Distance learning program Business administration (B.A.) – HFH

👉 The Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration at the Hamburg Open University is aimed at professionals and career changers who want to acquire solid business knowledge and specialise flexibly. You will learn fundamental topics such as marketing, human resource management, corporate governance, finance, digitalisation, and business ethics. In the later stages, you choose one of nine specialisations, for example financial management, logistics, marketing, or economic psychology, and deepen your interdisciplinary skills. The programme lasts 7 semesters, comprises 180 ECTS credits, and offers flexible learning formats with both face-to-face and online sessions, as well as a practice-oriented final thesis. Recognition of prior professional achievements allows for individual shortening of the study period.

At a Glance

🏫 Provider Hamburg Distance University, UAS based in Hamburg (Germany)
The HFH · Hamburger Fern-Hochschule is one of the largest private distance learning universities in Germany. It offers part-time bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in the fields of health and nursing, engineering, as well as business and law. With its blended learning concept and regional study centres, it enables flexible study opportunities for working professionals and families. As a non-profit university, it promotes educational permeability, equal opportunities, and practice-oriented teaching.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Economy & MediaBusiness Administration
📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 7 Semesters, Study effort 15 hours weekly
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Marketing, Human Resources, Organisation, Investment & Financing, Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Ethics, Corporate Governance, Economic Statistics, Industry 4.0, Digitalisation, Work and Organisational Psychology, Project Management, Economic Policy, Labour Law, Competition Law, Logistics Law, European Business Law, Practical Project, Academic Work, Bachelor's Thesis
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Business administration under the number 122097c.
📅 Enrollment Winter or summer semester
💶 Fees
from 270 € monthly
from 11830 € total
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Bachelor in Business Administration at HFH: Who benefits from this distance learning course?

The degree programme is aimed at working professionals or trainees who want to acquire business management knowledge flexibly alongside their job or training. It is suitable for you if you are interested in economic contexts and are looking for a versatile foundation for specialist or management tasks in companies, organisations, or for self-employment. It is especially targeted at those with commercial or administrative pre-qualifications, but also career changers from other professional fields who are aiming for career advancement or a reorientation.

Admission: Which paths lead to the course?

There are three ways to gain admission to the Bachelor in Business Administration at the Hamburg Distance University of Applied Sciences:

  • General university entrance qualification, advanced technical college entrance qualification or subject-specific university entrance qualification in combination with practical professional knowledge (usually demonstrated by a relevant vocational training, further training or several years of professional experience).
  • Studying without university entrance qualification: You can also be admitted without (technical) university entrance qualification if you have passed a recognised advanced training exam and have attended a counselling interview.
  • Completed vocational training + two years of professional experience and passed entrance examination at HFH. Periods of childcare, care or voluntary service are credited up to one year towards the professional experience.

Personally, you should bring motivation for self-directed learning over at least seven semesters (standard period of study) and be able to invest around 10 to 15 hours per week in your studies. Organisational skills, perseverance and interest in economic issues are advantageous. Initial practical experience in a commercial, administrative or similar professional field makes entry easier but is not essential.

Which study contents shape your Business Administration distance learning course at HFH?

In the Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration at the Hamburg Distance Learning University (HFH), you acquire fundamental and specialised knowledge that qualifies you for diverse fields of application within the business sector. In the first four semesters, you engage with basic business administration topics such as marketing, human resource management, organisation, investment and financing, as well as sustainable corporate management and business ethics. In addition, your analytical, methodological and social skills are developed – including business statistics, digitalisation and Industry 4.0. You learn to analyse complex problems in the corporate context and gain insights into legal issues relevant to business decisions.

From the fifth semester onwards, you have the opportunity to specialise individually. There are nine specialisations to choose from:

  • Financial Management: capital management, asset management, investment controlling
  • Economy for the Common Good: sustainable economy, ethical corporate management, preparation of common good balance sheets
  • Health Management: health economics, personnel management in healthcare, quality assurance and care management
  • Logistics: supply chain management, logistics controlling, IT-supported processes
  • Marketing: brand management, market research, digital and strategic communication
  • Human Resource Management: recruiting, personnel development, organisational design
  • Accounting/Controlling: accounting, cost accounting, corporate management
  • Business Informatics: digital business processes, software solutions, IT system integration
  • Business Psychology: communication psychology, change management, organisational development

Additional modules such as work and organisational psychology, project management and elective courses from the field of business law enable you to develop an individual academic profile. An integrated practical project (main internship) and the Bachelor's thesis complete the training with a practical focus.

How is the course structure and progression of the Business Administration distance learning course organised?

The distance learning course regularly takes seven semesters, with study start dates on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October possible. Expect a weekly workload of about 10 to 15 hours. The programme is divided into two parts:

  • First part (semesters 1–4): teaching of business administration fundamentals and methodological skills. You work with specially prepared study materials in self-study and can organise your learning times flexibly.
  • Second part (semesters 5–7): deepening, application and specialisation. In this section, you choose your specialisation, work on interdisciplinary modules, and complete the practical project as well as the Bachelor's thesis.

HFH applies a blended learning concept: you have access to digital learning platforms, study letters and optional on-site events at nationwide study centres. Exams can be taken close to your place of residence or digitally. If time permits, there is the option to extend the regular study period free of charge by up to two semesters. Already completed vocational training and further education can be credited towards your course depending on prior achievements, which may shorten the study duration.

For which professional paths do you qualify after graduation?

With the Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, you qualify for a wide range of positions across all economic sectors. Graduates work, for example, as specialists and managers in:

  • industrial enterprises and service companies
  • trade and logistics
  • banks and insurance companies
  • healthcare and social economy
  • consulting and auditing firms
  • IT services or marketing agencies

Depending on the chosen specialisation, you can specifically prepare for functions in financial management, human resources, marketing, controlling or as an expert in digitalisation. Starting your own company or entering the public sector are also frequently chosen options. Furthermore, with your first academic degree, you open up opportunities to pursue a subsequent Master's degree and further advance your career prospects.

What costs can you expect for the HFH Business Administration distance learning course and what financing options are available?

The tuition fees amount to 270 euros per month over 7 semesters, corresponding to a regular total sum of 11,830 euros. The price includes all study materials, use of the online platform, support and access to the study centres. The costs of the course can usually be claimed as work-related expenses for tax purposes. If necessary, many employers offer financial support or cover part of the fees within the scope of personnel development. Additionally, it is possible to finance the course through an educational or KfW student loan. In case of longer study duration, it is possible to exceed the standard period by two semesters without additional fees.

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