Englisch 
Deutsch 
Germany offers some of the most affordable humanities distance degrees in Europe. The University of Hagen (FernUniversität) – Germany’s only public distance university – provides the core offering: a Bachelor’s in Cultural Studies and three Master’s programmes in History, Philosophy, and German Literature, all at total costs below 2,300 €. Additional specialised programmes are available at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (Archival Science), Humboldt University of Berlin (Library Science), and FernUni Switzerland (History). This page compares all programmes with costs, admission requirements, and career prospects.
- All distance learning courses in the field of humanities
- Study Areas: Find Your Path in Humanities
- How Much Does a Humanities Distance Degree Cost?
- Which Universities Offer Humanities Distance Degrees?
- What Do Humanities Graduates Earn in Germany?
- Admission Requirements
- Accreditation and Degree Recognition
- Frequently Asked Questions
All distance learning courses in the field of humanities
We have a total of 11 courses in the field of Humanities.
History of Europe - Epochs, Turning Points, Interconnections
University of Hagen · M.A. · 4 Semester
Philosophy - Philosophy in the European Context
University of Hagen · M.A. · 4 Semester
Library and Information Science
Humboldt University of Berlin · M.A. · 4 Semester
Archival Science
University of Applied Sciences Potsdam · M.A. · 6 Semester
German as a foreign language
Philipps University of Marburg · M.A. · 4 Semester
Recent German Literature in the Media-Cultural Context
University of Hagen · M.A. · 4 Semester
Applied German Studies
IU International University · B.A. · 6 Semester
German as a Foreign and Second Language
CEC Saar · M.A. · 6 Semester
Study Areas: Find Your Path in Humanities
German universities organise humanities distance programmes into seven study areas. The following table provides a quick overview.
| Study Area | Programmes | Universities | Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Philosophy | University of Hagen | M.A. |
| History | History of Europe, Historical Sciences | University of Hagen, FernUni Switzerland | B.A., M.A. |
| Literature/German Studies | Recent German Literature, Applied German Studies | University of Hagen, IU | B.A., M.A. |
| Cultural Studies | Cultural Studies | University of Hagen | B.A. |
| German as a Foreign Language (DaF) | DaF (2 programmes) | CEC Saar, University of Marburg | M.A. |
| Archival & Library Science | Archival Science, Library & Information Science | FH Potsdam, Humboldt University Berlin | M.A. |
| Archaeology | (available via British universities – see German category) | – | – |
Cultural Studies at the University of Hagen is the broadest entry point – an interdisciplinary programme combining philosophy, history, and literary studies. For deeper specialisation, the three Master’s programmes (History of Europe, Philosophy, Recent German Literature) build directly on this Bachelor’s. Note that most programmes are taught in German; see the language requirements section below.
How Much Does a Humanities Distance Degree Cost?
Humanities distance degrees in Germany are remarkably affordable by international standards. Nearly all programmes are offered by state-funded universities with minimal tuition fees. The University of Hagen charges just 1,431 € for a complete Master’s degree. The only private exception is the IU (Applied German Studies, B.A., 15,063 €).
Bachelor’s: Cost Comparison
| Course | University | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | from 2229 € total | |
| Historical sciences, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | FernUni Switzerland | from 12492 € total | |
| Applied German Studies, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | from 15063 € total from 249 € monthly |
Master’s: Cost Comparison
| Course | University | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archival Science, Master of Arts Distance learning program | University of Applied Sciences Potsdam | ||
| Recent German Literature in the Media-Cultural Context, Master of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | from 1400 € total | |
| History of Europe - Epochs, Turning Points, Interconnections, Master of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | from 1431 € total | |
| Philosophy - Philosophy in the European Context, Master of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | from 1431 € total | |
| German as a Foreign and Second Language, Master of Arts Distance learning program | CEC Saar | from 6240 € total | |
| Library and Information Science, Master of Arts Distance learning program | Humboldt University of Berlin | from 7540 € total | |
| History, Master of Arts Distance learning program | FernUni Switzerland | from 8400 € total | |
| German as a foreign language, Master of Arts Distance learning program | Philipps University of Marburg | from 13260 € total |
International Cost Comparison
| Country | Bachelor’s (Total) | Master’s (Total) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (public) | 2,229 € | 0–7,900 € | Semester fees only at most institutions; some professional programmes higher |
| Germany (private) | 15,063 € | – | Only 1 private programme (IU, Bachelor’s) |
| United States | $40,000–120,000 | $20,000–60,000 | Varies widely by institution |
| United Kingdom | £27,750–37,000 | £10,000–25,000 | Higher fees for international students |
Funding and Financial Aid
International students enrolled at a German university may be eligible for the following funding options:
- Tax deduction (German taxpayers): Tuition fees and study materials can be deducted from taxable income. A Master’s degree qualifies as a full business expense.
- KfW Student Loan: Available to students enrolled at accredited German institutions, providing up to 650 € per month regardless of income.
Note: Aufstiegs-BAföG does not apply here – it funds vocational advancement qualifications (master craftsman, technician, specialist), not academic Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.
Which Universities Offer Humanities Distance Degrees?
Humanities distance degrees in Germany are offered mainly by public universities. The central provider is the University of Hagen; FernUni Switzerland, FH Potsdam, and Humboldt University add specialised programmes, and the IU is the only private option.
- University of Hagen: Germany’s only public distance university and the central provider for humanities. Offers Cultural Studies (B.A.), History of Europe (M.A.), Philosophy (M.A.), and Recent German Literature (M.A.) at total costs from 1,431 to 2,229 €.
- FernUni Switzerland: Offers Historical Sciences as Bachelor’s (12,492 €) and Master’s (8,400 €) in German and French. Degrees are recognised in the EU.
- FH Potsdam: Archival Science (M.A.) – a fee-free programme for professionals working in archives and records management.
- Humboldt University of Berlin: Library and Information Science (M.A., 7,900 €) – for careers in library management and information science.
- IU International University: Applied German Studies (B.A., 15,063 €) – the only private humanities programme, focusing on practical applications of German language and literature.
What Do Humanities Graduates Earn in Germany?
Humanities graduates in Germany earn between roughly 32,000 € (entry level, cultural management) and 65,000 € (research roles with 5+ years’ experience, TVöD E13). The public sector pays the highest starting salaries but usually requires a Master’s. Typical fields are archives, libraries, publishing, museums, journalism, public relations, cultural management, and academia. The following salary data is based on gehalt.de, StepStone, and oeffentlicher-dienst.info (public sector pay scales).
| Field | Starting Salary/Year | Median | With 5+ Years Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archivist | ~35,000 € | ~42,000 € | up to 52,000 € |
| Librarian | ~38,000 € | ~44,000 € | up to 55,000 € |
| Journalist / Editor | ~34,000 € | ~42,000 € | up to 55,000 € |
| Cultural Manager | ~32,000 € | ~40,000 € | up to 50,000 € |
| PR / Communications | ~36,000 € | ~45,000 € | up to 58,000 € |
| Research Associate (TVöD E13) | ~45,000 € | ~52,000 € | up to 65,000 € |
The public sector (TVöD E13 pay scale) offers the highest starting salaries for humanities graduates, but typically requires a Master’s degree or PhD. PR and communications are the best-paid private-sector options. A Master’s degree significantly improves career prospects in all fields – at the University of Hagen, a complete Master’s costs just 1,431 €.
Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s Programmes
The University of Hagen’s B.A. Cultural Studies requires a secondary school leaving certificate equivalent to the German Abitur. For international applicants, the anabin database lists which foreign qualifications are recognised. The university also offers a trial semester for applicants without formal qualifications.
Master’s Programmes
Master’s programmes require a first degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with at least 180 ECTS in a related humanities field. Specialised programmes such as Archival Science (FH Potsdam) and Library Science (Humboldt University) may require professional experience in the respective field.
Language Requirements
Almost all programmes listed here are taught in German. International applicants typically need B2 level proficiency (CEFR). Accepted certificates include TestDaF (TDN 4), DSH-2, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. IU International University’s Applied German Studies programme requires German language proficiency by design, as the subject itself is German linguistics and literature.
Visa and Residence Permit
For fully online distance learning programmes, a German student visa is generally not required – you can study from your home country. If you plan to attend on-site exams in Germany, a Schengen tourist visa is usually sufficient.
Accreditation and Degree Recognition
All programmes listed on this page are accredited by recognised accreditation agencies and approved by the relevant state ministry. Degrees from accredited German universities are recognised throughout the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). All programmes use ECTS credits. For use outside Europe, World Education Services (WES) or NACES member organisations can evaluate your German degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most programmes are taught in German. For English-language options, consider the British programmes listed in our German category (Open University, University of Leicester, University of London), which are available worldwide.
A Bachelor’s takes 6 semesters full-time or 12 semesters part-time. Master’s programmes take 4 semesters full-time or 8 semesters part-time. Most universities offer free extensions.
Most programmes can be completed largely online. The University of Hagen requires on-site exams at fixed dates, typically at test centres across Germany. Some universities offer online-proctored alternatives.
Yes. All programmes use ECTS credits and are accredited under the European Higher Education Area framework. For non-European countries, World Education Services (WES) can evaluate your degree.
Archives, libraries, museums, publishing, journalism, PR, cultural management, and academia. The public sector (TVöD E13) offers the highest starting salaries but typically requires a Master’s or PhD.
About the Author Christian Wolf
Hi, I'm Christian, the founder of fernstudi.net & your personal, independent study advisor 👋 Do you have questions about a course of study or are unsure which course is right for you? I'm happy to help - in detail, competently, honestly, and individually.
Study Advice
Questions on the topic? Use our study advice, we are happy to help.