Study Diplom in Industrial Engineering and Management

Table of contents

1. 1. Program Content
   2. Quick Facts (Overview)
   3. Program Structure
      1. Basic Studies
      2. Main Course of Study
      3. Compulsory Area
      4. Elective Area
      5. Courses/Schedule
      6. Academic Documents
      7. Thesis​
   4. Study Abroad
   5. Career Prospects
   6. Why TU Dresden?
      1. ​What Students and Graduates Say
   7. Contact and Advising
      1. Academic Advising
      2. Program Coordination
   8. More Insights & Stories on Social Media

Program Content

The Industrial Engineering and Management degree program is characterized by its interdisciplinary focus. You will acquire broad knowledge in economics and engineering as well as methods that will enable you to gain an overview of interrelated technical and economic issues and solve problems at the intersection of business, natural sciences, and technology. At the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to specialize in a way that is second to none, tailored to your individual interests.

Quick Facts (Overview)

Degree	Diplom (Dipl.-Wi.-Ing.)
Standard Duration of Study	Full-time: 10 semesters (5 years), Part-time: up to 20 semesters (10 years)
Language of Instruction	German (some elective modules are taught in English)
Start of Studies	Winter semester
Application period	June 1 – July 15 via the application portal
Costs per semester	Semester tuition, plus second-degree and long-term study fees if applicable

Program Structure

A total of 300 credit points are awarded in the Industrial Engineering and Management diplom program. The standard duration of study is therefore 10 semesters as a full-time student, although a flexible part-time program is also available. Please visit our Part-Time Study webpage for more information.

In general, the degree program is structured as follows

• the Basic Studies, which provides you with the substantive and methodological foundations in the various disciplines of the degree program, and
• the Main Course of Study, which builds on this foundation and features a very broad range of elective modules and the diplom thesis.

Basic Studies

The Basic Studies lasts 4 academic semesters and comprises 120 credit points. Here, you will acquire fundamental knowledge in

• Business Administration and Economics,
• Business Information Systems,
• Engineering,
• Methods and Procedures and
• General Qualifications.

You can learn more about each of these areas and their content by clicking on the respective links. This semester plan shows exactly how the modules are distributed across the first semesters of the program—with modules in Business Administration and Economics in light blue, Business Information Systems in green, engineering in pink, methods and procedures in yellow, and general qualifications in orange.

Main Course of Study

The Main Course of Study, comprising 180 credit points, is structured over 6 semesters. With an interdisciplinary focus, it offers a broad and thorough education in economics, engineering, and more.

Admission to the Main Course of Study is possible even without completing the introductory studies phase. However, you must have passed its compulsory modules.

Compulsory Area

The Compulsory Area of the Main Course of Study (5 credit points) consists solely of the mandatory professional internship. It ensures that you apply the theoretical knowledge you have acquired during your studies to professional practice.

Elective Area

With 155 credit points, the Elective Area comprises almost the entire main phase of the program. Its structure offers you nearly unlimited opportunities to tailor your studies entirely to your interests. You can find out which modules and profiles are available and how to select them on the website Elective Area.

Courses/Schedule

You can access an overview of the courses for the current semester and the class schedule via our Class Schedule webpage.

Academic Documents

You can find the current versions of academic documents (academic, examination, and other regulations) here.

You can also find these documents in the form of official announcements on the websites Academic Affairs Office Civil and Environmental Engineering .

Thesis​

In your thesis, you will independently and scientifically address a research question in the field of Industrial Engineering and Management. You will have 16 weeks to complete it and will receive 20 credit points. The thesis usually marks the completion of your degree program.

Support is provided by the modules in the area of research design. There, you will learn about research methods and present interim results.

Prerequisites: You must have passed all modules of the Basic Studies and earned at least 120 credit points in the Main Course of Study, including at least 5 from “Presenting and Discussing.” You must begin the thesis no later than the semester following your last module exam.

Important: Topic assignment, registration, and formal requirements vary by Chair. Therefore, please check the respective Chair websites for details.

Study Abroad

Want to study abroad for a semester or longer? The faculty offers numerous opportunities—with over 60 Erasmus partner universities and additional partnerships worldwide.

The International Office supports you from the initial idea through your return to Germany. Thanks to the flexible Elective Area, credits earned abroad can be easily transferred. Financial support is provided by, among others, PROMOS and the Prof. Endriss Prize.

You can find more information here.

Career Prospects

Industrial engineers combine technology and business and are therefore in high demand across many sectors, from manufacturing and trade to consumer goods and services. They often work at the intersection of these fields—for example, in production, logistics, product management, sales, or controlling—and have excellent prospects for leadership positions. Which industry is the best fit also depends on your engineering specialization. With excellent academic performance, you can also pursue a Ph.D. and enter academia.

Why TU Dresden?

It’s simple—this degree program has several advantages over other institutions:

• With the Diplom degree, you’ll earn a globally recognized qualification that gives you an edge over competitors with a master’s degree when entering the workforce.
• You’ll study without the interruptions that are common when transitioning from a bachelor’s to a master’s program.
• The Elective Area offers immense opportunities to develop your individual profile. The six-semester Main Course of Study and the broader Elective Area provide better opportunities for specialization than a four-semester master’s program.
• You can choose from a total of 18 specializations in engineering. No other technical university in Germany offers this breadth of options.
• Internships and study abroad programs can be more easily integrated into the course of study.
• Consistent top rankings in university rankings (CHE, Wirtschaftswoche) attest to the degree program’s great popularity among students and companies.
• Studying on Campus: Your studies will take place centrally on the main campus of TU Dresden in the Südvorstadt district. The chairs, the Dean's Office, and the Academic Affairs Office Civil and Environmental Engineering are housed in the historic Georg-Schumann Building and the adjacent Hülße Building. Many courses are also held here. The engineering chairs, classrooms, and laboratories are within walking distance. All facilities are easily accessible by public transportation or bicycle.

​What Students and Graduates Say

In the following videos, students and graduates of the Industrial Engineering and Management diplom program talk about their academic and career paths.

A quick note before we begin: All of these individuals studied the Industrial Engineering and Management diplom program as it was offered prior to the 2024–25 winter semester. At that time, some course titles were different, and a few of the courses mentioned no longer exist. Nevertheless, their statements still provide a good impression of what studying is like today!

André and Lukas Brendler, students in the Industrial Engineering and Management diplom program

Tony Alexander, graduate of Industrial Engineering and Management, now working at Siemens AG

Philipp Hauser, graduate in Industrial Engineering and Management and former doctoral student, now working at VNG AG

Contact and Advising

Academic Advising

Do you have any questions about the program or the application process? Our academic advisors will be happy to help you.​ ​

Program Coordination

Have any suggestions or ideas for improvement? Please feel free to contact your program coordinators.

We’ve compiled additionaladvice and support services on our​“Advising and Services” webpage.

More Insights & Stories on Social Media

On YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn, you’ll find even more glimpses into campus life, information on current research topics, and interesting events at the faculty. See you there.