Industrial Management in Microelectronics (IMM), MSc Dresden International University

Bridge engineering expertise with management skills in microelectronics.

Dresden, known worldwide as “Silicon Saxony,” is a leading centre for the semiconductor industry. In this fast-moving field, companies are looking for professionals who combine technical expertise with strong skills in industrial management, production, and supply chain operations.

This degree programme opens career paths in microelectronics, microsystems, sensor technology, and the wider semiconductor industry. Students gain a solid foundation in key technologies while developing practical skills in industrial management, logistics, and project management. Small study groups, hands-on learning, and international and intercultural exposure prepare graduates for careers in both German and global industry.

Programme Structure

The Industrial Management in Microelectronics MSc is structured as a modular full-time degree programme. The curriculum combines technical expertise in microelectronics with management-oriented content for industrial and high-tech environments. Students develop the skills needed to understand semiconductor technologies, production processes, logistics, project work, and business decisions across the microelectronics value chain.

The programme covers areas such as circuits and devices, semiconductor technology, packaging in microelectronics, microsystems and sensor technology, operations and logistics management, project management, investment and financing, and academic research skills. It prepares students to work at the interface of engineering, production, operations, and management.

In addition, students strengthen their academic, intercultural, and professional skills through modules in scientific working, German language, cultural and team competences, and a sustainability project. The programme concludes with the Master’s thesis, in which students apply their knowledge to a research-based topic in the field of industrial management and microelectronics.

Study Schedule

First and second semester: Students complete the programme’s core technical and management-oriented modules. These include circuits and devices, semiconductor technology, packaging in microelectronics, microsystems and sensor technology, operations and logistics management, project management, investment and financing, and scientific working.

Third semester: Master’s thesis phase, including the preparation, writing, and defence of the Master’s thesis

• Classes on-site: full-time study programme in Dresden
• Language of instruction: English
• Additional components: German language course, cultural and team competence training, sustainability project, and scientific working

The programme does not contain a mandatory internship. Nevertheless, undertaking a voluntary internship is recommended. This allows students to gain specific job experience. Programme advisers will assist students with preparing the application documents and finding an appropriate internship position.

To be admitted to the Master’s programme, applicants must fulfil the following:

• already posses a college or university degree (equivalent to 210 credit points or bachelor degree) recognised in the country of origin in the area of electrical engineering, electronics, microelectronic, technology, mechatronics, physics or automation
• prove a one-year occupational experience and a solid prior knowledge
• have advanced knowledge of English on the TOEFL level 570, iBT 79 IELTS 6.0 or similar knowledge and have an average grade of over 70%

None (DIU is not a member of the "Studentenwerk" organisation.)

The cost of living depends on the lifestyle of each student. It can be calculated with 934 EUR per month according to the BAföG rate.

It is generally possible to study full-time and work on a part-time basis. With a student visa, students have permission to work 120 days a year. The problem is that the lecture schedule is not identical every week, which makes it difficult to have regular working hours each week. In the past, students have found assistant part-time jobs in sales, production, and cleaning services.

Germany Scholarship at DIU | Student Funding

Career days, network events

• Finding accommodation is a long process, so you need patience and start the search well in advance!
• Should the search stress or trouble you, get a provisional accommodation (guesthouse/hotel/hostel) for the first few weeks!
• Use your social networks and student groups to your advantage!
• Gather your ideas, questions and wishes in advance and then get in touch with us for the best possible assistance!
• Don't underestimate the process involved, as with everything in Germany, searching for accommodation has more bureaucracy involved than you might expect!

We are the affiliated partner of TUD University of Technology Dresden and have been synonymous with academic continuing higher education for over 20 years – state-recognised, non-profit and accredited degrees.

We combine personal support, excellent teaching and lecturers, and a lively network of science and practice with modular, agile and digital study formats.

We are the university for people with plans, professionals with ambitions, international talents and companies that want to develop skilled employees.

Excellence connects.

The innovative courses of DIU offer clearly structured qualifications on a high academic level. The aims of these programmes are the improvement of academic knowledge and the acquisition of additional practical skills. DIU Master's programmes follow an interdisciplinary approach and can be completed either as full-time or part-time studies. Classes are held in English or German.

Specifically designed curricula for international students are clearly structured and offer a wide range of courses. Students are thus able to acquire a sound and diversified knowledge during seminars and workshops.

Given the interdisciplinary profile of DIU, every course comprises aspects of several academic disciplines. Therefore, the modules of a course deal with all aspects of a specific topic relevant to its comprehensive processing.

About 30% of DIU's students are foreigners from 30 nations. The intercultural competence of the students and staff, language training and international community life are some of the factors of DIU's internationalisation. Since 2003, DIU has intensified its international activities in order to attract foreign students to study in Dresden.

The enhancement of students' qualifications and competencies with a diverse and continuously expanding range of courses is connected to the requirements of the international job market.

Since 2011, a joint campus in Dresden's World Trade Centre has brought DIU and two further educational institutions – EIPOS and TUDIAS – together. They share infrastructure and back-office services. They also make joint use of the available seminar and meeting rooms and the lecture theatre.

With its many architectural masterworks, Dresden is the perfect place for people interested in art. The town has beautiful views both night and day, even in grey November weather. From the centrally located Theatre Square, one may view a whole array of architectural wonders such as the Italian Quarter, the Semper Opera House, the Zwinger buildings complex, the old town guardhouse, the castle, and the Catholic Court Church. In inclement weather, one may take advantage of the museums located within these buildings. In the Zwinger art gallery, one will find works by Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens and Raphael, and classical concerts take place here in the evening. The Old Slaughterhouse hosts rock concerts.

The town has an excellent public transport infrastructure, with modern trams and buses, and there is also the possibility of going on town tours on the special double-decker buses.

Not only do aficionados of the baroque style get something out of Dresden, but the town also offers a lot of modern architecture, such as the town synagogue, the glass factory, the St. Benno Grammar School, the World Trade Centre - to name but a few buildings. Those interested in technology will find exhibitions at the Dresden University of Technology, the Technical Museum, the Museum of Transport, or the Tram Museum.

The nightlife in Dresden is similarly entertaining. For those interested in sports, one should experience a performance in the new stadium, in the sports centre on Bodenbach Street or in the ice-skating rink, or in one of the many sports clubs.

Dresden’s charm is defined by its stunning location along the Elbe. The valley boasts numerous attractions that provide both a rich cultural experience and a chance to connect with the local community. As well as museums and monuments, there are castles, mansions, stately gardens and parks affording insight into the history, geology and geography of the area. Castles in Moritzburg, in Meißen, and in Radebeul, as well as the baroque garden in Großsedlitz, are representative of the many places of outstanding beauty and interest.

The Saxon wine alley follows Germany's smallest and most northerly wine production region, with an 800-year viticultural heritage. The wine terraces lie idyllically beneath castles and fortresses. Several wine bars and cellars are open for wine-tasting sessions. The area is accessible by means of quiet pathways or by cycle paths.

It is worth partaking in a day trip to the Elbe sandstone mountains area, also known as "Saxonian Switzerland", where you have the opportunity for hiking and climbing unique rock formations. With its woods and hills of up to 800m in height, the Ore Mountains are an ideal place for walks in summer and skiing in winter.