Education
Academic Talent for the Future of the Rail System
The innovative Bachelor’s program “Digital Railway Systems” was designed by the four state universities associated in the RailCampus OWL e.V.: Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe, Bielefeld University, and Paderborn University. Their expertise is complemented by contributions from Deutsche Bahn and other industry partners.
This program is dedicated to educating the academic talent for the future of the railway system in the coming years.
Students at RailCampus OWL in Minden already make extensive use of the opportunities offered by digitalization and mechatronics. The first cohort began their studies in October 2022 and has since benefited from a practice-oriented curriculum combining computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. This opens up diverse career opportunities within the rail industry and beyond.
The degree program is accredited by Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, where it is also formally offered. In addition, weekly in-depth modules are held at RailCampus OWL in Minden. There, students gain access to facilities and practical applications of DB Systemtechnik, which is actively involved in shaping the program.
A key feature of the program is the close cooperation with the other university partners: Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe, Bielefeld University, and Paderborn University each contribute their specific academic strengths through lectures and course content.
Study Programs and Research Infrastructure for Academic and Vocational Education
Universities, the railway sector, and industry are jointly developing a unique innovation network for future rail technology at the Minden site, training students for the rail-based mobility transition.
The four participating universities are jointly developing bachelor’s and master’s programs that provide students with comprehensive knowledge of the technological requirements of intelligent rail systems. The Deutsche Bahn and numerous rail technology manufacturers require highly qualified personnel with strong competencies in computer science, data science, and systems engineering, as well as in-depth knowledge of railway systems.
In addition, RailCampus OWL will offer innovative teaching concepts in vocational education and training to prepare future skilled workers for new technologies and processes.
The goal of RailCampus OWL is to build a bridge between research, academic education, and professional training. A key advantage of RailCampus OWL is its direct proximity to research. The campus will include, among other things, a research hall with multiple railway tracks and high-tech laboratories, complementing the existing advanced testing and validation infrastructure. A modern research and institute building with seminar and lecture rooms will be created for researchers and students.
Welcome to RailCampus OWL
The “Digital Railway Systems” program is aimed at prospective students who are enthusiastic about the intersection of mobility, engineering, and digitalization. The focus is on how modern rail systems can be made smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable through digital technologies.
The program combines content from computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, thereby creating an interdisciplinary foundation for developing forward-looking solutions in the rail sector. Both technical fundamentals and application-oriented challenges are addressed, allowing students to gain early insights into real-world projects and industry challenges.
The goal is to train specialists who can actively shape the digital transformation in mobility and contribute innovative impulses to the further development of rail transport.
Students explain why they chose the Digital Rail Systems program at RailCampus.