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Who this German-taught M.Sc. fits – and what you need to get in
This master’s suits you if you want to operate at the interface of business and IT while studying remotely. Typical profiles include: working software engineers moving into product, data or solution architecture roles; business analysts or consultants seeking a formal IS/IT qualification; and internationally mobile professionals who need a recognised, low-cost European degree they can complete largely online with only minimal on-site time.
Admission requirements
Formal admission is set by the Faculty of Business and Economics. In practice you should expect:
- A first university degree (e.g. Bachelor or equivalent) qualifying you for master’s study. This is a consecutive programme; prior studies should be relevant to business informatics, computer science, information systems or business administration.
- Admission with foreign qualifications: international degrees and diplomas are assessed for equivalence. You will typically submit official transcripts, degree certificates and certified translations where applicable.
- Language of instruction: German. If your prior degree was not taught in German, you will need proof of advanced German proficiency (commonly level C1). Typical certificates accepted by German public universities include DSH-2, TestDaF (TDN 4 in all four parts), telc C1 Hochschule or a Goethe-Zertifikat C2; check which proofs are currently recognised for this programme when you apply.
- Admission without Abitur: not applicable at master’s level. Entry is based on your first degree, not on school-leaving certificates.
- Start dates and intake windows: enrolment for April (summer semester) and October (winter semester); application periods run approximately Dec–Jan and Jun–Jul, respectively.
Study form and exams: distance learning with optional local support centres. Examinations are offered in digital formats and at exam centres; a compulsory seminar or practical block may require short presence in Hagen (typically 1–10 days). If you live outside Germany, plan for occasional travel.
Personal requirements
Remote study rewards consistency. You’ll need solid self-organisation, the discipline to work through dense reading and assignments, and realistic time planning. In part-time mode, budget about 15–20 hours per week across reading, exercises and exam prep; in full-time study the weekly load is higher. Because materials, forums and exams are in German, you should be comfortable reading academic texts, writing seminar papers and presenting in German; if your German is rusty, factor in language refresh time. Technical readiness matters too: stable internet, a quiet study space, and confidence with standard tools (learning platform, videoconferencing, coding or analytics environments depending on your module choices). Finally, expect a few fixed dates for exams or a short on-site block in Hagen—set aside vacation days and budget for travel so your study plan remains realistic and sustainable.
What will you study in the Business informatics (M.Sc.) at the University of Hagen?
This programme is taught in German. You study entirely as a Fernstudium (distance learning) and combine computer science with business administration. You build a 120-ECTS master’s around elective blocks such as information systems, data and analytics, software engineering and IT management. A research seminar and a 30-ECTS master’s thesis complete the degree.
You select eight 10-ECTS electives from a wide catalogue. Typical choices include: - Information systems and architectures: Gestaltung und Entwicklung von Informationssystemen; Architekturmanagement; Informationsmanagement - Data, analytics and decision support: Business Intelligence; IT-Service-Management; IT-Consulting - Software engineering and mobile: Software-Entwicklung; Mobile-Software-Engineering; Entwicklung und Implementierung betrieblicher Anwendungssysteme - Strategy and organisation: Business Development; Organisationsentwicklung; creative software solutions for business contexts
Electives: You must include at least three modules from Business Informatics, plus one each from business administration and computer science. This structure lets you steer your profile toward analytics, enterprise systems, architecture or product/IT strategy.
Practice and thesis: A compulsory research seminar or subject-related practical prepares you for academic writing and may include short on-site blocks in Hagen. The master’s thesis (30 ECTS) demonstrates your ability to solve complex, practice-relevant problems with scientific methods.
Notes on German terms: Fernstudium means distance learning with self-study materials and online support. The ZFU is Germany’s state authority that approves private distance-learning courses; university degrees like this M.Sc. do not require separate ZFU approval.
How does the Business informatics distance programme work?
You study flexibly from anywhere: start in April or October, take modules at your own pace, and combine printed study booklets with an online campus. Exams are offered in several countries and increasingly online. A short seminar block in Hagen is mandatory; otherwise travel is minimal. No visa is needed for purely remote study.
Teaching language and language certificates
The teaching and all assessments are in German. You need advanced German to succeed (reading academic texts, writing papers, oral exams). International applicants should be prepared to provide proof of German proficiency; the university publishes accepted evidence for admission. Courses and support are oriented to German-speaking students.
Learning format and study materials
As a public distance-learning university, Hagen provides comprehensive, structured study letters (print/PDF), lecture videos, exercises and an e-learning platform (e.g. Moodle). You work largely asynchronously in self-study, supported by online tutorials, mentor sessions and regional study centres. The programme can be taken full-time (4 semesters) or part-time alongside work.
Exams and taking them from outside Germany
Each module ends with an exam: written tests (including classic or open-book formats), assignments and/or oral examinations. Written exams are offered at university exam centres in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Switzerland; many modules offer online proctoring or oral exams via video conference. This setup allows you to complete assessments while living abroad.
On-site sessions in Germany
One compulsory seminar/practical must be attended. It is typically organised as a 1–2 day block in Hagen; depending on the topic, several short presence days are possible, with a maximum of about 10 days. Outside this seminar and optional events, the programme runs remotely.
Weekly workload, time models and time zones
Plan roughly 20 hours per week when studying part-time; full-time requires more. Live elements (mentoring, oral exams) follow German time (CET/CEST). You choose how many modules to register for each semester, so you can scale your workload to fit work and family responsibilities.
ZFU approval number: Not applicable. Public, accredited university degree programmes do not require ZFU approval; the programme is covered by academic accreditation (see recognition below). A visa is not required if you study remotely and do not relocate to Germany.
What does the Business informatics (M.Sc.) cost?
The total cost for the standard full-time duration is about €1,200 across two years. You pay a small base fee per semester plus a fee per ECTS credit registered. Because you enrol in modules semester by semester, costs are spread out in manageable instalments rather than upfront.
Part-time study is slightly more expensive overall: each extra semester adds a base charge of €60 (plus a small student body fee). Your total then depends on how long you take and how many modules you book per term. Travel costs may occur for the seminar in Hagen or for in-person exams if you choose those instead of online formats.
Payments are charged per semester based on your actual module selection, which suits students paying from abroad and those who need to vary their study load. There are no hidden tuition surcharges for international students.
What careers and recognition does the Business informatics course offer?
You earn a Master of Science, 120 ECTS under the Bologna framework. The programme is AQAS-accredited (agency listed on EQAR) from 01/10/2024 to 30/09/2032 and delivered by the state University of Hagen. For employers abroad, this signals a recognised, research-oriented master’s at European level, comparable to other public university M.Sc. degrees.
The blend of IT and management prepares you for roles that bridge technology and business in enterprises, consulting and the public sector. Typical paths include: - Information systems design and enterprise architecture - Business intelligence and data analytics - Software and application development for business processes - IT consulting, service and process management - Product ownership or digital transformation in cross-functional teams
The profile also supports a transition into research or a doctorate in information systems, computer science or management, subject to doctoral admission rules at the target institution.
Who is the Business informatics (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?
This distance master’s suits professionals who want a low-cost, flexible German university degree and can study in German alongside work. The modular structure and exam options across several countries make it feasible from abroad with only a short on-site seminar in Hagen.
- You want a recognised M.Sc. (120 ECTS) from a state university with long-standing experience in distance learning.
- You seek flexibility to study part-time, choosing your module load per semester.
- You aim to work at the interface of IT and business, e.g. in analytics, enterprise systems, consulting or architecture.
- You value transparent, low total costs (around €1,200 in full-time standard duration) without international tuition surcharges.
- You live in or near Germany, Austria, Switzerland or Hungary, or you are comfortable with online exams from abroad.
There are also clear exclusion points you should weigh before applying.
- The programme is taught and examined in German; it is not suitable if you need an English-taught master’s.
- A mandatory seminar in Hagen requires at least a short trip to Germany; the programme is not 100% travel-free.
- If you need guaranteed in-person exam centres outside Germany, Austria, Hungary or Switzerland, availability may be limited.
- The degree does not grant direct access to regulated professions outside IT/business; recognition is academic (M.Sc., 120 ECTS), not a professional licence.
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