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Who this German-taught Economics master fits — and what you need to qualify
This programme suits internationally minded applicants who can study in German and want a public, low-cost, fully distance master’s. Typical profiles include: professionals in banking or policy analysis aiming to deepen their toolkit in econometrics and macro-modelling alongside work; sustainability or energy-sector staff who want to specialise in environmental and resource economics without relocating; graduates of economics or business who seek a research-oriented path toward a PhD or analytical roles in administration and finance.
Admission requirements
Entry is selective and based on a prior academic background in economics. In brief:
- First-cycle university degree (e.g. bachelor) in economics or a closely related field that provides solid grounding in microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods. The master builds on prior economics and statistics training.
- Programme language: German. You must demonstrate German language proficiency at advanced level (approximately C1 CEFR) sufficient for academic study, exams and seminar work.
- Foreign qualifications: International degrees and diplomas are admissible if they are comparable to a German first-cycle degree and meet subject prerequisites. Official recognition/verification is required during enrolment.
- Admission without Abitur: Not relevant at master’s level. Admission is based on your completed undergraduate degree; a school-leaving certificate (Abitur) is not assessed for entry.
- Study start and pace: enrolment for April or October is possible; full-time or part-time study models are available.
Note: Specific grade thresholds, required modules and accepted language proofs are defined by the faculty for each intake. Prepare transcripts, detailed module lists and proof of language proficiency when you apply.
Personal requirements
Remote study from abroad works if you are disciplined and realistic about time. Plan for a sustained, quantitative workload with independent reading, problem sets and exam preparation. At full-time pace, expect a double-digit weekly effort; many learners budget 12–20 hours per week depending on prior knowledge. Part-time pacing reduces this but extends the duration.
- Strong self-organisation: set weekly goals, keep a calendar for assignment and exam windows.
- Perseverance with maths-heavy content (econometrics, statistics, economic modelling).
- Reliable tech setup and a quiet study space for online learning and proctored or centre-based exams.
- Language: confident academic German for readings, essays and a seminar presentation; good English helps with research literature.
If you enjoy methodical work, can manage steady progress over semesters, and have the German skills to handle specialist materials, you can complete this degree fully online while working and living outside Germany.
What will you study in the Economics (M.Sc.) at the University of Hagen?
The programme is taught in German. You need advanced German for academic study; universities typically accept proof such as TestDaF, DSH or a Goethe-Zertifikat at C1 level. You earn 120 ECTS over four semesters (standard pace), combining core quantitative methods with applied economic fields and a research-focused thesis.
Analytical foundations: You deepen the tools that drive modern economics, including Econometrics, Statistics and Economic Modelling. These modules tie mathematical methods to empirical analysis so you can test hypotheses and quantify policy effects.
Economic policy and international topics: You examine Stabilisation Policy (business cycles, monetary and fiscal policy) and International Public Finance (cross-border taxation, public debt, international policy coordination). The emphasis is on assessing trade-offs and real-world policy design.
Environment and resources: Specialised modules in Environmental Economics and Resource Economics tackle externalities, climate policy instruments, and sustainable use of natural resources—an evidence-based lens for green transition strategies.
Interfaces to business and law: To broaden your profile, you can include selected modules from Business Administration and Law, helpful for roles at the boundary between policy, regulation and corporate strategy.
Electives and individual focus: A substantial elective area lets you specialise—for instance in Environmental/Resource Economics, Stabilisation Policy, International Finance (public) or Taxation—and complement this with BWL or law choices to match your career goals.
Seminar and Master’s thesis: A mandatory research seminar (with presentation) trains you to frame and defend scholarly arguments. The programme concludes with the Master’s thesis, an independent empirical or theoretical study under faculty supervision.
Note on terminology: This is a German Fernstudium—distance learning with materials and teaching organised for remote study. The ZFU (German authority approving distance-learning courses) oversees non-university distance offerings; public university degree programmes like this typically do not list a ZFU number.
How does the Economics distance programme work?
You study fully at a distance with structured materials and online support. As a public university programme, it follows German semester dates and assessment rules. Exams are held at designated centres; if you live outside the listed countries, plan for travel. A purely remote programme does not require a visa.
Teaching language and proof
The teaching language is German. All coursework, exams and supervision run in German. Applicants need advanced German proficiency; common proofs include TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat C1. Check faculty guidelines for accepted certificates and minimum scores.
Learning format and study materials
The University of Hagen delivers a classic German Fernstudium: comprehensive study letters (PDF, often also printed), a Moodle-based learning environment, recorded inputs, and tutor-led mentor sessions. You decide how many modules to enrol in each semester and progress at your own pace.
Exams and where you can take them
Each module ends with a written exam or term paper. In-person exams are organised at the university’s network of centres in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Switzerland. If you live elsewhere, you should expect to travel to one of these sites. A seminar with presentation is mandatory; its delivery is scheduled by the chair (often online, occasionally on site).
On-site requirements in Germany
On-site elements are limited. The typical in-person component is the written exam at an exam centre; seminar formats may include live sessions that can be online. There are no multi-day compulsory residencies on campus.
Workload, time models and time zones
The standard duration is 4 semesters (120 ECTS) full-time; part-time pacing is possible and common for working students. Any live online sessions follow German time (CET/CEST). You can balance the load by reducing the number of modules per semester.
What does the Economics (M.Sc.) cost?
Fees are charged per semester and remain very low by international standards. For the full-time track in the standard duration, plan roughly €1,200 in total across four semesters. This includes the basic and per-module charges typically bundled by the university for degree study.
If you take longer on a part-time path, the university adds about €60 basic fee per extra semester (plus a student union contribution). Because you pay per semester, there are no monthly instalments. International students pay the same public fees as domestic students.
Potential additional costs: travel to exam centres in Germany, Austria, Hungary or Switzerland; optional printed materials; specialist software or datasets where applicable; and general study needs (computer, internet). Most core materials are provided digitally and many chairs also send printed study letters.
What careers and recognition does the Economics (M.Sc.) offer?
You graduate with a state university Master of Science, 120 ECTS, aligned with the Bologna framework. The programme is AQAS-accredited (AQAS is listed in EQAR, the European Quality Assurance Register) and re-accredited through 30 September 2030. As a public German university degree, it is widely recognised for professional roles and for doctoral admission.
Typical career pathways include:
- Economic policy analysis in ministries, central administrations or international/public bodies
- Banking and financial services (macroeconomic research, risk and capital markets teams)
- Consulting and corporate strategy (market modelling, regulation, taxation, sustainability)
- Environmental and energy organisations (cost–benefit, instrument design, impact evaluation)
- Academic research and teaching, with a clear route to a PhD
The quantitative core (econometrics, modelling) supports roles needing evidence-based decision-making. Salaries vary significantly by country and sector; in many markets, a research-oriented M.Sc. in Economics is the standard entry to analyst and policy roles and strengthens prospects for progression into senior expert positions.
Who is the Economics (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?
This programme suits graduates who want a rigorous, research-oriented Economics master while working, and who are comfortable studying in German in a highly autonomous distance format.
- You want a low-cost public university degree you can complete remotely alongside a job.
- You have a solid background in economics/quantitative methods and enjoy modelling and data.
- You plan a career in policy analysis, finance, sustainability economics, or doctoral study.
- You are able to study and write academic work in German and follow German-language exams.
There are also clear cases where this path is not a good match. Read the points below carefully before you apply from abroad.
- You do not speak German at an advanced academic level; the entire programme, exams and supervision are in German.
- You need fully online, proctored exams from your home country; written exams are held at centres in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Switzerland, so travel may be necessary.
- You are looking for a taught-in-English economics master; this programme is German-medium.
- You require a licence for a regulated profession after graduation; economics is non-regulated.
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