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Deutsch Who this German-taught Master suits – and what you need to get in
This programme fits if you want to move into leadership with a practice-focused Master in Germany and can attend on-site workshops. Typical profiles include: mid-level professionals in marketing, finance or operations seeking a management track alongside work; international graduates in business or related fields aiming to specialise in International Management or Finance & Accounting; career changers with a business-related Bachelor who want a compact, 3-semester Master with mandatory in-person sessions in Germany.
Admission requirements
Admission is selective but transparent. You need a prior university degree in a relevant field and sufficient German for study and exams.
- First degree: a subject-equivalent Bachelor’s (or Diplom/Magister) with at least 180 ECTS, or an equivalent foreign higher-education degree.
- Related degree pathways: applicants with a subject-related Bachelor (typically ≥90 ECTS in business-relevant content) or with fewer than 210 ECTS can be admitted with a tailored pre-course programme and/or recognition of a practice semester.
- Teaching language: German. Non-native speakers must provide proof of advanced German proficiency adequate for academic study (C1 level recommended).
- Recognition of international qualifications: foreign diplomas are accepted if they are equivalent to a German Bachelor; formal recognition is checked during the application.
- Numerus clausus: not applicable – the programme is NC-free.
- Study model and presence: semi-virtual with regular on-site workshops. Plan for around 10 in-person workshop days per semester at locations in Germany (e.g. Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover, München/Ismaning, Nürnberg, Potsdam).
- Start dates: twice per year, with intakes around 10 March and 10 September.
Personal requirements
Studying remotely from abroad works if you bring strong self-organisation, time management and persistence. The programme is full-time over 3 semesters; if you work alongside, budget substantial weekly study blocks and keep evenings/weekends free for readings, assignments and group work. Expect recurring online phases plus in-person workshops in Germany each semester—ensure you can travel for these dates (visa, budget, time off). Solid digital study skills, reliable internet and the ability to learn from German study materials and sit exams in German are essential. Plan realistically: protect focused study time weekly, align with employer if you choose the dual route, and reserve additional time in the third semester for research methods and the Master’s thesis.
What will you study in the Business Administration (M.A.) at the University of Applied Sciences for Management?
The programme is taught in German. If you live outside German-speaking countries, you will need certified proof of advanced German, typically at C1 level (common proofs include TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat). This is a 3-semester, 90-ECTS Master of Arts delivered in a semi-virtual format that blends online study with on-site workshops in Germany.
This is a Fernstudium – the German term for distance learning with structured online phases – offered by a Fachhochschule (a German university of applied sciences) with a strong focus on application. You build breadth in management and then specialise, complete a major practice project and finish with your Master’s thesis.
Global business and transformation: You study Global Economics to understand cross-border markets, Leadership to lead teams through change, and Management of Transformation to steer digital and organisational shifts.
Methods and research skills: Advanced Cornerstone Module introduces graduate-level thinking and scientific work; an Advanced Journal Club sharpens critical reading; later you take Advanced Research Methods to prepare robust empirical work.
Applied practice and transfer: In semester two you complete a high-impact specialisation project that transfers theory into a real business setting. Case studies, simulations and own projects are embedded across modules and assessed.
AI and future skills as cross-cutting themes: “AI inside” integrates data-driven decision-making and prompt engineering into coursework. Future-skills content links management to megatrends such as sustainability and demographics.
Electives/specialisations: You pick one track in semester two to sharpen your profile: - International Management (e.g. International and Intercultural Marketing; Market Entry Strategies; Expansion Strategies) - Advanced Finance and Accounting (e.g. Management Accounting; International Finance; Financial Accounting)
Capstone: The programme concludes with the Master’s thesis in semester three, demonstrating your ability to design and deliver applied research to a professional standard.
How does the Business Administration distance programme work?
The format is semi-virtual: substantial online learning plus mandatory on-site workshop days in Germany each semester. This is not a purely remote course. Plan for travel to one of the university’s German study centres for in-person sessions and selected assessments.
Teaching language and certificates
Teaching is in German. Non-native speakers must provide formal proof of advanced German proficiency; universities commonly accept TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat C1. English is not sufficient for admission or study progress in this programme.
Learning format and study materials
The University of Applied Sciences for Management runs a semi-virtual Fernstudium model: multimedia self-study on the learning platform (scripts, videos, interactive modules) combined with small-group seminars (max. ~30 learners). Expect regular tutor contact and collaborative case work. Practical transfer is integral, including a major specialisation project in semester two.
Exams and where you can take them
Assessments combine written assignments, presentations, project reports and subject exams. Because the programme includes in-person workshop blocks, you should expect parts of the assessment to be tied to these on-site phases. Fully remote, proctored exams from abroad are not guaranteed.
Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany
Each semester includes around ten face-to-face workshop days at German locations such as Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover, München/Ismaning or Nürnberg. Attendance is part of the study concept and is required to complete certain modules and assessments.
Workload, time models and time zones
Standard duration is 3 semesters (90 ECTS). The Studium Plus track is designed for working professionals alongside a job. Live seminars follow German time (CET/CEST). Expect regular weekly study time for online learning plus concentrated on-site blocks during workshop weeks.
Note on ZFU: The ZFU is Germany’s state authority that approves distance-learning courses. University degree programmes may not list a ZFU admission number; none is published for this programme. As the course is not purely remote, a visa is not automatically exempted; depending on your citizenship, you may need a visa for the on-site phases in Germany.
What does the Business Administration cost?
The regular tuition for the semi-virtual Studium Plus track is €595 per month over the standard 3-semester duration, which totals €9,700 in total. Fees are typically billed in monthly instalments during your active study period. If you extend beyond the standard duration, the university may charge continued enrolment or additional monthly fees; plan this into your budget if you foresee a slower pace.
There is also a Dual Plus option in which a partner company in Germany covers the tuition and pays a salary. This route presupposes a suitable employment relationship in Germany and is most realistic if you live and work in Germany. From abroad, the common path is the fee-based Studium Plus with monthly payments.
When paying from outside the EU, clarify early how you will transfer funds internationally and any bank charges or currency conversion costs your bank may apply. Tuition is charged in euros (€).
What careers and recognition does the Business Administration offer?
You earn a Master of Arts (90 ECTS) under the Bologna framework. ECTS credits are the European standard for workload and are widely recognised across Europe and many countries worldwide. The university is state-recognised; programmes are quality-assured within a system accredited by the German Accreditation Council. In practice, this means your Master’s sits on the same national qualifications level as public-university degrees in Germany.
Internationally, employers understand Bologna Master’s degrees. For doctoral studies or professional licensing outside Europe, always check local rules: some systems prefer 120-ECTS Master’s for PhD entry; others accept a 90-ECTS Master plus additional research output or a strong Bachelor.
Typical roles after graduation include:
- Business Development Manager or International Expansion Manager
- International Marketing Manager or Brand/Market Entry Strategist
- Finance Analyst, Controller, or Corporate Finance Associate
- Management Consultant or Project Lead for digital transformation
Salaries vary strongly by country, sector and prior experience. The applied focus, the specialisation track, and the substantial project work strengthen your portfolio for mid-level management tracks and cross-functional roles in internationally active companies.
Who is the Business Administration right for - and who not?
This Master’s suits professionals who want an applied, practice-anchored management degree in German and can commit to blended learning with on-site blocks in Germany. It is structured for career acceleration into leadership or specialist roles.
- You want a German-taught Master’s you can combine with work and life through a semi-virtual model.
- You value small cohorts, hands-on projects and a clear bridge to practice, including a substantial specialisation project.
- You aim to build a profile in International Management or in Advanced Finance and Accounting.
- You plan to work in Germany or the DACH region, where German-language study and networks are advantageous.
There are, however, clear cases where this programme is not a good fit. Read these carefully if you apply from abroad.
- You need a fully online programme with no on-site presence in Germany. Here, workshop days in Germany are mandatory each semester.
- You cannot study in German at an advanced academic level or cannot provide formal proof of proficiency; the course is not offered in English.
- You require remote, online-proctored exams from outside Germany; assessment is partly tied to in-person sessions.
- You need a 120-ECTS Master’s for direct PhD access in your target country; at 90 ECTS, additional credits or bridging may be required elsewhere.
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