Operational Excellence (MBA and Eng) Hof University of Applied Sciences

The programme is fully taught in English.

Did you already earn a Bachelor of Engineering and gather some professional experience? Are you interested in modern business and production processes and the secrets of “Made in Germany”? Then our Master's programme in Operational Excellence is just right for you.

Our business-oriented modules provide you with the strategic and financial framework of companies. Find out about the critical factors for success in leadership and change processes and how to master these with expert communication and negotiation skills.

In the engineering part, the focus is on operational excellence, particularly on methods such as lean management, Six Sigma, and agile management. In addition to that, you will learn about digitalisation, Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, and data management, as data plays an important role for smart supply chains and the future of companies worldwide.

With our holistic management approach, we also look at business operations such as purchasing or IT. Our teaching methods include various modern methods like cloud-based simulations, haptic management games, and case studies.

Your benefits

After graduation, you will benefit from

• a unique Master's degree at the interface of management and technology with the special degree MBA and Eng;
• a perfect interdisciplinary toolbox of knowledge and skills of engineering and business know-how;
• valuable work experience gained during the internship semesters;
• German language skills at a level of (at least) B1 at graduation;
• development of your intercultural competence;
• excellent career perspectives in various fields, e.g. production management, factory planning, or supply chain management.

Typical entry positions include

• Lean Manager
• Project Manager
• Quality Manager
• Technical Adviser
• Operations Controller
• Product Manager
• Process Manager

Our application portal is open during the following application periods:

• 5 November – 30 November for the following summer semester
• 15 April – 31 May for the following winter semester

Fees include:

• organisational support before and during your studies at Hof University
• assistance in finding accommodation
• Orientation Week prior to the start of your studies
• social integration
• career-promoting activities such as intercultural trainings, field trips, and company visits
• free public transportation in the city of Hof

Course structure

• The standard period of study is four semesters.
• The first two semesters provide practice-orientated theory (case studies, working in labs, excursions, expert meetings, etc.).
• The third and fourth semesters are spent working as an intern in a production facility or SCM (supply chain management) department to gain more practical experience. The Master's thesis must also be completed during this period.

Course content

Semesters One and Two:

The Master's programme contains 12 modules, five ECTS per module (four basic modules + eight core modules):

Basic modules (all mandatory)

• Applied Economics and Intercultural Management
• Strategic and Financial Framework
• German Language 1*
• German Language 2*

* Mandatory with German levels of A1-B1 at the point of admission; different language course levels available depending on the student's German level at the beginning of their studies in Hof

Core modules (all mandatory)

• Industry 4.0 / Data Management
• Smart Factory Planning and Engineering
• Business Process Excellence
• Supply Chain Management
• Production Planning and Control
• Quality Management
• Innovation Management
• Elective

Semesters Three and Four: Internship and Master's thesis

During the third and fourth semesters, students pursue an internship (30 ECTS) at a company and write their Master's thesis (30 ECTS). For entering the internship, all students have to prove a German language level of at least B1.

A unique feature of our MBA is that students spend the second year (third and fourth semester) doing a paid practical internship in industry, e.g. in a production facility or a SCM department. Thus, students can

• immediately apply their knowledge,
• gain profound professional experience and
• earn money at the same time!

We support our students in finding an appropriate internship and provide contact addresses for this purpose. So far, internship companies of our students include, e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Siemens, and Bosch. Frequently, the internship provides the stepping stone to the first job after graduation.

3,300 EUR

Fees include:

• organisational support before and during your studies at Hof University
• assistance in finding accommodation
• Orientation Week prior to the start of your studies
• social integration
• career-promoting activities such as intercultural trainings, field trips, and company visits
• free public transportation in the city of Hof

Administrative fee of approx. 150 EUR per semester

The cost of living in the city of Hof is moderate compared to both other European countries and bigger cities in Germany. On average, living expenses for a student range between 800 and 1,000 EUR per month in total.

The following is an approximate cost calculation of expenditures per month:

• accommodation: 350 to 550 EUR
• mandatory health insurance: about 120 EUR
• food and personal expenditures: at least 350 EUR

• A Bachelor's degree or similar from an accredited university in engineering sciences, at least 180 ECTS or equivalent (depending on the home country)
• One year of relevant work experience
• Letter of motivation

Applicants must be proficient in English. This can be proven with one of the following:

• TOEFL minimum 90 (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• IELTS 6.5 or above (International English Language Testing Systems)

In addition: Basic language skills in German, proven by official test score documents - minimum level A1 according to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

By the beginning of the internship, all students have to prove that they are at a B1 German language level. The German language levels A2 and B1 can be reached during the studies in Hof.

Our application portal is open during the following application periods:

• 5 November – 30 November for the following summer semester
• 15 April – 31 May for the following winter semester

No

Paid internship in the third and fourth semesters

The Housing Office supports international students in finding appropriate accommodation.

Rent for a single student room is approx. 350 to 550 EUR. Rent for a private one-room apartment for one tenant or for a couple is more than 550 EUR. We also have a limited number of double rooms for friends that cost about 250 to 320 EUR per person. Beside the rent, there are additional costs for water, energy, broadcast fee, and Internet.

For a full overview of the practical issues related to living in Hof and our support services for international students, please have a look at the website of our Welcome Service and Housing Office.

The Career Service team at Hof University offers you a wide range of career preparation and orientation services, including workshops, company excursions, and job fairs. We will prepare you for the German labour market by providing you with specific information, counselling, and qualifications. Thus, you will be able to start your individual career as an intern and as a graduate.

We know that adjusting to your new life in Germany is an adventure that is both exciting and challenging. There is no need to be scared – we are here to help you!

At Hof University, we are proud of our warm welcome culture and offer numerous services for our international students. Our team will assist you in all aspects of your stay in Hof. We will help you find the right academic programme and language courses and support you in organising all formalities such as visas, residency, insurance, and banking.

Prior to the start of each semester, we organise an orientation period for our new international students. With the expert assistance from our motivated team, you will smoothly settle into your new personal and academic environment. Additionally, our International Student Network, a group of motivated students, will help you feel at home by organising social activities.

Studying at Hof University – your benefits at a glance

• first-class, practice-oriented education focused on employability
• friendly and open-minded study environment, especially for international students
• extensive personal support for international students from the Welcome Service, International Office, and Career Service
• assistance in finding accommodation in Hof
• orientation week before the start of the studies
• career-building activities, such as intercultural trainings, field trips, and company visits

About Hof University

Founded in 1994, Hof University offers a very attractive study environment with its modern architecture and its state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories. You will receive a first-class, hands-on education here. As a practice-oriented university of applied sciences with integrated internships in all programmes, the employability of our graduates is the main focus of our teaching.

Our ranking in the renowned StudyCheck Internet portal reflects this: in both 2023 and 2024, Hof University was named the most popular university in Germany and continues to receive top marks for its teaching.

We offer more than 40 modern Bachelor's and Master's programmes in business, computer science, and engineering as well as in interdisciplinary and innovative sciences. Students with at least one year of professional experience find exciting further education opportunities completely in the English language at Hof University Graduate School.

Strong practice orientation

All professors have a strong academic background as well as practical experience in industry. Teaching is based on innovative methods aimed at imparting application-oriented knowledge (e.g. projects with industry, site visits, involvement of company representatives). As a result, our graduates are ideally prepared for national and international labour markets.

Intensive personal support

We are known for our friendly study atmosphere. An excellent student-to-lecturer ratio allows for frequent and personal contact between students and professors and an active exchange of ideas. Students receive intensive personal support during their studies and benefit from numerous services, such as orientation sessions, social integration events, and housing support.

The outlook of the university is extremely international, with more than 130 partner universities all over the world. More than 40 percent of students come from abroad, creating a truly multinational atmosphere.

Applied research

The university's six research institutes focus on information systems, biopolymers, materials science, sustainable water systems, hydrogen and energy management, and organisational research. The guiding principles of our research are practice-orientation, internationalisation, and resource efficiency (focusing on indoor climate systems / water).

Students who are interested in starting a business can find advice and support at Einstein1, the digital business incubator on campus of Hof University.

Hof is a medium-sized town located at the top of Bavaria and in the heart of Europe, right in the middle of Berlin, Munich, and Prague. Hof has a population of about 50,000 and is an appealing and safe university town with plenty of leisure activities. To relax and unwind, there are numerous bars, cinemas, an orchestra, a theatre, a landscaped park called Theresienstein, and a beautiful lake – the Untreusee. Hof is also known for the International Hof Film Festival, which is one of the most important German film festivals.

The region around Hof has the second-highest industrial density in all of Europe, mainly specialising in manufacturing machinery and plastic (automobile) parts. The companies are mostly small and medium-sized businesses, the so-called hidden champions, and they provide ample opportunities for internships and entry jobs.

The city of Hof is surrounded by beautiful nature. It is located between the low mountain regions of the Fichtelgebirge and the Franconian Forest on the banks of the Saale River. You will find excellent possibilities for all outdoor sporting activities such as cycling, hiking, climbing, and skiing.