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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Industrial Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) under the number 171317c. Who this M.Eng. fits and what you need to get in
This programme suits you if you already work at the business–engineering interface and want to steer digital transformation with a recognised Master of Engineering (120 ECTS). Typical profiles include: production or operations engineers moving into project or innovation roles alongside a job; business graduates in supply chain or product management who need deeper technical foundations; international applicants with a STEM or business bachelor who are ready to study in German from abroad and travel briefly to Germany for on-site sessions.
Admission requirements
Formal entry is designed for graduates with a relevant first degree; recognition of foreign qualifications follows German higher education rules.
- First degree: completed bachelor’s, diploma or magister with at least 180 ECTS in engineering, natural sciences, information technology or business/economics.
- Background alignment: depending on your first degree, you complete bridging modules from business/management or from engineering (e.g. automation, sensorics) in the first semesters.
- International degrees: foreign diplomas are eligible if comparable to a German bachelor (level, scope, subject). Official transcripts and degree certificates are required; individual assessment determines equivalence.
- Language of instruction: German. You need proven German proficiency sufficient for academic study; accepted proofs are specified during admissions. Solid English reading skills are helpful for literature.
- Admission without Abitur: a school “Abitur” is not required if you hold a qualifying first degree. Professionally qualified applicants may access master’s study via alternative routes (vocational training, relevant work experience and an aptitude assessment); suitability for this programme is decided case by case.
- Mandatory attendance: 2 in-person days (total 24 teaching hours) in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne or Munich; plan for visa and travel if you live outside Germany.
- Possible extras: motivation letter, CV and an admission interview; additional subject credits may be requested in individual cases.
Personal requirements
Distance study from abroad demands consistent self-management. Expect around 26 hours per week during the standard 4-semester track, including reading, assignments, projects and exam prep. You need reliable time planning, perseverance across multi-week project phases, and the ability to work through technical and managerial topics independently. Confident academic German (for scripts, exams and webinars) is essential; practical English helps with sources and terminology. Because two short on-site days are required, make sure you can organise travel and, if needed, visa arrangements in time. If you can set a weekly study routine, communicate proactively with tutors, and keep momentum during busy work periods, you are well prepared for this master’s.
What will you study in the Business Engineering (M.Eng.) at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences?
This programme is taught in German. To enrol and succeed, you will need proven German proficiency (typically at least B2–C1). Commonly accepted language proofs include TestDaF, DSH or a Goethe-Zertifikat. The degree awards 120 ECTS over a standard duration of four semesters and concludes with a Master’s thesis.
You study as a Fernstudium – that is, a German distance-learning format designed for working professionals. Fresenius is a private, state-recognised Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences); its distance courses are approved by the German regulator ZFU (Zulassungsnummer 171317c).
Engineering and automation foundations: You build the technical core needed to work at the interface of engineering and management. Typical modules include Technical Foundations of Automation (mathematics and natural sciences, electrical and digital engineering), and topics such as sensorics, control and regulation, plus the design and commissioning of automation systems.
Business control and operations: You deepen financial and managerial skills that underpin technology-driven organisations. Expect modules like Financial Accounting and Controlling, Quality Management, as well as International and Intercultural Management to prepare you for leadership in globally connected teams.
Digital transformation and data-driven industry: The curriculum addresses the Industrial Internet and the management of digital change. You learn about Digital Transformation in operations and value chains, Business Process Analytics, and current AI applications such as Generative AI in industrial contexts.
Projects, methods and leadership: You train scientific work and evidence-based decision-making through Empirical Research Methods and an empirical research project. Project practice is developed through Classical and Agile Project Management and Collaboration Engineering. Throughout, you apply methods directly to company-relevant problems.
Electives and specialisation: You shape your path by choosing two modules and a project in each of two areas from: Production and Logistics; Product and Innovation; Business and Marketing; Industrial Engineering Management. This allows a targeted profile, for example towards supply chain operations, product development or digital B2B marketing.
Master’s thesis and practical emphasis: The programme culminates in a Master’s thesis (M.Eng.) that links current research with practical problem-solving. Several modules are project-based, ensuring continuous application to real organisational challenges.
How does the Business Engineering (M.Eng.) distance programme work?
You study fully online with structured materials and flexible assessments, plus a short mandatory on-site block in Germany. Start any month, choose among 24, 36 or 48 months, and extend if needed. Exams are largely online; only a few activities require presence. No visa is required for a purely remote programme.
Teaching language and proof of language
The teaching language is German. You should be comfortable studying, writing and taking exams in German. As an international applicant you will typically need proof of German at B2–C1 level (for example TestDaF, DSH or a Goethe-Zertifikat). Course approval by the German distance-learning authority ZFU: 171317c.
Learning format and study materials
This is a Fernstudium (distance learning) delivered via digital campus platforms. You learn with Studymags (digital study guides), video lectures, interactive exercises and guided self-study. Project work and research tasks are integrated throughout. Optional online tutorials and webinars support you; print materials may be available on request.
Exams and studying from abroad
Assessments use varied formats: written assignments, online presentations, project work, online exams available 24/7, and only a small number of on-site elements where academically required (for instance, selected project presentations or the thesis phase). You can complete the majority of assessments from outside Germany via online proctoring or submission.
Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany
There is a short compulsory attendance block of 2 days (24 teaching hours). These sessions are organised in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne or Munich. Plan for travel and accommodation accordingly; no long-term stay is needed.
Workload, time models and time zones
The standard workload is about 26 hours per week in the full-time track (4 semesters). Time models: 24 months (intensive), 36 months, or 48 months (reduced weekly load). You can start on the 1st of any month. Live online sessions, when scheduled, follow German time (CET/CEST); recordings typically support asynchronous study across time zones.
Institutional context: Fresenius is a state-recognised university of applied sciences; the distance programme is ZFU-approved, which safeguards didactics and exam formats for working professionals.
What does the Business Engineering (M.Eng.) cost?
Fees depend on your chosen duration. At published regular list prices, the total is €13,176 over 24 months (€549 per month), €14,760 over 36 months (€410 per month), or €15,792 over 48 months (€329 per month). The monthly instalment model keeps costs predictable while you study alongside work, including when you live outside Germany.
The fee typically covers access to the learning platform, digital study materials, supervision, online library access and examination fees. Plan extra for travel and accommodation for the mandatory 2 on-site days in Germany and for any optional printing. A free extension of up to 12 months is possible, which helps if your workload fluctuates; beyond that, ask early about further extension terms.
Payments are charged in euros and billed monthly over the selected duration. If you are paying from abroad, remember to factor in exchange rates and any transfer or card fees charged by your bank.
What careers and recognition does the Business Engineering (M.Eng.) offer?
You earn a Master of Engineering with 120 ECTS credits under the Bologna framework. The programme is accredited and the university is state-recognised in Germany. ECTS credits and a recognised master’s title are widely understood internationally; outside Germany, employers typically value the content focus and accreditation signals, while professional licensure rules vary by country.
Quality and oversight: the distance format is approved by the German authority ZFU, and the programme holds accreditation through the German system (period currently running to 2033). For roles abroad, this provides a clear academic benchmark for HR and admissions to further study (e.g. into doctoral tracks where compatible with local regulations).
Typical career paths after this M.Eng. include:
- Project or programme management in engineering, automation or digital operations
- Production, operations and supply chain management in manufacturing or logistics
- Product and process management, including innovation and lifecycle management
- Industrial engineering and continuous improvement (lean, quality, process optimisation)
- Digital transformation or operations consulting in technology-driven sectors
Industries range from machinery, automotive and electronics to IT services, logistics, energy and consumer goods. The blend of engineering foundations with management and analytics is suited to interface roles that coordinate R&D, production and business units.
Who is the Business Engineering (M.Eng.) right for – and who not?
This master’s fits professionals who want to advance at the intersection of technology and management without pausing their careers. It is built for remote learners who prefer structured self-study, project work and largely online exams with just a brief in-person requirement.
- You want a German, state-recognised M.Eng. that is accredited and awards 120 ECTS
- You plan to study in German and can document B2–C1 proficiency
- You need a flexible Fernstudium with start dates every month and mostly online exams
- You aim for roles in production, supply chain, product and innovation, or digital operations
- You prefer project-based learning with direct application to workplace challenges
There are also clear situations where this programme is not a good match. Read the following points carefully before you apply from abroad.
- You require an English-taught programme; this master is delivered in German only
- You cannot travel to Germany for the mandatory 2 on-site days (Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne or Munich)
- You need a programme that sponsors a student visa; a purely remote Fernstudium does not require and does not support a residence permit
- You seek a degree that directly grants professional engineer licensure in your country; this academic M.Eng. does not on its own lead to regulated engineering licences outside Germany
- You cannot commit roughly 26 hours per week of study time in the standard track
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