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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Business Engineering (for economists) under the number 143110. Who is the Master's Distance Learning Course in Industrial Engineering Suitable For?
The distance learning course is aimed at graduates of business administration or industrial engineering degree programmes who want to specifically deepen their skills at the interface of business and technology. It is particularly suitable if you want to work as a specialist or manager in industry, services, consulting, or the public sector and take on technical management responsibilities. The programme is explicitly designed to systematically introduce business graduates to engineering and technology-oriented topics.
Admission Requirements for the Master's Programme
To enrol, you need a completed first degree (at least Bachelor) in business administration or industrial engineering with at least 180 ECTS credits. A numerus clausus (NC) is not required. Recognition of related or international degrees is possible after individual assessment. Prior achievements from studies or professional development can be recognised upon application.
You should personally meet the following requirements:
- Basic interest in technical and scientific subjects – in particular a willingness to engage with disciplines outside your field such as mathematics, electrical engineering or production technology
- Analytical thinking and systematic working – the course content requires the ability to grasp complex interrelationships at the interface between business and technology
- Self-responsibility and self-organisation – due to the flexibility and independence of distance learning, you should be able to manage your learning progress yourself
- Work experience is not mandatory but helpful – it facilitates the application of scientific methods to practical problems
- Willingness to allocate at least 15–20 hours per week for study
What content is taught in the Master’s distance learning degree in Industrial Engineering (for economists)?
In the Master’s degree programme Industrial Engineering (for economists) at the Wilhelm Büchner University of Applied Sciences, you acquire profound technical and interdisciplinary skills specifically tailored to the needs of economists. The curriculum consists of engineering fundamentals, practice-oriented project work, and individual specialisations:
- Technical basic modules: You start with Mathematics for Technology Managers, Introduction to Electrical Engineering, Materials Science as well as Production Engineering and Material Flow Technology. This provides you with an understanding of technical processes and industrial workflows.
- Information systems & digitisation: You learn how operational information systems and process modelling work, thereby enhancing your digital competence for Industry 4.0.
- Specialisation areas: You select three modules each from a technical and an integrative specialisation. The technical focuses include, for example, Industrial Analytics & IoT, Automotive & Embedded Systems, or Digital Energy Technology. Integration modules offer focus topics such as Product and Service Management, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Digitisation and Sustainability Transformation, Innovation Management or Digital Transformation.
- Practice-oriented projects: In a future workshop, team project work and the specialisation paper, you transfer what you have learned into practice.
- Master’s thesis (with colloquium): To conclude, you work on your own research or practical project, which you shape in terms of content yourself.
After graduation, you can confidently apply technologies, processes and economic expertise at the interface of management and technology. You are able to manage complex projects, design innovation processes, accompany digitisation initiatives and develop sustainable solutions within companies.
How is the distance learning course structured and organised?
The programme is modularly organised and designed for a standard duration of four semesters (24 months). You have maximum flexibility in time management and module selection:
- Individual start: You can begin at any time since there are no fixed semester dates.
- Learning materials: You receive your study materials both digitally via the online campus and in printed form by post. Multimedia content – such as teaching videos and interactive exercises – supports your learning.
- Online campus & AI learning assistant: You organise your studies, submit assignments and communicate with lecturers and fellow students via an innovative learning platform. The AI-based WBH A[I]ssist is available to you 24/7 as a tutor.
- Exams & seminars: Assessments (essays, exams, project work) can largely be completed online. Exams can also optionally be taken at 15 examination centres. Seminars are mostly optional; mandatory presence phases are limited to a few laboratories and final examinations.
- Flexible study duration: You determine the learning pace yourself. A free extension of up to 12 months is possible.
This structure allows you to optimally combine your studies with your job and tailor them individually to your daily life. Personal academic support from experienced lecturers and the support team ensures sustainable assistance.
What career prospects open up after graduation?
With the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, you are broadly equipped to take on technical-economic key roles in various industries. Typical fields of work and prospects include:
- Industrial companies: Opportunities in, for example, the automotive, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, food or pharmaceutical sectors. You can work as a project manager, process owner, interface manager or executive.
- Service sector and consulting: Especially management consultancies regularly seek professionals with an interdisciplinary focus – e.g. as consultants for digitisation, technology management or process optimisation.
- Research & development: Universities and research institutions offer positions in applied research, innovation management and teaching.
- Public service: Experts for economic-technical issues are also needed in the administrative and regulatory environment (e.g. authorities, infrastructure projects).
Graduates report rapid career advancement into team, department or project management – especially at the interfaces of technology and business. With your skills, you analyse, optimise and design innovative processes and products. The degree is internationally recognised and also opens up opportunities for doctoral studies.
What are the tuition fees and what funding options are available?
The total cost for the distance learning programme Industrial Engineering (for economists), M.Sc., at the Wilhelm Büchner University of Applied Sciences amounts to €13,716 for the standard study period of 24 months. Tuition fees are paid in monthly instalments of €539.
- Included in the price: All learning materials, use of the online campus with AI learning assistant, personal support and the regular examinations.
- Free extension: You can extend your study period by 12 months at no additional cost.
- Funding options: There are discounts for certain groups (e.g. alumni, Bundeswehr, partner companies) and scholarship programmes.
- Tax deductibility: Tuition fees can usually be claimed as work-related expenses or special expenses for tax purposes.
- Support from employers: Companies often contribute to the costs if the studies serve professional development.
Travel and accommodation costs for optional on-site seminars or exams are not included in the tuition fees and must be planned individually. Overall, the costs are transparently calculable and provide planning security throughout the entire course of study.
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