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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Business Administration under the number 139809c. Who this German-taught M.A. in Business Administration is for — and what you need
This programme suits internationally minded graduates who already hold a business-related bachelor’s degree and want to advance into leadership or specialist roles while studying remotely in German. Typical profiles include: business analysts or marketing associates planning a step up into product, brand or sales management; finance or accounting juniors aiming to deepen expertise in areas like corporate finance or controlling; logistics, e-business or operations coordinators who need a broad management master to progress into team lead or project roles in internationally active companies.
Admission requirements
To enrol, you need a relevant prior degree and the ability to study in German from day one. Key points:
- First degree: a bachelor’s in business/economics (or a closely related field) comprising 180 ECTS.
- Master scope: the programme awards 120 ECTS at master’s level.
- Foreign qualifications: international degrees are admitted if they are equivalent to a German business bachelor in scope and content. Submit degree certificate and transcripts; provide certified translations if originals are not in German or English.
- University entrance vs. Abitur: at master’s level your completed bachelor’s serves as the higher education entrance qualification; the Abitur (school-leaving certificate) is not required.
- Language of instruction: the course is taught in German. You must provide recognised proof of sufficient German language proficiency (advanced level recommended for academic study). The university specifies accepted evidence during admission.
- Study format: distance learning; optional in-person days of teaching or events may be offered during semesters.
Personal requirements
Remote study at master’s level demands realistic planning and consistent routines. Expect around 23 hours per week on readings, assignments and exam prep. You will do well if you can organise your week, keep momentum alongside a job, and break down larger projects into steady daily progress. Strong written and spoken German is essential to follow lectures, complete assessments and participate in discussions; solid English helps with literature in international management and finance. A stable study setup matters: reliable internet, a quiet workspace, and the discipline to meet monthly or semester-based deadlines. Build in buffer time for assessments and occasional live online sessions, and be prepared to work more intensively during examination phases.
What will you study in the Business Administration (M.A.) at Private University Goettingen?
The programme is taught in German. To follow classes, you will need advanced German (typically C1, proven via recognised tests such as TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat). Over 120 ECTS, you build a broad management foundation and deepen it with career-oriented specialisations, ending with a Master’s thesis.
Core management and strategy: You cover general management, organisational and process management, and entrepreneurship. Strategy is linked with international contexts through International Management and elements of International Economics.
Finance and controlling: Modules like Corporate Finance, Accounting and Controlling develop financial modelling, valuation and performance steering skills, including instruments of corporate financial management and M&A basics.
Markets, law and technology: International strategic marketing/sales sits alongside International Business Law and Business Informatics, so you understand how regulation and digital systems shape competitive positions and sales operations.
Operations and sector management: You explore Trade Management, Industrial Management and Logistics Management, plus sector-focused content such as Tourism and Sports Management and Health/Education Management for applied, operations-heavy roles.
Electives and specialisations: You can steer your profile through listed tracks such as Accounting, Applied Business Psychology, Corporate Finance, E-Business, Education Management, Entrepreneurship, Trade/Industrial/Logistics Management, and Tourism & Sports Management. A supervised Master’s thesis consolidates your chosen focus in the final semester.
This is a Fernstudium (distance learning) approved by the ZFU, the German state authority for distance-learning courses. ZFU approval confirms the quality of the distance-learning format and materials for learners based in and outside Germany.
How does the Business Administration distance programme work?
You study fully by distance learning with structured self-study, online learning units and assessments. The ZFU approval number is 139809c. Optional on-site days are offered, but the study programme itself can be completed remotely. A distance-only route does not require a visa.
Teaching language and language certificates
The teaching language is German. You should plan for C1-level academic German. Universities in Germany typically accept established proofs such as TestDaF, DSH or the Goethe-Zertifikat C1. Course materials, assignments and exams are in German.
Learning format and study materials
As a Fernstudium (distance learning), you learn primarily through structured self-study with digital and print materials, complemented by occasional live online sessions. ZFU data lists around 24 synchronous units across the programme, designed to support, not dominate, your week-to-week schedule.
Exams and taking them from outside Germany
Assessment typically combines written exams, case-based coursework and the Master’s thesis. The university organises exam modalities for distance learners; if you study from abroad, clarify exam locations and any online options in advance. Plan sufficient lead time for any required identification or scheduling steps.
On-site sessions in Germany
ZFU information states four optional on-site days per semester. These are offered as added value (networking, consolidation, Q&A) and are not mandatory for completion. If you are outside Germany, you can finish the programme without relocating.
Weekly workload, time models and time zones
The stated self-study workload is around 23 hours per week. Full-time students complete the 120 ECTS in about four semesters. Part-time pacing is possible and extends the duration. Any live sessions follow German time zones (CET/CEST); recordings and asynchronous materials reduce time-zone friction.
What does the Business Administration (M.A.) cost?
The regular study fees listed for this programme amount to about €11,378 in total, typically paid in monthly instalments of around €344 per month over the standard duration. This places the overall cost far below many campus-based international master’s offers and dramatically lower than typical US tuition levels.
Expect the final semester to include a thesis phase without extra tuition beyond the regular fees. If you extend your studies beyond the standard duration, universities often charge a modest extension rate; plan a small buffer in your budget for this. Payments are made in euros and can be arranged from abroad via standard banking methods (e.g. international transfer/SEPA). Check for any one-off examination or graduation fees and factor them into your total cost of ownership.
What careers and recognition does the Business Administration (M.A.) offer?
You graduate with 120 ECTS under the Bologna framework. The programme is FIBAA-accredited and listed by the German Accreditation Council (valid to 30 September 2030). Such accreditation signals quality assurance aligned with European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) and is recognised across the European Higher Education Area, aiding international portability of credits and degrees.
Typical career paths include:
- Finance and controlling: financial analyst, corporate finance associate, controller
- Operations and supply chain: logistics/operations manager, industrial or trade management roles
- Marketing and business development: brand/segment manager, key account or sales strategy roles
- Sector management and consulting: education or health management, strategy/operations consulting
- Entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship: founding or scaling ventures, product ownership in tech-enabled firms
Salary levels vary widely by country, industry and prior experience. The finance, logistics and tech-enabled marketing tracks tend to command higher entry ranges, while education or public-sector management may prioritise stability and mission over top-tier pay. The German master’s credential supports work visa applications in many jurisdictions when combined with employer sponsorship; always check local rules.
Who is the Business Administration (M.A.) right for – and who not?
This distance master’s suits working professionals who want a flexible, accredited European degree with clear specialisations—from Corporate Finance to Logistics—without relocating. If you are fluent in German and need a structured but remote-friendly format, it offers a pragmatic route to advancement.
- You want a distance-learning master’s that fits around a job at roughly 23 hours/week.
- You prefer concrete specialisations such as Corporate Finance, E-Business or Logistics Management.
- You value FIBAA accreditation and a 120-ECTS Bologna degree for international recognition.
- You live outside Germany and need optional, not mandatory, on-site days.
- You plan to pivot or step up into finance, operations, marketing or sector management roles.
It is not the right choice for everyone. Language and assessment logistics matter in a cross-border setting, and the programme is academically oriented rather than a professional licence for regulated jobs.
- You need an English-taught programme or cannot demonstrate C1-level German.
- You cannot accommodate potential travel to Germany should specific exams or academic appointments require presence.
- You seek access to a regulated profession (e.g. legal or clinical practice) via this degree—business M.A. does not grant such licences.
- You are looking for a US-style MBA focused on executive case teaching; this is a German-taught, research-grounded M.A. in Business Administration.
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