Distance learning program Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.) – AKAD University

👉 Study core topics such as machine learning, deep learning, data analysis and robotics while covering programming for AI, databases and AI ethics. The programme is a 120 ECTS Master of Science delivered as a 100% online distance-learning course with flexible time models (24, 36 or 48 months). Taught in German, it is state-accredited (ACQUIN) and ZFU-approved, with fees from €295 per month.

Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.) at a Glance

📜 Degree Master of Science (M.Sc.)
⏳ Duration 4 Semesters, Study effort 30 hours weekly
💶 Fees
from 295 € monthly
from 14160 € total
🏫 Provider AKAD University, UAS based in Stuttgart (Germany)
Over 72,000 graduates in the past 65 years! The AKAD University offers more than 65 part-time distance learning courses with degrees in Bachelor, Master, MBA, and university certificate in the fields of Business & Management, Engineering & Computer Science, Communication & Culture, and Health & Social Sciences. All courses are accredited by ACQUIN or ZeVA and have been reviewed and approved by the Central Office for Distance Learning (ZFU).
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Technology & InformaticsData Science & AI
🎯 ECTS 120 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Academic Research Methods, Integrated Master Project 1: Current-State Analysis and Requirements Engineering, Digital Management, Formal Systems, Databases, Programming Techniques for Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Society, Integrated Master Project 2: Solution Design and Implementation, Management of Teamwork, Collaboration and Change Processes, Differential Equations and Mathematical Transformations, Machine Learning, Distributed Systems, Specialisation 1, Project Workshop, Master Thesis and Colloquium, Integrated Master Project 3: Empirical Studies and Analytical Statistics, Specialisation 2
📚 Electives Machine Vision, Robotics, Semantic Web, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing
👥 In-person sessions optional, Stuttgart, 12 hours total
📍 Location Stuttgart
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Artificial Intelligence under the number 1111520c.
📅 Enrollment Anytime
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Who this AI master’s fits – and what you need to get in

This programme suits you if you want an internationally recognised AI master while studying fully online from abroad. Typical profiles include: a full-time software engineer aiming to move into machine learning leadership without pausing work; a data analyst with a CS/IT degree who wants deeper AI methods for product roles; or a robotics/mechatronics graduate planning to specialise in computer vision or NLP and step up to technical lead. It is taught in German, so it’s a good fit if you are comfortable studying with German-language materials and want a European degree at predictable monthly cost.

Admission requirements

To enrol, you need a relevant first degree and proof of German language proficiency. In detail:

  • First degree: a completed university degree in Computer Science, Information Systems (Wirtschaftsinformatik) or an equivalent, closely related field.
  • Admission with international qualifications: foreign bachelor’s (or equivalent) degrees are accepted and assessed for equivalence; recognition follows standard university procedures.
  • Language of instruction: German. Accepted proofs of German at C1/advanced level include:
    • DSH-2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
    • TestDaF level 4 (all sections at TDN 4)
    • C1 according to the CEFR (GER)
    • A school-leaving certificate equivalent to a German higher education entrance qualification
  • Recommended background: solid higher mathematics and statistics, confident programming skills, and English at C1 for specialist literature.
  • Admission without Abitur: not required for a master’s. Admission without a first degree is not offered.
  • Study mode: 100% online, designed for remote study from any location.

Personal requirements

Remote study in AI demands strong self-management and technical confidence. You should be comfortable with abstract thinking, independent coding, and reading academic texts in German. Plan realistically for the workload: in a 48–36-month track budget about 15–20 hours per week; in the 24-month track expect roughly 25–30 hours weekly. Build fixed study blocks, a quiet workspace and reliable internet. Perseverance matters for multi-stage master projects and the thesis; expect iterations, experiments and debugging cycles.

Time-boxing, version control discipline, and documenting experiments will help you keep momentum. If you live outside Central European Time, factor in time zones for optional live sessions or group work. Finally, aim for clear communication in German (forums, submissions, feedback) and keep your English ready for research papers—most AI literature is in English, even when teaching is in German.

What will you study in the Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.) at AKAD University?

This programme is taught in German. For admission you need proven German at approximately CEFR C1 level (e.g. DSH-2, TestDaF level 4 or an equivalent C1 certificate). The Master comprises 120 ECTS and combines solid mathematical–technical foundations with applied AI projects and two specialist electives.

AKAD delivers this degree as a Fernstudium – distance learning in Germany with state oversight by the ZFU (the German authority approving distance-learning courses). AKAD University is a state-recognised private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) with a practice-oriented profile.

The curriculum clusters into these topic blocks:

  • Mathematics and formal foundations: Formal Systems; Differential Equations and Mathematical Transformations; introductory Key Skills for academic work.
  • Programming, data and distributed systems: Programming Techniques for AI; Databases; Distributed Systems – the technical backbone for scalable AI applications.
  • Core AI methods and data science: Machine Learning; Project modules covering requirements analysis, solution design, implementation, and empirical research with analytical statistics.
  • Management and society: Digital Management; AI and Society (ethics, policy, impact); Management of Teamwork, Collaboration and Change.

Electives let you specialise by selecting two areas: Machine Vision, Robotics, Semantic Web, Deep Learning, or Natural Language Processing. A Project Workshop supports the transition from theory to a demonstrable portfolio.

Practice is built in via three integrated Master projects that mirror end-to-end AI delivery: from needs analysis to implementation to evidence-based evaluation. You finish with a Master’s thesis and an oral defence (Kolloquium), which together demonstrate your ability to solve a substantial AI problem independently and critically.

How does the Artificial Intelligence distance programme work?

You study fully online for most of the programme, with short, clearly defined on-site elements. Materials are accessible 24/7; assessments are largely digital. One brief in-person seminar is required in Stuttgart. The degree is approved for distance delivery by the ZFU under admission number 1111520c.

Teaching language and language certificates

The teaching language is German. You should plan to provide a recognised German certificate at approximately CEFR C1 such as DSH-2 or TestDaF (level 4). Good academic English is recommended for reading AI literature, but the course itself is not taught in English.

Learning format and study materials

This is a 100% distance-learning format for teaching and supervision: structured study guides, interactive e-scripts, videos, self-tests and an online campus for tutoring and discussion. Modules can usually be taken in a flexible order. Three integrated project modules create a practical through-line across the programme.

Exams and taking them from outside Germany

Assessment types include online exams, coursework (e.g. project documentation, reports), and the thesis with an online colloquium. Most assessments can be completed remotely from outside Germany. Always check each module’s assessment brief for format and submission windows.

Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany

There is a limited, mandatory presence component of about 12 hours of seminars in Stuttgart. No ongoing campus attendance is expected beyond this. A study visa is not required for a purely remote programme; for the short seminar, most students travel on a standard Schengen short-stay where applicable.

Weekly workload, time models and time zones

The standard duration is 24–48 months (120 ECTS). As a rule of thumb, 120 ECTS correspond to roughly 3,000 hours of work:

  • 24 months (“Sprint”): about 25–30 hours per week alongside a job with reduced hours.
  • 36 months (“Standard”): about 18–22 hours per week.
  • 48 months (“Stretch”): about 12–16 hours per week, best for full-time work.

Live online sessions, where offered, run on German time (CET/CEST). You can extend your study window if needed without switching format.

What does the Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.) cost?

Tuition is paid in monthly instalments in euros. The regular models are:

  • 24 months: €481 per month (total tuition €11,544) plus a one-time exam fee of €960 → about €12,504 in total.
  • 36 months: €367 per month (total tuition €13,212) plus the exam fee → about €14,172 in total.
  • 48 months: €295 per month (total tuition €14,160) plus the exam fee → about €15,120 in total.

The monthly rate covers access to the online campus, study materials and academic support. The one-time examination fee (€960) is charged separately. If you extend your studies beyond the included time buffer, additional monthly extension costs may apply. Payments are made in euros; if you pay from abroad, factor in your bank’s exchange or transfer fees.

What careers and recognition does the Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.) offer?

The degree awards 120 ECTS under the Bologna framework. AKAD University is a state-recognised German university of applied sciences. The programme is programme-accredited by ACQUIN (a European Quality Assurance Register, EQAR-listed agency) through 30 Sep 2028 and approved for distance delivery by the ZFU. Internationally, this signals that the curriculum meets European standards and that the M.Sc. is suitable for progression to further study (including PhD routes, subject to individual university criteria) and for skilled employment.

Typical roles include:

  • Machine Learning Engineer / AI Engineer – model development, MLOps, and deployment across cloud and edge.
  • Data Scientist – end-to-end analytics, feature engineering, experimentation and decision support.
  • Robotics or Computer Vision Specialist – perception pipelines, control, and embedded AI in manufacturing or mobility.
  • NLP Engineer – language models, information extraction and conversational systems.
  • AI Product/Team Lead – translating business goals into viable AI solutions, guiding cross-functional teams.

Salaries vary widely by country and sector. In Europe and North America, mid-career AI/ML roles commonly sit above general software engineering bands due to demand. Your final thesis and project portfolio can make a measurable difference when competing internationally.

Who is the Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?

This degree fits experienced professionals who want a European M.Sc. with high flexibility, plus focused technical depth in AI. It suits those combining work with study and who value structured projects and elective specialisation.

  • You want a recognised European Master (120 ECTS) from a state-recognised German university of applied sciences.
  • You prefer distance learning with mostly online teaching, self-paced modules and integrated practice projects.
  • You plan to specialise in areas like Deep Learning, Machine Vision, Robotics, Semantic Web or NLP.
  • You value accreditation and ZFU approval as trust signals when applying internationally.

There are also clear limits you should consider before you apply. These points can be deal-breakers for international candidates.

  • The programme is taught in German. If you cannot provide German at about CEFR C1 (e.g. DSH-2/TestDaF 4), this course is not suitable.
  • A short mandatory on-site seminar (≈12 hours) in Stuttgart is required. If you cannot travel to Germany even briefly, this will be a blocker.
  • You are looking for a fully English-taught AI Master or a campus-based lab programme with extensive in-person robotics labs – this is a distance programme with limited on-site time.
  • You need access to a regulated profession through this degree – AI is not a regulated profession; the programme targets industry and research roles.

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