Who is the Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering by Distance Learning suitable for?
The distance learning course in Industrial Engineering (Master of Engineering) at Hochschule Fresenius is aimed at professionals with a technical or business background who work or wish to work at the interface of technology and management. It is especially targeted at engineers, industrial engineers, as well as graduates of business studies programmes who want to specifically qualify for leadership roles, project management, or innovation processes in technology-oriented companies. Career changers from related professional fields with relevant work experience will also find an individual entry pathway.
Admission requirements: What proofs do you have to provide?
The following proofs are required for admission to the Master’s degree programme in Industrial Engineering:
- Completed first degree (Bachelor, Diploma or Magister) with at least 180 ECTS credits, preferably in business studies, engineering or a related subject area.
- For applications with a non-related first degree, relevant professional experience in a business- or engineering-related work environment must be demonstrated.
- Alternatively: University entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, Fachabitur), completed vocational training, at least two years of professional experience in a related field as well as passing an aptitude test (e.g. term paper) and submitting a motivation letter.
- In individual cases, further proofs may be necessary, e.g. CPs in certain disciplines (technology/business) or an English language certificate (at least B2 level).
There is no admission restriction through a numerus clausus (NC). If individual requirements are missing, opportunities for further qualification are offered (e.g. supplementary modules, aptitude test).
You bring optimal prerequisites if you have analytical thinking skills, an interest in interdisciplinary tasks and enjoy solving complex problems in the interface between technology and business. Self-organised learning as well as strong self-motivation are important for the part-time distance learning course. Communication skills and willingness to take responsibility help especially in project work and leadership situations. Prior experience in process or project management, technical understanding and interest in digitalisation and innovation are advantageous.
Study Content in Detail: What Do You Learn in the Master’s in Industrial Engineering?
In the Master’s programme in Industrial Engineering (M.Eng.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you prepare specifically for demanding specialist and management roles at the interface of technology and business. You deepen both engineering and business management skills:
- Start of studies: Depending on your first degree, you begin with modules in business and management or in engineering to systematically close any knowledge gaps.
- Technology and Management: Innovation processes, technology development, quality management, as well as technical fundamentals of automation are the focus.
- Digital Transformation: You learn concepts of the Industrial Internet, methods for digital transformation, and accompany practical project work on digitalisation and collaboration (Collaboration Engineering).
- Empirical Work: Scientific work and empirical research methodology are central for your master’s thesis as well as for applied project work.
- Elective Areas: You choose two modules and a project work from the specialisations Production and Logistics, Product and Innovation, Business and Marketing, or Industrial Engineering Management. This allows you to set individual focus areas according to your career goals.
- Final phase: In the last study phase, you complete a practical master’s thesis that combines current issues from technology and business.
With the degree, you acquire comprehensive methodological and practical knowledge covering the topics of innovation, efficiency, digitalisation and corporate management.
Course Structure: How Does the Distance Learning Programme Work?
The programme is designed as a flexible, four-semester distance learning course with a total of 120 ECTS. You organise your learning independently and work regardless of location and time. Teaching materials are provided online and include scripts, videos, exercises and digital tools. Exams can be taken flexibly, partly as online exams or written assignments, partly as on-site exams (if required).
- Individual start date at the beginning of each month
- Self-organised learning combined with individual support from study coaches and lecturers
- Practical projects, project work and modern applications such as the award-winning AI software “AiJAX for Distance Learning” to support your academic work
- Regular online seminars and community offerings for exchange with fellow students
- Opportunity to take international certificates and masterclasses of Arizona State University (ASU®) free of charge
You can choose the duration of your studies flexibly: 24, 36 or 48 months. A free extension is also possible if you need more time.
Career Prospects & Employment Opportunities: What Perspectives Does the Master’s in Industrial Engineering Open Up?
Industrial engineers are in demand at strategically important interfaces in numerous industries. With the master’s degree, a wide range of career paths opens up for you:
- Entry and advancement in industrial companies, especially in manufacturing, technical or technology-oriented firms
- Fields of work in production, logistics, automation, quality management, innovation management and digitalisation
- Positions in project management, consulting or organisational development
- Activities in (international) business development, product management and marketing for high-tech or industrial products
- Leadership roles, such as team, department or division management, especially where technical and economic requirements must be jointly shaped
By combining methodological competence, digital know-how and practical experience, you are attractively positioned for the job market in corporations, medium-sized companies, consultancies and start-ups.
Place of Study: Where and How Do You Study Industrial Engineering?
The programme is offered entirely as distance learning and is therefore location-independent. You can complete all teaching content online and only need to be present on-site once or rarely at one of the exam centres throughout Germany for a few mandatory exams. The following features characterise the programme:
- 100% online offering via the digital learning platform Canvas
- Efficient support through digital study coaches and lecturers
- Access to extensive online libraries and Studymags
- Optionally, practical workshops in presence at a Hochschule Fresenius campus
- Participation in international online projects and masterclasses of Arizona State University (ASU®)
A fixed on-site study location is not required; exams can mostly be taken flexibly online or, if mandatory on-site exams are scheduled, at various centres nationwide.
Costs and Financing: What Do You Need to Budget for Your Distance Learning Programme?
The tuition fees depend on the chosen study duration and are payable in monthly instalments. The following models are available (as of 2025, with promotional discount):
- 24 months: €467.25 per month (total costs €11,214)
- 36 months: €351.55 per month (total costs €12,656)
- 48 months: €280.35 per month (total costs €13,457)
The discount is activated via a code when signing the contract. The tuition fees include:
- Online teaching materials and use of the learning platform
- Access to eLearning offers, online libraries and media
- Support from study coaches and lecturers
- Examination fees
- Access to international masterclasses and certificates
Additional costs may arise for on-site exams (travel/accommodation).
Various financing options are available:
- KfW student loan and other student loans
- BAföG for part-time study programmes (subject to meeting requirements)
- Scholarships, e.g. the Deutschlandstipendium
- Employer sponsorship and tax deductibility of fees as part of further education
Hochschule Fresenius is pleased to provide individual advice on your financing options.
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