This English‑taught Master’s degree is aimed at preparing engineers for the current shortage of skilled technical professionals in a globalised industry. The course combines engineering and business management to develop graduates who can work across product development, production and management. It is structured over three semesters, with an optional fourth semester devoted to an industry internship in the region to strengthen links with local employers and improve chances of recruitment.
Teaching and practical work take place at the Rottweil research centre, where students use application‑oriented facilities such as coating technology equipment, rapid prototyping / 3D printing machines and a production clean room. The curriculum is deliberately multidisciplinary, covering innovative manufacturing technologies, lean management, business and strategy topics, and innovation management. Agile project management is introduced in the first semester and leads to the CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) credential. The programme also emphasises intercultural teamwork and languages: international students are required to study German, while German students take a foreign language (for example English).
Key requirements and facts
This 18-month, 90 ECTS programme blends engineering and business studies to train industrial engineers for managerial and technical roles. The teaching is concentrated in the first two semesters through core modules that cover both manufacturing technologies and management methods; the final (third) semester is dedicated to an independent Master’s thesis, allowing you to apply what you have learned to a substantial research or project-based topic.
Core modules expose you to practical and strategic topics such as modern manufacturing processes (including rapid prototyping), automation and robotics, and lean management techniques. Complementing the technical content are modules in business management, project and technology management, and intercultural teamwork—equipping you to lead cross-disciplinary teams, manage technology-driven projects, and make commercially informed engineering decisions.
Learning outcomes include the ability to analyse and optimise production processes, design and implement automation solutions, apply lean principles to increase efficiency, manage projects and technology portfolios, and work effectively in international, multicultural teams. The small class size (typically capped at 15 students) supports close supervision, collaborative learning, and personalised feedback—advantages for mastering complex technical and managerial competencies.
Key facts and requirements (concise)
This master's program expects applicants to have a solid academic foundation and meaningful professional experience. International applicants should note that grading systems vary by country; admissions will consider your transcript and converted GPA where necessary, so provide full official records when you apply.
Work experience must be relevant, post-graduation employment in a business or corporate setting. Short-term student internships or seasonal/summer jobs do not meet the requirement, so be ready to supply employment references or contracts that document your roles and duration.
Winter Semester (International)
Non-EU applicants: 15 NovemberEU and national applicants: 15 January
Summer Semester (International)
15 November 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 January 2027
Graduates are prepared for specialist and management roles at the interface of engineering and business within manufacturing and technology-driven companies. The programme’s focus on innovative manufacturing technologies, lean management, technology and project management and strategy equips students for positions such as production/technology manager, process engineer, project manager, or technology consultant, particularly in regional industry clusters.
The optional internship semester and applied lab work increase employability by providing practical experience and local employer contacts, making recruitment into the regional job market likely for graduates with relevant practical exposure and language skills.
Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (HDBW) — München
Hof University of Applied Sciences — Hof
Stralsund University of Applied Sciences — Stralsund
Technische Universität Braunschweig — Braunschweig