The Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) is making changes to its organizational structure. On March 1, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and large parts of the Faculty of Mechanical and Process Engineering will be merged to form the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science.

"This organizational restructuring is part of our plan to modernize the engineering sciences at The Hochschule Niederrhein. Engineers are working in an increasingly interdisciplinary and digital way. We are taking this development into account and pooling our efforts in a joint unit," says Dr. Thomas Grünewald, President of the HSNR.

This realignment is also reflected in the further development of the content of the degree programmes. "We are currently working flat out on new degree programmes in the field of engineering. Students will be able to benefit from this interlinking in the planned seven-semester Bachelor's program," says Professor Dr. Jens Brandt, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science.

For example, there will be an orientation phase at the beginning of the new Bachelor's degree programs. Students can get a taste of different areas of engineering and then decide on a specialization. The advantage of the seven semester duration: in future, prospective students will be able to register for both the summer semester and the winter semester. Previously, registration was only possible for the winter semester.

"We have noticed that many young people don't yet know exactly what is possible in mechanical or electrical engineering. We have had very good experience with the orientation semester, which we have offered separately to date. We now want to integrate this into the new Bachelor's degree program and thus provide more flexibility for students," says Brandt. The three new Bachelor's degree programs will be offered in the winter semester 2026/2027.

Little will change for students on the existing engineering degree programmes. They will retain the professors they already know and will be able to successfully complete their studies as planned," says University President Grünewald. This will continue to run under the label of the Faculties of Engineering and Computer Science from March 1. Prospective students can register for the existing Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechatronics degree programs until the winter semester 2025/2026.