Distance learning program Fitness and Health Management (B.A.) – IST University of Management

👉 The Bachelor's degree programme in Fitness and Health Management is aimed at school leavers with university entrance qualifications or advanced technical college entrance qualifications, as well as industry professionals who wish to further their academic qualifications. During your studies, you will acquire extensive knowledge in exercise science, sports medicine, sports nutrition, and business fundamentals such as management, marketing, and law. You will obtain several recognised trainer licences, including the Fitness Trainer B Licence and Medical Fitness Training A Licence, and can specialise individually through elective modules. The distance learning programme lasts six semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time alongside work and prepares you for leadership positions in fitness and health companies.

At a Glance

🏫 Provider IST University of Management, UAS based in Düsseldorf (Germany)
The IST University of Management is officially recognized as a state-approved university by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The distance learning courses offered in the exciting areas of sports, fitness, health, tourism, hospitality, events, media and communication are characterized by high scientific quality and a strong practical relevance.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Health & SocialSports Science
📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 6 Semesters, Study effort 29 hours weekly
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Introduction to Accounting, Basics of Business Administration, Marketing – Fundamentals and Strategies, Academic Research, Basics of Sports Medicine, Business Law, Microeconomics, Fitness Management, Functional Training, Diagnostics and Training Sciences, Business Mathematics and Statistics, Macroeconomics and International Economics, Elective Modules, Fundamentals of Business Informatics, Marketing – Special Application Areas, Business Management and Human Resource Management, Health Management, Medical Fitness Training, Taxes and Financial Statements, Special Management Perspectives and Communication, Entrepreneurial Decision-Making Fundamentals, Sports Nutrition, Bachelor Thesis
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Fitness and Health Management under the number 151413c.
📅 Enrollment Winter or summer semester
💶 Fees
from 379 € monthly
from 13644 € total
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Is the Bachelor in Fitness and Health Management suitable for you?

The degree programme is aimed at school leavers with a university entrance qualification or a technical college entrance qualification who plan a career in the fitness and health sector, as well as industry professionals who wish to further their academic qualifications. You are in the right place if you want to study independently of time and location and have an interest in starting or advancing your career in fitness studios, health centres, wellness hotels or corporate health management. The programme is also a suitable option for career changers with relevant professional experience.

What admission criteria apply to the degree programme?

To gain admission to the Bachelor in Fitness and Health Management, you need one of the following formal qualifications:

  • General university entrance qualification (Abitur), technical college entrance qualification or an equivalent school leaving certificate. Additionally: a three-month internship in the fitness sector or at least three months of professional experience in the fitness or health industry (proof must be provided no later than the start of the 3rd semester).
  • Admission without Abitur is possible with a master craftsman’s certificate or a completed advanced vocational training (e.g. IHK specialist).
  • Alternatively: a completed vocational training programme of at least two years and at least three years of professional experience in this occupation. The professional relevance to the degree programme must be given – otherwise, a trial period of study is possible.
  • For unrelated training without a master craftsman's certificate or advanced vocational training, an additional three-month internship or verifiable industry-specific professional experience is required.

Personal requirements include an interest in sports science and business management topics, motivation for independent learning in distance education, as well as organisational skills. Practical experience in the fitness or health sector, communication skills and a team-oriented approach are advantageous. A certain level of self-motivation, discipline and resilience is necessary for regular independent study alongside other commitments.

Which competencies will you acquire in the Bachelor Fitness and Health Management?

In the Fitness and Health Management (B.A.) degree programme, you will gain a comprehensive qualification that combines sports science, business administration, and management-related content. You will learn to analyse business, legal, and marketing-related issues in fitness and health companies and develop targeted management and care concepts. The curriculum includes:

  • General Management: Basics of business administration, accounting, business law, marketing, corporate management, and human resources management.
  • Sports science and medical fundamentals: Exercise science, sports medicine, diagnostics, functional training, medical fitness training, sports nutrition.
  • Industry-specific specialisations: Fitness management, health management, prevention and rehabilitation sports, back training.
  • Development of social, methodological, and leadership skills for future management roles.

A special feature of the programme is the acquisition of several recognised trainer licences (e.g. Fitness Trainer B Licence, Medical Fitness Training A Licence, Sports Nutrition B Licence, Functional Trainer A Licence), which can already be applied during the course of study. In addition, you can set individual focus areas through elective modules such as Personal Training, Athletic Training, or Corporate Health Management.

How is the degree structured and organised?

The distance learning course Fitness and Health Management at IST University of Applied Sciences is designed to be flexible and can be completed full-time (6 semesters) or part-time (8 semesters). The average study workload in the full-time model is about 29 hours per week. The key features of the study process are:

  • Course start is possible in April and October each year.
  • Study materials such as study booklets, online lectures, virtual classrooms, and web-based training are available to you at any time via the online campus.
  • Attendance phases at selected locations (e.g. Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich) complement self-study and serve to convey practical content.
  • Examinations can mostly be taken online; alternatively, numerous locations nationwide are available.
  • Through flexible elective modules, you can tailor your studies specifically to your own interests. One semester can also be used for an internship or stay abroad.
  • The final semester is intended for final modules such as the bachelor thesis.

You will be personally supervised throughout the entire study period. If needed, you can extend your studies by up to three further semesters free of charge to complete exams or catch up on content.

How can you shape your career after the Bachelor Fitness and Health Management?

Graduates of the distance learning course Fitness and Health Management qualify through the combination of training practice and business knowledge for numerous professional fields in the fitness and health industry. Typical areas of deployment are:

  • Leadership and management positions in fitness clubs, health centres, sports clubs, wellness and sport hotels, spa facilities.
  • Specialist trainers in fitness facilities, responsible for course and training concepts.
  • Sales and marketing tasks in health-oriented companies.
  • Consulting, especially in corporate health management or health promotion in companies.
  • Self-employment as a trainer, studio manager, or consultant in the health sector.

Thanks to the integrated licences and possible specialisations, you can already gain job-relevant practical experience during your studies. The international recognition of the degree (Bachelor of Arts, 180 ECTS) also enables access to advanced master’s programmes and further career steps in national and international contexts.

How are the costs of the course composed and what financing options are available?

The costs for the distance learning course Fitness and Health Management at IST University of Applied Sciences amount to 379 euros per month in the full-time variant (6 semesters), totalling 13,644 euros. In the part-time variant (8 semesters), you pay 319 euros monthly, which amounts to a total of 15,312 euros. All services are included in the tuition fees – no additional costs will be incurred.

There are various financing options, for example:

  • Installment payments over the duration of the semesters
  • Funding programmes such as BAföG, education loans or scholarships
  • Employer support for part-time qualification
  • Tax deductibility as business expenses

Graduates of the bachelor’s degree receive a 10% discount on tuition fees for a subsequent master’s degree at IST University of Applied Sciences.

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