Master of Business Administration and Engineering (MBA&E)

Overview

This Master of Arts programme is built for students aiming for technically oriented management careers. It equips graduates to take on roles such as project, process, product and other interface-style management positions—often within multinational companies and international teams. The curriculum is designed to advance your professional development by balancing management knowledge, technological expertise and a focused specialisation, drawing on the practical experience of lecturers and industry partners. The programme is taught in English.

Specialisations

• Interdisciplinary Management (IM): Trains you to contribute effectively to interdisciplinary projects by analysing complex customer requirements and delivering results as a manager or team member. The module mix links project management with cross-cutting technical topics.
• Automotive Management (AM): Prepares you for technical management roles in the automotive sector, combining management and technical modules. Studying in one of the world’s leading automotive countries supports access to industry networks and career opportunities.
• Global Procurement (GP): Focuses on international procurement and supply chain management — identifying and assessing markets and suppliers, planning and executing procurement initiatives, and managing supplier relationships. Coursework emphasises practical application of procurement skills.
• Global Leadership in Engineering (GLE): Develops personal, intercultural and managerial competencies alongside technical knowledge of international standards, preparing you to lead engineering and production activities in global contexts. This specialisation is aimed at students who already have some initial leadership experience, preferably gained in an international setting.
• Industrial Operations and Supply Networks (IOSN): Teaches tactical optimisation of production and logistics processes with emphasis on digital technologies, lean principles and sustainability-driven regulations. You learn to analyse, optimise and implement production and logistics technologies.
• Smart Business Models and Production Systems (SBMPS): Focuses on long-term strategic development of business models and production systems, including the application of artificial intelligence in production and the principles of the circular economy.

Who this programme is for — key expectations and facts

• Intended for students seeking technically oriented management careers and interface-type management roles
• Graduates commonly work in multinational companies and international environments
• Programme language: English
• Degree awarded: Master of Arts
• The Global Leadership in Engineering (GLE) track is aimed at applicants with initial leadership experience, ideally in an international context

Curriculum overview and structure

This interdisciplinary master’s is organised across four semesters. During the first two semesters students complete a total of 12 study modules that combine management and engineering content. The third semester is reserved for either the Master’s thesis or an optional internship; if an internship is chosen the thesis is completed in the fourth semester. The programme therefore balances taught coursework, hands‑on projects and a substantial research or industry placement component.

Core learning elements include business administration modules, technology/engineering modules, and subject‑specific specialisation modules and labs/projects. Practical work is emphasised through technology projects and specialisation labs in the second semester, preparing students for the thesis or an industry internship. The teaching team brings together university professors and external lecturers from both academia and industry, giving students exposure to current research and real‑world practice.

Key learning outcomes are interdisciplinary competence in management and engineering, the ability to design and execute technical projects, applied problem‑solving in specialised areas, and experience in independent research or professional practice via the Master’s thesis or internship. The structure supports students who want either a research‑oriented route (early thesis) or an applied industry route (internship then thesis).

Program requirements and semester breakdown (indicative)

• Complete 12 study modules across the first and second semesters.
• First semester (winter): 2 business administration modules, 2 technology/engineering modules, 2 specialisation modules (choose from IM, AM, GP, GLE, IOSN or SBMPS).
• Second semester (summer): 2 business administration modules, 1 technology/engineering module, 1 technology/engineering project, 1 specialisation module, 1 specialisation project/lab (specialisations: IM, AM, GP, GLE, IOSN or SBMPS).
• Third semester (winter): choose between writing the Master’s thesis or undertaking an optional internship.
• Fourth semester (summer): Master’s thesis (required if an internship was completed in the third semester).
• Teaching is delivered by programme professors and external lecturers from academia and industry.

Graduates are prepared for technically oriented management roles such as project, process and product management and other interface-type management positions. Many alumni work in multinational companies and international environments, taking up responsibilities in areas like automotive management, procurement and supply chain, operations optimisation, and technical leadership.

Depending on specialisation, typical career paths include roles in automotive industry management (AM), international procurement and supply chain roles (GP), engineering leadership and cross-cultural management (GLE), production and logistics optimisation (IOSN), and strategic business model and production system development incorporating AI and circular economy principles (SBMPS). Completing an internship during the programme is common and supported, further improving job prospects in industry.