Science and technology make up two-thirds of the study programme. Business, language and communication courses make up the last third.
Teaching is structured around class tutorials, assignments, lab exercises and workshop practice. Classes are small so as to facilitate group discussions and provide more individualised attention.
Focus is on active student-centred learning, to enable your development of critical thinking and interpersonal skills.
1st and 2nd semesters: Core engineering, business and communication courses
During the first two semesters, all students take core courses. These will give you the basic skills you need regardless of your field of interest and future specialisation. Courses include mathematics, applied engineering, global business communication, intercultural business communication and international marketing as well as study skills.
In both semesters, you will work in teams on a project that combines topics from several courses. A semester project may focus on, for instance, robotics, marketing and communication.
3rd and 4th semesters: Core and specialisation courses
These semesters will build on the previous semesters’ subjects. In the second year of the degree, you will also begin to shape your own engineering profile.
You can specialise in either mechanical engineering or software engineering in combination with a number of business and communication courses. You could, for instance, choose specialisation courses within the fields of renewable energy, intelligent mechanics or Java programming.
Besides engineering, core courses include mathematics, financial management, business economics, innovation and a second language: German, French, Spanish or Danish. Semester projects may focus on renewable energy or innovation.
5th and 7th semesters: Core courses, electives and specialisation courses
You will study advanced courses within engineering, management & strategy as well as languages.
In the 5th semester, the semester project may focus on innovative product development or on the implementation of software systems in combination with marketing. In the 7th semester, you will work on a more comprehensive project, which will prepare you well for the bachelor thesis.
Please note that from the 5th semester, all courses are taught in Horsens.
6th semester: Studies abroad or specialisation courses
In order for you to gain invaluable international experience and to boost your future career options, we offer you a unique opportunity to study abroad. We recommend that you spend a semester abroad through a student exchange programme. You may also continue your studies in Horsens instead of going abroad. There is a wide range of electives to choose from within the fields of mechanical engineering or software engineering as well as global business development.
8th semester: Internship
During this semester, you will do an internship in a company in Denmark or abroad. The internship gives you the opportunity to acquire invaluable work experience in a challenging environment and to put into practice the knowledge you have gained during your studies.
9th semester: Electives and Bachelor Thesis
You will continue choosing from a wide range of electives depending on your interests and specialisation. In the 9th semester, you will prepare your final project – the Bachelor Thesis. The thesis is challenging and integrates the skills and concepts you have learned during the entire educational programme. The Bachelor Thesis is typically a real-life project for a company, carried out in pairs of two or groups of three students.
Information about computer requirements
We recommend that you acquire a PC with the the appropriate specifications before starting at VIA.
Read about computer requirements before your programme start (pdf)