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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course General Management under the number 147111c. Who this German-taught Master suits – and what you need to get in
This programme fits if you already work in business and want to step up into leadership while studying entirely online. Typical profiles include: marketing or product specialists moving into cross-functional management in a global company; engineers or IT professionals who now handle budgets, teams and clients and need a recognised management degree; international graduates with a business Bachelor who seek an affordable, remote German-accredited Master without relocating.
Admission requirements
You qualify for admission with a first degree and suitable background. Key points at a glance:
- Completed Bachelor’s degree with a business/management major and at least 180 ECTS from a state or state-recognised university; minimum final grade “Satisfactory”.
- No business major? Admission is possible via a Master entrance route: pass two designated modules from the curriculum within 12 months; successful modules count towards your degree.
- Lower Bachelor grades can be compensated by additional, relevant qualifications, e.g. ≥40 ECTS at Master level, a completed relevant Master/MBA, or recognised postgraduate awards at DQR/EQF 7 level.
- International qualifications are accepted if awarded by accredited institutions; official transcripts and degree proofs are required. An Abitur is not required for Master’s admission.
- Language for this programme: German. You must provide proof of German at least at B2 (CEFR) before starting. Accepted certificates include:
- TestDaF (TND3) with minimum 3 in all four parts
- DSH-1
- telc Deutsch B2
- ÖSD B2
Start dates are flexible; you can begin any month and choose full-time or part-time pacing.
Personal requirements
Remote study rewards structure and consistency. Plan with a realistic weekly workload of 20–40 hours depending on your time model (around 25–34 hours if you study part-time). You will need solid self-organisation, perseverance across four semesters, and the ability to break down modules into weekly goals. Because teaching, exams and support are in German, you should feel confident reading academic texts and writing assignments in German; business English helps with sources and elective topics. Ensure reliable internet, a quiet study space and a webcam for online exams. Quantitative modules require comfort with statistics and Excel; refreshing these early will pay off. Finally, be ready to coordinate across time zones for optional live online sessions and to engage proactively with tutors and peers in virtual classrooms—this is key to staying on track when studying from abroad.
What will you study in the General Management (M.A.) at IU International University?
This Fernstudium (distance learning) is taught in German. If you apply from abroad, you’ll need German at about B2 level, proven by TestDaF (min. 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. Academically, you cover strategy, leadership, research methods and finance across 120 ECTS over four semesters.
You build a solid management foundation: Strategic Management and Leadership set the direction; Business Ethics and Corporate Governance frame responsible decision-making; International Accounting and Corporate Finance give you financial fluency.
Data and markets underpin your decisions: Research Methodology and Applied Statistics train you to design studies and interpret results; Consumer Behaviour and Market Research help you understand audiences; Online and Social Media Marketing translates insights into campaigns.
Economics and transformation complete the picture: modules such as Institutional Economics and Economics & Society examine market contexts, while Change Management and a hands-on project on institutional interventions for digital transformation prepare you to lead change.
Electives: you choose two specialisations (10 ECTS each) to tailor your profile. Options span Business Intelligence, E-Commerce, Customer Journey, Artificial Intelligence, Human Resource Management, International Management, Communication & Public Relations, Controlling and more. You finish with an independent Master’s thesis (30 ECTS).
IU is a state-recognised German Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences): practice-oriented, with applied research and strong industry alignment. The programme is approved for distance delivery by the ZFU (the German authority for distance-learning approval).
How does the General Management distance programme work?
You study fully online with flexible pacing. Content is delivered via interactive online materials and virtual classes; exams can be taken from outside Germany. There are no compulsory on-site days, so a visa is not required for study purposes.
Teaching language and certificates
Teaching language: German. For non-native speakers, typical proofs accepted include TestDaF (min. 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. Ensure your certificate is recent enough for admission checks.
Learning format and study materials
As a Fernstudium, you learn time- and location-independently using IU’s digital campus. Materials include interactive “IU Interactive Books”, videos, shortcasts, quizzes and podcasts. Numerous virtual lectures foster exchange with teaching staff and peers.
Exams and exam locations
Most written exams are available as 24/7 online proctored exams. If you prefer in-person testing, IU operates exam centres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The distance programme has ZFU approval number 147111c.
On-site sessions in Germany
There are no mandatory attendance phases in Germany. Any on-campus offerings are optional and not required for graduation.
Weekly workload, time models and time zones
You can choose between full-time (about 40 hours/week, 24 months), part-time I (about 25 hours/week, 36 months) or part-time II (about 20 hours/week, 48 months). Live online sessions—where offered—run on German time (CET/CEST). Typical self-study averages about 34 hours/week across the programme.
What does the General Management (M.A.) cost?
Your total cost depends on the time model you choose. In full-time (24 months), regular tuition is roughly €499 per month (about €11,976 in total). In part-time I (36 months) it is about €379 per month (about €13,644 in total). In part-time II (48 months) it is about €299 per month (about €14,352 in total). Prices reflect regular, undiscounted tuition for this programme.
Tuition is typically paid in monthly instalments over the chosen duration. Extensions are possible—IU commonly allows a free extension period—to give you buffer if life or work gets busy. Studying from abroad is straightforward: you enrol online, study online and pay the same monthly rates from outside Germany.
There are no mandatory on-site phases, so you won’t need to budget for travel or visa costs related to attendance. Study materials are provided digitally; optional printed study booklets may be available depending on the module.
What careers and recognition does the General Management (M.A.) offer?
The programme awards 120 ECTS credits under the Bologna framework, which supports international recognition and credit transfer. IU International University is state-recognised in Germany; the General Management M.A. is accredited without conditions through 28 February 2027. The distance-learning format is additionally approved by the ZFU.
What that means abroad: ECTS credits and a state-recognised German master’s degree are widely understood internationally for employment and further study (e.g., doctoral applications depend on national regulations and individual institutions). Employers value the applied profile typical of a German Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences): strong methodological grounding with practical projects.
Career paths include:
- Management consultant in transformation, strategy or operations
- Product or project manager in tech, services or industrial firms
- Marketing or sales manager, focusing on customer journey and digital channels
- Finance or business controller, linking strategy and performance
- General management roles in SMEs and scale-ups
Salaries vary by country, sector and prior experience. The master’s helps you position for roles with broader responsibility—often a lever for progression from specialist to leadership tracks.
Who is the General Management (M.A.) right for – and who not?
This programme suits professionals who want a comprehensive, practice-oriented management master’s they can complete 100% remotely, while specialising in fields like Business Intelligence, HR or E-Commerce.
- You need a fully online, no-visa-required master’s with flexible pacing (24/36/48 months).
- You want a state-recognised German degree with 120 ECTS for international mobility.
- You value online exams (including 24/7 proctoring) and virtual teaching.
- You plan to deepen in two electives aligned with your career goals (e.g., AI, Controlling, International Management).
- You prefer applied learning and a structured thesis to cap your studies.
There are also clear exclusion points you should consider before applying.
- The programme is taught in German; it is not suitable if you need instruction fully in English. B2-level German (e.g., TestDaF, DSH-1, telc B2, ÖSD B2) is required.
- If you want an on-campus experience in Germany with mandatory attendance, this 100% online format will not meet your expectations.
- If you cannot commit roughly 20–40 hours per week depending on the time model, the study load may be too high.
- If you seek access to a regulated profession via this degree, note that General Management does not qualify for regulated licensure pathways.
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