Master's degree programme Integrated Innovation Management (M.A.)
Facts and figures
Degree programme:
Integrated Innovation Management
Degree:
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Admission:
No admission restrictions
Selection procedure
THWS location:
Würzburg, Friedrichstraße 17a, among others
Faculty:
THWS Business School
Study mode:
Full-time degree programme
Duration:
3 semesters standard time to degree
Language:
German
partly English
Semester fees:
None (student services fee only (Studierendenwerksbeitrag); approx. EUR 150)
Start of studies:
Winter Semester
(1 October)
Application period:
Annually,
1 May
till
15 July
Contact
Contact person
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hube
gerhard.hube@thws.de
Academic Advisory Service
studienberatung@thws.de
Degree programme website
Degree programme Innovation for Small and Medium Enterprises
Apply now
Information for internationals
Master's degree programme Integrated Innovation Management (M.A.)
Learn how to strategically design and sustainably implement innovation
Innovations are the key to the future – but how can they be successfully developed and implemented? In the master's programme in Integrated Innovation Management at THWS, you will learn to holistically manage innovation processes and develop creative solutions for economic, technological, and social challenges. The interdisciplinary approach combines business, technology, and creativity and prepares you for leadership positions in innovation management, product development, corporate strategy, and even corporate succession. Combine your analytical skills with innovative thinking and play an active role in shaping the future!
Reasons to study Integrated Innovation Management at THWS
Taking a master's degree programme at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt offers you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and prepare for demanding tasks in our dynamic world. Our degree programmes combine advanced theoretical knowledge with practice-oriented application and specialised research. We promote interdisciplinary thinking and offer you comprehensive education strengthening your analytical skills and innovative spirit. Thanks to the access to state-of-the-art technologies and the close cooperation with practice partners, you will be optimally prepared for leadership positions and specialist roles.
Advantages of the degree programme:
- Practice-oriented training through collaboration with companies and real-world innovation projects
- Interdisciplinary approach: You combine business, technical, and creative methods to develop innovations
- Modern laboratories: You have access to 3D printing, virtual reality, and digital business labs
- Small groups: You will benefit from a personal learning atmosphere and intensive exchange with lecturers
- Gain international experience: Participate in exchange programmes and innovation projects with a global focus
- The focus is on environmentally conscious and socially relevant solutions
- Excellent career opportunities: There is high demand for specialists in integrated innovation management in a wide range of industries
Three good reasons
Practice-oriented studies: You will work on real innovation projects and directly apply your knowledge in modern laboratories and company collaborations.
Interdisciplinary knowledge: You will combine economic, technical, and creative approaches to strategically develop and implement innovations.
Innovation skills: Based on your individual innovation profile, you will learn how to develop innovations in a responsible and successful way.
Study contents
The three-semester programme provides you with practical knowledge on the development and implementation of innovations. You will learn how to use new technologies in a targeted manner, develop innovation strategies, and design sustainable business models. In addition to economic and technical aspects, the programme focuses on creativity techniques, trend analysis, and change management, accompanied by methods from patent law, marketing, logistics, and business model development.
Programme structure
1st semester
In the first semester, you will lay the methodological foundations for your studies. You will develop a deep understanding of innovation processes and learn creativity techniques for generating ideas. Trend analyses will help you to systematically evaluate market developments and derive strategic decisions from them. You will also deal with entrepreneurship and innovation financing in order to develop viable business models. In a practical project, you will reflect on team dynamics and learn how to successfully implement innovation in a team.
2nd semester
In the second semester, you will deepen your knowledge of the application and implementation of innovations. You will deal with holistic innovation management, analyse legal frameworks, and optimise production and logistics systems. Digitalisation opens up new innovation potential, which you will systematically tap into and turn into marketable concepts. The semester concludes with the topics of leadership and change management. You will learn how to specifically promote a culture of innovation and successfully shape change processes using agile methods and concepts.
3rd semester
In the 3rd semester, the focus is on applying your knowledge. You will deal with digital business models and learn how to apply data-driven approaches in practice. Value-oriented corporate management is another focus and teaches you how to implement sustainable innovations in a company. The master's thesis concludes your studies. In an academic project, you will analyse a specific challenge in innovation management and develop practical solutions.
Specialisations
The master's degree programme Integrated Innovation Management focuses on corporate innovations. While the holistic approach includes many different areas like strategies, marketing, controlling, project management, or production, the overarching focus remains on innovation. In practice projects, you choose the industries, companies, and topics that you are most interested in to broaden your horizon and gain hands-on professional experience. This enables you to tailor your studies to your intended career.
We offer the following specialisations:
- Digital business models – Big data, AI, and e-commerce
- Agile project management and team communication
- Sustainable innovations – environmentally friendly technologies and value management
- Entrepreneurship & innovation financing – business models and start-up development
What makes studies at THWS so practice-oriented?
- Exercise courses and practice projects
- Getting to know and applying new technologies
- Professors with a solid background in industry and economy
- Cooperation with companies and industry partners, regionally and internationally
- Opportunity of writing your final thesis in cooperation with a company
Career and perspectives
Innovation managers shape the future of companies by developing new ideas and strategically manage their implementation. They combine technological potential and individual innovation competences with economical requirements and contribute to creative sustainable and viable solutions. Your knowledge enables you to keep your company competitive, tap into new markets, and to find innovative and responsible solutions to societal challenges.
The professional fields are diverse:
- Innovation and technology management
- Corporate strategy & consulting
- Research & development
- Startups & entrepreneurship as well as company succession
- Sustainability and transformation management
Gain international experience
Although a stay abroad is not mandatory, it can be easily integrated in this degree programme and is actively encouraged. It allows you to improve your language skills, make new friends, and immerse yourself completely in a different culture. Take advantage of this opportunity, because studying abroad has never been easier or more rewarding!
Semester abroad
THWS has a network of more than 200 partner universities. The International Office is happy to assist you in planning a semester abroad and pick the right higher education institution.
5 reasons for going abroad as a student
- Improving language knowledge and intercultural competence
- Getting to know new teaching and studying methods
- Establishing an international network
- Enhancing your independence and flexibility
- Increasing of career perspectives on the global working market
Is Integrated Innovation Management the right master's degree programme for you?
The programme is aimed at anyone who understands innovation not just as an idea, but as a strategic process. If you think analytically, want to help shape technological developments, and find economic relationships exciting, then this programme is for you. It is particularly suitable for creative minds who are enthusiastic about interdisciplinary collaboration and want to develop sustainable solutions. Strong communication skills, the ability to work in a team, and an open mind are valuable qualities for success in this dynamic professional field.
Admission requirements
In order to be admitted to the programme, you must hold a bachelor's degree in economics, technology, social or natural sciences with a final grade of 2.5 or better, or a comparable degree.
For more detailed information on the admission requirements of this master's degree programme, please see the website of the faculty in charge. Specific requirements are also indicated in the programme's Study and Examination Regulations.
Please also see the language requirements.
Your interests and abilities
- Enthusiasm for new technologies and creativity
- Interest in business and strategic processes
- Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
- Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving
- Openness towards trends and sustainable business models
- Strong communication skills and intercultural competence
Application
Apply from 1 May to 15 July via our application portal to start your studies in the upcoming winter semester.
You have already completed study achievements and thus want to apply for a higher semester? Contact our Department of Student Affairs.
Testimonials
"I particularly appreciate the variety of content and the exciting projects with real companies, in which you can gain practical experience and make valuable contacts. The programme has a very informal atmosphere. You can directly contact most of the professors and lecturers at all times. Würzburg also has a strong student culture, offering numerous leisure activities and a lively cultural scene – it's a great place to study."
Muna Langhojer, student of Integrated Innovation Management
"I liked the methods and the network best. Upon graduation, I took away a large toolkit of methods that I still use regularly, whether for brainstorming, structuring or processing content."
Bernhard Brück, graduate of Integrated Innovation Management
"Precisely analysing existing processes, critically questioning established structures, and deriving innovative measures from them: my studies prepared me perfectly for the challenges I will face as the future successor to our medium-sized family business."
Katrin Schimscha, graduate of Integrated Innovation Management
"The i2m degree programme really helped me to gain new perspectives on the world of work and to successfully deal with change and take on flexible positions in different departments. The comprehensive examination of innovations in all areas of business offers flexible application possibilities for the knowledge I developed."
Kristin Erhardt, graduate of Integrated Innovation Management
Do you have unanswered questions?
You can contact the programme advisor, i.e. a professor of the field of study you are interested in and can ask them your questions.
During the THWS Taster Sessions, you can attend a variety of lectures in the degree programme of your choice and get valuable first impressions of life on campus.
Get informed
Looking for more information? For the most important information on studying at THWS, check out the overview.