Who is the Distance Learning Course in Healthcare Management Suitable For?

The Bachelor distance learning course "Healthcare Management" at Hochschule Fresenius is aimed at individuals who want to take on leadership responsibilities in the healthcare sector. It is specifically targeted at career starters with (advanced) school-leaving certificates, professionally qualified individuals from the healthcare sector, as well as those wishing to advance from commercial or social professions. The course is also attractive for professionals with completed vocational training and several years of work experience if they are interested in economic processes, organisation or digitalisation in healthcare and want to study alongside their job.

What Formal Admission Requirements Do You Need to Meet?

You can apply for the distance learning course if at least one of the following conditions is met:

• General university entrance qualification (Abitur): With the Abitur you have nationwide access to higher education.
• Advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachabitur) or subject-specific university entrance qualification: You can study provided that the federal state according to the certificate as well as, if applicable, the subject orientation correspond with the degree programme.
• Vocational training plus work experience: Access is possible with at least two years of relevant vocational training and two years of full-time employment in the relevant field. In addition, a subject-specific university entrance examination is required.
• Professional advancement training: Those who can prove a master craftsman’s certificate or professional advancement training (e.g. specialist business administrator, business economist, technician) need a corresponding university entrance examination.
• Intermediate school-leaving certificate and three-year training (borderline case): If you have completed at least a three-year vocational training with a final grade of 2.5 or better, you can start with an ECTS study agreement (proof of certain credit points in the first year of study is required). With a worse final grade, an additional university entrance examination must be taken.

In individual cases, access can be granted through individual assessment and suitability determination. Credits from vocational training or previous studies may be recognised if applicable.

Applicants without a general university entrance qualification are usually required to have a counselling interview at the university and provide written proof thereof.

The course is not subject to admission restrictions; there is no numerus clausus (NC).

Possible personal requirements

• Organisational skills and self-motivation for independent learning in distance learning
• Basic interest in the structures and processes in healthcare
• Willingness to work on economic, legal, and digital content
• Communication skills and ability to work in a team, especially for management and leadership tasks
• Analytical thinking for solving complex problems in the healthcare sector
• Time management to complete the studies alongside work or other commitments

Contents and Competences: What does the Management in Healthcare degree programme teach?

In the distance learning programme Management in Healthcare (B.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you acquire comprehensive knowledge in economics, management and the specific characteristics of the healthcare market. Key topics and competences include:

• Foundations of economics: Teaching of business administration, economics, controlling and quantitative methods specifically for the healthcare sector.
• Legal aspects: Business and labour law, health policy and social law form the basis for legally compliant action in the sector.
• Management knowledge: CSR and sustainable corporate governance, organisation, operational planning and quality management in healthcare.
• Basic medical knowledge: Introduction to medical basics, public health and relevant diseases.
• Digitalisation and IT: E-health, IT systems and digitalisation in the healthcare sector.
• Care management: Strategies of prevention, care as well as managed care and case management.
• Personnel management, marketing and market research: Control of personnel and development of marketing concepts for healthcare institutions.

The programme places particular emphasis on practical competences:

• Academic work and presenting
• Communication and counselling competence in dealing with patients as well as in interdisciplinary teams
• Advanced specialisations: You choose two specialisations, e.g. hospital management, managed care, e-health or care management

Acquisition of international and interdisciplinary additional qualifications through certificate courses (e.g. ASU Masterclasses) is possible.

Structure and organisation of your distance learning programme

Management in Healthcare (B.A.) is designed as a flexible distance learning programme. The organisation at a glance:

• Duration of study: Selectable between 36, 48 or 72 months (standard period of study usually 6 semesters).
• Learning organisation:
  • Self-study with digital study scripts (“Studymags”), video lectures and interactive exercises
  • Access to the online campus studynet for organisation, exchange and materials
  • Individual learning pace and free scheduling of modules
• Examination formats: Focus on alternative assessments such as term papers, project works, presentations and open-book exams. Attendance exams are rare and can usually be replaced by online exams.
• Attendance elements: A compulsory 2-day attendance seminar (14 hours) for deepening – carried out optionally in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne or Munich. In addition, about 90 hours of online tutorials are offered (optional).
• Support: Fixed contact persons and study coaches accompany you throughout your studies. Professors are available online (e.g. via consultation hours, forums or live webinars).
• Access to digital libraries: E-books, specialist articles and scientific databases are available to you around the clock.

The programme start is possible every month, without fixed semesters. Exams can be taken flexibly, partly even around the clock.

Career prospects and fields of application after graduation

As a graduate of the B.A. Management in Healthcare, many career paths open up for you in the healthcare and social sectors, such as:

• Management and leadership positions: e.g. in hospitals, medical care centres, rehabilitation clinics, nursing facilities or outpatient health services
• Personnel and quality management: Taking on tasks in human resources management or in securing and developing quality in healthcare
• Care management and case management: Activities in interface management of patient care and cross-sector coordination
• Consulting: Advising organisations in healthcare, e.g. on process optimisation, digitalisation or change projects
• Marketing and communication management: Development of strategies for healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies
• Research and teaching: Basis for entering scientific work or for a subsequent master’s degree

The solid knowledge in business administration, healthcare management and law makes you a sought-after expert for a variety of organisations in both the public and private healthcare sectors.

Costs and financing options: Your investment in the distance learning programme

The tuition fees for Management in Healthcare (B.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius depend on the chosen duration of study:

• 36 months: €375 per month (with discount €333.75)
• 48 months: €325 per month (with discount €289.25)
• 72 months: €235 per month (with discount €209.15)

The total price (for 58 months: approx. €12,420) includes all compulsory services:

• Access to online platform, scripts, videos and digital library
• Support from study coaches and lecturers
• All examination performances (including final thesis)
• Use of all digital learning and communication offers

Additional costs:

• Travel expenses to rare attendance elements (e.g. compulsory seminar)
• Voluntary costs for printed scripts (optionally orderable)
• Own technical equipment (e.g. computer, internet access)

Financing options:

• Flexible payment depending on duration of study (monthly instalments can be planned)
• Possibility to recognise prior achievements to save costs and time
• Student loans (e.g. KfW student loan), BAföG funding, scholarships (e.g. Deutschlandstipendium), support by the employer
• Tax deductibility of tuition fees as income-related expenses or special expenses

Hochschule Fresenius offers transparent fee models without hidden extra costs. A discount (e.g. with code START11) can further reduce the fees.