Technology and Innovation Management

Overview

Innovation and technology are central to competitiveness in today’s knowledge economy, and this program focuses on the digital transformation reshaping manufacturing and service value chains — from digital technologies to the Internet of Things. Taught in English by experienced practitioners and researchers, the curriculum examines current innovation trends and emerging business opportunities, and translates those insights into management decisions.

What you will learn and career prospects

The program trains graduates to guide the systematic implementation of innovation processes by integrating managerial and technical perspectives. You will learn to connect automation and digitalisation solutions with underlying business processes through a balanced blend of engineering, IT and business disciplines, using an applied scientific approach to recent and emerging digitalisation trends that affect technology, production and organisation. The course prepares you to plan, implement and advocate projects and to assume management responsibilities; it also keeps the door open to doctoral and academic careers.

Admission & practical information

• Language of instruction: English
• Degree awarded: Master of Arts
• Academic field: Business Administration
• Location: Wernigerode, Germany
• For exact entry criteria, application documents and deadlines, consult the programme webpage or the university’s admissions office (requirements may include proof of prior degree, language proficiency and other documentation).

Curriculum overview

The programme is offered in two pacing options depending on your prior academic background: a regular track (four semesters) and a fast track (three semesters). Which track you qualify for is determined by your previous studies — check the admission requirements on the programme website for details. The regular track may include a one‑semester adjustment curriculum (30 ECTS) for students who need to bridge gaps before entering the core programme.

The core curriculum for both tracks is taught over two semesters (30 ECTS per semester) and covers a mix of strategy, technical and data‑driven modules, plus a research & development project. The final semester is dedicated to the master’s thesis and colloquium (30 ECTS). Individual courses are scheduled every semester, and the programme also offers German as a Foreign Language in several levels to support international students.

Key modules and expected learning outcomes

• Strategic Innovation Management — learn frameworks to design and lead innovation processes, evaluate technology opportunities, and align innovation strategy with business goals.
• Operations Research and IT Security Risk Assessment — develop analytical skills for optimization and decision‑making, and learn to assess and mitigate IT security risks in organisational contexts.
• Agile Requirements Engineering and Digital Transformation — gain hands‑on competence in agile methods to elicit, prioritise and manage requirements during digital transformation initiatives.
• Information Retrieval Technology — understand methods for indexing and searching digital information, useful in building search and recommendation systems.
• Digital Business Models and Idea Engineering — practice creating, testing and refining digital value propositions and business model innovations.
• Functional Safety — acquire knowledge of safety standards and techniques to ensure reliable operation of technical systems.
• Technology Assessment and Sustainability — learn to evaluate broader societal and environmental impacts of technologies and integrate sustainability criteria into decision making.
• Big Data and Geoinformation — work with large‑scale datasets and spatial information to derive insights for technology and business applications.
• Electives in current technologies (examples: Mixed Reality, Smart Buildings) — explore specialised, emerging topics to tailor your expertise.
• Engineering project (lab‑based, in the adjustment curriculum) — apply practical lab assignments to bridge technical knowledge gaps.
• Research and development project — integrate research methods and academic writing skills in a team or individual applied research project.
• Master’s thesis and colloquium — conduct an independent research project, demonstrate academic rigour, and present results orally.

Quick facts / requirements (concise)

• Track options: regular (4 semesters) or fast (3 semesters); eligibility depends on prior academic records.
• Adjustment curriculum (regular track only): 1 semester, 30 ECTS — includes business electives, Introduction to Industry 4.0 & CS research fields, lab‑based engineering project, and German language courses (multiple levels).
• Core curriculum: 2 semesters (30 ECTS per semester) — covers the modules listed above and a research & development project.
• Thesis semester: 1 semester, 30 ECTS — master’s thesis plus colloquium.
• Electives available (examples): Mixed Reality, Smart Buildings; individual courses are offered every semester.
• Check the programme’s admission page for exact entry requirements and which track you qualify for.

Graduates are prepared for roles that bridge technical and managerial functions, such as technology and innovation manager, product/technology manager, digital transformation specialist, or automation and systems integration lead. They will be able to plan and implement technology-driven projects, align automation and digitalisation solutions with business processes, and take on management responsibilities within manufacturing and service industries.

The programme’s research and applied project elements also enable graduates to pursue academic paths, including doctoral studies, or positions in R&D departments, consulting firms focused on Industry 4.0, and organisations driving digital business model innovation.