Englisch 
Deutsch Who this Master suits and what you need to get in
This Master is a fit if you aim to step into management roles across the automotive and mobility value chain. Typical profiles include: professionals in OEMs or suppliers who want to move from technical or sales roles into strategy; analysts or product managers at mobility start-ups looking to deepen their business toolkit; and graduates from business, engineering or transport-related fields seeking a specialised Master to accelerate an international career in mobility.
Admission requirements
Admission is for graduates with a prior university degree. Teaching takes place in German and English, so you must be comfortable studying and being assessed in both languages.
- First-cycle university degree that qualifies for a profession (e.g. Bachelor, Diplom or equivalent). A Master’s-level admission replaces the need for a school-leaving certificate such as the Abitur.
- Entry with foreign qualifications: international degrees and diplomas are generally admissible if comparable to a German first degree. You will typically need official transcripts and, where applicable, certified translations into German or English.
- Language proficiency: as courses and assessments are held in German and English, you must provide suitable evidence of your ability to participate academically in both languages. The university specifies the accepted proofs during the application process.
- No “admission without Abitur” route: this is a Master’s programme; admission is based on your completed first degree rather than secondary school qualifications or professional experience alone.
- Intakes in winter and summer semester with fixed deadlines (15 January / 15 July). The study location is Geislingen.
Personal requirements
Success in this programme requires strong self-management. You should be able to organise your learning around work and personal commitments, keep momentum through demanding project phases, and handle bilingual materials and group work. Expect periods of higher intensity around case studies, exams and the Master’s thesis; plan regular evening and weekend study blocks and build in buffer time for revisions.
If you are applying from abroad, factor in practicalities early: reliable internet and a quiet study space, time-zone coordination for live sessions, and the ability to engage with German-language sources. Because the programme’s site is Geislingen, you should be prepared for on-campus activities as scheduled and plan travel, housing and—if required—visa arrangements in good time. A genuine interest in the transformation of the automotive sector and persistence when tackling quantitative and strategic topics will help you thrive.
What will you study in the Automotive and Mobility Management (M.Sc.) at University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Environment Nürtingen-Geislingen?
The three-semester, 90-ECTS master builds a strategic view of the automotive and mobility value chain from development and production to sales, marketing and mobility services. You cover brand and pricing strategy, innovation and transformation, and the specifics of retail, aftersales and supplier management, concluding with case studies and a master’s thesis.
HfWU is a public German Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), known for applied teaching and close industry ties. The programme is taught in German and English. It is a campus-based degree in Geislingen; “Fernstudium” (distance learning) rules and ZFU approval (the German authority for distance courses) do not apply.
Strategy and markets: You examine product, brand and pricing in the mobility economy, general management with a mobility focus, and economic policy affecting the sector. This block links classic management tools with current mobility trends.
Innovation and transformation: You work on innovation and transformation management in automotive and mobility contexts and on business model innovation, including platform and service models across new mobility fields.
Operations and supply chain: Modules address development and production management, value chain management and strategic management in the supplier industry, giving you a holistic, end-to-end view of OEMs and Tier suppliers.
Sales and services: You study sales and marketing communication, retail and aftersales management, plus mobility and financial services management—core revenue pillars in today’s automotive business.
Practice and thesis: Application runs through case studies; you finish with an independent master’s thesis in the third semester, typically on a practice-relevant topic. Electives are not a central feature; the curriculum is structured to cover the sector’s key management areas.
How does the Automotive and Mobility Management distance programme work?
This is not a distance programme. Teaching takes place on campus in Geislingen over three semesters, with an applied, cohort-based schedule and on-site exams. Some materials and interactions may run digitally, but you should plan to be in Germany during lecture and assessment periods.
Teaching language and language certificates
The university lists German and English as teaching languages. You need strong German (typically around B2–C1 for lectures and exams) and working-level English. Universities in Germany usually accept standardised certificates (e.g., TestDaF/DSH for German; IELTS/TOEFL for English), but exact proofs and levels are set per intake and module mix.
Learning format and study materials
Delivery follows a classic applied format at a Fachhochschule: lectures, seminars and case work on campus, supported by digital learning spaces and materials. The study path is structured by semester blocks—value chain and general management (1), automotive management (2), case studies and thesis (3).
Exams and taking assessments from outside Germany
Exams and graded coursework are organised on campus in Geislingen. Remote proctoring or international exam centres are not a regular pathway here; plan to complete assessments in Germany.
On-site sessions in Germany
On-site presence is an integral part of the programme. Orientation events and semester openings are scheduled in Geislingen, and teaching weeks assume your attendance. This is not a ZFU-approved distance course; there are mandatory in-person elements.
Weekly workload, time model and time zones
The standard duration is 3 semesters (full-time). Expect a workload comparable to 30 ECTS per semester—roughly 25–30 hours per week across classes, case work and self-study during teaching periods. Any live online elements follow Central European Time (CET/CEST). A purely remote path is not offered, so a student visa may be required for non-EU citizens.
What does the Automotive and Mobility Management (M.Sc.) cost?
As a programme at a public university, there are no private-style tuition packages. You pay the regular semester contribution charged at German state universities to cover services and administration; the exact amount is published each semester. Over three semesters, total study costs typically remain modest compared with private providers.
Plan for living costs in and around Geislingen (housing, insurance, transport). Course materials are usually provided digitally or available via the university library; additional textbook costs are limited. Payments can be made from abroad via standard international transfer options. If you need extra time for the thesis, semester contributions can apply during the extension semester.
What careers and recognition does the Automotive and Mobility Management (M.Sc.) offer?
The degree awards 90 ECTS credits within the Bologna framework of the European Higher Education Area. HfWU is a state university of applied sciences; its master’s degrees are internationally comparable and portable for most professional purposes. The 90-ECTS format is common in Germany; for doctoral tracks or some countries’ credential rules, check whether a 120-ECTS master or additional credits are required.
Career paths span OEMs, suppliers, dealers and mobility providers. Typical roles include:
- Product, pricing or brand manager in automotive and mobility firms
- Business development or strategy manager, including new mobility services
- Retail, network or aftersales manager (importers, dealer groups, service networks)
- Operations, value chain or supplier account manager in Tier-1/Tier-2 companies
- Transformation or innovation project lead in electrification, connectivity or platforms
Graduates move into roles with managerial responsibility as they gain experience. Salaries vary widely by country, function and employer type (OEM vs. supplier vs. service). The applied profile and case-based work help you transition quickly into industry settings.
Who is the Automotive and Mobility Management (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?
This master’s suits early-career professionals and graduates who want to position themselves for management roles across the automotive and mobility ecosystem, combining strategy, operations and market expertise in a compact three-semester format.
- You want a practice-oriented master at a public German university of applied sciences.
- You aim for roles in product/brand management, business development, retail/aftersales or supplier management.
- You seek a structured, sector-specific curriculum covering strategy, innovation and the value chain end-to-end.
- You can study in German and English and plan to be on campus in Geislingen.
There are also clear cases where another programme will fit better. Read the points below carefully before you decide.
- You need a pure distance-learning pathway without mandatory presence in Germany. This programme is on campus and not ZFU-approved as a Fernstudium.
- You do not speak German at B2–C1 level. Substantial parts of teaching and assessments are in German, even though English is also used.
- You require a 120-ECTS master’s for a specific PhD route or for credential evaluation in your target country. This degree has 90 ECTS.
- You want a STEM/engineering master with deep vehicle design or systems engineering. The focus here is management in automotive and mobility, not engineering licensure.
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