TU Graz/ Studying and Teaching/ Degree and Certificate Programmes/ Continuing Education/ Part-Time Master’s Programmes and University Programmes/

Executive MBA Digital Leadership

Many companies recognise that the sustainable digital transformation is accompanied by a growing need for managers who understand company-relevant digital technologies and know how to use them to improve the digital strategy or to realign a company.

Digitalisation is affecting all management functions along the value chain – ranging from purchasing to research and development and on to marketing and logistics – and not only in technology-driven companies.

By offering the interdisciplinary Executive MBA Programme in "Digital Leadership", TU Graz serves as a competent partner that can help you and your employees from different functional areas and industries improve their qualifications in the area of digital transformation. Specifically, this programme combines scientific expertise and practical experience to actively addresses your existing needs on strategic and operational levels.

Dates and Deadlines

Next start: March 2025

Application deadline: tbd soon

 

Key data

  • Degree: Executive Master of Business Administration in Digital Leadership (EMBA)
  • Duration: 18 months (3 semesters), 28 days in attendance
  • ECTS credits: 75
  • Language of instruction: English and German
  • Participation fees: 24,900 EUR (VAT-free). These fees do not include travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs.
  • Third-party grant for TU Graz employees: 16,600 EUR (VAT-free)
  • Offer for alumni: Third-party grant for the first 5 complete and successful applications.
  • Programme location: TU Graz and online

Curriculum

 

Content and key areas

The EMBA programme consists of the following modules:

The following areas of specialisation are available:

In addition, a master's thesis must be written.

Teaching and learning methods

The part-time EMBA programme has a modular structure, and teaching takes place in the form of blended learning (a combination of distance learning and attendance units).

Each module consists of 3 phases:

  1. Online phase: In this phase, you will acquire fundamental knowledge about the subject in a self-directed manner by referring to basic literature and learning videos. Participants can access the TU Graz "TeachCenter" learning platform in order to ask questions and exchange information with lecturers and other course participants. Scope: 1.5 ECTS 
     
  2. Attendance phase: In the attendance phase, you have an opportunity to discuss the acquired knowledge is discussed, reflect upon it, further deepen this knowledge, and to apply it to case study examples (an attendance block is held at TU Graz every two to three months, each time from Monday to Friday). Scope: 1.5 ECTS. Students who cannot be on site for professional reasons can participate in the lectures via the video conferencing system.
     
  3. Transfer phase: This phase is carried out individually at your own or a chosen company. In this phase, you have the opportunity to apply your acquired knowledge in the context of your company, fulfil a company task, or work to solve a company problem. Scope: 2 ECTS

Job prospects and career opportunities

Why you should participate in this university certificate programme

You benefit from:

  • A combination of online teaching and attendance units (blended learning approach)
    Each module is prepared for self-directed learning, enabling you to choose the time and place of study, in an online phase. The attendance phases enable you to deepen the acquired knowledge, e.g. by working on practical case studies.
  • Transfer projects
    In these projects, you have the opportunity to tackle an operational task or address an issue that is relevant to you and to apply the knowledge you have already acquired.
  • Individual or customised continuing education
    Choose a specialisation that suits you as well as in-service transfer projects in order to acquire specific expertise that you can apply in your everyday professional life. By carrying out and writing a master's thesis, you have the opportunity to address current professional challenges and to develop solutions.
  • State-of-the-art scientific knowledge
    Research results from TU Graz and its cooperation partners form the foundation of the programme. For this reason, you have first-hand access to expert knowledge that is relevant for the future.
  • Networking and learning from the peer group
    In targeted networking and dialogue events that combine examples from practice and science (e.g. Onboarding Conference, Midterm Conference), you have the opportunity not only to exchange professional and interdisciplinary ideas with the other participants, but also to form direct contacts with experts.

After receiving the master's degree

  • You will understand the strategic interplay between artificial intelligence, collaboration tools, and agile organisations with increased self-organisation, as well as the associated changes in management roles.
  • You will be in the position to successfully lead an entire company or individual company divisions strategically and operationally, guiding them through the digital transformation. You will be able to approach your leadership tasks holistically, drawing on your networks and achieving optimal methodically support.
  • You will be able to design digital strategies and business models as well as to strategically reflect on and assess the benefits, limits, and opportunities of using technological solutions, as well as understand how to initiate and lead change and innovation projects.
  • Your expertise in the key area of executive leadership will enable you to apply what you have learned to real business challenges and practice new leadership skills.

Application

The Executive MBA in "Digital Leadership" has been developed for executives from various sectors who have several years of leadership and management experience and who would like to take the next step in their career or to continue to develop in their existing position against the backdrop of digital change, becoming more proficient in the broad subject area of developing and applying digital transformation strategies (incl. leadership skills).
Required documents when applying online:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Proof of academic degrees already obtained or proof of teaching or school-leaving qualifications
  • Work confirmations and certificates
  • Letter of motivation
  • Copy of passport or identity card

The documents must be submitted online. Assistance with the online application

 

Target group and admission requirements

As a prerequisite for admission to the university certificate programme "Executive MBA in Digital Leadership", applicants must provide proof of the following qualifications:

  1. completion of an internationally recognised bachelor's or master's degree in a technical, scientific, economic, or legal field of study or similar academic qualifications,
  2. as well as at least five years of qualified professional and management experience, and
  3. sufficient knowledge of English as the language of instruction.

Highly qualified applicants who do not have a university degree (e.g. HTL or AHS/BHS graduates) can be admitted as an exception, if they can provide proof of appropriate professional experience, i.e. demonstrate at least ten years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years of management experience in a leading position.

Lecturers and contact information

Contact

Helmut ASCHBACHER
Dr.
TU Graz Life Long Learning
Phone: +43 316 873 4943
helmut.aschbachernoSpam@tugraz.at

Scientific head

Institut für Unternehmungsführung und Organisation
Kopernikusgasse 24/IV
8010 Graz
www.ufo.tugraz.at

Stefan Vorbach
Univ.-Prof. DI Dr.techn.
Tel.: +43 316 873 7500
stefan.vorbachnoSpam@tugraz.at

Involved institutes / cooperation partners

The lecturers come from the following institutes, facilities, and cooperation partners:

Universities

TU Graz:

Montanuniversity of Leoben:

  • Chair of Energy Network Technology

Research institutions:

Consultancy companies: