Thinking about studying abroad? You’re not alone. Welcome to a brand new episode of the Students Speak series, your guide to navigating the study abroad journey. In this episode, we are in conversation with Ajay Barde, who will be pursuing his Master of Science (MS) in Mechatronics at the Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences (RWU), Germany.
So, let’s understand his academic milestones and career so far, the Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences, his study programme – MS in Mechatronics, what inspired him to pursue higher education, his research mechanism, destinations he shortlisted, and the importance of learning German.
Key highlights:
- Academic Milestones and Career So Far
- About the Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences
- About His Study Programme - MS in Mechatronics
- What Inspired Him to Pursue Higher Education
- Research Mechanism
- Evaluating Global Destinations: Why Germany?
- Importance Of Learning German
Academic Milestones and Career So Far
Ajay spent years building expertise at a leading company offering power solutions after completing his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at a prestigious university in 2022. Driven by a vision to future-proof his career, he will be pursuing his MS in Mechatronics at Germany’s Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences (RWU) from September 2026.
About the Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences
Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences (RWU), officially known as Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences, is a public university founded in 1964. It is located in a European economic powerhouse. RWU blends rigorous academics with practical experience across technology, business, and social studies. The university is currently home to ~3,500 students from around the world.
Studying at RWU offers more than rigorous academic training. It also provides dedicated personal and professional development. By identifying and honing individual strengths, the university prepares students to step up as responsible professionals and future leaders.
About His Study Programme - MS in Mechatronics
Offered by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the full-time Master of Science in Mechatronics at RWU is a three-semester degree designed to prepare you for high-level technical tasks and leadership roles. Taught fully in English, the programme attracts international students from around the world, creating a vibrant, globally connected learning environment.
The curriculum is application-oriented, blending core academic concepts with a practice-oriented approach that includes voluntary internships. Academic intake starts every winter semester, and the programme provides a foundation for aspiring engineers looking to build expertise while gaining real-world industrial exposure.
- Some interesting subjects:
- Applied Mathematics
- Numerical Methods
- Power Electronics
- Process Interface Equipment
- Simulation of Mechatronic Systems
- Automation
- Advanced Control Systems
- Robotics
What Inspired Him to Pursue Higher Education
While his interest in Mechatronics started with his final-year project, working in this field at his previous organisation gave him insight into the industry. Seeing the drastic shifts in the automotive sector and the rising global demand for renewable energy solutions, he recognised that a Master’s degree in Mechatronics would accelerate his career. His experience shows how real-world industry exposure can give you the clarity you need to take your next academic step.
Research Mechanism
Ajay initially considered pursuing his Master’s in the USA, but he eventually shifted his focus to Germany after evaluating his options. To find the right fit, he started by watching YouTube videos, which led him to the official German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) database, which in German is known as Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst. He used the portal to explore Mechatronics courses and related information, selecting 3-4 suitable courses. To keep everything organised and better analyse options, he created an Excel sheet tracking specific courses, intake deadlines and entry requirements.
Recognising that requirements vary, with some universities asking for Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), Letters of Motivation, and Letters of Recommendation (LOR), he prepared the documents. He also ensured all necessary academic transcripts and the mandatory Akademische Prüfstelle or Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) certificate were gathered before applying, as per the requirements mentioned on the university website. APS is a mandatory official document that verifies the authenticity of a student’s academic credentials for studying in Germany.
Evaluating Global Destinations: Why Germany?
Ajay initially considered the United States of America, while keeping the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Austria as other study abroad options. However, Germany stood out as his top choice because it met his course expectations and offered flexible part-time employment options. To ensure a smooth transition, he invested 1.5 years learning the basics of the German language to ease his stay in Germany. Later, he completed his International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam and applied to German institutions.
Also Read: Students Speak – Monisha Babu’s Academic Path: Bridging Ambition and Athletic Care –Part I
Importance Of Learning German
During his initial research, Ajay noticed that while many university programmes require German proficiency, his chosen Master of Science in Mechatronics programme is taught in English.
His preferred university required the International English Language Testing System exam for admission rather than a mandatory German language certificate. However, knowing he would be living in Germany for a couple of years, he proactively studied the basic German language and successfully cleared his German examination, ensuring he is fully prepared for everyday life and local integration.
So, this is all about Ajay’s academic milestones and career so far, the University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten, his study programme – MS in Mechatronics, what inspired him to pursue higher education, his research mechanism, destinations he shortlisted, and the importance of learning German.
In the next episode, we will cover his planning phase, academic pedagogy in India and Germany, cultural orientation, his experience with his education loan partner, his tips on study loan repayment, and his tips for study abroad aspirants.
You can try our EMI calculator for an education loan to understand the estimated EMIs. Meanwhile, if you have any queries about a student loan, educational loan interest rate or your academic journey, please feel free to connect with us.
