Shaping the future: New TA study program starts at KIT

How can technologies be used for the sustainable development of democratic societies? This key question of technology assessment (TA) can be addressed by students in a new Bachelor’s degree course in Karlsruhe.
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The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) expands its range of courses in the field of TA. The new major “Technology Assessment and Future Design” starts in the winter semester 2025/26 as part of the B.A. program “Liberal Arts and Sciences.” The major designed at ITAS adopts a new approach to teaching the theoretical and practical principles of TA. In lectures and seminars, but also in practical courses and real-world labs, the students acquire a wide range of skills to comprehensively assess technological innovations in such fields as digitalization, energy, or mobility and to understand and help shape the resulting social change.

Close collaboration with leading TA institution

“Our future students can particularly benefit from 30 years of cutting-edge research in the field of technology assessment at ITAS,” says Bettina-Johanna Krings, researcher at ITAS and coordinator of the TA major. In addition to a large number of experienced lecturers, this also provides the opportunity to align the courses closely with real TA projects, explains Krings. In this way, students are introduced to complex topics at an early stage and trained in TA practice.

Minors from science communication to philosophy

The major can be combined with one of nine minors – from science communication to contemporary history and media culture to European literature and philosophy. “TA and Future Design” can also be studied as a minor – in this case in combination with “Science Communication” or “History of the Present” as a major subject. The minor replaces the supplementary subject “Technology Assessment (TA),” which has been offered at the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at KIT since 2021.

Regardless of the combination of subjects chosen, the degree program teaches students the ability to analyze complex societal issues in a scientifically sound way and to apply the acquired knowledge in politics, society, and business. In combination with courses at partner universities from Vienna to Amsterdam, students can create their own international curriculum.

Enrollment and contact person

Enrollment for the coming semester is possible until 15 September 2025. If you are interested, you can contact the academic advisors or the TA coordinator Bettina-Johanna Krings directly with any questions. There is also a regular online consultation. (20.08.2025)

Further information: