Master in Operational Excellence (M.B.A. and Eng.)

Graduates of  the program will be able to become manager in an overseas branch of a German company or a German branch of a foreign company in the areas of production, production planning or supply chain management.

The "Operational Excellence" Master's program is designed for Bachelor graduates with a degree in Engineering who have already gained some qualified professional work experience. We are looking for ambitious people who are willing to acquire a more in-depth knowledge and practical understanding of supply chain management and production in a digital world.

Prerequisites:

• A Bachelor’s degree or similar from an accredited university in engineering sciences, at least 180 ECTS or equivalent (depending on the home country)
• Proficiency in English, proven by official test score documents (TOEFL minimum 90 or IELTS 6.5 or above). If English was the language of instruction in your previous degree, a document issued by your university confirming this is accepted as proof of English language skills.
• Basic language skills in German, proven by official test score documents (e.g. Goethe, telc, ÖSD) minimum level A1 according to the CEFR (The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). In individual cases, other certificates can be accepted, if they contain at least the following information: name and address of issuing institution, responsible persons/teachers, level according to the CEFR, content and grade of the exam). Attendance certificates are not sufficient as proof of basic German language skills.
• One year of work experience
• Motivation letter

• The standard period of study is 4 semesters.
• The first two semesters provide practice orientated theory (case studies, working in labs, excursions, expert meetings…).
• The third and fourth semester is spent working as an intern in a production facility or SCM department to gain more practical experience.  The Master’s Thesis has to be written during this time as well.
• After successful completion of the program, Hof University of Applied Sciences awards the academic degree Master of Business Administration and Engineering (M.B.A. and Eng.).

The Master’s program contains 12 modules, 5 ECTS per module (4 basic modules + 6 core modules + 2 elective modules):
 

Basic modules:

• Applied Economics and Research on the German Market
• Communication and Negotiation Skills
• Leadership and Change Management
• Strategic and Financial Framework
   

Core modules:

• Factory Planning and Engineering
• Production Process Excellence
• Quality Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Industry 4.0/Data Management
• Production Execution and Logistics
   

Elective modules:

• Information and Process Management
• Corporate Strategy and Controlling
• Project Management
• Procurement Management and Risk Management
• Industrial Marketing and Sales Strategies
• Recent Trends in Operational Excellence
• German language I (A2)*
• German language II (B1)*

* Students having German basic knowledge on level  A1, need to pass the modules "German I" (A2) and "German II" (B1). Other elective modules may be passed as additional modules but will not count toward your degree and can be charged with an extra fee.

Students having advanced knowledge on level B1 or higher are free in choosing two elective modules. German language B2 or C1 can also be selected as electives.
 

The 3rd and 4th semesters are dedicated for an internship (30 ECTS) in a company. During that period of study the Master's thesis (30 ECTS) has to be written as well.

Master's Thesis

• Application of the methodological procedures, which were obtained and trained during the entire program.
• The thesis should be written during the internship and should cover a current topic of the company.
• Topic selection has to be done in accordance with the supervising professor.

• Each semester costs EUR 3,150 in tuition fees, plus an administrative fee of approx. EUR 100 per semester.
• These fees include organizational support before and during your studies at Hof University as well as continuing counseling. We provide assistance in finding accommodation, offer orientation sessions prior to the start of your studies and organize additional activities such as intercultural trainings.
• Accommodation and living expenses in Germany are estimated at around EUR 400 to 700 per month, which includes rent and food. Mandatory health insurance (price depends on company and age - https://www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/bewerbung/en/58221-health-insurance/), visa and transportation costs are not included in this estimate. For your student visa you will have to provide financial proof.

• For scholarship options, please check the funding guide of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - www.funding-guide.de.

For an admission in this Master program, you need to fulfill the following admission criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree or similar from an accredited university in engineering sciences, at least 180 ECTS or equivalent (depending on the home country)
• Proficiency in English, proven by either
  • official test score documents (TOEFL minimum 90 or IELTS 6.5 or above) or
  • confirmation that the Bachelor’s program was taught completely in English language
• Basic language skills in German, proven by official test score documents - minimum level A1
• One year of work experience

All applications must be done online. Please apply here.

• The application period for winter intake is between April 15 and May 31.
• The application period for summer intake is between November 05 and November 30.
• An admission committee intensively scrutinizes all applications and decides about final admission. Admission letters will be issued in June for winter intake and December for summer semester intake.

If you have any questions to the application process do not hesitate to contact admission@hof-university.de.