Distance learning program Business Administration (B.A.) – PFH

👉 You study core business topics such as marketing and sales, accounting, logistics/supply-chain management and human resources management in a distance Bachelor of Arts (180 ECTS). The programme is offered as a flexible part-time distance model with a standard duration of six semesters and longer or shorter time variants possible. Teaching language: German. The university is state-approved and fees are €249 per month (€12,602 in total).

At a Glance

🏫 Provider Private University Goettingen, UAS based in Göttingen (Germany)
The PFH Private University of Göttingen is the oldest private, state-recognized university in Lower Saxony. With 55 practice-oriented degree programs, an international focus, and its D3 concept (Digitalization, Decarbonization, Demographic Development), it prepares around 4,800 students optimally for the challenges of the future. As part of the Galileo Global Education Group, it offers innovative and globally oriented educational programs.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Economy & MediaBusiness Administration
📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 6 Semesters, Study effort 23 hours weekly
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Sports and Event Management, Tourism Management, Industrial Production Management, Service Management, Auditing, Logistics/Supply Chain Management, Human Resources Management, Marketing/Sales, Corporate Accounting, Business Informatics, Business Administration including sector-specific Business Administration, Accounting, Fundamentals including Corporate Management, Accounting, Business Law, Bachelor Thesis
📚 Electives Sports and Event Management, Tourism Management, Industrial Production Management, Service Management, Auditing, Logistics/Supply Chain Management, Human Resources Management, Marketing/Sales, Corporate Accounting, Business Informatics
👥 In-person sessions Per semester four-day on-site sessions (optional).
📍 Location Göttingen
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Business Administration under the number 139909c.
📅 Enrollment Winter or summer semester
💶 Fees
from 249 € monthly
from 12602 € total
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Who this B.A. in Business Administration suits – and what you need to get in

This programme fits if you want an internationally usable business degree while staying in your job. Typical profiles include: professionals in customer success, marketing or sales who aim to formalise experience with a 180-ECTS bachelor’s; operations, logistics or tourism staff seeking broader management skills for supervision roles; accounting or HR assistants who plan to progress into specialist or generalist business positions without relocating.

Admission requirements

Teaching language: German. You study entirely by distance learning; optional in-person study days of up to 4 days per semester are offered.

  • University entrance qualification: German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife (entrance to a university of applied sciences).
  • With foreign qualifications: an internationally earned secondary school diploma that is recognised as equivalent to a German higher education entrance qualification. Equivalence depends on level and subject profile; certified translations may be required.
  • Transfer and prior learning: if you already have recognised higher education credits, these may be credited after individual review (where applicable).
  • Language requirements (German): as the programme is taught in German, you must provide proof of German at higher-intermediate to advanced level, typically around C1 CEFR, to follow lectures, exams and academic writing. Typical certificates at German universities include DSH, TestDaF or Goethe-Zertifikat C1.
  • Technical setup: reliable internet access, a laptop/PC, and the ability to participate in online exams or assessments according to the university’s procedures.

Admission is subject to the university’s formal check of documents and, where relevant, recognition of international certificates. If you are unsure whether your diploma grants entry in Germany, request an assessment early to avoid delays at enrolment.

Personal requirements

Studying remotely from abroad requires consistent self-management. Plan for an average of about 23 hours per week for reading, assignments and exam prep. You should be comfortable studying in German (or be ready to build up to advanced level), write structured academic texts, and use standard business and office software.

  • Strong self-organisation and realistic weekly planning over multiple semesters.
  • Perseverance: ability to sustain effort through accounting, law and quantitative modules.
  • Communication: proactive use of online tutorials, forums and support to bridge distance.
  • Time-zone strategy: block focused study slots and align with any scheduled live sessions.
  • Professional application: readiness to connect coursework to your current role for immediate impact.

If you can maintain a steady study rhythm, manage deadlines across time zones, and work confidently with German study materials, you can complete this degree alongside full-time employment.

What will you study in the Business Administration (B.A.) at Private University Goettingen?

This programme is taught in German. You need solid academic German to succeed; widely accepted proofs include TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat (ideally at C1 level). As a Fernstudium (distance learning), it leads to a 180-ECTS Bachelor of Arts and is approved by Germany’s ZFU (state authority for distance-learning).

You build a solid core in management and law: Fundamentals such as Corporate Management, Accounting, and Business Law establish your quantitative, legal and strategic toolkit for later specialisation.

You develop cross-functional business skills: Modules in Corporate Accounting/Consolidation, Business Informatics, and Auditing connect finance, data and compliance—useful for roles that bridge controlling, reporting and digital processes.

You apply management in industries and functions: Content spans Marketing/Sales and Human Resources Management, plus operations fields such as Logistics/Supply Chain Management and Industrial Production Management for end-to-end business understanding.

You explore service and experience sectors: With Service Management, Tourism Management, and Sports and Event Management, you learn how customer journeys, capacity planning and revenue models work in service-heavy markets.

Electives: The curriculum includes sector-specific business administration and specialisations from the areas above, so you can steer your profile towards marketing/HR, finance/audit, operations/logistics or tourism/events.

Private University Goettingen is a Fachhochschule (a German university of applied sciences), known for applied teaching and close ties to practice. The course is ZFU-approved (admission no. 139909c), which audits content, pacing and learner support in distance formats.

How does the Business Administration distance programme work?

You study fully at a distance as a Fernstudium. Learning is organised for self-study with structured materials and tutor support, plus selected live online elements. The course has ZFU approval (139909c), and a purely remote route does not require a visa to Germany.

Teaching language and language certificates

The teaching language is German. You should expect readings, assignments and exams in German. Formal proof of proficiency is typically required; common certificates include TestDaF, DSH, or Goethe-Zertifikat at an advanced level (usually C1).

Learning format and study materials

This is a classic distance-learning set-up: structured self-study with guidance, digital support and occasional synchronous units. In German higher education, Fernstudium means you learn largely independently with curated materials and academic support—designed for people studying alongside full-time work.

Exams and taking them from abroad

Assessments include written and possibly oral examinations aligned with German bachelor standards. The ZFU approval confirms the course is suitable for distance delivery. If you plan to take all exams abroad, check timing and format early to align with your location and schedule.

On-site sessions in Germany

The programme includes on-site days in Germany that are described as optional—up to four days per semester. These days offer networking and applied sessions; attendance is not mandatory for progression. If you choose to attend, plan for travel and accommodation.

Workload, time models and time zones

The standard study path is 6 semesters (3 years). Expect about 23 hours per week of study time. Any live online elements follow German time (CET/CEST), which may be early morning or late evening for learners outside Europe.

What does the Business Administration cost?

The total tuition over the standard duration is €12,602 in total, typically paid in monthly instalments of €249 per month. This gives you a clear monthly budget and a transparent overall cost for a 180-ECTS bachelor—usually far below comparable US tuition.

Payments can be arranged from abroad; international students commonly use bank transfer/SEPA within the EU. If you opt into optional on-site days in Germany, budget separately for travel and accommodation. Always factor in potential small costs for study materials or exam administration where applicable.

What careers and recognition does the Business Administration offer?

You graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, 180 ECTS under the European Bologna framework. ECTS credits are widely understood by universities and employers across Europe and many countries outside Europe, easing degree comparisons for master’s admission and international hiring.

The course is approved for distance delivery by Germany’s ZFU (admission no. 139909c). ZFU approval verifies consumer protection, curriculum transparency and suitability of study design for remote learners. Private universities in Germany operate under state quality oversight; a completed bachelor is positioned for further study at EQF level 6 in European terms.

Typical career paths include:

  • Marketing or Sales: assistant to manager roles in brand, performance marketing, key account management.
  • Controlling and Accounting: junior controller, financial analyst, consolidation support.
  • HR and Organisation: HR generalist, talent acquisition, people operations.
  • Operations and Supply Chain: logistics coordinator, process analyst, operations planner.
  • Consulting and Services: analyst roles in boutique consultancies, service management, tourism or event businesses.

Salaries vary strongly by country, sector and company size. Internationally, early-career roles with a business bachelor often start at entry-level ranges; progression is driven by internships, projects and language skills in addition to the degree.

Who is the Business Administration right for - and who not?

This programme suits motivated self-starters who want a German business degree while working or living abroad. The flexible Fernstudium format helps you combine study with a full-time job and shift work, provided you can reserve about 23 hours per week.

  • You are comfortable studying in German and can provide recognised language proof.
  • You want a fully remote route with optional on-site days, not a campus commitment.
  • You need a transparent monthly cost and a defined total for a 180-ECTS bachelor.
  • You are looking for broad business foundations with options to focus on marketing/HR, finance/audit, logistics or services.
  • You plan to apply for master’s study in Europe and value an ECTS-based bachelor.

There are also clear situations where another programme might fit better. Read these carefully before you apply from abroad.

  • You need an English-taught programme; this degree is delivered in German and expects advanced proficiency.
  • You cannot provide formal German language certification (e.g. TestDaF/DSH/Goethe) at an advanced level.
  • You require guaranteed fully online, internationally proctored exams; exam modalities and centres are not presented as such here.
  • You need mandatory on-campus teaching or an immersive campus experience; this is designed as distance learning with only optional on-site days.
  • You seek licensure into a regulated profession (e.g. law practice, clinical roles); a generalist business B.A. does not grant such access.

Advisory Service

Have questions about Academic Programs Business Administration? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution Private University Goettingen or the editorial team will answer you.

Experiences & Reviews