Is the distance learning course in Industrial Engineering Mechatronics right for you?
This degree programme is aimed at professionals and prospective students who want to combine technical and economic know-how and specifically qualify for a career in the future-oriented field of mechatronics. It is suitable for you if you want to learn in a practical and flexible way alongside your job through distance learning – for example, as a technically inclined practitioner or career entrant from industry, trades, or related fields. The course offers numerous specialisations (including Digital Production, Product or Patent Engineering) and is particularly interesting for you if you already have a strong interest in mathematics, technology, and interdisciplinary issues.
Exact admission requirements at a glance
For enrolment in the Bachelor's degree programme in Industrial Engineering Mechatronics, you need one of the following qualifications or certificates:
- General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife)
- Higher education entrance qualification recognised as equivalent by the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts
- Passed higher education entrance examination (HZP) after two academic semesters at Wilhelm Büchner Hochschule
- Qualification as a Master Craftsman, Specialist, or State-certified Technician – without any further entrance examination
- Professionally qualified persons with at least three years of training (grade 2.5 or better), at least a secondary school leaving certificate and two years of full-time professional experience
Personally, you should have the following requirements:
- Interest in technical and economic issues
- Basic mathematical knowledge (an optional preparatory mathematics course is recommended)
- Self-organisation and time management for distance learning alongside work
- Self-motivation and perseverance when dealing with complex study content
- Analytical thinking ability and willingness to engage with digital technologies and automation processes
How does the Industrial Engineering Mechatronics degree combine technology and business?
In the Industrial Engineering Mechatronics bachelor's degree, you acquire comprehensive knowledge at the interface of technology and business. The course content is designed interdisciplinarily, so that you build solid expertise both in STEM subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) and in business administration, law, and social sciences. A particular focus is on mechatronics, digitalisation, and modern production technologies.
- At the beginning, you strengthen fundamentals such as business administration, mathematics, organisation, and computer science.
- From the second semester onwards, electrical engineering, technical mechanics, and automation technology take centre stage.
- You engage with cyber-physical systems, big data, business analytics, and software engineering.
- Topics such as sustainability transformation, project management, and innovation law are also integrated.
- In the core studies, depending on your interest, you specialise in one of five profiles: general mechatronics, digital production, product management, sales engineering, or patent engineering. Examples of specialisations include AI in production, technology management, or business development.
As part of the introductory project, you develop skills in time management and self-organisation. The practical work phase and various project assignments serve to apply and deepen the learned material. At the end, you produce a scientific bachelor’s thesis including a colloquium.
What does the structure of this distance learning programme look like?
The course at Wilhelm Büchner Hochschule is designed to be modular and highly flexible and typically takes 7 semesters (42 months, 210 ECTS) to complete. You can start the distance learning studies at any time and adjust the learning pace according to your individual needs.
- The course begins with an online introductory event that familiarises you with the learning system and organisational matters.
- All study materials are provided as printed booklets and digitally via the online campus. Interactive and multimedia supplements such as webinars and digital tools are also available.
- The modules can be taken flexibly and adapted to your existing knowledge level.
- Examinations are completed as coursework, written exams (at nationwide examination centres or online), presentations, or oral exams. Many assessments can be conducted from home.
- During your studies, you take elective modules from your chosen specialisation as well as others from different specialisations.
- A practical work phase (e.g. a practical project in a company) is compulsory and can be recognised if you already have relevant professional experience.
- The support period can be extended free of charge by up to 21 months if you need more time.
- You receive continuous guidance from personal academic advising and subject lecturers, supported by the WBH AI learning assistant.
The distance learning programme is designed so that you can optimally balance it with work and family. You decide when and how fast you work through the individual modules and take exams.
What career prospects open up after the Bachelor in Industrial Engineering Mechatronics?
With the Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering Mechatronics, you qualify for versatile and demanding specialist and managerial roles in a dynamically growing industry. Typical fields of deployment include:
- Technical development and design of systems and equipment
- Production, commissioning and maintenance in industrial and manufacturing companies
- Planning and engineering offices, consulting service providers
- Applications in digitalisation, automation, and Industry 4.0
- Product management, technical sales or innovation management
- Departments for technology transfer, patent law and IP management
- Offices, authorities or medium-sized companies in the technical sector
Depending on your study focus, other specialised roles are possible, for example in AI-supported production, sales engineering, or patent consulting. The degree also opens the door to master’s programmes in engineering or technology management. The practice-oriented training at WBH is recognised in business and industry and enables career advancement, also at an international level.
What costs should you expect and how can you finance the degree?
The tuition fees for the Industrial Engineering Mechatronics bachelor’s degree are €236 per month for a standard duration of 7 semesters, which over 42 months amounts to a total of around €9,912. Additional graduation fees (e.g. for the bachelor’s thesis) usually apply once.
- The price includes all study and examination materials, use of the digital learning environment, advising, digital extras, and support.
- Tuition fees are only charged during the active period of study. Completing the course faster reduces the total costs accordingly.
- A free extension of the support period by up to 21 months is possible.
- Recognition of prior achievements is possible. For every 5 ECTS credits recognised, one monthly instalment of fees is waived.
- Funding options (e.g. education loans, scholarships, federal state funding programmes) and employer support are available; also, distance learning can be tax-deducted as work-related expenses.
- Discounts are available, for example, for alumni, members of the armed forces, and through certain partner programmes.
Wilhelm Büchner Hochschule values a transparent cost structure and actively supports you in finding suitable financing options if needed. The course can be tested free of charge for four weeks, and cancellation is possible within the minimum contract period.
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