Englisch 
Deutsch Who this MBA suits — and what you need to qualify
This MBA in Sustainability Management is designed for working professionals aiming to lead the transition to more responsible business. It fits you if you are: a product, marketing or tech professional tasked with integrating ESG goals into growth and operations; an engineer or supply-chain specialist moving into sustainable production, circularity or climate risk; or a consultant, NGO/public-sector officer or founder who needs a solid management toolkit to scale impact and report credibly on sustainability performance.
Admission requirements
Formal admission at master’s level focuses on a prior degree and study-ready language skills. Teaching language: English.
- First degree: a recognised first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) that qualifies you for postgraduate study in business/management at university level.
- International qualifications: foreign degrees and diplomas are accepted if they are equivalent to a first-cycle university degree. You apply with official transcripts and degree certificates; documents not issued in English or German typically require a certified translation.
- Language proficiency: because the programme is taught in English, you need an approved proof of English proficiency as specified by the university (accepted tests and minimum scores are defined by FAU; submit a valid certificate unless you are exempt under FAU rules).
- Admission without Abitur: an Abitur (German school-leaving certificate) is not required for a master’s. Your first degree is the relevant higher education entrance qualification for admission.
The programme awards 90 ECTS over 3 semesters. It is offered in flexible formats suitable for employed applicants, including options for part-time study alongside your job.
Personal requirements
Remote master’s study demands consistent self-management. You should be comfortable planning your week, meeting deadlines without in-person prompts, and working through readings, cases and group tasks across time zones. Realistically, plan for about 15–20 hours per week alongside full-time work; in project, exam and thesis phases, workload can rise to 20–25 hours.
Strong analytical thinking, basic numeracy for sustainability metrics (e.g. carbon accounting, impact KPIs) and clear academic writing in English will help you succeed. You need reliable internet access, familiarity with common collaboration tools, and the persistence to iterate on feedback. Because sustainability challenges are interdisciplinary, be ready to connect business strategy with environmental and social data, and to communicate trade-offs to stakeholders. If you bring curiosity, perseverance and a structured study plan, you can complete this MBA fully online from abroad and apply the learning directly in your current role.
What will you study in the Sustainability Management MBA at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg?
The Sustainability Management MBA is taught in English and awards 90 ECTS over 3 semesters. You build managerial skills for sustainable transformation: classic MBA fundamentals are combined with current sustainability practice, so you learn to align strategy, operations and finance with ESG goals and stakeholder expectations.
Core management with a sustainability lens: you approach strategy, leadership and operations through responsible business practice and long-term value creation. Typical themes include corporate strategy for sustainability, responsible operations and supply chains, and change leadership for transformation.
Accounting, reporting and finance for ESG: you work with sustainability reporting frameworks, non-financial performance measurement and risk. Themes often include ESG disclosure and assurance, impact measurement, and sustainable finance and investment decisions.
Systems, innovation and policy: you consider circular economy thinking, climate and resource strategies, and how regulation shapes markets. This typically covers innovation for sustainability, climate transition pathways and policy/standard landscapes that companies must navigate.
Electives: depending on the cohort and faculty offer, you can usually deepen sectoral or functional interests (for example in sustainable supply chains, responsible marketing or social entrepreneurship). Availability varies by intake.
Capstone: you complete a master’s thesis (MBA) in the third semester, often practice-oriented and linked to an employer or a real-world challenge. “Fernstudium” means distance learning in German; the programme is delivered without a daily campus presence at FAU, a public research university (not a “Fachhochschule”, i.e. a university of applied sciences). The ZFU is the German authority that approves private distance-learning courses; public university degrees typically do not require a separate ZFU approval.
How does the Sustainability Management distance programme work?
You study part-time alongside your job in a distance format. There is no requirement to relocate to Germany; learning activities are designed for remote participation, with the campus base in Nuremberg used for networking or occasional events as scheduled.
Teaching language and certificates
The teaching language is English. Evidence of English proficiency is normally required for admission, typically via recognised tests such as IELTS or TOEFL or prior English-medium study. No German is required for coursework.
Learning format and study materials
The programme combines online teaching with guided self-study. Expect a mix of interactive sessions, case work and project tasks, plus digital readings and lecture materials. As a distance programme (“Fernstudium”), the design supports flexible, asynchronous study with scheduled live elements to keep you on track.
Exams and where you can take them
Assessment typically uses written assignments, case analyses, presentations and the final thesis rather than sit-down exams only. Many tasks can be submitted online from abroad. Where invigilated examinations or presentations are required, these are scheduled and communicated in advance.
On-site sessions in Germany
There is no ongoing campus attendance. Any on-site activities, if scheduled, take place in Nuremberg and are planned to fit a working professional’s calendar. Short visits rather than relocation are the norm. A purely remote study path does not require a visa.
Workload, time models and time zones
The standard duration is three semesters (90 ECTS) in a working-professional format. Live sessions, when offered, follow Central European Time (CET/CEST). You should plan for a steady weekly workload alongside your job; intensity fluctuates around assignment deadlines and during the thesis.
ZFU approval
Degree programmes at public universities do not carry a separate ZFU admission number; ZFU approval primarily covers private distance-learning courses under German consumer law.
What does the Sustainability Management MBA cost?
The regular tuition is €29,750 in total for the standard duration of three semesters. That equates to roughly €9,900 per semester or about €330 per ECTS credit. Tuition is typically payable in instalments; international payments from outside the eurozone are possible via common transfer methods.
Budget additionally for study materials, potential travel and accommodation if you choose or are required to attend in-person sessions in Nuremberg, and for your thesis period if you need extra time. If you extend beyond the standard duration, universities may charge continuation or extension fees; check the current rules for your intake before you plan.
What careers and recognition does the MBA offer?
You earn an MBA with 90 ECTS under the European Higher Education Area (Bologna Process). ECTS credits and the MBA degree are widely understood internationally. The programme is internally accredited by FAU under Germany’s official system and is listed as accredited until 31 March 2032. FAU is a public, state-recognised university, which strengthens international trust in the credential.
Typical roles after graduation include:
- Sustainability or ESG Manager in corporate functions
- ESG/Climate Consultant in professional services or boutique advisory
- CSR/Impact Lead in consumer goods, tech, finance or manufacturing
- Sustainable Supply Chain or Procurement Manager
- Reporting and Assurance Specialist focusing on non-financial disclosures
The MBA positions you for leadership tracks where organisations must meet regulatory demands, reduce emissions, and report impact. Sector mobility is high: manufacturing, financial services, retail, healthcare and technology are hiring for ESG, reporting and transition projects. Salary levels vary widely by country, prior experience and company size; the MBA mainly adds value by opening management roles and acceleration paths.
Who is the Sustainability Management MBA right for – and who not?
This programme targets working professionals who want a managerial sustainability toolkit without pausing their career. The English-taught, distance format enables you to study from abroad and apply insights directly in your current role.
- You need an English-medium MBA you can complete largely online from outside Germany.
- You want to integrate ESG, reporting and transformation into mainstream management practice.
- You are aiming for leadership or specialist roles in sustainability, CSR, or responsible operations.
- You value a public, state-recognised German university and a Bologna-compliant 90-ECTS award.
- You prefer structured, part-time study with a capstone thesis you can link to your employer.
There are also clear cases where this MBA is not the best fit. Read these carefully if you are applying from abroad to avoid disappointment or extra costs.
- You need a German-taught programme or cannot provide proof of English proficiency.
- You require guaranteed no on-site presence; occasional sessions in Nuremberg may be scheduled and would require travel.
- You are seeking a regulated professional licence (e.g., engineering licensure or a clinical qualification). An MBA does not grant access to regulated professions.
- You want a highly technical environmental science/engineering curriculum with labs; this is a management-centred MBA.
- Your priority is the absolute lowest tuition; at €29,750, this is a premium programme compared with some online alternatives.
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Sustainability Management? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg or the editorial team will answer you.