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Who benefits from the Master's in Business Psychology at FernUni Hagen?
The Master's degree in Business Psychology is aimed at graduates with a background in economics or psychology who want to acquire psychological and economic competencies for cross-sectional tasks at the interface of business and psychology. The programme is especially suitable for you if you aspire to leadership roles in personnel and organisational development, change or conflict management, marketing, consultancy, or sustainability-related fields, or if you want to further develop your methodological and analytical skills in a practical way.
What formal requirements apply for admission?
For enrolment, you need a university degree (at least a Bachelor’s, Diplom or Magister) with a standard period of study of 6 semesters (180 ECTS) covering at least one of the following subjects:
- Business Studies (BWL, VWL, Economics)
- Business Psychology
- Psychology
If the mathematical modules are missing, you can make up for these by passing the introductory course “Foundations of Business Mathematics and Statistics” (10 ECTS) in the academy studies at FernUni.
Enrolment is possible each winter and summer semester within specified deadlines.
You should have an interest in interdisciplinary issues, enjoy self-organised and academic work, and be willing to analytically and critically reflect on complex connections between business and human behaviour. Experience with independent learning, a basic understanding of empirical methods and openness to digital communication and learning formats are helpful. Time management, self-motivation and the ability to collaborate – also in virtual teams – will make your distance learning easier.
What content does the Master's programme in Business Psychology at FernUni Hagen convey?
In the Master's programme in Business Psychology at FernUniversität Hagen, you deepen your skills at the interface of psychology and business. You learn to analyse, understand and actively shape human behaviour in economic contexts. The curriculum combines psychological fundamentals, economic theory and methodological expertise.
- Introductory module: Depending on your first degree, you prepare specifically for the interdisciplinary requirements – for example, with an introduction to psychology for economists or vice versa.
- Core modules in Business Psychology: You take modules such as "Introduction to Business Psychology" and "Methods of Business Psychology". Here you acquire scientific skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques.
- Psychological specialisation:
- Work and Health Psychology: Consideration of psychological influencing factors in working life, prevention and health promotion.
- Personnel Selection and Personnel Development: Concepts and methods for the selection, development and management of employees.
- Intercultural Psychology and Sustainability in Global Context (English-language): Analysis of culture, diversity and sustainable action in the international economic context.
- Economic specialisation: You individually choose three compulsory elective modules from a wide range such as:
- Market Research and Consumer Behaviour
- Forward-Looking Leadership
- Applied Econometrics
- Expectations, Uncertainty and Financial Markets
- Behavioural Economics
- Other options: e.g. Business Intelligence, Strategic Marketing, Optimisation Methods, International Finance, Applied Data Analysis
- Project seminar: Here you apply methods, write a written paper and present your results. The seminar serves as intensive preparation for your Master's thesis.
- Master's thesis: You independently work on a scientific question with a business-psychological focus – empirical or theoretical.
In the course, you develop skills for scientific analysis, problem solving and the development of practical strategies. You acquire sound competences in empirical research, leadership, organisational development, change management, market research and intercultural cooperation.
How is the Fernstudium in Business Psychology structured?
The distance learning programme is designed to be time- and location-independent and can be flexibly adapted to your life situation. The standard period of study in the full-time model is four semesters (two years), a part-time study is individually plannable.
- Start of studies optionally in the summer or winter semester.
- Online registration and self-study: You register for the desired modules at the beginning of the semester. All learning materials such as scripts, video lectures, exercises and forums are available to you on the Moodle learning platform.
- Online and on-site examinations: Exams are conducted depending on the module as online exams, on-site written exams, oral exams (online) or as portfolio assessments. Seminars may require a presence phase of a few days; participation can usually also be online.
- You determine your own learning pace. For part-time, a workload of about 20 hours per week is recommended, correspondingly more for full-time studies. The order of modules and the number of courses taken per semester can largely be chosen by yourself.
- Thanks to digital tools, the study programme is completely location-independent possible. For examinations, 13 campus locations across Germany and international study centres are available; many exams can also be taken online.
- Networking and support: You receive support through mentoring (tutorials), discussion forums, virtual study groups and a network of advice centres. Regular introductory events and digital consultation hours offer additional exchange.
You benefit from the possibility to structure your studies individually – alongside work, family or other commitments. A break (leave of absence semester) as well as flexible extension of the study period are easily possible.
In which professional fields can you work with the Master's in Business Psychology?
With the Master of Science in Business Psychology degree, you open up diverse career paths at the interface of psychology and business. Typical fields of activity include:
- Organisational and Personnel Development (Business Development, Change Management): You accompany companies in change processes, develop leadership programmes or implement health and diversity concepts.
- Human Resource Management: You work in personnel selection, talent promotion or in the area of employer branding and develop concepts for employee retention and development.
- Marketing and Market Research: You analyse consumer behaviour, lead projects in neuromarketing or develop strategies for target group addressing.
- Change and Conflict Management: Support in finding solutions in change situations, moderation of groups and mediation.
- Product Development: Development and testing of new products with regard to user acceptance and motivation.
- Consulting: Work as an internal or external consultant, e.g. in coaching, management consulting or as a freelance business psychologist.
- Health and Sustainability Management: Design and implementation of programmes to promote health, well-being and sustainable business management in companies.
With the Master's degree you qualify both for specialist and management positions in companies, consultancies, market research institutes, non-profit organisations and the public sector. Moreover, the degree offers access to possible doctoral studies and an academic career.
What are the costs for the Master's programme and what financing options are available?
The distance learning programme Business Psychology at FernUniversität in Hagen is significantly cheaper than comparable programmes at private universities. The total costs for the standard period of study (four semesters, 120 ECTS) amount to approximately €1,300–1,330 for the entire course.
- Cost structure: Per semester, a basic fee of €60 and a registration fee of €11 per ECTS point taken are charged.
- A full-time semester (30 ECTS) costs around €390. For part-time study (e.g. 20 ECTS) correspondingly less.
- For optional presence phases (e.g. seminars, examinations), additional travel and accommodation costs may arise.
- Other potential expenses concern additional specialised literature, technical equipment and learning materials. However, most learning materials are available free of charge digitally.
Financing options include:
- Costs can be claimed for tax purposes as work-related expenses or special expenses.
- For employees, it is possible to receive support from the employer (educational leave, subsidies).
- BAföG or scholarships for certain target groups.
- Instalment payments are easily possible due to semester-wise billing of fees.
Compared nationwide, the Master's programme in Business Psychology at FernUniversität Hagen counts among the best financially calculable and most accessible academic further education at Master's level.
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