Industrial Engineering Schools and Programs in Germany

Industrial Engineering Studies in Germany

In Germany the degree closest to industrial engineering is called Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen. It combines engineering with business administration: the Universität Kassel describes its graduates as people who join technical expertise with economic judgement. Students choose an engineering field, such as mechanical or electrical engineering, and study it alongside management, accounting, economics and law.

SpainExchange lists 3 schools in Germany under Industrial Engineering, one each in Duisburg, Kassel and Munich: the Universität Duisburg-Essen, the Universität Kassel and the Technische Universität München (TUM).

How the degree is organised

The degree follows the bachelor's and master's structure and leads to a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science. The share of engineering and the length differ between universities, as the three schools show:

• Universität Duisburg-Essen: the bachelor's degree in Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen takes seven semesters and 210 ECTS credits, and the master's degree three semesters and 90 ECTS credits. Two thirds of the content is technical and one third business. Students specialise in mechanical engineering or in electrical and information engineering, and complete a 12-week technical internship in industry. Both degrees can be studied full time or part time and start in the winter or summer semester
• Universität Kassel: the Bachelor of Science takes six semesters and starts in the winter semester. Students choose one of three fields: civil engineering, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. The Master of Science takes four semesters and starts in either semester
• TUM: the B.Sc. in Management and Technology takes six semesters and 180 ECTS credits in Munich and Garching. Here the weighting is reversed: management makes up 70% of the degree and engineering, natural sciences or life sciences 30%. The technology options include mechanical engineering, electrical and information technology, informatics and computer engineering

A bachelor's degree does not automatically fit every master's degree. Duisburg-Essen asks for an equivalent bachelor's degree, usually of seven semesters, with a grade of 2.7 or better on the German scale. Kassel asks for at least 180 credits, including 18 credits in mathematics and statistics.

Admission and language

The programmes at Duisburg-Essen and Kassel are taught in German. Duisburg-Essen requires international applicants to pass the DSH at level 2 or the TestDaF at TDN 4 before starting, and also expects knowledge of English. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) states that most higher education institutions require German at B2 level of the CEFR or above. At TUM the language of instruction is English and German; only the Computer Engineering specialisation can be studied in English alone.

Neither Kassel nor the master's degree at Duisburg-Essen restricts the number of places. TUM selects through an aptitude assessment and accepts applications from 15 May to 15 July for the winter semester.

A school-leaving certificate from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland that gives access to university there is usually accepted. Applicants with other certificates may first need a Studienkolleg, a preparatory course. Kassel requires applicants with a foreign bachelor's degree to apply for its master's degree through uni-assist.

Costs and visa

According to DAAD, state higher education institutions generally charge no tuition fees for bachelor's degrees and most master's degrees. Fees for students from outside the EU and EEA may apply in Bavaria: TUM states that they are usually €2,000 or €3,000 per semester for bachelor's degrees and €4,000 or €6,000 for master's degrees. All students pay a semester contribution of between €70 and €430. DAAD estimates living costs at between €900 and €1,200 per month.

Citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland only need a valid identity card. Students who need a visa apply at the German embassy or consulate in their home country. As of 1 January 2025 they had to prove funds of €992 per month, and a visa can take months to be issued.

Careers

Graduates work where technical and commercial knowledge are needed together. Duisburg-Essen names technical sales and project management as examples. The professional association Verband Deutscher Wirtschaftsingenieure (VWI) has studied the career profile of the Wirtschaftsingenieur since 1972 and publishes its findings every four years.

Frequently asked questions

What is industrial engineering called in Germany?

The closest degree is Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen, which combines an engineering field with business administration. TUM offers a related degree under the name Management and Technology.

How long does the degree take?

The bachelor's degree takes six semesters at Kassel and TUM and seven at Duisburg-Essen. The master's degree takes four semesters at Kassel and three at Duisburg-Essen.

Can I study it in English?

The programmes at Duisburg-Essen and Kassel are in German. TUM teaches Management and Technology in English and German, and only the Computer Engineering specialisation is available in English alone.

How much engineering is in the degree?

It varies. At Duisburg-Essen two thirds of the content is technical; at TUM engineering, natural sciences or life sciences make up 30%.