This is a modular, full-time master’s programme completed over three semesters and taught in English. It builds on a relevant Bachelor’s degree or a German "Diplom" in (industrial) engineering, natural sciences, economic/business sciences, or logistics. The programme leads to the Master of Engineering (MEng).
Students complete six module exams (three in the first semester and three in the second). During the second and third semesters they engage in research projects of their choice that relate to a guiding topic defined for each incoming cohort. The master’s thesis is written in the final semester and completes the degree.
The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for work in a VUCA world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity). Alongside subject-specific technical skills, the programme emphasizes holistic problem analysis, organised solution design, and collaboration in interdisciplinary teams. Graduates are trained to handle fast innovation cycles, complex interrelationships, and ambiguous information environments.
Graduates are qualified for specialist and management roles in industry and attain the qualification for the higher service of public institutions. The degree also opens the door to doctoral studies. Employers value these graduates’ ability to grasp complex challenges, form and lead interdisciplinary and multicultural teams, and develop robust, implementable solutions — typical employers include manufacturing firms, major retail companies, and consultancies.
Requirements (concise)
The three-semester curriculum is built around close collaboration with industry experts and academic researchers to bridge business and engineering perspectives. In the first semester you will be introduced to the program’s central theme through problem-focused learning: identifying real-world challenges at the intersection of business and engineering, understanding sustainability constraints, and practising applied scientific methods. This phase emphasizes analytical thinking and evidence-based approaches so you can frame complex, interdisciplinary problems.
In the second and third semesters the programme shifts toward applied projects and independent research. In semester two you work with industry and research supervisors to define and test an individual research project, assess solution feasibility, and complete an applied batch project that demonstrates team-based implementation. Semester three is dedicated to disseminating your findings: you will prepare publishable work, present and defend your results in the Master’s colloquium, receive feedback from industry and researchers, and complete the Master’s thesis. Together these stages develop skills in problem framing, solution evaluation, scientific communication, and professional networking—valuable for careers in industrial engineering, consulting, R&D, or further academic study.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
This master’s program requires a relevant undergraduate qualification and sufficient prior coursework in both engineering and business fundamentals. Applicants with degrees from Germany or abroad that are judged equivalent may also be considered. If your credit totals or course content differ from the standard expectations, consult the programme’s study and examination regulations or contact admissions for guidance.
Note for international applicants: credits are expressed in ECTS. If your previous degree uses a different credit system, you should be prepared to show an official transcript and, if needed, documentation that allows conversion or evaluation of your credits. Full details and any special conditions (for example, when 180 ECTS may be accepted instead of 210) are specified in the programme regulations.
Key requirements (concise)
For official details and procedural information, refer to the programme’s admission page: https://international.thws.de/en/thws-international/ways-to-thws/incoming-full-time-students/admission-requirements/
Winter Semester (International)
15 June 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 June 2026
Graduates are prepared for specialist and management positions in industrial companies, large retail organisations, and consulting firms. The programme’s combination of technical and business-management skills enables alumni to take responsibility for complex projects, lead interdisciplinary and multicultural teams, and to implement robust, applicable solutions.
The degree also qualifies graduates for higher service positions in public institutions and opens the pathway to doctoral studies for those interested in further academic research.
Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (HDBW) — München
Hof University of Applied Sciences — Hof
Stralsund University of Applied Sciences — Stralsund
Technische Universität Braunschweig — Braunschweig