Sustainability Management and Technologies (SMT) Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt

The main teaching language is English, but there will also be possibilities to follow courses offered in the German language.

The Master’s programme in Sustainability Management and Technologies (SMT) focuses on the integration of sustainability into the core of business taking into consideration the support provided by technology.

As the world grapples with environmental and social challenges, the SMT programme integrates sustainability, management and technology, offering a consecutive Master of Science degree that transcends traditional education boundaries. The programme is designed to accommodate 30 students per year, ensuring a personalised and focused learning experience.

The curriculum is a tapestry of sustainability management, economics, and technology subjects interrelated to each other. All subjects focus on practical case studies and projects. This approach ensures that students don’t just learn theories but also apply them in real-world scenarios, preparing them for the complexities of the global market.

The curriculum of the SMT programme is a reflection of the university’s commitment to innovation and practicality. Voluntary language courses complement the technical and management subjects, providing a well-rounded educational experience. The Sustainability Science & Technology Cluster focuses on technologies essential for sustainability, while the Sustainability Management Cluster covers the management aspects, and the Social Sustainability & Social Skills Cluster addresses social sustainability aspects as well as social and intercultural skills.

Modules like Sustainable Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Circular Economy and Life Cycle Management and Metrics and Analytics for Sustainability are just a few examples of the comprehensive offerings of the programme. These modules are not just academic subjects; they are the tools with which students will shape the future of sustainable business practices. It’s a programme that has been crafted with the future in mind and discussed with industry representatives to ensure its relevance and practicality.

In conclusion, the Master’s programme in Sustainability Management and Technologies at the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt is more than just an educational pathway; it’s a commitment to a sustainable future. It’s an invitation to be part of a vision that seeks to harmonise the needs of the economy, society and the environment.

1. Apply via uni-assist by 1 October for the following summer semester at the latest. (For applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of Germany, uni-assist has to verify your eligibility to study in Germany and to convert your grades to the German grade system. You will have to submit all required documents to uni-assist online. The process may take six weeks.)

2. PRIMUSS – THI application portal: Apply from 15 November until 15 January for the following summer semester (only online). In case of admission, you may be asked to send all required documents by mail later on.

THI charges fees of currently 500 EUR per semester for students from third countries (citizenship outside the EU and European Economic Area).

The fees are planned to increase to 1,200 EUR per semester (Master's programmes) from summer semester 2026 onwards. When more details are available, you will find further information on our homepage.

THI students who started their studies earlier are not affected by this reform.

THI does not work with agencies that offer application services for German universities. THI expects applicants to apply directly to the university. We will not charge application fees, with the exception of the uni-assist fee that has to be paid directly to uni-assist.

To stay updated on the most recent study orientation dates, please visit www.thi.de/go/events-studyorientation.

The Sustainability Management and Technologies programme is a postgraduate Master's programme with a total of four semesters, which are to be completed on a full-time basis. The programme combines in-depth academic studies with practical examples, establishing language competencies required by international markets.

The first semester builds the foundation of the programme. The integration of sustainability into business with a focus on life cycle thinking and circularity is combined with performance management and the societal perspective of technology development. The second semester deepens the knowledge on sustainable leadership and introduces technologies crucial for a sustainable development. The third semester extends the programme towards sustainable finance and technologies relevant to address climate change and urban ecology. It also includes a sustainability project. During all semesters, the language skills required in an international environment are built.

Upon completion of the Master's thesis, which is written in the fourth semester, students receive the academic degree of "Master of Science", which enables them to start careers in internationally-active business enterprises, in self-employment or in advanced research programmes with a focus on the integration of management, sustainability and technology.

The individual study contents ("modules") are shown in the following overview. The study programme comprises 120 ECTS.

1,200 EUR

THI charges fees of currently 500 EUR per semester for students from third countries (citizenship outside the EU and European Economic Area).

The fees are planned to increase to 1,200 EUR per semester (Master's programmes) from summer semester 2026 onwards. When more details are available, you will find further information on our homepage.

THI students who started their studies earlier are not affected by this reform.

All students will have to pay a student union fee of 72 EUR per semester.

Student organisations estimate that the cost of living is approx. 990 EUR or more per month, depending on individual needs and expectations. Mandatory health insurance in Germany will cost a student around 145 EUR per month.

Usually, non-EU students will have to provide proof of financial means with a blocked account for visa purposes. It should contain approximately 992 EUR per month for up to 12 months.

https://www.thi.de/en/faculties/sustainable-infrastructure/degree-programmes/sustainability-management-and-technologies-msc/

The Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt can only make a legally binding decision about your eligibility for your desired study programme after reviewing the documents you submit with your application. We can’t provide a definitive assessment or evaluate your chances of acceptance until we have your full application, including your educational history.

Furthermore, it is possible to find out if you’re qualified to study in Germany before applying. Detailed information is available at the following link: www.uni-assist.de/en/tools/check-university-admission.

Additionally, you can find out about the qualification requirements via the study and examination regulations (=Studien- und Prüfungsordnung = SPO). Find these on the following page under the respective statutes: https://www.thi.de/en/university/university-profile/university-management/legal-department/.

Thank you for your understanding. You are very welcome to apply, and we will check your application documents.

Applicants applying for an English-language Master's programme must provide proof of sufficient English language skills at level B2. Proof of having passed the examination must be submitted by the time of enrolment at the latest. A list of all accepted certificates can be found here: https://www.thi.de/en/university/university-profile/university-management/legal-department/general-statutes/.

For most jobs and internships, German is still a key qualification and essential prerequisite. Therefore, the programme includes German language training and sets basic language requirements for German:

German level A1 (required by the end of the first semester) and at least German level A2 (required by the end of the third semester)

1. Apply via uni-assist by 1 October for the following summer semester at the latest. (For applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of Germany, uni-assist has to verify your eligibility to study in Germany and to convert your grades to the German grade system. You will have to submit all required documents to uni-assist online. The process may take six weeks.)

2. PRIMUSS – THI application portal: Apply from 15 November until 15 January for the following summer semester (only online). In case of admission, you may be asked to send all required documents by mail later on.

There are different scholarships available to enrolled students, such as the Deutschlandstipendium. All students will have to look and apply for specific scholarships themselves! Most scholarship programmes are based on performance (grades, voluntary work, etc.). The economic situation of applicants is usually not taken into consideration. A certain level of German language skills (at least B2) is required for many scholarships.

The International Office also offers scholarships. Enrolled international students will be notified of the call once a year via the communication channels of the university.

International students at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) are strongly advised to start gaining practical experience early to earn money during their studies and improve their job prospects. Besides looking for working student positions, students are also encouraged to seek low-level jobs in gastronomy or similar sectors to earn money and improve their German language skills. In addition to internship positions posted on the university platform, students should actively consider research and teaching assistant roles at THI. Please note that international students face legal limits on the number of working days allowed (see Study and work).

The International Welcome Center offers workshops and events in English to help international students prepare for their entry into the German market, especially in preparing for the internship search and applications.

Important: German employers expect students to take the initiative in applying for jobs and to have a good command of German. For internships, a minimum German language level of B1/B2 is required, while for entry-level jobs after graduation, B2/C1 is generally expected. Therefore, international students should start learning German as early as possible to increase their employability.

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt does not run any student residence halls / dorms. You will have to start looking for accommodation on your own as soon as possible. At least 500 EUR per month should be budgeted for accommodation.

Here are some facts about finding accommodation in Ingolstadt or Neuburg.

• Service point and counselling
• Online info session for admitted degree-seekers
• Support with city registration and residence permits
• Orientation days and networking events
• Mentoring programme
• German courses and language support programmes
• Cultural events, excursions, and company tours
• Workshops to prepare for the German job market
• Student clubs, such as N.I.C.E. (Network & International Culture Exchange)

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) is an institution that specialises in business and technology and is characterised by innovative study concepts and modern facilities. We are currently training over 8,000 students in more than 70 study programmes in engineering, computer science, business, life sciences and sustainability.
Our students will graduate as sought-after specialists and managers. An extremely dynamic and successful region with a distinctly strong economic structure provides for excellent framework conditions. The relatively small student body guarantees individual guidance, a familial atmosphere, and close cooperation between students and professors.
One of the core features of studying at our university is its orientation towards practical application. Internships and projects, as well as continuous cooperation with regional companies, are fundamental components of every study programme.
The Ingolstadt campus was completed in 1999, and a new tract of buildings opened in 2014. In 2021, the Neuburg campus opened its doors with its Faculty of Sustainable Infrastructure. Modern equipment and facilities create an atmosphere that adds to students' success and enjoyment. Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt is proud of its commitment to offer the highest possible level of quality in research and education. It is possible to explore Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt by visiting the interactive 360° THI campus tour.

This programme is offered at the Neuburg campus. Neuburg offers a rich and beautiful baroque history. It is on the Danube, the European river is running through the city and landscape and is leaving its mark. The Danube floodplains between Ingolstadt and Neuburg are a biosphere reserve full of oxbow lakes inhabited by rare animals and plants. Neuburg within the district of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen is also a central player in the economic region between Eichstätt, Ingolstadt and Pfaffenhofen, centrally located between the major cities of Munich, Augsburg and, of course, Ingolstadt.