Englisch 
Deutsch 
Contents
- Media Studies via Distance Learning: Overview of Universities
- Journalism Distance Learning: Options Available
- Media Studies vs. Communication Studies: What to Study?
- Requirements for Media Management Bachelor's/Master's Programs
- Media Management Distance Learning: Study Content
- Costs for Media Management Studies Bachelor/Master
The selection of courses in the field of media studies is constantly growing, also due to the high demand for media and communication managers. The courses I am presenting here are all distance learning courses. Distance learning means: You mostly study at your home desk or kitchen table and only attend occasional on-site seminars at your university or college. This form of study is therefore particularly suitable for those who want to do something "with the media" and want to educate themselves academically while working.
Alle Fernstudiengänge im Fachbereich Medien im Überblick
We have a total of 17 courses in the field of Media studies.
Media and Communication Management
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- German
The distance learning programme in Media and Communication Management is a combination of basic knowledge of business and economics as well as complex content such as media law, media psychology, …
Culture and Media Education
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
With this part-time distance learning course, you will intensively engage with the theoretical foundations of education, cultural and media theory, and media effects research. Cultural and media pedagogy assists children …
Communication & Media Management
- IST University of Management
- 6 Semester
- German
- Foundations of Business Administration and Economics, Introduction to Accounting, Marketing, Business Ethics, Business Law, Business Management and Pe…
Media and Communication Management
- SRH Distance Learning University - The Mobile University
- 6 Semester
- German or English
- Fundamentals of Media Economics, Principles of Economics, Principles of Business Administration, Academic Writing, Personal Skills, Internal and Exter…
Media and Communications Management
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- German
This master's programme deepens management knowledge as well as your knowledge of media and corporate communication, always focusing on the changes brought about by digitisation. An important topic in the …
Media and Communication Management
- SRH Distance Learning University - The Mobile University
- 4 Semester
- German
- Business administration and management: Business administration and management theory, acquisition and negotiation skills, corporate management; Media…
Culture and media management
- University of Music and Theatre Hamburg
- 4 Semester
- German
- Economics and Law, Politics and Society, Communication and Organization, Culture and Media, with the specializations: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Mu…
Media management
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
Business administration, marketing, and media production in a part-time study programme: With this course of study, you prepare yourself for a career in media management within 6-12 semesters. During the …
Information design
- DIPLOMA University
- 7 Semester
- German
- General methodological basics, mathematics and statistics, fundamentals of design conception, visual communication, applied linguistics, text competen…
Journalism
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
Germany's only unique journalism distance learning programme! In this programme, you will systematically engage with media and communication sciences, covering topics such as typography, research and conception, as well as …
Media education
- Institute for Collaborative Studies
- 5 Semester
- Soest, Nordrhein-Westfalen
- German
- Media education and literacy, media socialization and psychology, media didactics and design, media and information technology
Media and Communication Management
- European Distance Learning University Hamburg
- 6 Semester
- Hamburg
- German
The Bachelor's degree programme in Media and Communication Management at the European Distance Learning University Hamburg offers an academic and professionally oriented preparation for entry or professional development in the …
Sports journalism
- University of Applied Sciences for Management
- 7 Semester
- German
- Foundations of sports journalism and scientific work with methodology, fundamentals of media use and media effects research, journalistic forms of rep…
Photo & Film
- University of Applied Sciences for SMEs
- 4 Semester
- German
- Project Management Photo & Film, Software Lab, Basic Photography in Studio & on Location, Media & Press Law, Corporate Media (Strategy and Concept), C…
Media Management
- Brand University of Applied Sciences
- 3 Semester
- German
The Master of Business Administration in Media Management at the Brand University of Applied Sciences offers a scientifically founded higher qualification that focuses on the requirements of the digital age …
Event Management & Entertainment
- University of Applied Sciences for SMEs
- 36 Months
- Bielefeld, Cologne, Hannover
- German
- Event and Entertainment Industry, Media Theory, Digital Media Business, Strategic & Operational Event Management, Event Law, Event Design & Dramaturgy…
Visual and Media Anthropology
- Media University
- 4 Semester
- English
- Documentary film and photography, Digital Anthropology, Camera, Sound, and Editing Courses, Social Media Activism, immersive storytelling through 360-…
Media Studies via Distance Learning: Overview of Universities
Distance learning courses in the field of media and communication are currently offered almost exclusively by private universities of applied sciences. Here I present a brief overview of the most important universities.
IU International University: The IU International University is a private university of applied sciences and currently the largest distance university in Germany, ahead of the University of Hagen. Currently, over 130,000 students are enrolled at the university. The university promotes a particularly flexible distance learning program with no attendance requirements and optional online exams. In the field of media, the university currently offers distance learning courses in Social Media and Media Management. The university also recently introduced the Journalism distance learning course, which is unique in Germany.
DIPLOMA University: The DIPLOMA University is a private university of applied sciences based in Hessen. In the WS 2019/2020, a total of 7,901 students were enrolled at the university. The university offers mainly distance learning courses in the fields of media and design, including the Bachelor's degree program Technical Editing and Information Design and the Master's degree program Creative Direction.
Fresenius University of Applied Sciences: Fresenius University is one of the largest private universities in Germany, with over 18,000 students in the WS 2021/22. For several years, the university has brought its study programs online through the onlineplus department in the form of part-time distance learning courses. For example, the university offers the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Media and Communication Management.
IST University of Management: IST University is a private distance university of applied sciences based in Dusseldorf. In WS 2019/20, a total of 3,035 students were enrolled in one of the distance learning courses at the university. The university also offers a range of distance learning courses in the field of Communication & Management, such as the Bachelor's distance learning course in Communication & Media Management.
European Distance Learning University Hamburg: The European Distance Learning University Hamburg (Euro-FH) is a private, state-recognized university of applied sciences located in Hamburg. The university was founded in 2003, and in WS 2019/2020, a total of 7,523 students were enrolled at the university. Euro-FH is a kind of business school and offers courses primarily in the field of business administration.
Journalism Distance Learning: Options Available
There is currently only one Bachelor's distance learning program in Journalism, namely at the IU International University. The program is designed to be completed in a regular study period of 6 semesters – however, most IU students opt for a part-time model for their distance learning and thus require 8-12 semesters for the professional distance learning program.
The curriculum for this distance learning program in full-time study looks as follows:
- 1st Semester: Introduction to Media and Communication Sciences, Introduction to Academic Work, Computer Training, Media Processes: Research and Conception, Typography: Discovering Writing, Project: Writing Workshop
- 2nd Semester: Collaborative Work, Project Media Processes: Realization and Production, History and Ethics of Media, Media Psychology, Print Production, Project: Print Media
- 3rd Semester: Media Economics, Market Research, Storytelling, Project: Format Lab, Basics of Audio-Visual Media, Project: Audio-Visual Media
- 4th Semester: Media Law, Intercultural and Ethical Action Competencies, Global Journalism, Mobile Media, Content Management Systems, Project: Online and Cross-Media Journalism
- 5th Semester: Seminar: Current Trends in Journalism, Digital Editorial Management, Professional Writing, Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality, Elective Course A
- 6th Semester: Elective Course B, Elective Course C, Bachelor Thesis
Throughout the course of your studies, you will focus on one of the following areas: Social Media Marketing I, TV and Web Moderation, or Editorial Lab. In addition, you will choose 2 of these elective modules: Content Strategy, Big Data and Data Protection, International Media Economics, Public Diplomacy and PR, Public Affairs and PR, Corporate Communication and PR, Communication and PR, User Experience, Foreign Languages, Sport Media Management, Advanced Leadership, Business Consulting, Human Resources, International Marketing and Branding, Project Management, Air Traffic Management, Tourism Management, Online and Social Media Marketing, Event Management, Market and Advertising Psychology.
The tuition fees for a Bachelor's distance learning course at IU currently amount to a total of €15,063 and can be paid in monthly instalments.
Media Studies vs. Communication Studies: What to Study?
Media studies systematically deal with media such as print media (newspapers and magazines), radio, television, or online media, as well as public communication. Many courses also focus on infrastructures, networks, or technologies. The main areas of work for media studies graduates are media analysis, media history, and media theory. In media studies distance learning programs, the focus is usually on educating media managers, and graduates typically pursue leadership positions in media companies, television stations, publishing houses, etc.
Communication studies deal with processes of human communication, such as in the field of journalism. Many study areas overlap with those of media studies. Those studying communication sciences also deal with linguistics (especially pragmatics), philosophy, semiotics, and sociology. Most distance learning programs in communication studies are very practical and provide knowledge in areas such as intercultural business communication. Communication science should be studied by those interested in the PR industry or those who want to engage more systematically with (foreign) languages in the context of their studies.
Requirements for Media Management Bachelor's/Master's Programs
Most of the Bachelor's distance learning programs I'm presenting here are offered by private universities and do not have restricted admissions. Generally, you simply need to have completed your general higher education entrance qualification (A-levels), your vocational higher education entrance qualification, or your subject-specific higher education entrance qualification to enroll in a distance learning program.
You can also enroll in most Bachelor's programs without A-levels. This is possible, for example, if you have completed advanced vocational training, such as a State-Certified Business Administrator. Alternatively, a completed vocational training combined with 2–3 years of work experience can also qualify you for admission to many Bachelor's degree programs.
The admission requirements for Master's programs vary. The following table compares the admission requirements of a series of Master's programs in the field of media management:
| Program | University | Degree | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media and Communication Management | SRH Distance Learning University - The Mobile University | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|
| Media and Communications Management | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|
| Culture and Media Management | University of Music and Theatre Hamburg | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|
Media Management Distance Learning: Study Content
© Chika Milan/Fotolia
As a future media manager, you will engage in a mix of fundamental business studies, communication sciences, and media studies during your studies. For example, below is the curriculum for the Bachelor's program in Media and Communication Management at Fresenius University:
- Start Modules: Introduction to Business Administration, Descriptive and Inductive Statistics, Civil Law, Founding Project, Self-Organized Learning and Academic Work, Media Management
- Basic Modules: Introduction to Economics, Mathematics, Trade, Corporate and Labor Law, Current Economics Issues, Communication and Presentation, Communication Management
- Advanced Modules: Internal and External Accounting, CSR and Sustainable Corporate Management, Creative Industries, Media Economics, Media Law, Marketing and Market Research, Media Psychology, Introduction to Online Business and Online Marketing, Human Resources Management, Organization, and Operational Planning, Project Management
- Specialized Modules (Majors)*: Corporate Communication I – Journalism, Corporate Communication II – PR, Corporate Communication III – Internal Communication, Corporate Communication IV – Online Media Practice, Communications & Agency Management I – Communications and Agency Management, Communications & Agency Management II – Campaign Concept and Planning, Communications & Agency Management III – Media Planning and Communication Impact Research, Communications & Agency Management IV – Online Media Practice
- Language Modules: Business Language Issues, Intercultural Competence
- Final Modules: Individual Learning Exploration | Studymission, Bachelor's Thesis
For details on the content of specific courses, please refer to the descriptions of the courses presented here.
Costs for Media Management Studies Bachelor/Master
Due to the fact that the distance learning programs in the field of media management, which are compared here, are predominantly offered by private universities, this is also reflected in the tuition fees. On average, you will pay around €12,000 for an entire course of study. If you choose part-time study, it can become even more expensive. However, you will usually pay the tuition fees in monthly instalments of €200 to €300.
In return, at private universities, you will receive significantly closer supervision during distance learning and the study materials are generally of higher quality and often supplemented with webinars, podcasts, and online lectures.
The following table compares the total costs of a range of distance learning courses in the field of media management:
| Course | University | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Media and Communications Management, Master of Arts Distance learning program | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | 4 Semester | from 11880 € total from 295 € monthly | |
| Media and Communication Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | 6 Semester | from 12420 € total from 215 € monthly | |
| Media and Communication Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | European Distance Learning University Hamburg | 6 Semester | from 12924 € total from 221 € monthly | |
| Media and Communication Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | SRH Distance Learning University - The Mobile University | 6 Semester | from 12968 € total from 185 € monthly | |
| Media management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| Journalism, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly |
About the Author Christian Wolf
Study Advice
Questions on the topic? Use our study advice, we are happy to help.
or post as a guest