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Your career in the HR sector, for example as a personnel dispatcher, HR officer or HR clerk, can also be advanced alongside work through a distance learning programme. While there are only a few bachelor's distance learning programmes in HR, there are many master's programmes which I would like to introduce to you here. I will compare them in detail in terms of costs, requirements and study programmes.
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 22 courses in the field of HR Management.
Human Resource Development
- Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau
- 4 Semester
- Kaiserslautern
- German
- Knowledge, competence and values management, methods of personnel development, staff management, labour law and work organization, further education, …
Human Resource Management
- AKAD University
- 3 Semester
- German
The focus of the MBA programme "Talent Management" at AKAD University is on strategies for attracting, leading, and retaining knowledgeable employees. Comprehensive specialist knowledge in the areas of talent management …
Personnel and Organization
- University of Koblenz
- 5 Semester
- German
- Fundamentals of Organization and Personnel, Organizational Control, Personnel Management, Organizational Learning, Personnel Marketing and Selection, …
Labour Law and Personnel Management
- Private University Goettingen
- 3 Semester
- German
The distance learning course "Labour Law and Personnel Management", which leads to the degree Master of Laws, is designed for HR professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of labour …
Human Resource Management
- IU International University
- 2 Semester
- German or English
Become an HR Manager in just 2 semesters! In this master's programme, you will engage in distance learning to systematically explore topics such as employer branding and recruiting, HR management, …
Human Resource Management
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
Human resource management, business administration, law, and psychology in one degree program: The Bachelor's distance learning programme in Human Resource Management is aimed at all those who, for example, wish …
Human Resource Management
- Centre for Distance Learning in the University Consortium
- 5 Semester
- German
- Scientific Method Competence, Staff Organization, HRM Project Management, Personnel Policy, Staff Strategy, Staff Planning, Staff Controlling, Labor a…
New Work
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
With this unique distance learning programme, you will learn to support start-ups and other organizations in their digital transformation and implement agile methods sustainably. For example, you will complete modules …
Human resources management and competence development with new media
- Danube University Krems
- 4 Semester
- German
- Learning, Knowledge, Skills, E-Learning 1: Social Software and Virtual Worlds, E-Learning 2: Blended Learning in Web 2.0, Virtual Collaboration, Commu…
Personnel Management
- AKAD University
- 6 Semester
- German
- Key qualifications for studies and career, basics of economics, basics of business administration, basics of marketing management, basics of personnel…
Human Resource Management
- European Distance Learning University Hamburg
- 4 Semester
- German
The distance learning course "Human Resource Management" at the European Distance University Hamburg is aimed at students who want to expand their skills in personnel management. With focuses such as …
Human resource management
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- German
This bachelor's degree programme at the prestigious Fresenius University combines key content of business administration with detailed knowledge of personnel psychology. Throughout the distance learning programme, you will systematically engage …
Human Resource Management
- University of Wismar
- 8 Semester
- German
The Bachelor distance learning programme in Human Resource Management offered by Wismar International Graduation Services GmbH (WINGS) leads to the award of a "Bachelor of Arts" degree and comprises 180 …
Personnel development
- IU International University
- 2 Semester
- German
This master's programme provides you with competence-oriented measures to promote executives and employees, always closely linked to organizational development. The distance learning programme also addresses structural issues such as New …
Personnel and Communication Psychology
- University of Applied Sciences for SMEs
- 4 Semester
- German
- Applied Work, Organizational, and Personnel Psychology, Personality and Personnel Psychology, Organizational Psychology and Leadership Strategies, Com…
Human Resource Management
- European School of Innovation and Perspective
- 6 Semester
- German
- Selection & further development of personnel service providers, customer relationships to the principal & to the service provider, human resources, em…
Sustainable Personnel Management
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 2 Semester
- German
The master's programme in Human Resource Management at Hochschule Fresenius is designed to educate professionals in the field of human resources for challenging tasks and leadership positions. This programme offers …
Strategy & Leadership
- European Distance Learning University Hamburg
- 2 Semester
- German
The part-time master's programme "Strategy & Leadership" at the European Distance Learning University Hamburg is aimed at professionals aspiring to leadership positions in companies. Topics such as strategy, leadership, responsible …
Leadership
- Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau
- 4 Semester
- Kaiserslautern
- German
- Including organizational learning, organizational and communication research, employee management, systemic leadership, team development, intercultura…
New Work & Transformation Management
- University of Wismar
- 6 Semester
- German
The Bachelor's online study programme New Work / Transformation Management offered by Wismar International Graduation Services GmbH (WINGS) is a distance learning course over 36 months with a workload of …
Human Resources and Corporate Learning
- European Distance Learning University Hamburg
- 6 Semester
- German
The Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management and Corporate Learning at the European Distance Learning University in Hamburg provides a solid education in the areas of human resource management …
People & Culture Management
- Hamburg Distance University
- 6 Semester
- German
- Academic work, personnel management, business administration, people & culture management, work and organizational psychology, digital skills, project…
Which university is the best?
Bachelor's distance learning programmes in personnel management are currently only offered by private universities. However, some state universities also offer master's programmes in the field of HR. So, which university is actually the best? I cannot answer this question universally. The best university for you depends on many factors, such as the location of the university, the study organization, and of course the range of courses offered.
Here are the most important universities with distance learning programmes in the HR field in brief:
The IU International University is a private university of applied sciences based in Erfurt, Thuringia. Since the summer semester of 2021, IU has been the largest university in Germany, with over 130,000 enrolled students. The university offers on-campus study programmes, part-time study programmes, and more than 100 distance learning programmes.
The AKAD University is a private, state-recognized university of applied sciences based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The university was founded in 1959, and in the winter semester of 2020/2021, a total of 5,532 students were enrolled at the university. In addition to its bachelor's programme in personnel management, the university also offers an MBA programme in HR management & Talent Management.
The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognized university based in Idstein, Hesse. The history of the university dates back to the year 1848. In the winter semester of 2020/2021, a total of 14,910 students were enrolled at the university. The university offers distance learning programmes through its onlineplus department. In addition to the bachelor's and master's programmes in Business Psychology, Hochschule Fresenius also offers a bachelor's programme in personnel management.
University of Wismar: The University of Wismar is a state university of applied sciences based in Wismar/Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Through its subsidiary, WINGS - Wismar International Graduation Services GmbH, the university offers, among other programmes, a bachelor's programme in personnel management.
These are the contents of the Human Resource Management course
In addition to the costs, the study contents are one of the decisive factors for your decision for or against a distance learning programme in the HR sector. Therefore, compare the master's modules of the individual programmes in detail. Pay attention to the following:
- How many ECTS do the individual modules cover? If the individual modules are not too extensive (5-10 ECTS), they are usually easier to handle in distance learning. In addition, modules with fewer ECTS do not weigh as heavily in the overall evaluation.
- How many specialization modules are there? Through specialization modules, you can adjust a master's programme more precisely to your profession or desired profession.
- How are the study materials presented? An optimal mix of printed and digital study materials, podcasts, webinars, and online lectures is ideal.
- Can the order of the modules be self-determined, or is there a fixed curriculum?
Here is an example of the study programme for the Bachelor in Personnel Management at the AKAD University:
- 1st Semester: Key Qualifications for Study and Profession, Basics of Business Management, Business Administration Basics, Basics of Marketing Management, Basics of Personnel Management, Basics of Production and Materials Management
- 2nd Semester: Personnel Management and Development, Personnel Management - Specialization, Business Mathematics, Transfer Module Personnel Management - Specialization, Economic Order and Economic Policy in Germany, Basics & Applications of Business Informatics
- 3rd Semester: Employee Recruitment and Retention, Statistics, Investment and Financing, Operational Controlling, Basics of Contract Law, Vocational Training
- 4th Semester: Personnel Controlling, HR Management, Digitalisation + New Work, Project Workshop, Assessment, Potential Diagnosis and Personal Development, Labour Law, Project Management
- 5th and 6th Semester: Specialization in Strategic Personnel Management, Coaching and Change Management, Leadership, Digitalization in Personnel Management or International Business; Project, Bachelor's Thesis
For a Master's distance learning programme in the HR sector, here is an example of the study programme for the Master in Human Resource Management at IU:
- 1st Semester: Methodology, Management, HR Management
- 2nd Semester: Economics and Society I, Economics and Society II, Employer Branding and Recruiting, Project: Personnel Management, Compensation and Personnel Controlling
- 3rd Semester: Talent Management and Personnel Development, 2 elective specializations, Change Management and Organizational Development, Seminar International HR Management
- 4th Semester: Master's Thesis
Costs and tuition fees
Since there are currently hardly any distance learning bachelor's degree programs in personnel management offered by state universities (e.g. at WINGS of the University of Wismar), you can otherwise only study personnel management at private universities of applied sciences - with corresponding tuition fees between €12,000 and €15,000.
Here's an overview of the total costs of the bachelor's programmes:
| Course | University | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resource Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | University of Wismar | 8 Semester | from 7632 € total from 159 € monthly | |
| Human Resource Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | European School of Innovation and Perspective | 6 Semester | from 12000 € total | |
| Human resource management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | 6 Semester | from 12420 € total from 215 € monthly | |
| Personnel Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | AKAD University | 6 Semester | from 13284 € total from 219 € monthly | |
| Human Resource Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| New Work, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly |
The costs for master's programmes vary - depending on whether you opt for a state university or a private university. Here is a comparison of the costs of the master's programmes:
Requirements for master's programmes
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For most master's programmes in the field of personnel management that I am comparing here, you must demonstrate a first degree and 1-2 years of work experience. Exceptions include the Master's Programme in Personnel Management at IU, for which you only need to provide a first degree in a business-related field.
In many master's programmes, you can also enroll if you have studied in a non-business-related field, such as in the Master's in Personnel and Organization at the University of Koblenz-Landau.
Here are the requirements for the individual master's programmes in comparison:
| Master's Programme | University | Degree | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resource Development | Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|
| Human Resource Management | IU International University | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|
| Personnel and Organization | University of Koblenz | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|
| Human Resource Management | Centre for Distance Learning in the University Consortium | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|
| Labor Law and Personnel Management | Private University Goettingen | Master of Laws (LL.M.) |
|
| Human Resource Management | AKAD University | Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
|
| Human Resource Management | European Distance Learning University Hamburg | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|
Master's in HR in just 2 semesters? Here's how
© Robert Kneschke/Fotolia
Most of the master's programmes I present here take 4 semesters in full-time study, some 5 semesters. In almost all programmes, you can extend the study duration to 8 semesters part-time. However, with prior experience and achievements, you can reduce the study period to just 2 semesters in some programmes. This means that you can have your Master's in just one year.
The Master's Programme in Human Resource Management at IU is offered in 2 variants. The 120 ECTS variant takes 4 semesters in full-time study. The 60 ECTS variant only takes 2 semesters in full-time study, but requires a first degree with 240 ECTS. However, entry is also possible if the initial degree covers 180 or 210 ECTS, in which case you must pass an entrance exam, the so-called TASC exam.
The Master's Programme in Human Resource Management at the European Distance Learning University Hamburg can be completed in a short version of 2 semesters. A first university degree of 240 ECTS, including 25 credits in HR management, is required. In addition, you must demonstrate at least 1 year of relevant work experience. If your degree is 180 or 210 ECTS, you will need to complete a bridging course or an entrance exam.
The MBA Programme in Human Resource Management at AKAD University can be completed in 2 semesters. To be admitted, you must have completed a first degree as well as qualified professional experience, usually of at least two years.
Income: What do Personnel Managers earn?
What you earn as a personnel manager or in the HR field in Germany naturally depends on many factors: your work experience, the federal state, the company, the specific position, the industry, etc. Therefore, it is very difficult to make general statements about earnings.
On average, employees in human resources earn according to the Stepstone Salary Report 2024 €43,250, with academics averaging €51,250. Men earn significantly more than women. Hesse is the federal state with the best earning opportunities in the HR field, while Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania pay the least.
Personnel Management vs. Business Psychology: What suits whom?
Exceptional psychological sensitivity is in high demand in the HR sector - which is why a distance learning course in Business Psychology can be a good alternative to an HR study.
The Personnel Management course is particularly suitable if you really only want to work in the HR sector and the basic modules in psychology are not your interest. With a degree in Business Psychology, on the other hand, you will be much more diverse - many programmes allow you to specialize in the HR field, but you will also deal with topics such as Marketing or Change Management.
Here are some bachelor's programmes in the field of Business Psychology at a glance:
The following table lists some master's degree programs in the field of Business Psychology at a glance:
| Course | University | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Psychology, Master of Arts Distance learning program | Private University Goettingen | 6 Semester | from 11378 € total from 447 € monthly | |
| Business Psychology, Master of Science Distance learning program | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | 4 Semester | from 11880 € total from 295 € monthly | |
| Business Psychology, Master of Science Distance learning program | European Distance Learning University Hamburg | 4 Semester | from 11880 € total from 495 € monthly | |
| Business Psychology, Master of Science Distance learning program | IU International University | 2 Semester | from 10099 € total from 475 € monthly | |
| Business Psychology - Digitization, Master of Science Distance learning program | DIPLOMA University | 5 Semester | from 10795 € total from 207 € monthly |
About the Author Christian Wolf
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