Englisch 
Deutsch Who this online B.Eng. suits – and what you need to get in
You are a good fit if you want a broad, application-oriented engineering degree taught online in English. Typical profiles include: working technicians or IT support specialists who now want a formal Bachelor of Engineering while keeping their job; business or logistics professionals aiming to move into operations, automation or Industry 4.0 roles; international school leavers seeking an affordable, flexible English-taught pathway with a later option to switch to an on-campus specialisation. The integrated full-time internship lets you build experience in a company—worldwide—before writing your thesis.
Admission requirements
To enrol at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) you need a recognised higher education entrance qualification and proof of English. No numerus clausus applies.
- University entrance qualification: general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, advanced technical college certificate, or an equivalent foreign school-leaving certificate that grants university access in Germany (HZB).
- Admission with professional qualifications (without Abitur): possible with a general or subject-specific entrance qualification for qualified professionals under German regulations. Suitability may be assessed; formal proof of vocational training and work experience is required.
- Language requirement: English at B2 level (CEFR). Evidence must be provided according to THWS rules. German is not required for this programme.
- Recognition of international credentials: foreign diplomas and transcripts are accepted if they meet HZB standards; certified translations may be needed.
- Mandatory internship: a full-time internship semester is part of the curriculum and must be completed in a company or research institution.
Admission is to the winter intake. Application periods and document checks apply; plan enough time for certificate recognition and any visa formalities if you intend to complete the internship in Germany.
Personal requirements
Online engineering demands steady routines and realistic time planning. Expect around 10 hours per week for lectures, problem sets and projects in the standard track; the Fast Track requires more. You should be comfortable with maths and physics basics, systematic problem-solving, and learning independently in a digital environment. Clear, professional English is essential for reading technical papers, writing lab reports and collaborating in international teams.
- Strong self-organisation: break modules into weekly goals; keep up with asynchronous materials and deadlines.
- Perseverance: challenging topics like control systems or operations research require consistent practice.
- Technical setup: stable internet and a computer capable of running engineering software.
- Planning ahead: secure an internship host early and align it with your location and career aims.
If you bring curiosity, discipline and solid B2 English, you can study fully online from abroad and build toward roles in production, automation, logistics or data-driven operations—culminating in the internship and bachelor’s thesis.
What will you study in the Engineering Science (B.Eng.) at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt?
The programme is taught in English and requires proof of English at B2 level. You start with a broad foundation across mechanics, electronics, computing and management, then specialise in Industrial and Systems Engineering. This is a Fernstudium – German for distance learning – delivered by a public Fachhochschule (a German university of applied sciences with a strong practical focus).
Engineering foundations: You build core skills in Mathematics 1–3, Physics and Engineering Mechanics. This underpins later applied work in materials, design and control, while also developing scientific work and project management skills.
Mechanical, electrical and computing core: You cover Design and Machine Elements, Materials Technology and Manufacturing Techniques on the mechanical side; Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering 1–2 and Control Systems on the electrical side; plus Computer Sciences 1–2 and Microcomputer Systems.
Business and digital operations: Early modules in Business Administration lead into production and operations themes central to Industrial and Systems Engineering: Operations Research, Systems Modelling and Simulation, Process Engineering, ERP Systems and Digital Transformation, Lean Production and Continuous Improvement (CIP).
Industrial and Systems Engineering specialisation: In the specialisation phase you focus on production systems and process optimisation, including technology projects and topics such as automation, data and Industry 4.0. You learn to integrate engineering with efficiency, sustainability and quality across complex systems.
Electives and current topics: Electives let you deepen or broaden your profile. Recent options include areas like Automated Driving and Strategies and Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation, alongside a general elective to round off your profile.
Practice and degree completion: A technology project strengthens application skills; a full-time internship semester provides real-world experience; and you finish with a bachelor’s thesis on a practical engineering problem. The internship can be completed anywhere in the world. The programme may be completed fully online except for the internship. Note: the ZFU (the German state approval authority for distance-learning courses) is relevant mostly for private distance providers; public universities like THWS typically run degree programmes under higher education law rather than ZFU approval.
Flexibility to switch: After the foundation phase, you can apply to switch to an on-campus degree at THWS (German- or English-taught), with recognition of completed modules where applicable.
How does the Engineering Science distance programme work?
This is an extra-occupational online degree with asynchronous formats for maximum flexibility. Teaching and student support are organised via the THWS Online Campus. You study fully online from your location; the only compulsory in-person element is the full-time internship, which you can complete in your country of residence or abroad.
Teaching language and certificates
Language of instruction: English. You must provide proof of English at B2 level (Common European Framework). Accepted proofs are set by THWS; typical evidence is an English-language certificate or equivalent prior study. No German is required for the online programme.
Learning format and study materials
Courses run on a digital learning platform with recorded content, interactive materials, exercises and practical projects. Asynchronous delivery means you can work through units at your pace each week. Lecturers from engineering practice anchor theory in real applications, and cross-faculty teaching links Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Business and Engineering.
Exams and where you can take them
Assessments are organised within the online learning environment and tied to each module. The university delivers the degree 100% online in teaching and coursework; there is no published requirement to travel to Germany for examinations. The full-time internship is the only non-online component.
On-site sessions in Germany
There are no mandatory on-campus study blocks. The integrated internship is completed in a company or research institution and may be undertaken worldwide. THWS cooperates with companies nationally and internationally.
Weekly workload, time model and time zones
The standard path spans 13 semesters (210 ECTS) in an extra-occupational format. A typical weekly workload is about 10 hours during teaching periods, varying by module and pace; a Fast Track option allows you to take on more credits in earlier semesters. Any live sessions that may be scheduled follow German time (CET/CEST), but the core learning is asynchronous, reducing time zone friction. As a fully remote programme, you do not need a visa for study.
What does the Engineering Science (B.Eng.) cost?
Fees are charged per semester with a transparent scheme and no examination fees. For the first seven semesters, EU citizens pay €600 per semester (total €4,200 for semesters 1–7). From the 8th semester onwards you only pay the Studierendenwerk fee (currently about €180 per semester). Over the full 13-semester duration, the indicative total for EU students is roughly €5,280 (assuming €180 per semester for semesters 8–13).
For non-EU citizens, the first seven semesters are €1,500 per semester (total €10,500 for semesters 1–7). From the 8th semester onwards, only the Studierendenwerk fee applies (currently about €180 per semester). Over the full duration, the indicative total for non-EU students is roughly €11,580. Health insurance costs are not included.
Fees are billed by semester; you can pay from abroad. From semester 8 onwards, your ongoing cost is limited to the student services fee, which keeps later-semester costs low. There are no separate charges for exams or for using university services.
What careers and recognition does the Engineering Science (B.Eng.) offer?
You graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering worth 210 ECTS credits under the Bologna framework. ECTS is the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System used across Europe; it supports international recognition and admission to master’s degrees (especially those expecting 210 ECTS or offering bridge modules). THWS is a state university of applied sciences in Bavaria, Germany, which signals state recognition and quality assurance aligned with European standards.
With the Industrial and Systems Engineering focus, typical roles include:
- Industrial or systems engineer in manufacturing, logistics or mobility
- Automation or controls engineer working on production lines and robotics
- Process or operations engineer focused on lean, CIP and ERP-supported workflows
- Quality engineer or production planner in high-throughput environments
- Supply chain or data-driven optimisation specialist for Industry 4.0
The integrated internship builds a bridge to employment and lets you position yourself in a sector of choice. With 210 ECTS, you also meet entry expectations for many European master’s programmes in engineering and related applied fields, subject to each university’s admission policy.
Who is the Engineering Science (B.Eng.) right for – and who not?
This online degree suits people who want an internationally taught, flexible engineering pathway and who are ready to learn consistently alongside work. The interdisciplinary structure is ideal if you enjoy connecting mechanics, electronics, computing and business to improve complex systems.
- You need a fully online study path in English with asynchronous delivery.
- You want a broad engineering base first, then an Industrial and Systems Engineering specialisation.
- You value practical training: a substantial technology project, a full-time internship and a thesis tied to real problems.
- You plan to progress to a master’s and appreciate a 210 ECTS bachelor’s degree.
- You prefer a public, state-recognised German university of applied sciences for credibility and applied teaching.
There are also clear cases where this programme is not the right choice. Read these carefully to avoid friction later on.
- You cannot complete a full-time internship semester at all (in your country or abroad). The internship is mandatory for graduation.
- You are looking for a short bootcamp or intensive coding course; this is a multi-year, structured engineering degree with maths, mechanics and electrical content.
- You specifically want a German-taught programme; this degree is delivered in English.
- You expect a classic on-campus student experience in Germany; this is a Fernstudium designed for remote study.
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Engineering Science? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt or the editorial team will answer you.