Englisch 
Deutsch Who this online MSc fits – and what you need to get in
This programme suits you if you want an international master’s in English while staying in your job. Typical profiles include: finance or consulting professionals pivoting into renewable energy and climate finance; engineers or energy-sector practitioners moving toward project development, due diligence or investment; business or economics graduates with 1–3 years’ experience aiming to specialise without relocating. You study fully online with optional live sessions and a structured part-time pace over 24 months for 90 ECTS.
Admission requirements
Entry is selective and based on academic background, experience and English proficiency. International qualifications are welcome.
- First university degree (e.g. bachelor or equivalent).
- At least 1 year of professional experience completed after your first degree.
- Alternative route without a first degree: minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience plus a suitability/aptitude assessment.
- English proficiency at CEFR level C1, evidenced by an accepted certificate.
- Higher education entrance certificate (e.g. school-leaving certificate) and a copy of your passport/ID are required in the application.
- Foreign diplomas are recognised; documents not issued in English or German must be submitted with a certified translation into one of these languages.
- Application window opens 1 December; offers are made on a rolling basis. Programme start each October; approx. 25 places per cohort.
Prepare standard application materials: CV, references/employment confirmations, degree transcript, and a motivation letter outlining your goals in green energy and climate finance. Submit scans only; do not send originals.
Personal requirements
Studying remotely from abroad demands strong self-organisation, consistent study habits and clear communication. Expect 4–5 modules per semester combining guided self-study, readings, case work and occasional synchronous sessions; plan protected time blocks each week (evenings and part of a weekend) and build buffer for assignment peaks.
- Comfortable working in academic and professional English (reading, discussion, and structured writing at C1 level).
- Solid quantitative mindset for financial modelling, valuation and risk topics; readiness to refresh maths/Excel as needed.
- Reliable tech setup: stable broadband, headset/camera, and readiness to use Moodle and common video tools for live sessions.
- Perseverance and realistic time planning alongside full-time work; ability to coordinate across time zones for occasional live activities.
- Willingness to collaborate online in teams and engage with practitioners on real cases.
If you match the formal criteria and can commit to steady weekly progress, this online master’s format is feasible from anywhere and prepares you for roles in finance, investment and project leadership across the green energy value chain.
What will you study in the Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance at the Berlin School of Economics and Law?
You study an English-taught, 90-ECTS Master of Science focused on international management and the financing of renewable energy and efficiency projects. You build core business skills, then specialise in green energy finance. The programme is a Fernstudium (distance learning) at a German public university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), delivered fully online with short on-site elements.
Management foundations and strategy: You cover contemporary international management with modules on strategic and operational decision-making, project management and leadership. Expect cases from global firms, a focus on applications, and a clear link to managing transformation in energy and climate-related contexts.
Finance, modelling and due diligence: The specialism takes you into the mechanics of green investments. Typical modules include Financial Modelling of Green Energy Projects, Due Diligence in Green Energy Projects, and International Corporate Finance and Investment. You learn to build cash flow models, assess bankability, perform risk checks and structure transactions.
Climate finance and risk: You examine International Climate Finance, performance and risk management in energy portfolios, and the role of public and private funding. This equips you to navigate instruments from concessional finance to blended capital and to evaluate policy impacts on project performance.
Digital competence and ethics: To operate in data-rich finance roles, you add Performance & Risk Management in the Digital Era and Digital Ethics. This block strengthens analytical fluency and responsible decision-making in technology-enabled finance teams.
Electives and practice: Within the specialisation you choose targeted electives to deepen your profile in areas such as project valuation, international capital flows, or risk analytics. A 3-day workshop and a one-week study trip in Berlin bring hands-on exercises, live teaching and networking with industry.
Thesis and company project: You complete an applied master’s thesis as a Company Project, solving a real problem with an employer or partner organisation and demonstrating your ability to transfer theory into practice.
Note on German terms: The ZFU is the German state authority that approves distance-learning courses. Public university master’s degrees like this do not carry a ZFU number; their quality assurance runs through national accreditation.
How does the Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance distance programme work?
The programme runs part-time over 24 months, fully online with two short on-site periods in Berlin for practice and networking. Teaching is in English. Assessments are designed for remote completion, and you study from anywhere without needing a German study visa.
Teaching language and language certificates
Teaching language: English. You must provide proof of English at C1 level (CEFR) during application. Certified translations are required if your documents are neither in English nor in German.
Learning format and study materials
Learning is asynchronous-first via Moodle with guided study plans, readings, self-tests, videos and collaborative tasks. Synchronous sessions via tools such as Microsoft Teams, Webex or BigBlueButton support your self-study. You take 4–5 modules per semester, get access to the HWR Berlin online library and databases, and benefit from guest talks, live case studies, business simulations and coaching.
Exams and whether you can take them from outside Germany
Module assessments are designed for remote learners: online participation tasks, e-exams, or written assignments. You can complete the coursework and exams from outside Germany. The master’s thesis is submitted and defended online.
Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany
There are two short, mandatory in-person components in Berlin: a 3-day workshop and a one-week study trip integrated into the curriculum. They include practical exercises, live lectures and networking with the green energy finance ecosystem. Plan and budget for travel and accommodation.
Weekly workload, time models and time zones
The programme is expressly part-time and designed alongside full-time work. Live online elements are scheduled in Central European Time (CET/CEST). As a rule of thumb, plan steady weekly self-study alongside the synchronous sessions during each module; intensity varies across modules and assessment phases.
Administrative note: ZFU approval numbers apply to private-distance courses; this public, accredited university master’s operates under national higher education law and therefore does not require a ZFU entry. A visa is typically not required for a purely remote programme; for the short Berlin residencies, check your short-stay travel requirements.
What does the Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance cost?
The regular tuition is €13,600 in total for the 24-month programme. This covers enrolment, all modules, study materials, exams and the final thesis processing. With typical instalment plans, expect around €567 per month over the standard duration; the university offers alternative payment schedules on request.
If you already hold the Green Energy Finance Specialist (GEFS) certificate from RENAC, 28 ECTS are recognised and the total fee is €10,100. This is an alternative pathway with formal credit recognition, not a temporary discount. Travel and accommodation for the mandatory on-site days in Berlin are not included.
International students can usually pay in instalments from abroad; tuition is invoiced by the Berlin School of Economics and Law. There are no separate examination or graduation fees beyond the stated total.
What careers and recognition does the Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance offer?
You earn a Master of Science (90 ECTS) from the Berlin School of Economics and Law, a public German university. ECTS credits follow the Bologna framework, aiding international comparability for employers and further study. The programme is accredited by the German Accreditation Council, the national quality assurance body; German accreditation is underpinned by EQAR-listed procedures and is widely recognised across Europe.
The curriculum targets roles at the intersection of finance, energy and climate action. Typical career paths include:
- Project Finance Analyst or Associate for renewable energy developers and IPPs
- Climate Finance Specialist in development banks, funds or public finance institutions
- Investment Analyst in green infrastructure, private equity or blended-finance vehicles
- Due Diligence Consultant or Valuation Specialist for energy transactions
- Risk and Performance Manager for utilities or energy-efficiency portfolios
The applied thesis as a Company Project and the Berlin residencies strengthen your portfolio and network. For progression to doctoral study, many European institutions accept 90-ECTS master’s degrees; always check the specific entry policy of your target country or university.
Who is the Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance right for – and who not?
This programme fits experienced or early-career professionals who want to pivot into green energy finance or formalise hands-on experience with an internationally recognised master’s, while continuing to work. The online-first design and clear finance toolkit support a global, mobile student base.
- You want an English-taught, part-time master’s you can complete from anywhere
- You aim for finance, investment or advisory roles in renewable energy and climate-related markets
- You value applied learning with a company-based thesis and industry networking
- You need a structured specialisation in modelling, due diligence and climate finance instruments
- You prefer a public European degree with Bologna-aligned ECTS and formal accreditation
There are also clear exclusion points to avoid frustration later. Read these carefully before you apply.
- You cannot travel to Germany for mandatory short residencies (3 days + 1 week in Berlin)
- Your English is below C1 (CEFR) and you cannot provide formal proof
- You need a campus-based, full-time experience or a programme taught in German
- Your next step strictly requires a 120-ECTS master’s for doctoral entry or licensure without exceptions
- You seek a programme with monthly start dates; intake here is annual (October) with limited places (about 25)
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