Industry 4.0: Practical insights at Hof University
Prof. Dr. Heike Markus, Program Head, explains the latest addition to our machine hall and its practical use for our students
FAQs for Graduate School programs
The following FAQ list is only relevant for students starting in summer semester 2024 in the following study programs:
- Digitalization and Innovation (M.B.A.),
- Operational Excellence (M.B.A. and Eng.),
- General Management (M.B.A)
- Software Engineering for Industrial Applications (M.Eng.)
(as of October 24, 2023)
For further questions relevant for international students (such as accommodation, health insurance, etc.), please also see our FAQs for degree-seeking students.
Our Graduate School offers great value for moderate tuition. Programs for students with work experience are at a higher level than those open to applicants without experience. The level of instruction and class discussion is more detailed and applied. The degrees of these programs (e.g. MBA, MBA and Eng.) can only be obtained by those with professional experience. They have a higher reputation in the industry compared to other master's degrees. Salaries are significantly higher upon graduation. The tuition fees of our Graduate School are very competitive, compare for example the fees of our programs with others in Germany, the UK or the U.S. You get good value for money.
Besides the reputation, there are many other reasons why you should join the Graduate School:
- Graduate School programs have 12 modules instead of 10 modules in the other programs.
- German language is already included as a mandatory part of the program. You will receive intensive German language training, which is the ultimate door opener for good job offers in Germany.
- Graduate School programs include 120 ECTS (not only 90 ECTS), there is no need to do 30 ECTS in addition to fulfill the requirement of 300 ECTS to receive the Master's degree.
- The programs have a (paid) internship of one year (not only six months as in other programs). Again, this raises your job prospects to another level.
- An intercultural training is included in our programs, which makes the start in Germany easier.
Not sure yet? Have a look at the other extras you get when studying at our Graduate School:
- Intensive and exclusive treatment from our Graduate School team, hired specifically for our Graduate School students.
- Professors and highly experienced industry lecturers are hand-picked.
- We also have exclusive teaching methods such as our practical insight into Industry 4.0 based on a simulated production line connected to SAP.
- 10% of the best students in semester 1 will receive a scholarship in semester 2.
- During the internship, the Graduate School offers a memorable excursion (like a cruise).
The application period for summer semester is from November 5 to November 30, 2023. Please note, in case all necessary documents (despite APS certificate, if necessary) have been submitted until November 30, 2023, you are allowed to submit the missing German certificate until December 15, 2024!
The application period for winter semester is from November 5 to November 30, 2023. Please note, in case all other necessary documents have been submitted until November 30, you are allowed to submit the APS application form until December 15, 2023. In this case, you are allowed to submit the APS certificate until January 31, 2024. After all the necessary documents have been submitted, the Examination Board will inform about admission or rejection as soon as possible.
Hof University is no distance-learning university. Our teaching concept is built on close personal interaction in an on-campus environment. Immediate exposure with the German study and work environment is one of the most important success factors of our programs.
Nevertheless, we are aware of the special situation of our international students regarding their visa issues. Therefore, Hof University has decided to offer hybrid teaching during the summer semester 2024 only for our first semester students.
Second semester students are expected to study on campus.
Please be aware that this rule applies only to students with visa problems!
There is no specific arrival deadline. Despite that, you are expected to be physically present at Hof University as soon as your visa status allows you to travel to Germany. Therefore, Hof University cannot issue any extension letters for late arrival.
Should you have to cancel the room, because you do not get the visa or due to any other private-, health- , pandemic- or study issues, you have to cancel your reservation immediately.
After your cancellation the Housing Office starts to find a new tenant for your room. Should we not be able to find anyone, because your cancellation came too late, you will have to come up for the rental costs worst case until the end of the semester.
First of all, you should apply for an APS certificate as soon as possible, as it is necessary for the admission at Hof University and for your visa application.
Due to the strained situation at the Embassies and Consulates, we strongly advise you to go ahead with your visa application as early as possible to join our on-campus lectures.
It is necessary to submit an IELTS test (6.5 or above) or TOEFL test (90 or above) for your visa application and your admission at Hof University. Medium of instruction certificates are no longer accepted as a proof of English language proficiency for admission at Hof University.
Exams for first semester students, who can’t be in Hof because of visa issues, will take place online. As second semester students are expected to be in Hof, their exams will take place on campus.
Your admission cannot be saved for winter semester 2024/25 or any of the following semesters. In case you want to start later, you will have to apply again via Primuss portal during the official application period (application deadlines and requirements).
The Examination Board reviews all incoming applications based on the current criteria for each semester. Be aware that the requirements might change and inform yourself regularly on our homepage.
Admissions for the following semester(s) cannot be guaranteed.
Yes, we recommend starting your studies this summer semester as we are offering hybrid classes and you can easily apply for a visa and join us on campus as soon as you have received it.
The payment deadline is mentioned in your admission letter (January 15, 2024).
If we have no record of your payment on this date, you need to show a confirmation from your bank/loan sponsor confirming that and when the payment will be made (latest February 15, 2024). Without recording your payment or receiving the confirmation on time, payments cannot be accepted as completed for the summer semester 2024.
If you have paid your tuition fee but have not yet received any student credentials, or participated in any event of the Orientation Week online or on-campus (e.g. Academic Writing or Intercultural Training) a partial refund is possible until February 24, 2024. You will get back the tuition fee minus an administration fee of 500 € and any bank charges incurred.
As soon as you have received your student credentials for participating in any lectures (online or on campus) no refund is possible. Moreover, if you have attended any event of the orientation week (e.g. Intercultural Training or Academic Writing), no refund will be possible.
We are a public University; therefore, the fees of our Graduate School are calculated on our ongoing costs. In contrast to many other universities worldwide our fees are quite moderate. Thus, we do not offer complete scholarships as we do not have any side income.
However, we provide partial scholarships. After completing the first semester, overachieving students may apply for partial scholarships, which are financed by companies, institutions like the DAAD, or the government. Besides, we implemented an additional special scholarship program for students of our Graduate School with outstanding academic performance during the first semester at our university. These partial scholarships are financed directly by the Graduate School and our supporting association.
Fee structure
Only valid for students of Hof University Graduate School starting WS22/23 or later.
Program | Tuition fees* [DI, GMG, OEX, SE: semester 1-4] | Tuition fees for extension semesters* | Cancellation fees* | |
Per semester | Total program | For every additional semester | Cancellation after admission (before start of the first semester)** | |
Digitalization and Innovation (M.B.A.) | 3,300 € | 13,200 € | 500 € | 500 € |
General Management (M.B.A.) | 3,300 € | 13,200 € | 500 € | 500 € |
Operational Excellence (M.B.A. and Eng.) | 3,300 € | 13,200 € | 500 € | 500 € |
Software Engineering for Industrial Applications (M.Eng.) | 3,300 € | 13,200 € | 500 € | 500 € |
*Fees have to be paid per semester. It is not possible to pay the tuition fees in installments or to pay the tuition fees for the whole program in one payment.
The amount per semester consists of the tuition fee (see above) and the administrative fee (currently 124,10 EUR).
Students starting their studies before WS22/23 (OEX, GMG, SE, DI) pay 3.150 EUR tuition fees plus the administrative fee (currently 124,10 EUR).
**After having received the student credentials, refund is no longer possible. Please check our FAQs.
[Fee structure of Graduate School as of March 2022]
Studying at Hof University Graduate School
Meet our international students Hugo (from Mexico), Eduardo (from Honduras) & Julio (from Mexico) and find out about their experiences with the study programs Operational Excellence (M.B.A. and Eng.) and General Management (M.B.A.) at Hof University.
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