Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The B. Eng. Hydrogen Technology Transnational (BWTT) is a shared programme between the German Jordanian University (GJU) Amman, Jordan and the Technical University of Applied Sciences (THWS), Schweinfurt, Germany. Thus, the study location is the GJU during the pre-year and semesters 1-4 and the THWS in semesters 5-7.

The B. Eng. Hydrogen Technology (Transnational) is officially established for 7 semesters as a full-time programme plus the pre-year if needed (total of 9 semesters), where the students will have technical and German courses.

However, as most students will need to study German besides taking the modules, we recommend extending the study programme to 10 semesters.

The Jordanian and most international school-leaving certificates do not directly qualify for entering the degree programme according to the German system. Moreover, the required German language skills are usually lacking.

For this reason, the GJU sets up a pre-year's course (corresponding to PY1 and PY2 in the module overview) which, if successfully passed, can be partially credited towards the degree programme to reduce the workload. It also provides the German language skills required for the first admission level at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) through extracurricular classes. For the BWTT, the pre-year and the degree programme add up to 9 regular semesters.

In the GJU for the pre-year and semesters 1-2 the language of instruction will be English. For semesters 3-4 at GJU most modules will already be taught in German and two modules per semester will be taught in English. At the THWS (from semester 5 onwards) the lectures will be completely taught in German, since students will be attending the regular technical courses of the German-speaking bachelor programme in Schweinfurt.

The approximate cost of the entire study programme will be about 30.000 €, depending on whether or not you are in need of the pre-year and German language courses. For details, please see the fees page.

We are currently working on a scholarship scheme and are positive that we will be able to provide you with updates soon. Kindly stay alert.

The programme targets excellent high school graduates with very good English language skills who aim for a study programme that will train them as engineers to design, construct and operate hydrogen plants and systems along the hydrogen value chain. Prospective students should be open for the option of an international or German career path and very much committed to learn the German language.

Around 70 percent of the lecuring will be delivered from THWS and 30 percent from GJU. The aim is to have an international lecturers team that broadens the perspective of the profession.

Lectures for the pre-year of the B. Eng. Hydrogen Technology (Transnational) at the GJU will start each winter semester around the October 8th.

Once successfully completing the bachelor programme in Hydrogen Technology (Transnational), the students will acquire a German degree in Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) that is recognized in Jordan.

After earning a German degree, students fulfill the academic requirements to practice their profession in Germany and Jordan. Typically, this would also be the case of other European or Arab countries (maybe depending on some adaptive measures). They will also acquire access to a wide range of Master’s degree programmes in engineering in Germany, Europe, Jordan and worldwide. Graduates thus will have a wide range of opportunities for further progression. These include opportunities in the fields of energy technology, mechanical engineering, plant and process equipment construction, process engineering, energy economics, and sustainable resource management.

The study programme will be taking place at GJU for the pre-year and 1-4th semester and 5-7th semester at the THWS. However, some lectures might be online or hybrid since the Professors and Lecturers will be international. For the time spent at GJU, most of the German professors will teach parts of their lecture online and the rest in physical presence at GJU campus for an intensive blocked course.

The aim of the transnational Bachelor's degree programme is to educate engineers for the design, construction and operation of hydrogen facilities and systems along the hydrogen value chain, independent of sectors, based on well-known technical processes. Hydrogen technology is a key technology and a pioneer towards a carbon-neutral era. Engineers in hydrogen technology make the most significant contribution to the necessary transformation of industry, transportation, and households towards carbon-free energy use, actively implementing the demands of the World Climate Council. In addition to the technical content, the programme also promotes the student’s methodological and personal skills. For more detailed learning outcomes, kindly refer to the module handbook.

In this programme students will be able to choose some electives in order to specialise in different fields. Further specialisation will be possible through the practical experience gained during the internship.

If you look at the graphic illustration of the study plan and at the modules page you see how the courses are planned for each semester. In the module handbook you will find the detailed explanation and information for each course.

We aim for small classes to serve you best. Thus, for the upcoming intake, we expect a class size of 20 students but could also serve more.

Yes, in the 6th semester of the bachelor programme the students will complete the practical module as an internship in a company. This allows them to gain experience in professional practice and to build their first professional network. Students will also have the opportunity to write their bachelor’s thesis in their 7th semester related to their practical experiences.

The 22-week long internship is an integral part of the studies and takes place during the 6th semester of the programme. It is highly recommended that you conduct your internship in Germany since you will acquire a German degree and want to make sure you get familiar with the German engineering field. If you want to enter the German labor market upon graduation, it is highly recommended to do so in order to increase your chances. According to the regulations, however, you are free to also conduct it abroad. In any case, the specific internship needs an approval by the THWS.

The Bachelor Hydrogen Technology Transnational is a full-time course of study based on attendance, which generally takes place during the day. In some cases, blocked seminars are also held on Saturdays. While most courses do not have compulsory attendance, do not let this fool you: The programme is very demanding, especially as you have to acquire the needed German language skills and might have to work harder than the average mother tongue peer. Students are expected to be present and to do additional work (presentations, assignments, preparation and follow-up work, etc.), in some cases also during the lecture-free periods. If students do not show up for classes, it is their responsibility. The German university system gives students a lot of freedom – along with the respective responsibilities. Thus, we strongly advise not planning to work alongside your studies.

First of all, we will support you along the way to make sure this does not happen. If you were actually in need of a safety net, there are different options and we would encourage you to get in touch with our advisory team in time:

• Re-taking the courses you are in need of (even though this might extend your studies)
• Switching to a regular programme at GJU that would also provide you with the opportunity of a German Year, and where the language courses and, depending on the programme, technical courses could be recognised
• Continuing in a related Engineering programme at a Jordanian university

In general yes, on an individual, self-planned basis. However, you would have to make sure to stay on track with your technical and German language courses. As you will have an extensive stay in Germany, we recommend you focus on that.

The prerequisites for admission to the B. Eng. Hydrogen Technology (Transnational) are a proof of...

1. ...the general university entrance qualification,
2. ...the subject-related university entrance qualification (also conveyed by the GJU pre-year)
3. ...the advanced technical college entrance qualification, or
4. ...an entrance qualification for a bachelor's degree programme at universities of applied sciences recognized as equivalent by law or by the competent state authority.

(Most prospective students will be admitted to the programme through the successful completion of the pre-year by the GJU.)

The language admission requirements for the study programme are:

• German language skills. Students must provide evidence of the following German certificates:
  • At the beginning of the programme (or by the end of the GJU pre-year): At least B1 (CEFR)
  • By the end of the 4th semester at the latest: At least B2 (CEFR), better C1 (CEFR)
• English language skills. Students must demonstrate an English certificate of at least B2 (or TOEFL: at least 72) prior to the GJU pre-year. For those who do not have the relevant English language certificate at the time of enrollment for the pre-year, GJU offers the placement test. Applicants will be accepted as students of the pre-year if they can demonstrate English language skills on a B2 level or a level that can be raised to B2 by a single regular GJU English course. Affected students must expect to carry an overload in this respect. Admission in the German programme requires the submission of one relevant English language certificate at the time of application at the THWS.

Arabic language skills can be an advantage for your time at GJU, but are not mandatory.

Not for the pre-year. You will acquire the programme’s required German first admission level of B1 during the pre-year.  Also during the time in the study programme at the GJU there will be extracurricular German classes to help you reach a C1 level or at least the second admission level at B2 before the end of the second academic year.

Different language certificates are accepted. For German:

• Goethe Institute language certificate
• DSH examination
• TestDaF
• etc.

For English:

• TOEFL
• IELTS
• Cambridge certificates
• etc.

A more detailed list depending on the level can be found at the THWS website.

Also passed exams at the German Language Center of the GJU will be accepted as a proof.

In that case, you enter directly into the German degree programme and, of course, would skip all German language courses. In this rare case, technical classes would be taken together with the pre-year students to acquire basic engineering knowledge by taking courses from GJU’s Energy Engineering programme. Note, that the German programme officially starts no sooner in October 2024. However, we would find an individual solution for 2023, for sure. Just contact us in this respect.

For now, you would apply through the GJU’s admission and registration department for the pre-year. For any specific questions kindly refer to the THWS Campus GATE Jordan team at GJU. We will guide you through the process.

The application period for the pre-year usually starts during summer semester and lasts until the beginning of October. Detailed information about the exact start and end of the application period will be published either on the homepage of this website or the main page of this programme as soon they are commited.

No. There is only one annual intake for the respective winter semester.

For administrative questions:

• At GJU: Campus GATE Jordan
• At THWS: Campus GATE Germany

For academic questions:

• At GJU: Dr. Osama Saadeh
• At THWS: Prof. Dr. Winfried Wilke

THWS stands for the abbreviation of the university's name in German (Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt). The Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) is one of the biggest universities of applied sciences in the famous federal state of Bavaria (south-east of Germany). It is located in the very north of Bavaria and, therefore, quite centrally within Germany. There are 10 faculties divided between two cities: Würzburg and Schweinfurt. THWS offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's programmes for different disciplines, both in German and English. It profiles in internationalisation. About 20 percent of the student body has an international background.

The B. Eng. Hydrogen Technology (Transnational) is taught at the Campus Ignaz Schön (Ignaz-Schön-Straße 11), in Schweinfurt.

Schweinfurt with its 55.000 residents is an important business hub with long-standing tradition, located in northern Bavaria, Germany. Many leading regional and international companies are located here, for example ZF, (FAG) Schaeffler, SKF, Bosch Rexroth, Fresenius Medical Care, SRAM, SenerTec and Winora. Thanks to their proximity as well as to co-operations between THWS and the local industry, students have plenty of possibilities for internships, projects, bachelor's theses, and the start of their professional careers.

For students, the conditions in Schweinfurt with low rent and living expenses are good. There is a train station and the motorways A7, A70 and A71 as well as a well-developed public (bus) transport. Additionally, Schweinfurt has a lot to offer in terms of recreational activities and cultural events. It has a well-established bar scene and significant museums.

More information about living in Schweinfurt can be found on the cities' website. Recreational activities offered by the THWS such as cultural events or sports in Schweinfurt can be looked up at the THWS International website.

In Germany, the workload is measured using ECTS credits instead of Credit Hours (CH) as at GJU. ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are a European standard and indicate the amount of work required to complete a programme of study or a module within a study programme (student work load). ECTS credits indicate only the amount of work required, not the contact/lecturing hours or the grade. 1 ECTS corresponds to the average expected student workload of 30 hours. You can find the ECTS points you receive for each module in the module handbook [LINK].

Typically a modules is a set of courses on a specific topic - sometimes it is only one course. To complete a module and to get your module credits and grade, you have to accomplish all courses belonging to the module.

The grading scheme at German universities usually comprises five levels (with numerical equivalents; intermediate grades may be given):

• “Sehr gut” (1) = very good
• “Gut” (2) = good
• “Befriedigend” (3) = satisfactory
• “Ausreichend” (4) = sufficient
• “Nicht ausreichend” (5) = insufficient/fail

The minimum passing grade is “Ausreichend” (4).