Who benefits from the Master’s programme in Education, Media and Digitisation?

The distance learning Master’s programme in Education, Media and Digitisation (M.A.) is aimed at professionals working in education, media and further education sectors who wish to expand their skills in handling digital teaching and learning formats. It specifically addresses individuals involved in or aspiring to conceptual, didactic or advisory roles at schools, universities, adult education centres, corporate academies or in educational management. Career changers with relevant professional experience from related fields (e.g. media production, personnel development) can also benefit through alternative admission routes.

Formal admission requirements for the distance learning programme

To be admitted to the Master’s programme Education, Media and Digitisation, you must meet at least one of the following prerequisites:

• A completed first degree (e.g. Bachelor, Diploma, Magister) with at least 180 Credit Points.
• Alternatively: University entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, advanced technical college entrance qualification), a completed vocational training of at least two years in the relevant field, at least two years of relevant professional experience as well as successful passing of an aptitude test (e.g. term paper).
• Admission for professionally qualified applicants is possible: without a first degree, but with a university entrance qualification, several years of professional experience and aptitude confirmation (motivation letter, admission interview).
• For continuing education Master’s variants: first degree plus at least one year of relevant professional practice.
• Further individual proofs may be required, for example course-specific CP, English language certificate (B2 level) or proof of professional experience. Admission is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Personally, you should bring the following:

• Interest in pedagogical and media-pedagogical issues as well as in digital transformation processes.
• Willingness to engage in self-organised, independent learning over a period of four semesters with an average effort of 20 hours per week.
• Analytical thinking skills as well as the ability to understand, reflect on and apply complex contexts in education and digitisation practically.
• Communication and teamwork skills for working in interdisciplinary and digital learning environments.
• Ideally, some initial experience in the education sector, media usage or dealing with digital tools for teaching and learning is advantageous, but not absolutely necessary.

Study Content in Detail: What Will You Learn in the Master’s in Education, Media and Digitalisation?

In the Master’s programme Education, Media and Digitalisation at Hochschule Fresenius, you will engage extensively with the interactions between education, media and digital transformation processes. You will systematically explore pedagogical, media studies and interdisciplinary approaches. The core study content includes:

• Fundamentals of self-directed learning and introductory project
• Pedagogy as a science and pedagogy of the lifespan
• Didactic models and principles for digital as well as analogue teaching
• Media education, media didactics and media psychology
• Education in an interdisciplinary context, education and society
• Quality management in educational processes
• Ethics and sustainability in education
• Educational research: qualitative and quantitative methods
• Didactic design for digital learning environments
• Technologies of digital teaching and learning
• Media law and multimedia law, including international aspects

In the specialised part, you will focus on areas such as:

• Learning with digital media and designing digital educational formats
• Didactic design of digital learning environments
• Legal issues (media law, copyright law)
• Media in international comparison

In the elective area, you will deepen topics according to your personal goals, such as leadership and management in the education sector, educational management and programme planning, internationalisation of educational offerings, as well as digital and personal communication in the educational context.

You will learn to develop your own educational concepts and to plan, implement and evaluate digital educational offerings. In addition, you will acquire competences in project management, change management, educational marketing, as well as sound knowledge in educational counselling and adult education.

Study Process: How Is the Distance Learning Organised?

The Master’s programme is organised as a consecutive distance learning course and awards 120 ECTS credits upon successful completion. The standard period of study is, depending on the chosen model, 24, 36 or 48 months. Particularly flexible: You decide how many modules you take per semester and can start at any time on the 1st of a month. Changing between the time models is possible during the course of the studies.

• The programme takes place online – via the digital campus “studynet” you have 24/7 access to all materials.
• Learning content is delivered in a multimedia format: digital study booklets (Studymags), video lectures, e-books and interactive practice exercises.
• Printed Studymags can be ordered optionally.
• Each module concludes with an examination. Exam formats include essays, online exams, presentations (mostly online) and open-book exams. The exams can be scheduled flexibly.
• A personal study coach accompanies and supports you in organising your studies.
• Through studynet and online tutorials you regularly exchange with lecturers and fellow students.
• No mandatory on-site attendance. Occasionally optional on-site workshops or exams at regional examination centres (if needed).
• Enrollment is possible even without a classic Bachelor’s degree – provided relevant professional experience and an aptitude test (see provider details).
• Additional benefits: Access to international certificates and masterclasses from Arizona State University (ASU).

Career Prospects & Employment Opportunities: Your Perspectives After Graduation

With a Master’s degree in Education, Media and Digitalisation, you open up diverse career paths in the field of digital education and educational innovation. Typical fields of work include:

• Project leadership and management in training and continuing education institutions
• Design, planning and evaluation of digital educational offerings and online academies
• Media-educational consulting and didactic development in companies, schools, universities and associations
• Specialist and leadership positions in educational management, e.g. as programme planner, educational consultant or responsible for educational marketing
• Quality management and change management in educational institutions
• Consulting companies and organisations on digital transformation processes in the education sector
• Work in educational research or international education projects

The competences acquired in dealing with digital media, didactic design and interdisciplinary educational scenarios are highly sought after in both the public and private education sectors. Entry into leadership positions or the development of your own innovative educational projects is also possible.

Costs and Financing: What Will You Invest in Your Studies?

The following costs apply for the Master’s distance learning programme Education, Media and Digitalisation at Hochschule Fresenius (status June 2024):

• 24 months duration: €525 per month (reduced price: €467.25 with discount code)
• 36 months duration: €395 per month (reduced price: €351.55 with discount code)
• 48 months duration: €315 per month (reduced price: €280.35 with discount code)

The total price includes all digital learning materials, access to the online library, support, examination fees and graduation documents. Additional costs only arise for optional on-site appointments (travel, possibly overnight stays) or for purchasing printed Studymags (on request).

Various financing options are available:

• Payment in planned monthly instalments according to the model
• Use of discounts (e.g. permanent 11 % with code START11)
• Study loans such as the KfW study loan
• Scholarship programmes, e.g. the Deutschlandstipendium
• BAföG (case-by-case assessment possible)
• Employer financing or tax deductibility as continuing education costs

In an individual consultation, Hochschule Fresenius supports you in selecting suitable financing models. This way, you can plan your investment in your qualification and career development in the best possible way.