Production and Operations Management

Production and Operations Management at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology offers students a comprehensive education in the principles and practices that underpin efficient manufacturing and service operations. This program is designed to equip students with the essential skills required to analyze, plan, and optimize production processes in various industries, ensuring organizations can meet market demands while maintaining high quality standards. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics including supply chain management, logistics, quality control, process optimization, and technological innovations in production systems. Emphasizing both theoretical foundations and practical applications, students engage in case studies, simulations, and project work that mirror real-world challenges faced by modern enterprises. The program aims to develop analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills, preparing graduates for managerial roles in production, operations, and process improvement. Students benefit from the university's state-of-the-art laboratories and close collaborations with industry partners, providing valuable hands-on experience. Career prospects for graduates include positions in manufacturing companies, logistics firms, consulting agencies, and technology providers. The interdisciplinary approach integrates insights from engineering, management, and computer science to ensure graduates are well-rounded and prepared for the dynamic nature of global production networks. Graduates of the Production and Operations Management program are equipped to contribute effectively to the design and enhancement of production systems, addressing challenges such as sustainability, digital transformation, and workforce management. The program also emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement, reflecting the evolving landscape of production technology and management practices worldwide.

Educational organization

The Master's program is offered at the HECTOR School, Technology Business School of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). It is especially designed for engineering professionals who have already worked in their jobs for approx. three years. It is designed as a part-time program over a duration of about 20 months and concludes with a Master of Science awarded by the KIT.
The academic calendar for all Master's programs of the HECTOR School starting in October each year consist of 10 intensive modules, each with a duration of 10 days. At the end, the Master's program concludes with a Master's thesis.

Study abroad unit(s)

Engineering Module 5 of the Master's program "Production & Operations Management" takes place in Shanghai/Suzhou at the KIT China branch.

Forms of assessment

Written and oral exams at the end of each module and Master's thesis and colloquium after completion of the modules.

Course objectives

Graduates of the Master's program Production & Operations Management (POM) are able to analyse and optimise the efficiency of value-added processes within the operation of production and service systems. They can understand and analyse service and production processes, capture and formally describe requirements, frame boundary conditions and targets and achieve a targeted improvement by means of the skills they have acquired in the Master's program.
Graduates are familiar with state-of-the-art concepts and methods and are able to apply those in a problem-oriented way. Methods and techniques in conjunction with decision making are especially focused on in the Operations Management program.
In addition, graduates can identify the possibilities and limitations of formal methods and models as well as the challenges that represent the transmission between the modelled world and reality and handle them in a solution-driven way. Given that nowadays in production and logistics the flow of data, products and money are closely interconnected, graduates are able to solve problems taking into account these tree factors and multi-disciplinary solution approaches.

Language requirements

English language test (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS) for non-native speakers (TOEFL score of at least 95 iBT)

Academic requirements

University qualification:
Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom etc. (university, university of applied sciences, cooperative state university)
Exception: other degrees may be accepted (e.g. professional experience)

Professional experience:
Depending on the first degree's level (210 or 180 ECTS points)

• One or two years of practical experience in the specific field of the course is required.
• Three years' work experience are recommended.
• References are needed as evidence.

English qualification:
Evidence of an adequate knowledge of the English language is required, normally in the form of a TOEFL (at least 95 iBT) or an equal qualification which must be checked individually.

For further details, please see:

www.hectorschool.kit.edu/admissions_msc.php

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

The tuition fee for the entire M.Sc. Program is 30.000 € (thirty thousand EUR). Please note that this fee is tax-deductible.

Arrival support

The HECTOR School office offers support to international participants regarding e.g. arrival procedures, VISA requirements etc.

Services and support for international students

The HECTOR School office takes care of international participants during their stay in Germany, also offering a wide range of social and cultural events, workshops etc.

Accommodation

The HECTOR School is integrated into the campus of the International Department of the KIT with its own campus accommodation, which is available to all students of the International Department upon request.
For further information, see the website of the campus: www.hectorschool.kit.edu/accommodation.php