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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Building Protection under the number 168616. Who this Master fits and what you need to get in
This online, part-time M.Sc. suits experienced professionals in the built environment who want to deepen expertise in building diagnostics and remediation. Typical profiles include: civil or structural engineers and architects in practice seeking advanced skills in moisture control, façade protection and energy retrofitting; conservation and restoration professionals moving towards building surveying or expert-witness work; and graduates from materials, environmental or process engineering applying building physics in consulting or asset management. Teaching language is German, and there are scheduled on-site sessions.
Admission requirements
To be admitted you need a suitable first university degree and the German language skills to study technical content. Key points:
- First degree (Bachelor or comparable) in one of these fields: engineering (e.g. civil, structural), architecture, materials science, environmental engineering, process engineering, heritage conservation/restoration, natural sciences; also science/technology-oriented business or teacher-training degrees are accepted.
- Recognition of foreign qualifications: international Bachelor’s or equivalent degrees are accepted if comparable to a German first degree. You should provide official transcripts, degree certificates and certified translations where applicable.
- Teaching language: German. You must be able to follow lectures, literature and assessments in German; formal proof of German proficiency is required for non-native speakers. (Universities in Germany commonly accept certificates such as DSH, TestDaF or Goethe-Zertifikat at advanced level.)
- Admission without a first academic degree is not offered for this Master’s programme.
- Study format: distance learning over 4 semesters (90 ECTS) with compulsory in-person sessions totalling 24 days (typically 6 days per semester). Plan for travel to Germany for these sessions.
- Examinations are conducted online or at examination centres in Germany and Austria.
Personal requirements
Success in a remote, technical Master hinges on consistent routines and clear time budgeting. Expect about 25 hours per week for reading, assignments and exam preparation alongside your job. You will need strong self-organisation, perseverance during intensive phases (e.g. lab work, project reports) and the ability to apply theory to cases from practice. For international students, solid academic German is essential: you should comfortably read standards and research papers, write technical reports and participate in seminars. Reliable internet access, readiness to attend the mandatory on-site days, and proactive communication with lecturers and peers will make the workload manageable.
What will you study in the Building Protection (M.Sc.) at the University of Wismar?
The programme is taught in German. You need advanced German for study and exams; typical proof includes TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat (C1). Building Protection (Bautenschutz) is a specialised Master of Science focusing on diagnosing building damage and designing sustainable remediation. As a Fernstudium (distance learning) at a German Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), it combines applied science with practice. The degree carries 90 ECTS and ends with a Master’s thesis and colloquium.
You begin with the scientific and physical foundations of building performance. Core topics include Building Physics, Moisture Protection of Building Components and Hygrothermal Assessment Methods. You learn how heat, air and moisture move through building assemblies and how to prevent condensation, mould and thermal bridges.
The materials track looks at deterioration mechanisms and surface protection. You cover Protection of Building Materials I–II, Protection of Facades and Protection of Material Surfaces and Recycling. Here you work with case studies on salts, freeze–thaw cycling, corrosion and compatible repair mortars and coatings.
Diagnosis, assessment and documentation are the third pillar. Modules such as Damage Analysis and Expert Assessment and Environmental and Heritage (Monument) Compatibility train you to identify root causes, weigh intervention options and write defensible expert reports for clients, insurers and public authorities.
Energy retrofit and indoor hygiene complete the technical focus. You study Energy Refurbishment, Thermal Bridges and Mould and the interface between efficiency targets and building health. The curriculum includes Scientific Methods and Experimental Design to strengthen your ability to plan tests and evaluate evidence.
Practice and thesis: A dedicated practice transfer module links your job to the study content, followed by a supervised Master’s thesis and oral defence (colloquium). The course is state-approved by the ZFU (the German state authority approving distance-learning courses; Zulassungsnummer 168616) and the university is publicly recognised.
Electives: The curriculum is largely fixed and specialised; there are no broad free-elective baskets. This ensures depth in building diagnostics and remediation.
How does the Building Protection distance programme work?
This is a part-time distance programme with structured online teaching and short, mandatory on-site weekends in Germany. Exams are offered online or at exam centres. No residence in Germany is required; a visa is not needed for purely remote study, but you must plan travel for the on-site weekends.
Teaching language and language certificates
The teaching language is German. You need a high level of academic German for lectures, reports and exams. Accepted proofs are not listed publicly; in Germany typical options include TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat at C1 level. Without strong German, successful participation is unlikely.
Learning format and study materials
Delivery follows an online-first format (“Onlinestudium Plus”): guided self-study with digital scripts, recorded inputs and online tutorials. You work through case-based tasks in building pathology, with structured reading and calculation assignments. The programme is designed for professionals and emphasises applied problem-solving and documentation.
Exams and taking them from abroad
Exams are available online with remote proctoring or at physical exam centres in Germany and Austria (16 locations). If you live outside these countries, the online option lets you complete assessments remotely, provided your technical setup and identification meet the proctoring requirements.
Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany
You attend one on-site weekend per semester in Germany. These blocks consolidate diagnostic methods, discuss casework and may include demonstrations. Attendance is compulsory; plan for travel, potential visa requirements for short stays (if applicable to your nationality) and accommodation costs.
Weekly workload, time model and time zones
The standard duration is 4 semesters (90 ECTS) with an average workload of about 25 hours per week alongside your job. Occasional live online sessions follow German CET/CEST time. Start dates follow the German academic calendar; the next advertised intake is in the winter semester.
ZFU admission: The distance format is approved by the ZFU (Zulassungsnummer 168616). This is the German authority that certifies the quality and feasibility of distance-learning courses.
What does the Building Protection (M.Sc.) cost?
Tuition totals around €10,000 over the standard 4 semesters, typically invoiced as about €2,500 per semester. If you prefer to spread payments, monthly instalments in the range of €417 per month correspond to this total. Factor in additional costs for the mandatory on-site weekends (travel, accommodation) and any materials you may need for project and thesis work.
Extensions: Many German distance programmes allow you to finish after the standard period without extra tuition for a short grace time or with modest extension fees; specific terms are set by the University of Wismar and its distance-learning unit. From abroad, you usually pay by international bank transfer or card to the university’s payment channels; confirm transaction fees with your bank.
Exams are included in tuition. If you choose an exam centre, minor local fees can apply in some venues. Online-proctored exams usually do not add travel costs, but you must ensure a compliant technical setup.
What careers and recognition does the Building Protection (M.Sc.) offer?
You earn a Master of Science (90 ECTS) from a German state university of applied sciences (Hochschule Wismar). The programme is accredited until 2029 under Germany’s official quality assurance system. ECTS credits follow the Bologna framework, which supports international readability of your degree and facilitates admission to further study. A German accredited Master can qualify you for doctoral admission in Germany; internationally, recognition depends on the receiving institution’s rules, but a Bologna-aligned M.Sc. is widely accepted.
Typical career paths include:
- Building surveyor or expert for damage diagnosis, moisture and mould, with report writing for courts, insurers and owners
- Refurbishment or remediation project manager in construction, with a focus on existing buildings
- Consultant for energy retrofit and hygrothermal risk (thermal bridges, condensation, indoor climate)
- Engineer in heritage conservation and building fabric protection, balancing conservation with performance
- Specialist in building materials durability and surface protection for contractors or manufacturers
Salaries vary by country, licensure and prior experience. In Germany, experienced building surveyors and remediation project managers often move into senior roles in engineering firms, consulting practices or public authorities. Note that access to regulated professions (e.g. licensed architect, chartered engineer) depends on national licensing laws and may require additional credentials.
Who is the Building Protection (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?
This Master suits professionals who already work with existing buildings and want to deepen diagnostic and remediation expertise while continuing their job. The applied, distance format targets engineers and related graduates who value rigorous methods and case-based learning.
- You have a first degree in civil engineering, architecture, materials science or a closely related technical field
- You work in refurbishment, building diagnostics, facility management, heritage conservation or construction consulting and want formal advanced training
- You need a part-time, distance-learning format with online exams and limited on-site time
- You want a state-recognised, accredited Master aligned with the Bologna system (90 ECTS)
- You plan to author expert reports and need stronger building physics and damage analysis skills
There are also clear exclusion points that matter for international applicants. Read these carefully before you decide.
- The programme is taught in German; without advanced academic German (typically evidenced by TestDaF/DSH/Goethe C1), participation is not realistic
- There is a mandatory on-site weekend in Germany each semester; if you cannot travel to Germany, this programme will not fit
- Exam centres are located in Germany and Austria; while online exams exist, some students prefer centres—outside these countries none are offered
- This Master does not by itself grant access to regulated professional status (e.g. licensed architect, chartered structural engineer) in your country; national licensure rules apply
- The workload is about 25 hours per week over 4 semesters; if you cannot commit to sustained part-time study, the format may be too demanding
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