo: BTU, Ralf Schuster)
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