- Degree
- Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.)
- Admission restriction
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No
- Voraussetzung
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Hochschulzugangsberechtigung oder berufliche Qualifikation
- Contact
- Application period
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29 April – 15. July 2025
Study Brewing and Beverage Technology: Your Bachelor's programme at HSWT
Start your practice-orientated and comprehensive university education for the entire beverage industry with us at the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf.
The production steps and methods used in the manufacture of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages have changed dramatically as a result of scientific and technical developments in recent decades. The degree programme in Brewing and Beverage Technology therefore focuses on these new technical possibilities, which the beverage industry uses to constantly improve quality, ensure economic efficiency and develop and market new products. When looking for a degree programme in the food and beverage sector, many students opt for this practical and varied technical course.
You can find more videos about the degree programme on our YouTube channel
What you will learn on the Brewing and Beverage Technology degree programme in Weihenstephan
In the subjects of mathematics, physics, chemistry, nutritional physiology and microbiology, you will acquire the scientific foundations necessary for understanding the other core subjects. Our students impress with their interdisciplinary expertise:
- in technological areas (raw materials, product development or manufacturing processes)
- in production engineering (through to plant design)
- in quality assurance & sensor technology
- on the business side of beverage production (production controlling, corporate management, marketing).
- The degree programme thus forms the ideal basis for the professional profile of qualified specialists and managers in the beverage and brewing industry.
After studying Brewing and Beverage Technology, you will have these skills:
- You can design & evaluate product development & manufacturing processes.
- Through your individual specialisation, you will have in-depth knowledge and skills in the respective methodological and industry-specific areas.
- You can also work on tasks in the field of beverage production using formal methods and design solutions.
- You will be able to assess the quality and possible uses of raw and base materials.
- Depending on your position, you will work on tasks in the areas of chemical-technical analysis, microbiology, sensory analysis and quality assurance.
- You will be able to work on management and leadership tasks with sound business management tools & assess changing market situations.
Programme structure for the Bachelor's degree in Brewing and Beverage Technology
The standard period of study is seven semesters. The fifth semester is a work placement semester. Students can earn 30 credits per semester (credit points according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, ECTS), totalling 210 credits.
In the three-month Bachelor's thesis in the seventh semester, students work on a topic from company practice or applied research under academic supervision and thus complete the programme as a Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.).
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1st semester
Module
ECTS
Applied Mathematics 6 Fundamentals of Physics
5 Fundamentals of Chemistry 8 Technical communication 5
Introduction to beverage production 5 -
2nd semester
Module
ECTS
Malting & wort technology with brewing analytics 6 Thermodynamics & Transport Phenomena 5 Materials & Plant Engineering 5 Business fundamentals of the beverage industry 5 Fundamentals of statistics 5 Cleaning & Disinfection 5 -
3rd semester
Module
ECTS
Nutritional Physiology & Biochemistry 5 Fundamentals of Microbiology 5 Process Engineering I 5 Marketing
5 Beverage packaging & bottling technology
5 Basic practical course in chemical-technical analysis (CTA 1) 5 -
4th semester
Module
ECTS
Chemical Technical Analysis (CTA 2)
5 Measurement, control & regulation technology 5 Beverage microbiology & microbiological quality assurance 5 Beverage production technology 5 Process engineering II 4 General science compulsory elective module I
3 General science elective module II
3 -
5th semester
Module
ECTS
Practical semester 30 -
6th semester
Module
ECTS
Quality management 5 Sensor Technology & Quality Assurance
6 Process Automation
5 Corporate management
5 Three specialised elective modules (3 EC each)
9 -
7th semester
Module
ECTS
Cost & Investment Accounting
5 Plant engineering & design
5 Two specialised elective modules (3 EC each)
6 Bachelor's thesis 14
Careers in brewing & the beverage industry
With the Bachelor's degree, our students receive an application-oriented, scientifically sound and professionally qualifying qualification. It enables them to take on particularly qualified specialist and management tasks in the beverage industry and related areas, for example in beverage manufacturing companies (breweries, mineral springs, distilleries...), in the supply industry and related professions, but also in trade and services with brewing and beverage technology products.
Our students work along the entire value chain from raw materials to finished products and their marketing. They are sought-after specialists in the food and beverage industry, but also in apparatus and plant engineering, the chemical-pharmaceutical sector, environmental technology, the software industry and the public sector. Our alumni encounter a wide range of tasks.
The activities of brewing & beverage technologists include
- Beer & beverage production
- Quality assurance & quality control
- Production of auxiliary & operating materials, e.g. hops and malt
- Operation & optimisation of production facilities
- Plant planning & construction
- Research & development
- Marketing & sales
- Consultancy for companies
- Association work in international organisations
- Plant management
Brewing course with intensive practical work
At the University of Applied Sciences, the course with intensive practical work corresponds to the Brewing and Beverage Technology degree programme in terms of content and timing. In addition to the degree programme, you will enter into a cooperation with a brewery or beverage production company, where you can deepen your practical skills.
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How does the course with intensive practical work work?
With this study model, you will complete practical work in a cooperating company of the University of Applied Sciences during the lecture-free periods and in the practical semester. This strengthens your bond with the company through the intensive practical phases. However, you will not acquire a second professional qualification as you would on the degree programme that accompanies your training. However, you can spend your practical periods not only in breweries or malt houses, but also in other companies in the beverage industry (mineral water, fruit juice, wine and spirits industry, soft drink manufacturers, plant manufacturers, supply industry).
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Organisation and timetable for the course with intensive practical work
The course with intensive practical work corresponds to the regular degree programme in terms of content and timing. If you would like to start the Brewing and Beverage Technology course with intensive practical work with us in the winter semester, you apply in the early summer of the year in which you would like to start your studies.
This means you will start your studies at the University of Applied Sciences. You should have entered into cooperation with a company by the middle of the second semester at the latest, as the first practical placement should take place in the semester break after the second semester at the latest. If the contract begins before the end of the first semester, the practical placement can begin in the first semester break.
A total of at least 30 weeks of practical work (excluding holidays and Bachelor's thesis) must be completed during the semester break and the practical semester. The Bachelor's thesis is also completed at the partner company. You will work on your own company-specific projects in collaboration with partner companies. For the duration of the course with intensive practical work, you will usually receive a monthly grant from the cooperation company. The amount of the payment and possible payment of tuition fees will be agreed between the company and you. It is possible to be taken on as an employee after completing the programme.
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Admission requirements
In addition to the admission requirements for the Bachelor's degree programme in Brewing and Beverage Technology, an educational contract with a cooperation company is required for the change to the course with intensive practical work.
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Certificate
At the end of the successfully completed degree programme, you can apply for a certificate for the course with intensive practical work. It certifies that you have completed the course with intensive practical work.
Brewing and Beverage Technology: Requirements, admission & application to HSWT
There are no admission restrictions for the Bachelor's degree programme in Brewing and Beverage Technology. You only need to have a valid higher education entrance qualification or professional experience in beverage production. We have compiled more detailed information on enrolment at HSWT on our general application page.
An internship in the beverage industry before starting the degree programme makes it easier to get started, but it is not necessary to start the degree programme.
Information on the general admission requirements for studying at HSWT can be found here:
Why studying brewing at the HSWT is the right decision
Practical relevance promotes opportunities
Practical relevance and complexity characterise the Bachelor's degree in Brewing and Beverage Technology. You will combine theory and practice in the best possible way in the programme that accompanies your apprenticeship, but also in the normal Bachelor's programme: for good career opportunities.
Your research playground
In the HSWT laboratories, in the technical centre or in the Weihenstephan state brewery, you will apply your knowledge directly - and gain your own experience in brewing and beverage technology.
Studying without A-levels
Admission to the Brewing & Beverage Technology degree programme is also possible for applicants with subject-related professional qualifications without a university entrance qualification. You can find out more about the requirements here.
