Who Benefits from the Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Business Administration Metal Trade?

The distance learning course in Technical Business Administration Metal Trade is suitable for individuals aiming for a career at the intersection of technology and business administration in the metal trade. It is primarily aimed at professionals from technical or commercial sectors of the industry, career changers with professional experience in trade or manufacturing, as well as school graduates interested in materials science processes, business administration contexts, and international management. People with completed vocational training, master certification, or advanced technical qualifications also find a practice-oriented entry into the metal industry here.

How Does Admission Work? – Your Formal Requirements

The following admission routes apply for enrolment in the Bachelor’s degree programme Technical Business Administration Metal Trade at Hochschule Fresenius:

• General Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Abitur): You can start directly with an Abitur.
• Advanced Technical College Entrance Qualification or Subject-Specific Higher Education Entrance Qualification: Access to study in the relevant federal state or field.
• Professional qualification with 2-year training plus 2 years of professional experience: Possible for professionally related occupations; a subject-specific university entrance examination is additionally required.
• Master craftsman’s certificate, technician, specialist or business administrator qualification (at least 400 hours): Entitles to study, additionally with a subject-specific university entrance examination.
• Intermediate school leaving certificate plus three-year vocational training: With a grade average of 2.5 or better, entry is possible by study agreement (at least 18 ECTS in the first semester or 30 ECTS in the first study year); with a lower grade, an additional university entrance examination is necessary.

A professional relation of the training/professional experience to the degree programme (e.g. in industrial, technical, trade or metal professions) is a prerequisite for professional qualification.

Academic and non-academic achievements can be credited individually if they are content-related. You can start at any time on the 1st of a month. There is no numerus clausus (NC).

For distance learning, you should bring the following personal requirements:

• Interest in technical and economic contexts, especially in the area of metal and materials science
• Determination and self-organisation for independent learning in distance education
• Basic knowledge of mathematics and science subjects is helpful
• Motivation for personal development and willingness to use new digital tools
• Communication skills as well as analytical thinking for demanding business and technical tasks
• Experience in trade, crafts, industry or technical fields is advantageous but not mandatory

Study Content in Detail: What Does the Distance Learning Course Technical Business Administration in Metal Trade Teach?

In the Bachelor's degree course Technical Business Administration Metal Trade (B.Sc.), you acquire practice-oriented skills at the interface of business administration, engineering, and materials science. The focus is on imparting knowledge tailored to the specific requirements of the metal trade.

• Business Administration and Management: You deal with key topics such as business administration (BWL), economics (VWL), accounting, cost accounting, online business, online marketing, and international corporate management.
• Business Law: In-depth knowledge of the Civil Code (BGB), commercial law, company law, and labour law prepares you for legal issues in everyday business.
• Mathematical and Scientific Fundamentals: These building blocks ensure the necessary mathematical and analytical understanding.
• Technical Management and Digitalisation: Topics such as digital transformation, business models, innovation and technology management, as well as production and logistics are central. A virtual laboratory enables practice-oriented applications.
• Materials and Product Science: You learn about the properties and processing of metals, including materials technology, manufacturing processes, metal extraction, processing of iron, steel and non-ferrous metals (light and heavy), recycling, as well as application-oriented laboratory days.
• Professionalisation: Skills in academic work, self-organised learning and Technical English are expanded.
• Elective Modules: You choose three specialisations according to your interests, e.g. business relationship management, value chain management, management of improvement processes, technical sales, technical service management, CRS and sustainable corporate management.

By combining business administration, engineering and materials science, you acquire the skills to manage operational processes in the metal trade economically, legally and technically. Laboratory phases and online seminars complete the practice-oriented profile.

Course Structure: How is the Distance Learning Course Technical Business Administration Metal Trade Organised?

The distance learning course at Hochschule Fresenius offers maximum flexibility and can be studied alongside work or in individual life situations.

• Regular duration of study: 6 to 12 semesters, with 180 ECTS credits.
• You can start on the 1st of any month – fixed semester dates are omitted.
• Own learning pace: Study in the standard model (e.g. 36, 48 or 72 months) and adjust the speed flexibly during your studies.
• Digital learning environment: Access all learning materials, digital study magazines, videos, online library and interactive e-learning tools via the online campus (studynet).
• Workload: Approximately 22 hours per week are recommended.
• Examinations: Alternative examination forms such as term papers, project work, presentations, open-book exams and 24/7 online exams are in focus; classical on-site exams only take place in exceptional cases.
• Practice orientation: Six laboratory days (a total of 48 teaching hours) in Aachen and Essen, complemented by online seminars.
• Individual support: Personal study coach and direct contact options to lecturers support you throughout your entire studies.
• Internationalisation: Free international certificates via ASU® (Arizona State University) are included.

The course is designed so that you remain independent of location and time. Attendance events are limited to laboratory phases and can be optimally integrated into everyday life.

Career Opportunities & Professional Prospects for Graduates

With the Bachelor's degree in Technical Business Administration Metal Trade (B.Sc.) you open up diverse professional perspectives in a growing industrial sector:

• Purchasing and Sales: Management of purchasing and sales processes as well as advising business partners in international metal trade.
• Management and Controlling: Taking on tasks in corporate management, controlling, process optimisation and strategic planning.
• Technical Product Management: Development, optimisation and marketing of metal products based on materials engineering knowledge.
• Supply Chain and Logistics: Responsibility for production planning, logistics management and value-added management.
• Leadership and Organisation: With specialisation modules such as management of improvement processes, you qualify for leadership roles in an industrial context.
• Sustainability and Digitalisation: Commitment to sustainable corporate management and digital transformation – skills increasingly in demand in industry.

Graduates are particularly employed in wholesale, technical sales, purchasing, product development, management in medium-sized and large industrial companies, but also as consultants in materials management and process optimisation. The course provides a broad foundation for managerial or specialist careers in national and international environments.

Costs and Financing: What Fees Apply, and How Can You Finance Your Studies?

The following cost models apply for the distance learning course Technical Business Administration Metal Trade (B.Sc.) at Hochschule Fresenius:

• Total costs: from approx. €12,420 (varies depending on duration of study and possible discount).
• Monthly fees according to study duration (with discount code „START11“):
  • 36 months: €333.75 / month
  • 48 months: €289.25 / month
  • 72 months: €209.15 / month
• The fees include: use of the learning platform, materials (digital), support by lecturers and study coaches, examination fees, access to the online library and student ID.
• Additional costs: travel expenses for a few attendance dates (laboratory days, possibly exams), voluntary purchase of printed study booklets, own technical equipment.
• Financing options:
  • Instalment payments according to chosen time model
  • KfW student loan and other student loans
  • BAföG for eligible students
  • Scholarships (e.g. Deutschlandstipendium)
  • Employer funding possible
  • Tax deductibility as work-related expenses

Hochschule Fresenius offers individual study counselling for detailed clarification, supports with application processes for funding and guarantees transparent, plannable fees without hidden costs. This allows you to optimise your studies according to your financial situation.