Business Administration Distance Learning at IU: Who is the Bachelor's programme suitable for?

With the BWL Bachelor's degree from IU, you can work, for example, as a project manager, quality manager, or in the field of controlling.

The Bachelor's Distance Learning in Business Administration (B.A.) at IU International University is aimed at those seeking a solid and practical foundation in the field of economics and wish to qualify flexibly for various roles in the business world. The program is ideal for professionals in various industries, high school graduates with university entrance qualifications, career changers with completed vocational training, as well as individuals looking to change careers. Practitioners with advanced training in commercial or industrial-technical areas will find a tailor-made study program here that recognizes their professional experience. Thanks to a variety of specialization options, participants can tailor the program to their interests and career goals – for example, in areas such as controlling, International HR, or Digital Business.

Admission requirements for the Business Administration Distance Learning (B.A.) program

For admission to the Bachelor's degree program in Business Administration at IU, the following formal requirements apply:

With (subject) Abitur: General university entrance qualification (Abitur), subject-specific university entrance qualification, or technical college entrance qualification (Fachabitur, including theoretical and practical parts).

Studying without Abitur:

• Master craftsman's certificate or comparable advanced training (e.g. IHK specialist).
• Completed, at least two-year recognized vocational training with at least three years of relevant full-time work experience; if the vocational training is not thematically related, a trial study program is planned.
• Qualifications and work experience within the EU can be recognized if they correspond to German DQR level 4.

Applicants with international school qualifications: IU will check whether your qualification corresponds to the German level (e.g. using Anabin). Proof of sufficient knowledge of German, not older than 5 years, is required (e.g. TestDaF minimum 3 points, Telc B2, DSH 1 or ÖSD B2).

Good to know: With a completed training as an industrial clerk, bank clerk, or office management clerk, between 50 and 90 ECTS are recognized depending on the training, which significantly shortens the study and reduces fees.

Personal requirements & expectations of students

• Independent work: Distance learning requires self-organization, discipline, and good time management, as you plan learning content individually and work in an exam-oriented manner.
• Digital affinity: You should be open to digital tools and learning platforms, as the teaching is 100% online and multimedia-based (online campus, IU Learn app, live tutorials).
• Analytical and economic thinking: A basic interest in numbers, markets, and economic relationships is helpful.
• Practical orientation: The program combines expertise in business administration with current topics such as digitization, sustainability, and applied AI – openness to modern developments is welcome.
• Professional and life reality: Perfect for anyone who wants to flexibly combine studies and job, family, or other commitments.

Who is the study particularly worthwhile for?

• For professionals aiming for the next career level or looking to reposition themselves
• For high school graduates with university entrance qualification seeking a practical, modern, and flexible business study
• For practitioners who want to earn a recognized bachelor's degree while working
• For career changers with work experience without a high school diploma seeking academic advancement

The Study Contents in the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.A.) at IU Overview

The distance learning course in Business Administration at IU International University provides you with a broad foundation of business basics and also enables targeted specialization. The content is structured in modules. Important areas and competencies you will acquire during the course include:

• Business Fundamentals: Core subjects include Business Administration, Accounting, Financial Accounting, Business Mathematics, Managerial Economics, as well as Cost and Performance Accounting. These modules will provide you with the fundamental tools for management and leadership tasks.
• Specialization in key economic and management disciplines: These include Controlling, Statistics, Financing and Investment, Tax Law, Law and International Contract Management.
• Practicality and current topics: Modules such as Project Management, Business Start-Up, Service Management, as well as Sustainability and Quality Management are in focus. Current megatrends like Digitization, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Sustainability are explicitly considered in the study plan.
• Individual focus with elective modules: You can choose up to four elective subjects, e.g., in Accounting & Controlling, Trade and Sustainability Management, Digital Business, Business Management, Communication Management, Business Law, or Salesforce Platform Management. Elective areas A, B, and C allow you to create individual specialization combinations. In elective area D, you can choose between an internship in a company or further practice-oriented modules.
• Key competencies and soft skills: In addition to expertise, you will gain skills in intercultural communication, collaborative work, Leadership 4.0, Personnel Management, and ethical conduct.
• Research and Methodological Competence: The course includes introductions to scientific work, market research methods, and seminar papers on current business administration topics.
• Conclusion: The course concludes with a bachelor thesis on a selected business administration topic.

In the optional elective internship (30 ECTS) or through practical project modules, you can directly apply what you have learned in a business environment.

How Does the Business Administration Studies at IU Work?

The course structure is designed for flexibility and self-determination. As a distance learning program, you can learn independent of location and time – ideal for combining with work or family. There are three time models to choose from:

• Full-time study: 36 months (6 semesters) – for those who want to study swiftly and obtain the degree quickly.
• Part-time study I: 48 months (8 semesters) – for employed individuals who want to adjust the learning pace moderately.
• Part-time study II: 72 months (12 semesters) – maximum flexibility, particularly suitable for those with limited time.

• Start of Studies: Possible at any time – there are no fixed enrollment deadlines or semester dates.
• Digital Learning: You will use digital study materials, video lectures, podcasts, interactive scripts (IU Interactive Books), and the mobile IU Learn App. With the AI-based learning assistance Syntea, you receive support around the clock.
• Virtual Teaching: Live tutorials, online seminars, and interaction in the online campus promote collaborative learning.
• Examinations: You can choose whether to take your exams online (24/7) or at one of the examination centers. Exam formats include written exams, essays, projects, and presentations.
• Support & Care: Tutors will guide you academically in all modules. Study counseling, study coaches, and a career service are available to assist you with organization and career planning.
• Practice Options: Internship (optional), practical projects, and current business examples in the curriculum.

Modules can be taken individually and completed. This way, you determine the pace and sequence (with the recommended study plan as guidance).

Career Prospects after the Bachelor of Business Administration at IU

With a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, you are versatile across industries and qualified for a variety of leadership tasks.

• Classic Entry Positions: Assistant to Management, Project Manager, Clerk in Accounting, Controlling, Marketing or Sales, Key Account Management, HR Specialist.
• Specialized Tasks: Controller, Quality Manager, Business Consultant, Tax Specialist, Communication and PR, HR Management.
• With Specialization: Career in Supply Chain Management, International Management, Digital Business, Event or Sports Management, Business Informatics, Online-Social Media Marketing, Business Intelligence, and Data Analytics.
• Entrepreneurship and Start-up: The study program also prepares you for starting and managing your own business.
• Extended Career Opportunities: With a bachelor's degree, you can pursue a subsequent master's degree (e.g., MBA, M.A. Business Administration, or related fields).

Thanks to the flexibility of the IU degree and its official recognition (state-approved, FIBAA-accredited, internationally recognized), opportunities also open up for you in international contexts.

Costs, Fees, and Financing Options

The distance learning course in Business Administration at IU International University is a fee-based private study program. The fees depend on the chosen time model:

• Full-time (36 months): from 399 euros/month
• Part-time I (48 months): from 344 euros/month
• Part-time II (72 months): from 259 euros/month
• Graduation fee: one-time 699 euros at the end of the course

The price includes all digital learning materials, IU Learn App, access to the online campus, tutoring, virtual events, use of the online library, career service, and an optional, non-binding trial month.

Financing Options:

• There are sometimes discount offers or completion bonuses.
• Student loans, BAföG (depending on personal circumstances), education funds, tax deductible study costs (as operating expenses for working individuals) can be utilized.
• Recognition of previous educational or employment achievements significantly reduces study fees and duration.