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Deutsch Is the Facility Management Master’s Distance Learning Course Right for You?
The distance learning course in Facility Management (M.Sc.) is aimed at professionals who already hold a first university degree in engineering, business administration, natural sciences, architecture or computer science and wish to qualify for specialist or management roles in facility management. The programme is particularly suitable for employees who want to further develop their careers in real estate and building management or enter facility management without interrupting their professional activity. The content is designed to impart technical, business management and legal skills as well as soft skills for complex fields of responsibility in facility management.
What formal requirements must you meet?
The following requirements apply for admission to the Master’s degree in Facility Management (M.Sc.):
- First university degree (Bachelor’s or Diplom) in the field of engineering sciences, business administration, natural sciences, architecture or computer science and at least one year of relevant professional experience before the start of studies
- Alternatively: Accredited Bachelor’s degree from a Berufsakademie (Duale Hochschule) and at least one year of relevant professional experience
- Without a first university degree: Access is possible through the aptitude test
The requirements for the aptitude test are:
- University entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, Fachhochschulreife, completion of a Meister or technician school, completion of an administrative academy)
- Completed vocational training
- At least three years of relevant professional experience in facility management or related fields
The degree programme comprises 120 ECTS credits over 4 semesters. Upon completion, the degree Master of Science (M.Sc.) is awarded, which also entitles holders to pursue a doctorate.
Personally, you should have organisational talent, communication skills and an interest in technical and business management issues. Readiness for self-study, discipline in using digital learning platforms and the ability to organise your learning processes independently alongside your career are also expected.
Detailed Course Content: What Awaits You in the Master’s Distance Learning Programme in Facility Management?
In the Master’s programme Facility Management (M.Sc.) you acquire comprehensive knowledge at the interface of technology, business, and management. The curriculum is modular and divided into basic, advanced, and final modules. The following key areas are covered:
- Business Administration and Law: Introduction to internal and external accounting, investment and financing, selected elements of marketing as well as business private law.
- Soft Skills: English for the profession, project management, work techniques and methodological competence.
- Facility Management Specifics: Organisation and tasks of facility management, controlling, contract management, building technology, building physics, safety technology and fire protection.
- Technical Aspects: Planning of buildings, energy optimisation, heating, air conditioning and ventilation technology as well as building automation and communication.
- IT and Administration: Recording and management of facilities using CAD/CAFM, factory structure planning with virtual reality laboratory.
In the third semester you choose one of two study specialisations for individual focus:
- General Facility Management (with infrastructural facility management, building automation and communication)
- Asset Management (with portfolio management, property valuation and project development)
The fourth semester includes research methodology, case studies, simulation games as well as the preparation of the master’s thesis and its defence in the colloquium. Overall, practice-oriented methods, IT skills and management competencies are imparted to prepare you for demanding tasks in building operations and real estate management.
Course Structure: How Your Distance Learning Programme is Organised
The programme is designed for four semesters including the master’s thesis. It combines self-study with practice-oriented study guides and e-learning modules as well as supplementary on-site sessions:
- Three theory and one thesis semester: The first two semesters constitute the basic studies, the third semester is for specialisation in a chosen focus, and the fourth semester is reserved for the master’s thesis and the colloquium.
- Self-study: You study flexibly according to your schedule with extensive study materials and digital learning units, supported by the provider’s online platform.
- On-site and online events: Each module offers optional on-site sessions in Friedberg (Hesse) or alternatively digital meetings, mostly via Zoom.
The programme is specifically tailored to the needs of working professionals. Exchange and collaboration in learning groups as well as online support from instructors complement the didactic concept. You can start your studies in either the summer or winter semester.
Career Prospects & Job Opportunities: How Do You Open Up New Perspectives?
With the master’s degree you qualify for specialist and management positions in facility management as well as in the real estate sector:
- Management of facility management departments in companies, public institutions or municipal enterprises
- Management and administration of buildings and real estate portfolios
- Tasks in asset management such as portfolio analyses, property valuation and project development
- Responsibility for energy and sustainability management, technical building equipment as well as quality assurance
- Independent consultancy in building planning, infrastructural facility management or digital facility administration
The programme also qualifies you for doctoral studies according to the doctoral regulations of the cooperating universities and opens access to higher service. Additionally, there is the option to obtain the recognised certificate “Facility Manager (GEFMA)”. The broad orientation prepares you for both technical and commercial-administrative tasks.
Costs and Financing: What Do You Have to Invest and What Options Are Available?
The costs for the distance learning programme Facility Management (M.Sc.) break down as follows:
- 1st to 3rd semester: €1,800 each
- 4th semester (thesis semester): €2,200
- Plus social contribution: approx. €130 per semester
- Total costs for four semesters: approx. €7,200 (excluding social contributions)
Various options are available for financing. These include funding by the employer, scholarships as well as state financing options such as education loans. Tuition fees are generally tax-deductible, as they can be claimed as work-related expenses or special expenses.
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