Englisch 
Deutsch Who is the Online Master's in Business Administration (BWL) designed for – and what evidence do you need?
The course is aimed at professionals who want to systematically expand their business expertise and take on responsibilities. Typical profiles include professionals from controlling, accounting, or marketing who are planning to move into team or department management; project managers in technology or IT responsible for budget, KPIs, and profitability; administrative staff in the public sector needing management and control skills for larger units – often facing tight deadlines due to work, family, and shift patterns.
Admission Requirements
The language of instruction is German; enrollment is possible for the summer and winter semesters. The Master's program is a further education program and requires an initial degree as well as professional experience.
- First professional qualifying degree in business studies with a final grade of at least 2.5, or
- Closely related degree with at least 90 LP in basic business competencies, or
- Another degree plus demonstrated, several years of relevant work experience proving qualified business competencies.
- If less than 210, but at least 180 LP in the first degree: missing competencies must be completed as a requirement; total credits should be 300 LP.
- Qualified practical experience of usually at least 1 year.
- Grade balancing: If the final grade is below 2.5, it can be improved by 0.1 to a maximum of 1.0 for each half-year of additional relevant practice (beyond the minimum year); decision made by the examination board.
- German language proficiency proof is required if neither university access nor initial studies were completed in German.
Important for classification: This is a Master's program. Access 'without Abitur' is not relevant here – the key factors are the first university degree including the scope of business competencies and demonstrated work experience. Requirements (e.g., for missing credits) will be communicated in writing at the start of the studies with deadlines.
Personal Requirements
The program is tailored to professionals – success depends primarily on self-organization, commitment, and realistic time management. You should establish routines for studying literature, case assignments, and exam preparation and allocate buffers for project and research work during intensive phases. A clear communication style, enjoyment of data and analysis, and the willingness to systematically address business issues are helpful.
- Planning ability: fixed study windows per week and coordination in the team/family routine
- Persistence: working on long formats like research projects and the master's thesis
- Practical relevance: transferring your work experience into case studies and specializations
- Cooperativeness: efficient collaboration in small groups
Set realistic milestones for each semester and prioritize exam and submission deadlines early. This way, you can maintain a balance between work, studies, and personal life – and strategically use the specializations for your next career step.
What do you learn in the Business Administration Master of Arts at HAW Kiel?
You systematically expand your business administration expertise: from strategy and innovation to leadership and accounting, as well as international accounting and economic policy. An integrated research project and the Master's thesis (with seminar and colloquium) sharpen your profile and secure the academic degree.
Management and Leadership: Innovation management and employee leadership combine strategy work with people skills. You learn how to shape change processes, manage teams, and make fact-based decisions.
Finance, Accounting, Controlling: Management accounting and balance sheet policy/international accounting prepare you for control tasks – from cost and performance accounting to IFRS-oriented reporting. This way, you understand key figures in detail and can actively influence them.
Ethics and Economic Framework: Management Ethics anchors responsible action in everyday leadership. Economics provides you with insights into markets, regulation, and macroeconomic trends.
Research and Scientific Work: In the research project, you work on a real issue – often in cooperation with companies. The Master's Thesis is the conclusion; colloquium and seminar structure the path to it.
Specialisations: You choose focuses in marketing, accounting and controlling, or energy management. In the 2nd and 3rd semesters, you select two elective courses each, positioning yourself for specific roles in the company – from controlling to market-oriented corporate management.
How does the distance learning in Master of Business Administration Online work?
The study is organized online and follows the semester schedule starting in either the summer or winter semester. You study further educationally and with fees for four semesters – involving projects, elective courses, research project, as well as Master's Thesis including seminar and colloquium.
Format: Online teaching with structured semester schedule
Teaching and support take place online in German (some modules in English). You work with digital materials, virtual teaching formats, and clear semester timings. Enrolment is possible for each summer and winter semester; the study program is admission-free, meaning there is no NC, but it has formal requirements for further education.
Exams: Exam, Term Paper, Project – depending on the module
Examination formats vary by module and typically range from written exams and term papers or projects to presentations. The research project and the thesis demonstrate your practical application skills and scientific methodology. Details are governed by the study and examination regulations of the Department of Economics.
Presence: Online study with colloquium for the thesis
The regular operation is organized online. A supporting seminar and a colloquium are provided for the Master's Thesis. Whether individual sessions take place synchronously depends on the module; the organization follows the semester calendar and ensures predictable phases with submissions and exams.
Time Commitment: 4 semesters, designed for part-time study
Four semesters of standard study time are envisaged. For a part-time online Master's program, this corresponds to about 15-20 hours per week – more during exam periods. The semester structure assists in planning; an extension is possible. Additional fees apply for a study duration exceeding eight semesters.
What is the cost of the M.A. Business Administration Online at HAW Kiel?
The tuition fees are €1,980 per semester in the 1st-4th semesters, totaling €7,920. Additionally, a mandatory fee (student services, student union, administration) is due per semester, as well as a one-time administrative fee upon enrolment. For study durations exceeding eight semesters, additional fees apply.
The fees exceed those of traditional, non-further education Master's programs at state universities, but are typical for a structured online Master's. Additionally, factor in costs for specialist literature and possibly technical equipment. Generally, educational costs can be tax-deductible as work-related expenses or special expenditures. Employers frequently support through subsidies or educational leave – early coordination with HR or supervisors is beneficial.
What careers and salaries are possible after the M.A. Business Administration?
With an M.A. in BWL, you qualify for specialist and managerial roles in companies, consulting, and public administration. Typical positions include roles in controlling, financial management, marketing, project and process management, or in consulting – depending on specialization and prior experience.
- Controller – controlling results, budgets, and KPIs; salary range approximately €50,000-€80,000 gross/year
- Marketing Manager – brand management, campaigns, go-to-market strategies; around €48,000-€78,000 gross/year
- Financial Analyst – reporting, evaluation, planning; about €52,000-€85,000 gross/year
- Management Consultant – strategy, organization, performance; roughly €55,000-€95,000 gross/year
- Supply Chain/Operations Manager – processes, value creation, efficiency; about €50,000-€85,000 gross/year
Ranges vary by industry, region, and business size – in corporations and regulated sectors (e.g. energy), they are often at the upper end. Work experience and managerial responsibilities further increase the salary. A Doctorate (Ph.D.) is generally possible after the Master's; postgraduate certificates (e.g. IFRS, Data Analytics, Project Management) can further enhance your profile.
Who benefits from the Business Administration M.A. – and who doesn't?
The program targets professionals with a background in economics who want to study at a master's level alongside work. It combines online teaching with projects and elective specializations – suitable for those who want to focus professionally while remaining in their job.
- If you aim to advance your career in controlling, accounting, marketing, or energy management with a suitable specialization.
- If you prefer a structured online study with a semester schedule and need predictable submission and exam phases.
- If you value practical relevance: projects and the research project enable you to work on real corporate issues and expand your network.
- If obtaining a state-recognized Master's degree is important to you – with a Master's Thesis, colloquium, and academic competency profile.
- If you have international aspirations and wish to leverage the possibility of a double degree as a perspective.
Not every situation aligns with a fee-based online Master's program. Prior to starting, honestly assess time commitments, financing, and expectations regarding teaching formats.
- If you expect a fully self-paced self-learning model without a semester structure and fixed deadlines – the program follows the university's semester schedule.
- If campus life, regular in-person lectures, and the on-campus learning atmosphere are central for you – the teaching is primarily online.
- If your budget is very tight: tuition fees of €1,980 per semester plus mandatory contributions apply.
- If, alongside a full-time job, it's unrealistic to dedicate 15-20 hours per week to studying, projects, and exams – the workload is academically demanding.
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Business Administration? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution University of Applied Sciences Kiel or the editorial team will answer you.