Applied Polymer Technology

Study overview

The part-time bachelor’s program in Applied Polymer Technology is designed for working professionals seeking to advance their technical qualifications, as well as for high school graduates who wish to combine their studies with starting their careers.

Thanks to the block-style format and the option to take courses on a modular basis, the program can be flexibly balanced with family and work commitments. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded the academic degree of Bachelor of Engineering—and you will be an engineer.

Industrial foremen, technicians, technical business administrators, and those in comparable professions benefit particularly from the recognition of prior learning and can shorten the duration of their studies. Direct admission is also possible for applicants with a high school diploma or vocational high school diploma, along with completed vocational training and relevant professional experience.

The part-time Applied Polymer Technology program is practice-oriented and broadly focused. It prepares you for a wide range of roles in the plastics industry—both as a manager and as a technical expert.

Fundamentals of engineering and business administration are supplemented by modules on personal development as well as specialized modules that impart modern and practice-oriented expertise in the plastics sector. This results in a holistic skill set that combines technical expertise with management and methodological skills.

For example, the Additive Manufacturing and Design module utilizes AI-supported algorithms. In this module, students take a collaborative approach in which AI acts as a co-designer to develop optimized solutions for manufacturing-ready component design using generative design.

The Digital Production module covers the technological pillars of the connected factory: it takes an integrated approach to manufacturing execution systems for control, Industry 4.0 as a connectivity strategy, and the digital twin for process mapping.

In the Circular Economy and Plastics Recycling module, global material flows are analyzed. The focus is on how modern sorting technologies work, as well as the specific applications of mechanical and chemical recycling, in order to achieve closed-loop value chains.

These excerpts illustrate the strong practical focus of the entire program, in which all topics are explored in depth through project-based and hands-on work.

Short form	AKT
Type of study	Part-time, tuition fees apply
Standard period of study	11 semester _{Competencies and skills already acquired as well as existing professional practice can be credited, so that the duration of study is ideally on 6 semesters.}
Award	Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
Start of studies	Winter semester & summer semester*
Admission Restrictions	None
Lecture location	Weissenburg
Language of instruction	German
Course management	Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Müller-Lenhardt
Student advisory service	Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Müller-Lenhardt
Information events	Please register via our webform. For online events, you will receive corresponding access data from us. Jul 28, 2026 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Course Flyer (German)

Module manual (German)

Study programme presentation (German)

Study and examination regulations (German)

Schedule of fees and charges (German)

Content

The Bachelor's programme consists of eleven semesters. However, the first three semesters, which cover the basics of business, scientific and human resources management, may be credited due to competences and skills already acquired outside of the university. Due to the existing professional practice, the two practical study semesters are usually also credited. Ideally, the duration of study should be six semesters (three years).

A description of the individual modules can be found in the module manual.

Module study

You can also attend courses outside of a classical course of study and continue your education in this way. As part of a module course, you can take individual, selected subjects from the regular range of courses. After successful completion of a module, you will receive a certificate. Completed modules can also be credited towards a subsequent course of study. The modular study programme can provide prospective students with a gradual, flexible introduction to a study programme or allow them to acquire professionally relevant academic skills. It is possible to switch from module studies to bachelor studies after each semester.

Summer semester 2026

Target group

The part-time study Applied Polymer Technology is aimed at professionals who want to advance their career by improving their professional qualifications and developing their personal skills. The good thing about this is that you can continue to work in your profession and continue to earn money. The part-time format ensures that you can study alongside your career and family.

People who have completed their high school diploma, for example, and do not yet have a job but would like to work alongside their studies are also equally suitable for part-time study.

In comparison to the dual study program, you can study alongside your full-time job, while the dual study program alternates between theoretical phases at the university and practical phases at the company.

As the part-time study Applied Polymer Technology is neither linked to nor based on vocational training, it is suitable for people with different educational backgrounds, different professional experience and different ages.

Previous training is rewarded: industrial foremen, technicians, technical business administrators or similar professional groups benefit in particular from credits and can thus shorten their part-time studies to three years. We would be happy to provide you with information on the subject of crediting and recognition of skills in your specific case.

Inform here

Teaching methodology and presence phases

The courses are designed to accommodate the specific needs of working people. They are organised in such a way as to be compatible with full-time employment. Periods of attendance are limited to an acceptable minimum. Lectures take place in four blocks per semester (usually Wednesday to Saturday). In addition, professional practice is integrated into the course, which results in a high level of practical relevance. The knowledge gained is put into practice in students’ own companies, for example in the form of project work.

Campus

Lectures take place at the kunststoffcampus bayern in Weißenburg. The Technology and Study Centre Weißenburg is a joint research and educational institution run by Ansbach University of Applied Sciences and Deggendorf University of Technology. It also includes leading companies from the region as well as other collaborative partners from the scientific community and trade associations.

Entry requirements

Master craftsman, technician or comparable or
2 years of apprenticeship + 3 years of work experience or
high school diploma (Abitur oder Fachabitur)

Application deadlines

Study

Winter semester: Application is possible from May 2 to July 15. The application period can be extended. Study begins on October 1.

A maximum of 15 study places is available.

Module study

Summer semester: Application is possible at any time. Study begins on March 15.

Winter semester: Application is possible at any time. Study begins on October 1.

Admission to the program is possible as long as places are available.
For application please contact Susanne Rönnebeck.

Costs and funding

Study

Fees are charged for part-time studies at Bavarian universities. These are calculated to cover the additional costs arising from the special form of organization. The cost per semester is €2,400 in tuition fees (see Schedule of fees and charges) plus €82 student union fee.

Module study

The fee for the modular studies is calculated according to the tuition fee for the course and the number of modules chosen (see Schedule of fees and charges) plus €82 student union fee per semester.

Payment method

The tuition fees are due in one sum before enrollment or registration for further studies (re-registration). Monthly payment is also possible upon request. The fee for paying in installments is €50 and is due with the last installment (see Schedule of fees and charges).

Funding

Further education can be subsidized. Various programs of the Free State of Bavaria and the Federal Government provide support further qualification.

Advancement scholarship:

Website

Explanation video

Further information on the topic of funding:

Funding opportunities in further education

Further education: Funding and scholarships

Accreditation

Applied Polymer Technology has been assessed by the evaluation agency evalag.

You can see the accreditation and evaluation by the accreditation council in the accreditation database (click here).

Voices of graduates and companies

Jonas Amend

Jonas Amend
Global Head of Product Quality - Business Area Grid Technology
Siemens Energy, Erlangen

"In my professional life, my studies have paid off directly. I'm now a team leader in a global quality department and lead an international team there."

Maria Englbrecht

Maria Englbrecht
Specialist Process Development
Kautex Textron, Mallersdorf

"Today, I work enthusiastically for Kautex Textron in the area of process development for new, innovative products. I often look back fondly on my time at the plastics campus in Weißenburg and can use the skills I acquired there profitably in my day-to-day work."

Dr.-Ing. Simon Amesöder

Dr.-Ing. Simon Amesöder
Managing Director of RF Plast GmbH

"At RF Plast, we see developing and retaining good employees as a competitive advantage. In the area of plastics technology, we have therefore already supported several employees in their further education for a Bachelor of Engineering in Applied Polymer Technology and actively implemented continuous personnel development for our employees."