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Who benefits from the distance learning programme in Sustainability Management & Leadership?
The Master's distance learning programme in Sustainability Management & Leadership is aimed at individuals who want to shape and take responsibility for sustainable corporate management at a scientific level. The target group includes graduates of a business-related or interdisciplinary first degree who wish to specifically prepare for sustainability management, strategic corporate governance, and social responsibility. Career changers with professional experience in management, consulting, digitalisation, or sustainability-oriented sectors also benefit from this course. The programme is suitable for anyone who wants to develop sustainable business models, actively contribute to social transformation processes, and pursue leadership roles in companies, NGOs, or political institutions.
What are the admission requirements for the Master's distance learning programme?
You meet the formal admission requirements if one of the following cases applies:
- Completed degree (Bachelor, Diploma, Magister) with at least 180 ECTS, ideally in business, social sciences, sustainability, environmental sciences, or a related field.
- For unrelated degrees: proof of relevant competencies in management, sustainability, or business modules may be required.
- Alternatively: university entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur or advanced technical college entrance qualification), completed vocational training of at least two years in a relevant field, at least two years of relevant professional experience, and passed aptitude test (including motivation letter and possibly a term paper).
- Depending on individual prior education, additional credit point proofs or supplementary qualifications (e.g. in business or psychology), an English language certificate (e.g. B2), or an admission interview may be required.
Personally, you should bring analytical and networked thinking, initiative, as well as an interest in social, ecological, and economic issues. Strong communication skills, willingness for critical self-reflection, and motivation to take responsibility in the transformation of companies and society are also important. Experience in project management, change management, sustainability management, or leadership is advantageous but not mandatory. The ability to learn autonomously and organise within the distance learning programme should be present.
What skills does the Sustainability Management & Leadership distance learning programme impart?
In the Master's programme Sustainability Management & Leadership (M.Sc.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you acquire comprehensive knowledge for sustainable and responsible corporate management. The curriculum combines business administration expertise with ecological, social, and ethical perspectives. Among others, you develop the following skills:
- Analysis and design of sustainable business models and strategies taking into account ecological, social, and economic principles
- Positive leadership and the creation of a sustainable corporate culture
- Development of sustainable marketing and brand strategies
- Stakeholder management as well as legal aspects such as corporate governance, compliance, and consumer protection
- Resource management, circular economy, and post-growth economy
- Change management, business development, and innovation management
- Design and implementation of projects in a sustainable context
- Digital sustainability management and data management
- Empirical research methods, conducting your own research projects in the field of Sustainable Markets & Strategy
Through two elective modules, you deepen topics such as neuromarketing & nudging, corporate social responsibility, behavioural decision making, conflict management & mediation, civic engagement, or European integration. Via masterclasses and international certificates with partners such as Arizona State University® you build additional competencies. Graduates also develop skills in critical reflection, independent knowledge acquisition, teamwork, and high communication competence.
How is the programme structured and organised?
The distance learning programme comprises 120 ECTS and is designed for a study period of 4 to 8 semesters (optionally 24, 36, or 48 months). You can start flexibly at the beginning of any month and determine your learning pace individually. The study course is divided into three central fields of competence, which are covered during the first three semesters:
- Sustainable leadership of organisations (focus on leadership and corporate culture)
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) (stakeholder management)
- Sustainable aspects in digital transformation (digital sustainability management, data management)
The most important modules include:
- Sustainable Markets & Strategy
- Global markets, competition and business model innovation
- Climate and post-growth economy
- Empirical methods of applied research
- Integral sustainability management and sustainability communication
- Corporate governance & compliance
- Consumer protection and law
- Change management and business development
Elective modules enable individual specialisation. The programme concludes with an empirical research project, the master colloquium, and the master thesis.
- All teaching materials are provided digitally via the online campus
- Examination formats are flexible: term papers, online exams (including open-book), presentations, project work
- Optional: participation in face-to-face workshops or SaturdayOnly formats for deepening practice-oriented content
- Individual study support by study coaches and direct access to lecturers
The university relies on digital learning environments with interactive study magazines, video lectures, virtual study groups, and extensive library resources. Exams can often be taken location-independently and flexibly.
What career opportunities does this Master's degree open up for you?
With the Master’s in Sustainability Management & Leadership, you qualify for diverse, future-oriented roles concerning sustainability, corporate development, and social corporate responsibility. Typical fields of employment for graduates include:
- Sustainability manager or sustainability officer in companies
- Leadership roles in the area of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
- Positions in change management, business development, or innovation management with a sustainable focus
- Work as a sustainability consultant in consulting firms or NGOs
- Technical management in areas such as stakeholder management, resource protection, or sustainable corporate management
- Leadership or development of sustainability projects in national and international organisations
- Self-employment in the area of sustainable corporate consulting or start-ups with a sustainable orientation
- Research activities, possibly followed by a doctorate in the sustainability context
After your graduation, you will be prepared to evaluate and shape entrepreneurial decisions holistically. The degree programme qualifies you for tasks across various industries, as sustainable development and leadership are in demand across sectors.
How much does the distance learning programme in Sustainability Management & Leadership at Hochschule Fresenius cost?
Hochschule Fresenius offers three flexible time models for the distance learning programme in Sustainability Management & Leadership with study durations of 24, 36 or 48 months. The standard study period is 24 months (4 semesters). The most affordable time model (48 months) starts from 329 euros per month. The shortest model (24 months) has higher monthly rates, but the total cost is only 13.176 euros.
The tuition fees include all digital study materials, access to the online library and learning platform, personal support from study coaches and lecturers, examination fees for online exams, and international certificates and masterclasses from Arizona State University (ASU®). There are no hidden additional costs.
Various financing options are available: BAföG is possible for distance learning under certain conditions, as are the KfW student loan and the German government's education loan. Scholarships such as the Deutschlandstipendium or university-internal programmes may also apply. Many employers support part-time studies as part of professional development. Additionally, tuition fees may be tax-deductible as income-related expenses or special expenses under certain conditions. Hochschule Fresenius also regularly offers promotional discounts that can further reduce the monthly fees.
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