English 
Deutsch Who is the Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering at the Rheinische Hochschule Köln suitable for?
The Industrial Engineering degree programme is aimed at school leavers with a university entrance qualification as well as professionally qualified individuals who are interested in an interface role between technology and business. It particularly appeals to those who are enthusiastic about both engineering issues and business processes. The programme is ideal for anyone aspiring to a career in areas such as corporate management, technical sales, project management, production or consulting – for example in industries like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, production, logistics or energy. Career changers with subject-specific or advanced technical college entrance qualifications and strong motivation for methodical and practice-oriented learning will also find suitable development opportunities here.
What are the formal admission requirements for the programme?
For admission to the Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, you need one of the following qualifications:
- General university entrance qualification (Abitur) – entitles you to study all fields of study.
- Subject-specific university entrance qualification – entitles you to study relevant subjects.
- Advanced technical college entrance qualification – allows access to practice-integrated and application-oriented degree programmes.
- Alternatively: Recognised equivalent educational qualification according to the resolutions of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs.
- Professional qualification: for example, master craftsman’s certificate or a professionally recognised advanced training qualification according to the Vocational Education Higher Education Entrance Regulation.
- Adequate knowledge of German: proof required if you do not have a German university entrance qualification.
Mathematical and physical prior knowledge is recommended but not mandatory. Preparatory courses and qualification offerings from the university assist with starting your studies.
You should have a solid interest in technology and business and possess analytical thinking skills. Mathematical methods and technical contexts are the focus of the programme, so good grades in mathematics and physics help with the start. Initiative, perseverance and teamwork skills are also important, as many projects are worked on interdisciplinarily. Willingness to communicate supports you in successfully working at the interface of technology and management. Practice-oriented problem-solving competence, organisational skills and an interest in innovation and digitalisation topics are also helpful.
What content does the Industrial Engineering degree programme teach you in detail?
The Bachelor's degree programme in Industrial Engineering at the Rheinische Hochschule Köln combines engineering expertise with business administration skills. From the very beginning, you will become familiar with both technical and economic fundamentals. The range of courses offers a choice between the technical specialisations of Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering – your focus shapes the academic specialisation in the later stages of the programme.
- Basic phase:
- Business administration, controlling and corporate management
- Engineering mathematics, physics and technical computer science
- Economics, cost and performance accounting
- Technical specialisation:
- Depending on focus: Electrical Engineering (including power electronics, automation technology, energy technology) or Mechanical Engineering (including materials science, design theory, production management, machine tools)
- Business administration and interdisciplinary skills:
- Logistics, project management, commercial law
- Financing and investment
- Technical English
- Practice-oriented modules:
- Laboratories and application of technical procedures
- Project work, bachelor's thesis (often in cooperation with companies or research institutes)
- Individual focus areas and elective subjects:
- Opportunities for specialisations, e.g. in sales management, laser technology, production management, tool and manufacturing technology (Mechanical Engineering), automation and energy technology (Electrical Engineering)
- Alternatively: combination of freely selectable advanced subjects
During the course, you will also strengthen leadership skills, communication and conflict management abilities, as well as the ability to analyse technical and economic contexts holistically.
How is the course structure of the Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering designed?
The programme is organised as an on-campus degree at the Rheinische Hochschule Köln and is offered both full-time and in a part-time format alongside employment. The course can be taken with or without an integrated practical semester. The regular duration of study is 6 to 9 semesters depending on the chosen model (180 to 210 ECTS credits).
- Start of studies: Each semester in summer and winter
- Study formats:
- Full-time study (with or without practical semester)
- Part-time study alongside employment (with or without practical semester)
- Course progression:
- Theoretical phases with lectures, seminars and exercises in small groups
- Regular laboratory sessions for the practical application of teaching content
- Practical semester (in the 210-ECTS variant) is compulsory and takes place in companies
- Mandatory professional internship to be completed by the latest when registering the bachelor's thesis (reduced in scope if integrated in the practical semester, otherwise to be completed independently)
- Completion with a practice-oriented bachelor's thesis and a disputation
- Project work and cooperation with companies:
- Practical modules, laboratory work and company projects firmly anchored in the curriculum
- Example projects: development of sustainable energy systems, construction of autonomous model vehicles, production optimisation
The study organisation places great value on direct accessibility of lecturers, individual feedback, as well as practice-oriented teaching through close cooperation with companies.
What career prospects and professional opportunities does this degree offer you?
As a graduate of the Bachelor's degree programme in Industrial Engineering, you are in demand as an expert at the interface between technology and business. The combination of technical and business knowledge opens up a wide range of fields of application in industry and services.
- Core occupational fields:
- Corporate management, project management, technical sales and marketing
- Logistics, controlling, management consulting
- Consulting, purchasing and supply chain management
- Typical industries:
- Mechanical engineering, automotive industry, metal and plastics processing
- Energy and automation technology, electrical engineering
- Traffic and transport logistics
- Insurance sector
- Leadership roles and further study:
- High demand for industrial engineers in manufacturing industries, often also in management positions
- Opportunity for further education through Master's programmes, e.g. Master Technical Management at RH Köln
With this degree, you will have very good prospects on the job market, as interdisciplinary competencies and knowledge from both areas are in demand – especially in times of advancing digitalisation and increasing networking of industrial processes.
Where is the course organised and what are the facilities like?
The course takes place at the Rheinische Hochschule Köln. The university is spread across four locations in the Cologne city area:
- Schaevenstraße 1a/b: Main administration, seminar rooms
- Lindenstraße 16–22: Seminar rooms, library
- Vogelsanger Straße 295: Campus with modern engineering laboratories, data centre and seminar rooms
- Vitalisstraße 100 (POOLHAUS): Workshop and creative rooms for individual project work
The university offers excellent technical equipment, small learning groups and modernly equipped laboratories for practical exercises. You benefit from close networking with regional companies and practice-oriented research institutions.
What costs and financing options should you expect?
There are no additional tuition fees for the Bachelor's degree programme in Industrial Engineering at the Rheinische Hochschule Köln. The Department of Engineering is fully funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, so you only have to pay the usual semester contributions.
- State funding: No private tuition fees
- Fees due: Semester contribution according to the university's fee regulations
- Financing options:
- Application for scholarships
- Use of government and private funding programmes, BAföG
- Possibility of a part-time job during studies
The university offers student counselling on all questions concerning financing planning and supports the search for suitable scholarships or funding.
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