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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Industrial Engineering (Business Engineering) under the number 143510c. Who this B.Eng. suits – and what you need to get in
This online Bachelor in Business Engineering is a fit if you want to bridge technology and management and study fully remotely from abroad. Typical profiles include: full-time professionals in manufacturing, logistics or IT aiming for a first engineering degree; career changers from business who bring technical curiosity and want to qualify for interface roles; skilled technicians with advanced training who seek an academically recognised B.Eng. while keeping their job.
Admission requirements
The programme is taught in German. You need a recognised university entrance qualification and sufficient German proficiency. Accepted routes:
- With school/university entrance diploma: Allgemeine Hochschulreife, fachgebundene Hochschulreife or Fachhochschulreife; or an equivalent foreign higher education entrance qualification.
- Without traditional school diploma: recognised professional advancement (e.g. Meister/in, Techniker/in, Betriebswirt/in, Fachwirt/in, Erzieher/in) grants access.
- With completed vocational training plus relevant work experience: admission via the university aptitude test for a related field, or trial studies without the test.
German language certificates (required for non-native speakers):
- DSH-2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang), or
- C1 level according to CEFR, or
- TestDaF with level 4 (all parts), or
- Trial studies as an alternative path under the university’s regulations.
Recommended for a smooth start: English at B2 level, solid maths at school-leaving standard, and basic PC skills. Study form: online distance learning with a very low on-site share; currently one in-person seminar day in Stuttgart is scheduled. The degree is accredited (valid to 30 June 2029) and carries 180 ECTS across six semesters in the full-time model.
Personal requirements
Remote study from abroad works if you bring consistent self-management and plan realistically. Expect around 22 hours per week of study time on average across modules; your weekly load will vary with the pace you choose. You should be comfortable reading technical content in German, solving quantitative problems independently, and keeping momentum over several semesters.
- Strong self-organisation: break modules into weekly goals and protect study slots.
- Perseverance: early semesters emphasise maths, physics and engineering basics.
- Communication: engage in online tutorials and ask questions proactively.
- Technical setup: stable internet, webcam and a quiet space for online exams.
- Language: confident academic German for lectures, assignments and exams; basic English helps for “English for technology”.
- Practical planning: factor in the single on-site day in Stuttgart well ahead of time (travel/visa if applicable).
If you recognise yourself in this profile and meet the formal criteria, you can complete this accredited German B.Eng. entirely online, with assessments scheduled flexibly and minimal travel requirements.
What will you study in the Business Engineering (B.Eng.) at AKAD University?
This programme is taught in German. To enrol, you typically need proof of German at CEFR C1 level (commonly accepted: DSH-2, TestDaF level 4, or equivalent). You earn 180 ECTS over 6 semesters (standard pace) in a Fernstudium – German for distance learning – combining engineering with management.
You start with solid STEM foundations and the language and study skills to succeed. Typical early modules include Fundamentals of Mathematics I–II, Physics for Engineers, Materials Science, and English for Technology. The approach reflects a German university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) orientation: theory linked to application.
Engineering fundamentals and design: You cover Electrical Engineering, Statics and Strength of Materials, Machine Elements, CAD/Computer-Aided Design, and the Product Development Process. A Microcomputer Systems unit includes a laboratory component, giving you a hands-on view of embedded systems and measurement technology.
Operations, production and supply chains: Content spans Production and Materials Management, Production Planning, Control and Automation Engineering, Application Systems in Production Companies, Smart Factory, and Data-Based Procurement – preparing you for Industry 4.0 settings.
Business and finance: You build a managerial core with Fundamentals of Economics, Cost and Performance Accounting, Investment and Financing, and Human Resource Management. Intercultural Management supports work in international projects and supplier networks.
Projects, quality and digitalisation: Later semesters centre on a substantial project module, Project and Quality Management, and applied IT topics. The curriculum emphasises cross-functional collaboration between engineering and business to optimise processes and products.
Electives: You choose a specialisation such as Production; Business Intelligence; Data Management; Process and IT Consulting; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; or Technical Sales and Marketing. Additional focus areas (e.g., Digital Transformation, Innovation and Technology Management, Holistic Product Development) may also be available.
Capstone and recognition: You complete a supervised Bachelor Thesis (with a dedicated thesis colloquium and project workshop). The programme is approved by the ZFU – the German state authority that certifies distance-learning courses – and the degree is fully state-recognised.
How does the Business Engineering distance programme work?
You study fully online via AKAD’s campus with a small, planned on-site element. Start dates are flexible year-round. Exams are available online from abroad, and one short in-person day in Stuttgart is scheduled for a bundled seminar. The ZFU approval number is 143510c. A purely remote route requires no visa.
Teaching language and language certificates
The teaching language is German. International applicants generally need proof of German at CEFR C1 (e.g., DSH-2 or TestDaF TDN 4). Some English is part of the curriculum (“English for Technology”), but it does not replace German as the medium of instruction.
Learning format and study materials
This is a Fernstudium (distance learning) with an applied teaching style: asynchronous self-study in the online campus, multimedia content (videos, quizzes, self-tests), and live webinars for many modules. Study materials and assignments are available 24/7, so you can learn alongside a job and family commitments.
Exams from outside Germany
Most assessments can be taken online with proctoring from wherever you live. Paper-based or centre-based options may be offered in Germany if you prefer. Assessment types include timed exams, open-book tasks, projects and written papers, depending on the module.
Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany
There is a one-day on-site seminar in Stuttgart. Plan for one trip to Germany across the programme to meet this requirement. Practical components such as lab work are otherwise minimised and scheduled to be manageable for working professionals.
Workload, time models and live session timing
The typical weekly workload is about 22 hours at the standard pace. You can choose 36, 48 or 72 months as your target duration and adjust your speed as you go. Live online sessions follow German time (CET/CEST), with recordings usually available for later viewing.
What does the Business Engineering (B.Eng.) cost?
Tuition is charged in euros and payable monthly. As a guide without temporary promotions and excluding the one-off exam fee, you can expect approximately the following over the standard durations:
- 36 months (Sprint): €357 per month → about €12,852 in tuition, plus €960 exam fee (total about €13,812).
- 48 months (Standard): €295 per month → about €14,160 in tuition, plus €960 exam fee (total about €15,120).
- 72 months (Stretch): €203 per month → about €14,616 in tuition, plus €960 exam fee (total about €15,576).
These models trade off duration and monthly cost; the faster track has the lowest total. Extensions of a few months are commonly included at no extra charge depending on the model, offering a time buffer if needed. If you pay from abroad, your bank may apply currency conversion and transfer fees.
What careers and recognition does the Business Engineering (B.Eng.) offer?
You graduate with a state-recognised Bachelor of Engineering, 180 ECTS. The ECTS system and the Bologna structure support international comparability for further study across Europe. The degree is accredited through AKAD’s internal system and valid until 30 June 2029. ZFU approval confirms the distance-learning format meets German state standards.
Internationally, a B.Eng. signals an applied engineering education with strong business integration. It is suitable for admission to related Master’s programmes in many countries (local entry rules apply). Note that professional engineer licensure in countries like the US, Canada or parts of the Middle East follows separate, national regulations and may require additional accredited degrees, supervised experience or examinations.
Typical roles after graduation include:
- Product or project manager in engineering-driven companies
- Process manager or operations excellence specialist
- Supply chain or logistics analyst/planner
- Technical sales and marketing or key account engineer
- Industry 4.0/Smart factory coordinator, data-driven operations
- Process and IT consulting in manufacturing and services
Career paths span automotive, machinery, electronics, energy, plant engineering, medical technology and consulting. The business-plus-engineering profile prepares you to act as the link between development, production, purchasing, quality and management.
Who is the Business Engineering (B.Eng.) right for – and who not?
This programme suits applicants who want a German university degree via a flexible online route, and who like to combine technical problem-solving with managerial thinking. It is designed for working professionals and career changers aiming to upskill without leaving their job.
- You are comfortable studying in German and can document at least CEFR C1 proficiency.
- You want a fully remote study path with online exams and only a single on-site day in Germany.
- You aim for interface roles linking engineering and business (production, supply chain, product, technical sales).
- You value specialisation choice (e.g., Business Intelligence, Logistics & SCM, Process and IT Consulting).
- You need rolling admission, monthly instalments and the option to pace your studies (36/48/72 months).
There are also clear situations where this course will not fit. Read these carefully if you are applying from abroad.
- You do not have, and cannot obtain, advanced German (C1) – the programme is not taught in English.
- You cannot travel to Germany at least once for the mandatory one-day seminar in Stuttgart.
- You need a campus-based experience or a student visa; a purely remote programme does not provide residence status.
- You require immediate eligibility for regulated “Professional Engineer” licensure outside Germany; additional national steps are usually necessary.
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