Study Engineering & Innovation
Discover the degree programs offered by HOK in the field of Engineering & Innovation - Industrial Engineering, Product Development, Drone Technology, and Process Management - all designed with a practical focus that bridges the gap between design and management.
TECHNOLOGY. ECONOMY. INNOVATION.
Engineering is more than designing and Building.
Products are becoming more complex, production cycles shorter, and the demands around sustainability and digital transformation higher. Anyone studying engineering today needs more than technical expertise. What matters is the ability to think about technical solutions from a business perspective, manage processes effectively, and guide innovation from the initial idea through to implementation.
At HOK, the Engineering & Innovation programs combine technology with business thinking – preparing you for a job market that needs people who not only understand products and processes, but also know how to improve them.
Why Study Engineering & Innovation at HOK?
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Technology and business in one degree program
Our programs combine engineering fundamentals with business expertise. You gain an interdisciplinary skill set for areas such as product development, manufacturing, project management, and process optimization.
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From prototype to finished product
Whether in our drone hall, our design laboratory, or practical projects with industrial partners, you learn how to develop technical solutions and put them into practice — moving beyond simulation and into real-world application.
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Accelerated entry for students with a technical background
Students who already have a technical education may be eligible to transfer prior credits and shorten the overall duration of their studies. Details on which qualifications can be recognized are available on the individual program pages.
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More than a degree
English-taught degree programs prepare students for international work environments. Optional professional certifications, such as the IPMA project management certification, add an industry-recognized credential to the academic profile.
Where innovation meets science.
At HOK, Engineering & Innovation is closely linked to applied research. In the Science Labs, students work on current challenges in product development, manufacturing, and process optimization – often in direct collaboration with companies from the region.
Research in areas such as smart products, digitalization, and production management bridges academic learning and practical application. At the Lean Lab, HOK’s learning factory, students apply Lean Management methods and explore process optimization using real-world processes.
Our degree programs in ENGINEERING & INNOVATION
All degree programs at a glance – filter by degree level, study format, and language of instruction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Industrial Engineering & Management and Drone Engineering?
Industrial Engineering & Management combines engineering expertise with business skills – making it ideal for students who want to work at the intersection of technology and management, for example in product development, manufacturing, logistics, or consulting.
Graduates of Austrian HTL programs in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or mechatronics may be eligible to enter directly into the third semester, allowing them to shorten the overall duration of their studies.
Drone Engineering, by contrast, is a highly specialized degree program taught entirely in English. It focuses on drone technology, autonomous flight systems, sensor technology, and drone programming. Distinctive features include drone pilot certification and flight testing in the university’s own outdoor testing area.
Do I need a technical school background for Drone Engineering or Industrial Engineering & Management?
A technical background is helpful, but not required. A genuine interest in technology and a willingness to learn are more important than prior knowledge.
Graduates of technical HTL programs may even be eligible to enter Industrial Engineering & Management directly in the third semester. For Drone Engineering, the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein offers preparatory entry options, and the program itself systematically builds the technical foundations from the ground up.
Can I study Process Management or Lean Management at the HOK?
Process optimization is an integral part of research and teaching at HOK, including the work carried out in the Lean Lab.
Those wishing to specialize in this field can do so through HOK’s part-time Master’s program in ERP Systems & Business Process Management.
What career opportunities do the Engineering & Innovation programs open up?
These programs lead to a wide range of future-proof career paths.
Graduates of Industrial Engineering & Management work in product development, production planning, supply chain management, controlling, and consulting—across industries ranging from manufacturing to services.
Graduates of Drone Engineering may start their careers as UAS engineers, aerial intelligence experts, or UAS entrepreneurs in a rapidly growing global market, with the European drone market alone projected to exceed USD 11 billion by 2029.
The master’s program Smart Products & AI-driven Development opens doors to careers in AI-powered product development, with an average starting salary of more than EUR 53,000.
What is the Smart Products & AI-driven Development master’s program about, and who is it for?
This master’s program, taught entirely in English, combines engineering expertise with AI methods and management skills. Its focus is on developing intelligent, connected products.
Students apply topics such as machine learning, edge computing, digital twins, embedded systems, and generative AI in hands-on projects. Additional professional certifications in project management, AI, and IoT are integrated into the curriculum.
The program is designed for graduates of technical bachelor’s programs who want to work at the intersection of technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
