Is the Distance Learning Course Digital Business Management and Engineering Suitable for You?

The distance learning course Digital Business Management and Engineering (M.Sc.) is aimed at individuals who want to expand their skills at the intersection of management, digitalisation and technology. You are the target group if you are already employed and aspire to a managerial or specialised position in the field of digital business development, IT project management or data-driven process optimisation. The programme is particularly suitable for graduates of business-related, technical or engineering subjects as well as for professionals who wish to advance their career in the digital transformation environment by qualifying through their prior experience.

Admission: Which Formal Requirements Must You Fulfil?

To be admitted to the Master’s degree programme Digital Business Management and Engineering (M.Sc.), you need one of the following qualifications:

• A completed first degree (Bachelor, Diploma or Magister) with at least 180 ECTS credits in a related subject area (e.g. business informatics, industrial engineering, business administration with a technological focus, computer science, engineering sciences, digital business or similar).
• Alternatively: A completed first degree with 180 ECTS credits in another field, if you can additionally prove at least one year of relevant professional experience in a related field of activity.
• If you have not completed a degree: You can be admitted with a higher education entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur or advanced technical college certificate), completed relevant vocational training and at least two years of relevant professional experience as well as passing an aptitude test (often a written assignment). A motivation letter and evidence of training and practice are required.
• Depending on the individual case, additional proofs may be required, e.g. specific ECTS credits in business, technology or computer science or proof of English language skills (at least B2 level).

You should personally bring the following:

• Practical knowledge and interest in issues related to digitalisation, management and business model development
• Willingness to engage in self-organised and digital learning alongside your job
• Analytical skills, problem-solving competence as well as openness to interdisciplinary and innovative working methods
• Communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in online teams
• Self-motivation and goal orientation for a multi-year, demanding distance learning course

What do you learn in the Digital Business Management and Engineering distance learning programme?

In the Master’s degree programme Digital Business Management and Engineering at Hochschule Fresenius, you acquire in-depth knowledge at the interface of management, digitalisation and engineering sciences. The course content includes practical skills for digital transformation in companies and organisations. The core topics include:

• Management and Leadership: Project management, change management, digital leadership, international and intercultural management
• Digital Transformation: Industrial Internet, digital logistics, digitalisation of industrial processes, digital production
• Business Engineering: Development and implementation of digital business models, innovation processes, technology development
• Data Science Management: Methods for analysing and using corporate data
• Digital Business Models: Development, implementation and evaluation of digital business processes
• Specialisation: Two elective modules from the fields of Engineering (virtual product development, design thinking, industrial engineering, industrial engineering management) and two from Management (digital B2B marketing, e- & mobile commerce, social media, virtualisation)
• Empirical Research Project and Master’s Thesis: Developing research questions and applying scientific methods to practice
• Practical Relevance: Digital project workshop, collaboration engineering and carrying out projects in cooperation with companies

You develop skills to strategically design and manage digital business processes and to lead IT-supported transformation projects. Besides methodological expertise, you train self-organisation, academic working methods and international communication. Optionally, you can earn free international certificates and masterclasses from Arizona State University.

How your Master’s studies at Hochschule Fresenius proceed

The distance learning is fully organised digitally and designed for maximum flexibility. You can start monthly and choose the study duration individually between 24, 36 or 48 months. The key elements of the study process are:

• Digital learning platform: Access to all study materials, studymags, video lectures and e-books via the online platform „studynet“
• Self-directed learning: The course is structured in modules that you can work through in any order and at your own pace
• Online seminars: Around 143 hours of online seminars in which you deepen your knowledge and make contacts with lecturers and fellow students
• Examinations: Depending on the module, these can be online exams, open-book exams, term papers, presentations or project work. Many exams can be taken flexibly (24/7) online.
• Support: Personal study coach as a fixed contact person, access to professors via online office hours and forums
• Practical orientation: Digital project workshop, empirical research project and application of methods to real-world tasks
• Degree completion: Master’s thesis on a self-chosen topic with strong practical relevance
• Optional attendance: Participation in voluntary face-to-face workshops (SaturdayOnly) is possible but not compulsory

The learning materials are available as PDF and ePub. You can use them digitally or order printed versions for a fee. The organisation of the course enables you to adapt your studies at any time to your job and personal life situation.

Your career prospects and fields of application after the Master’s

The degree qualifies you for demanding positions in digital management, engineering as well as in technology-oriented companies. Typical fields of activity and positions include:

• Digital Business Management: Control and optimisation of digital business processes in companies across a wide range of industries
• Digital Business Engineering: Development and implementation of innovative digital products and services
• Digital Technology Management: Management of digitalisation and IT projects
• Leadership and Consulting: Taking on leadership roles as project manager, team leader, department head or as internal/external consultant for digital transformation
• Interface Function: Coordination between IT, production, marketing, sales and data management
• International Activities: Preparation for roles in internationally operating companies thanks to optional international certificates

With your expertise in data-driven corporate management, process design and innovation, you are able to align companies for the future and actively shape digital transformation. The Master’s degree opens doors to higher qualification levels, leadership roles, as well as research and development projects in the field of digitalisation.