Due to the current dynamic changes in economy, technology and society the necessity of future skills increases significantly. Hence, the needed qualifications are on the one hand foresight research, development of strategies, innovation, business development and change management and on the other hand skills to control these changes like corporate responsibility, technology assessment and business ethics. The international master's degree „Global Foresight and Technology Management” with its unique position is the perfect answer to this requirement. The programme is fully taught in English and welcomes both German and international students. It is designed as an interdisciplinary programme at the interface of technology, economy and sociology with a strong focus on foresight.
Global Foresight and Technology Management (M. Sc.)
Master of Science (M. Sc.)
3 semesters
Summer & Winter
Yes
Contents
The teaching concept offers digitalized courses (e.g. inverted classroom) in combination with a lot of practical project studies to enhance the learning progress (first half of the semester concentrates on theoretical basics, the second half on practical application).
Graduates of this programme are in great demand. There is a wide field of application in specialist or management roles in national or international companies and organizations.
Generally the contents focus on
- Digitalization
- Internationality
- Entrepreneurship
- Sustainability
Five clusters offer a maximum of interdisciplinarity:
Strategic Foresight and Trend Analysis
- Customer-, technology-, and competitor-foresight
- Trend analysis and strategic early identification
- Visioning
- Strategic simulation methods
- Prognostic crowdsourcing
- Delphi method
- Scenario technique
- Trendreceiver method
- Analysis of Science Fiction
Project Future Life Worlds
- Application of foresight methods and methods of trend analysis within a project study based on examples
- Enhancement of the learning process through practical experiences
- Performance and limitations of different methods
Innovation Management Methods
- Agile management of innovation processes and projects
- Creativity methods and tools for ideation and problem solving
- Design Thinking
- Open Innovation
- Stage-Gate-Process
- Marketing of innovations
Technology Design and Evaluation
- Modern technologies and technology trends
- Successful development and marketing of technologies and products
- Application-specific selection of adequate technologies
- Product lifecycle management (Product creation process, product data management etc.)
- Technology portfolio analysis and -roadmap
- Evaluation of innovation projects and technologies
Project Technology Application
- Application of several technologies within a project study based on examples
- Enhancement of the learning process through practical experiences
- Performance and limitations of different technologies
Future Business Modelling
- Successful business models (examples), key indicators (Business Model Canvas), Business Model Navigator
- Digital, sustainable and disruptive business models
- Future-oriented business models
- Business planning and profitability of business scenarios
- Entrepreneurship
- Risk management
Project Business Scenarios and Risk Management
- Profitability of scenarios within a complex project study: development and calculation of multidimensional trend scenarios based on unidimensional black and white scenarios
- Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the results
- Identification and management of risks in target scenarios
- Enhancement of the learning process through practical experiences
Transformation Processes and Change Management
- Impact of digitalization/AI, mobility and sustainability on the transformation of the economy and society – opportunities and risks
- Operational transformation processes: Enterprise Transformation Cycle
- Reasons, conditions and controlling of social transformation processes
- Management of incremental vs. radical change processes
- Models and success factors of change management
- Fears, resistance and motivation of stakeholders in change management projects
Technology Assessment and Business Ethics
- Technology assessment regarding the environment and society
- Robustness (Resilience) in the face of human uncertainties caused by new technologies
- Future-oriented skills: from uncertainties to designing the future
- More effective identification of and reaction to stakeholder requirements
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Corporate governance and compliance
- Intercultural leadership
Scientific Research Seminar
- Carrying out a complex interdisciplinary project task within small teams regarding technology development, economy und society
- Autonomous processing applying scientific methods and acquired skills
- Discussion, presentation and documentation of the project results according to scientific standards
Master's Thesis
- Capability to carry out autonomously a complex problem in the area of foresight at the interface of technology, economy and sociology on a high scientific level within the timeline of one semester
- Capability to apply the acquired skills and scientific methods
- Capability to integrate the results into a professional context and to present them in a scientific paper
Curriculum
1. Semester
Strategic Foresight and Trend Analysis
Innovation Management Methods
Technology Design and Evaluation
Project Future Life Worlds
Project Technology Application
2. Semester
Future Business Modelling
Transformation Processes and Change Management
Technology Assessment and Business Ethics
Project Business Scenarios and Risk Management
Project Research Seminar
3. Semester
Master's Thesis
Quick Info
Application dates
- New registration for this program is possible for the winter semester (October) and the summer semester (March).
- Applications may be submitted through our online application system from May 2nd to July 15th resp. from November 2nd to January 15th.
- Note that uni-assist may require up to 6 weeks to issue a VPD – see reqirements below.
Requirements
- Proof of bachelor´s degree in engineering sciences, engineering and management, IT, natural sciences, economics, sociology and business administration or a degree in another related discipline at a German university with at least 210 ECTS credit points or an equivalent degree of a foreign university
- Note that all foreign applicants must submit their bachelor degree to uni-assist which verifies their eligibility and coverts their grades to the German grade system. Uni-Assist will issue a so called preliminary inspection documentation (VPD) which you have to upload to the application portal (similar to their other documents).
- Proof of English proficiency level B2 or higher
Admission restrictions may apply. Admission is based on the grade point average of your bachelor degree. The average mark required depends on the number of applicants and available capacity.
Please find further information on master applications here. For applications from abroad, see our master's from abroad-pages.
(if you have entered our German website, please press the English button "en" in the menue bar again)
Graduates are especially well prepared to take on specialist and management roles in the following areas:
- Project Management
- Product and Technology Management
- Customer-Technology-Competitor Foresight and Establishing Future Skills
- Creativity and Innovation Management
- Business Development/ Development of Trendsetting Business Models
- Entrepreneurship
- Sustainability
Graduates are also particulary well qualified for these tasks in an international context.
Typical industries for the graduates of this program are:
- Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
- IT
- Mobility Industry
- Services
- Consultancy
- Education
- Cities and Communities
The dual study programme enables a combination of practical training elements in a company and theoretical training at the university. Either the combined model (study & vocational training) or the study programme with in-depth practice (study and intensive practical phases) can be chosen. The advantage for students is obvious: with a practice-oriented academic education, the transition from study to work is usually smooth. In addition, the student is usually financially compensated by the respective company.
Please inform yourself on our pages on dual studies or on the search for a dual company partner. Plesae don't hesitate to contact us even if no partner company is currently active in this degree programme.
- No general tuition fees - Student’s union contribution per semester only.
General information on scholarship:
Financing your study programme might be a big challenge for you. On our homepage you find different opportunities of financing your academic studies at our university. Link:
Please note that financial aid programmes are mostly not open to foreign students. For scholarships for students from abroad you may have a look here:
https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/12359-finding-scholarships/
Public funding (BAföG) is only available to Germans and to EU citizens if they have spent a considerable part of their education in Germany. The university awards a scholarship called Deutschlandstipendium once a year which cannot fully cover living expenses. Additionally we have limited funds and support some international students for a maximum of one semester. Please do not actively approach the International Office on scholarships, once a year a call for application automatically reaches all international students.
Third party scholarship:
- If you are an applicant from abroad, you may qualify for a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): www.daad.de
- If you are a German students we recommend to research for suitable scholarships on www.mystipendium.de
- Please note that we cannot offer any guidance or support concerning scholarship applications.
We recommend that single students budget at least 700-900 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, health insurance, stay, books, semester contribution)
We recommend that single students budget at least 700-900 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, health insurance, stay, books, semester contribution)
Language courses in German are offered every semester to help students improve their language skills.
THI does not run any student housing – neither on-campus nor off-campus – and therefore cannot provide you with accommodation. Below is a link, which helps finding accommodation in Ingolstadt.
Our International office / counselling is established especially for the international academic programmes. The International Office provides an all-round service to help you with all necessary pre-arrangements for the organization of your study and everyday life in Ingolstadt.
Many FAQs for international students are available in our FAQ-section on the website.
All about application, enrollment and examination
Apply online
Application from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15 for the summer term and from May 2 to July 15 for the winter term!
Programme director
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Groha
Phone: +49 841 9348-7910
Room: A212
E-Mail: Axel.Groha@thi.de
Module Handbook
Information will follow as soon as possible
Study and Examination Regulations
Study and examination regulations (SPO) deal with judicial matters concerning your study course. Please turn to the pages of the legal department for Statutes of this course.
For any questions on requirements, exams regulations and more, please turn to the Service Center Study Affairs.