At the NIT, we reflect a modern and agile work environment through our innovative learning concepts: we do not focus on lecturing, but rather on student-learning through many dynamic, practical, and socially-integrated projects.
Modules from the areas of classical management, self-development, innovation management, company foundation, and digitalization familiarize students with the entrepreneurial challenges of the future. Topics such as ethics, law, and IT security further expand on important aspects of technology management. In addition, students can learn programming and familiarize themselves on real projects with relevant innovation methods such as design thinking.
"The NIT program adapts to the rapid changes in technology and society that make learning itself one of the most important skills for the future. Flexible, experiential and individual learning is extraordinarily powerful in helping students learning to learn. Plus, it is a lot more fun, too."
Sebastian Fixson, PhD Professor at Babson College, USA
moNITor is our new booking platform for our MBA/M.A. seminars and modules as well as for continuing education workshops.
The participant management system (moNITor) is quite intuitive and makes it easier for you to manage your enrollment for upcoming events, update your personal data, redeem vouchers, and so much more!
As a student of our program in Technology Management (MBA/M.A.), you can see all the modules that are mandatory for you, as well as additional elective modules. You can also find a progress report, your Transcript of Records and your enrollment certification.
Over the course of three unique modules, students learn the basics of management. Strategy development and methods of communication are supplemented by classical management focuses such as accounting and financial management. In group work, students deepen their intercultural team skills and deal with ethical aspects of their actions.
The Economics & Law module is divided into two parts and combines the basics of economic thinking with practical application examples. The aim is to obtain an overview of basic economic concepts and to be able to apply them individually to company-related questions.
Part I: Economic principles
Students are familiarized with the basics of economic thinking and sensitized to the fact that markets can only function if there are adequate institutions. Part I consists of six chapters: (1) Basic economic concepts, (2) Necessary conditions for functioning markets, (3) Market failures and government failures, (4) Public goods and their financing, (5) International trade and (6) Political economics (e.g. rent-seeking).
Part II: Investment climate
The (general) insights from Part I are transferred to individual entrepreneurs and thus linked to "my project." Certain elements of repetition are explicitly intended for sustainable learning success. Six sub-chapters are included: (1) Relevance of security / Stability of property rights for the behavior of firms, (2) Relevance of regulation for firm behavior, (3) Relevance of taxation for firm behavior, (4) Relevance of availability of financial markets for firm behavior, (5) Relevance of infrastructure quality for firm behavior and (6) Relevance of labor markets for firm behavior.
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 30 hours (4 days in class over a 15 week period)
3rd semester
Written examination, graded
"Accounting is the language of business." Through case studies, business games, and simulations, a basic knowledge of accounting and cost accounting, as well as financing and investment accounting is acquired. In particular, students learn how to measure and control the financial and non-financial performance of a company.
The central didactic concept is a so-called "flipped classroom," i.e. the students independently acquire part of the knowledge via the digital platform, MyAccountingLab, and the accompanying textbook, while in the classroom students apply and reflect on this freshly acquired knowledge.
The starting point is the interactive teaching of the basic, central, arithmetic schedules: Balance Sheet/Statement of Financial Position and Profit and Loss Account/Income Statement. Using an emerging self-run company as a reference, the purpose of these accounting schedules and their relationships to each other is clarified. This way, the basic questions of accounting, according to HGB and IFRS, are introduced. Students then learn the basics of balance sheet policy and balance sheet analysis by practicing on (self-)selected sample companies. Central controlling procedures and cost accounting applications are then taught to develop internal accounting skills. For example, students are shown how pricing decisions can be based on cost accounting information or how contribution margins can be used for strategic and operational issues. Selected management issues with key figures and performance measurements will also be addressed.
The module also deals with questions of financing and investment calculation, and the most important methods are applied, such as the amortization method, the NPV method, and the internal rate of return method (IRR). Finally, students are shown how the sensitivity of the various methods learned in the course can be determined, and how improvement potentials can be identified using the Monte Carlo simulation.
After successful completion of this module, students are able:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 48 hours (6 days in class over a 10 week period)
2nd semester
Case Studies / Project Reflection: 30%, Quizzes: 30%, Written Exam: 40% graded
In this module students learn to develop entrepreneurial strategies in response to national and international market challenges and to analyze the consequences of strategic alternatives.
Upon successful completion of this module, students are able to:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 40 hours (6 days over a 10 week period)
1st semester
Presentation, Term paper
In an agile working world, the focus is no longer on specialist knowledge, but rather on the ability to handle permanent change with confidence. In these modules, students develop skills to shape digital change. Using real projects, they prepare themselves for responsible leadership tasks in management. Students have their mental flexibility and their awareness of the reaching consequences of their actions further developed, facilitating a positive culture of error.
The module Shaping the World of Tomorrow provides students with an introduction to digital transformation (history, drivers, success factors). They learn the basics of the development of digital products through a practical project and gain an insight into the topics of IT security as well as the ethics and culture of digital society. The module encourages students to play an active role in shaping digital change and to be able to competently evaluate future developments.
Students become designers of digital change:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 48 hours (6 days in class over a 10 week period)
1st semester
Project task, product development and implementation of a max. 5-minute film incl. written documentation
The Self-Development & Communication module enables participants to identify and reflect on their own values and skills in a digital environment. Using various communication models and conflict dynamics, students develop their reflection skills and acquire the ability to further enhance their methodical and interpersonal work.
Upon completion of the module, the students have:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 64 hours (8 days in class over a 10 week period)
2nd semester
Presentation / Moderation, Written Reflexion
In the Leadership in Changing Environments module, participants develop an understanding of the different leadership requirements in the context of changing social, economic, and technical conditions. Personal skills dealing with decision-making processes in unpredictable and difficult-to-control situations are expanded, and the possibilities and limitations of leadership on the development of a learning and innovation culture are demonstrated.
After successful completion of the module, students gain:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 50 hours (7 days in class over a 130 week period)
3rd semester
Presentation, ungraded
The core of the curriculum consists of practice-oriented modules in the Business Development area that extend over the entire period of study. Here, students develop their skills on the basis of project-based learning.
An innovation project serves as a project, leading to the development of a business idea in five modules. This concept is systematically developed further in the internship and in the Master’s thesis and the first steps of implementation are planned in detail.
The Foundations of Business Development module teaches the basics for the development of innovative projects and new business fields. The modules focus on recognizing, analyzing, and planning new business methods. Subsequently, students are able to develop innovations and develop business plans.
This module teaches the basics for the later development of innovation projects and new business fields:
Knowledge:
Skills:
Personal competence:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 48 hours (6 days in class over a 15 week period)
1st semester
Case study processing, group work, participation, graded
In the Innovation & New Business Proposal module, students in start-up teams develop a self-chosen business idea and validate it using various approaches. They design new business models and learn how to combine existing information and innovative ideas.
In this module, students form startup teams to develop and validate a self-chosen business idea, possibly presented by a company at the Project Fair. The validation process follows an incremental and iterative approach in which diversity, consideration of alternatives, and testing of hypotheses based on prototypes are preferred to a linear five-year business plan.
After completing this module, students are able to:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 40 hours (8 days in class over a 15 week period)
2nd semester
Written exam, graded
This application-oriented module aims to further develop an idea into an innovation and business concept. In addition to integrated specialist knowledge, students learn skills such as the creation of a communication plan and how to expand their personal competencies.
As the third part of “my project,” this applied module aims to further develop an idea into an innovation and a business concept. Ideally, a detailed pitch-deck for the project is available at the end. The module is divided into three blocks:
Knowledge:
Skills:
Personal competence:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 40 hours (5 days in class over a 15 week period)
3rd semester
Case study processing, group work, participation, graded
Students are introduced to modern technology and innovation management in the Innovation Tools, Methods & Concepts module. They are familiarized with trends and current developments and can subsequently evaluate and shape them.
The focus is on tools and processes of modern technology and innovation management such as stage gate processes, technology roadmaps, foresight tools, large data analysis or simulation. At the same time, current trends such as the “Circular Economy,” “Big Data,” and “Digitization” will be discussed.
Current Challenges and Trends in Technology Management
These inputs address current issues that are relevant in the context of changing workplaces and increasingly digitized forms of work:
Technology Assessment and Acquisition
This input introduces a concept and methodology for the development of technology strategies and their combination with business strategies and/or policy decisions. Concepts and applications of a range of integrated tools are presented, including technology assessment and hierarchical decision modeling.
Innovation Process
This input includes an introduction to the basic concepts of innovation management, the framework conditions of the innovation process, the management of idea generation and selection, and the management of alternative generation and implementation (technical problem solving).
Current Challenges and Trends in Technology Management
Technology Assessment and Acquisition
Develop an understanding of approaches and tools that help organizations and governments align their strategies and policies with the direction in which new technologies are moving.
Innovation Process
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
Attendance: 80 hours (10 days in class over a 15 week period)
1st + 2nd semester
Presentation, graded
All NIT students learn a foreign language during their studies. German as a foreign language is compulsory for all students below level C1. Native speakers and students above the required level can choose another language (e.g. Chinese, French, or Spanish etc.).
According to §4 (4) FSPO at least two of the levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) must be successfully completed for German as a Foreign Language. In other foreign languages, at least one increase in competence by one level must be demonstrated.
NIT Program Director
IBH and other language schools in Hamburg
Workload: 5 ECTS / 150 hours
Attendance: 75 hours total (weekly courses) over 2 semesters
1st + 2nd semesters
Participation and successful completion (graded) of two language courses as well as passing an official language exam such as TestDaF, Telc, DELE etc.
The internship gives students an opportunity to test and apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. Working students develop an independent project in their company.
The internship/practical activity is an important part of the “my project” strand. The internship gives students the opportunity to test and apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. In addition, they can put the questions raised in their own projects into practice and find answers.
If students carry out their projects in cooperation with companies they can test direct applications on site during the practical phase lasting several weeks, test their product or service in direct contact with customers and get to know other relevant relationships in the company and on the corresponding market.
Immersing students in an industry environment further deepens their learning experiences and increases their practical problem-solving competences. The internship also offers international students an opportunity to apply and expand their German language skills in a professional environment.
The internship experience also serves personal career orientation. Students get to know industries and companies/startups with relevance in their future career paths. Immersion in a real workplace over a period of several weeks offers the students an ideal opportunity to recognize the elements and aspects of their subject that really motivate and inspire them.
Workload: 10 ECTS / 300 hours
At least 8 weeks full-time employment in practice
3rd + 4th semesters
Presentation (Poster Fair), internship certificate, ungraded
In the Master's thesis, students formulate a research question or develop a business idea. Thus, the thesis can be a business plan or the business field development of a corporate innovation project. The aim of the Master's thesis is to show that the student is in a position to independently work on a topic in Technology Management, according to scientific aspects.
The aim of the Master’s thesis is to prove that the student is in a position to work on a specific question from the field of Technology Management independently, using scientific methods within a specified period of time.
High expectations are placed on form and content. The aim is for all students to have a solid methodological framework and knowledge of content at the end of the working period, which will enable them to successfully complete their scientific work.
Workload: 15 ECTS / 450 hours over three months
8 hours attendance (one date)
4th semester
Written Master’s thesis, short presentation, graded
Complementary Studies supplement the NIT curriculum with modules on highly topical aspects of technology and digitalization in which students learn methodological skills and new strategies. The contents are oriented towards the challenges of digital transformation such as data science, machine learning, coding, or ethics.
Participants learn to follow a problem-solving approach and to solve problems in a structured, systematic, and efficient way. Students wishing to complete the Master's program in Technology Management with 120 ECTS can earn additional credit points from five elective modules in this area.
In this module, students learn how to acquire, cleanse, and transform large amounts of data online using various techniques. The aim is to explore, visualize, and model the related data in a target-oriented way, using modern methods of machine learning.
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
48 hours (6 days in class over a 15 week period)
Freely selectable
Project presentation, graded
The Technology and Ethics module introduces the philosophical questions of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In small teams, students develop the ability to formulate and concisely express arguments on the ethics of AI in respect of philosophical aspects.
Prof. Dr. Matthew Braham
Sandra-Luisa Moschner
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
32 hours attendance (4 days in class over a 15 week period)
Freely selectable
Short written reports, essay, ungraded
Students learn professional and methodological skills to put legal issues related to new technologies into practice and to understand and draft related contracts. This module focuses in particular on trademark and patent law, European data protection practice and the drafting of contracts.
Part 1: Industrial property rights in practice
Part 2: Handling data in practice
Part 3: Drafting contracts
One attendance day takes the form of an excursion.
Students will be able to implement legal questions in connection with new technologies and to understand and draft contracts in this field in a professional and methodical way.
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
40 hours attendance (5 days in class over a 6 week period)
Freely selectable
Term paper and presentation, graded
Design Thinking is a new and different approach to solving problems and developing innovations. The focus is on people, needs, and deeper interrelationships. Design Thinking is a process, instrument, and mindset at the same time. Students learn the basics of design thinking in the course and use it as an example to solve a tricky problem. In the further course of the module, the instruments and working methods learned in this module are deepened and supplemented in an application-oriented manner.
Design Thinking as a method for creative, human-centered recognition and solution of problems represents a strong alternative to the predominant management approaches of recent decades. In this module, students learn and use this methodology to meet the challenges of the real world by developing innovative solutions that do not simply replicate existing solutions but challenge conventional thinking. Through practical experience in designing, managing, and improving products/services/business models, students improve their creative problem-solving skills, develop habits for self-reflection, and maintain their peer-to-peer collaboration skills.
Theoretical basis
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
60 hours attendance (8 days over a 15 week period)
Freely selectable
Presentation and final report, ungraded
In the Digital Supply Chain module, students deal with the effects of disruptive technologies such as blockchain technology or the Internet of Things. They will also assess their impact on the logistics industry and the management of global supply chains in a digital world. Strategies for reducing environmental impact in logistics are identified and further developed.
Introduction to logistics, supply chain and supply chain management:
The impact of disruptive technologies, understanding the risks and opportunities for the logistics industry and global supply chains:
Managing new supply chain risks and creating resilient supply chains in a digital world.
The environmental imperative:
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
40 hours (5 days in class over a 10 week period)
Freely selectable
Presentation and learning journal, graded
The Coding module enables participants to start programming. Common programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and Java are considered and evaluated. In a practical project the students learn to program web applications with JavaScript.
Coding I
Coding II
Teresa Holfeld
Inputs
Coding School Hamburg
Workload: 6 ECTS / 180 hours
66 hours attendance (weekly) in 10 weeks
Freely selectable
Presentation, graded