Posted April 13, 2026 16:32
The European Railway Systems (ERS) international study programme is designed for the further education of professionals in the field of railway transport. The programme was established as a joint initiative of partner universities: Fachhochschule Erfurt, Fachhochschule St. Pölten, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences (Winterthur), and the Faculty of Transportation Sciences of the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU). The first cohort of the programme was launched in the 2025/2026 academic year.
The programme lasts five semesters, is conducted alongside employment, and follows a blended-learning format, combining on-site instruction with online study. It is designed as a professionally oriented master’s programme (a weiterbildender Master according to the German system). Graduates are awarded the internationally recognised degree Master of Science (M.Sc.).
Teaching is delivered bilingually in German and English. The programme is fee-based and places strong emphasis on the use and further development of participants’ practical experience, which they can apply directly in their professional activities.
The programme is primarily intended for:
- employees of railway and transport companies,
- staff of public administration bodies and regulatory institutions in the field of transport.
The main objective is to offer high-quality academic education closely linked to professional practice, supporting:
- the professional development of participants,
- the systematic preparation of future managerial staff,
- the long-term human resource needs of the railway transport sector.
Key characteristics of the programme:
- international cooperation among four partner universities,
- bilingual instruction (German and English),
- a blended-study format enabling the combination of studies with professional commitments,
- on-site teaching organised in blocks (approximately 3–4 weeks per semester):
- one week in Erfurt,
- one week in one of the partner cities (St. Pölten, Winterthur, or Prague),
- a professional study excursion (one week in the summer semester 2027),
- strong orientation towards practice and labour market needs,
- involvement of major railway companies such as Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, and SBB,
- emphasis on the applicability of knowledge and the direct integration of studies with participants’ professional work.
This programme represents a unique opportunity for railway transport professionals who wish to develop their expertise in an international environment and advance their careers to a higher level.
Applicant Professional Public