Which German Universities Offer IT Management by Distance?

Ten German universities offer distance-learning programmes in IT Management and Digital Business. Two are public institutions: University of Neubrandenburg and University of Duisburg-Essen. The largest private provider is IU International University with six programmes.

Public Universities

Private Universities

IT Management, Digital Business or Digital Transformation: Which Specialisation Fits?

The programmes in this category fall into three clusters: IT Management (IT consulting, IT governance, project management), Digital Business (e-commerce, digital business models, platform economy) and Digital Transformation (change management, digitalisation, digital leadership). Your choice depends on your career goals.

IT Management suits you if you want to lead IT teams, manage IT projects, or work in IT consulting. Typical modules include ITIL, IT strategy and IT service management. Digital Business is ideal if you want to build or scale digital products, online shops or platform-based business models. Digital Transformation prepares you for roles in organisational change – helping companies adopt digital processes, agile methods and data-driven decision-making.

What Careers and Salaries Can You Expect After Graduating?

IT managers in Germany earn a median salary of approximately EUR 65,000 gross per year. Chief Digital Officers (CDOs) can earn up to EUR 120,000. Entry-level positions in e-commerce management start at around EUR 38,000, while experienced IT managers earn up to EUR 85,000.

Sources: gehalt.de, StepStone Salary Report 2024/25.

For international graduates, the EU Blue Card offers a pathway to stay and work in Germany. As of 2024, the minimum annual salary threshold is EUR 45,300 for shortage occupations (which includes IT roles). With a median salary of EUR 55,000–65,000, IT management graduates typically meet this requirement.

What Are the Admission Requirements for International Students?

For Bachelor programmes, you need a secondary school qualification equivalent to the German Abitur. Your credentials must be recognised via the anabin database. Most programmes require German language proficiency at B2–C1 level (TestDaF or DSH). IU’s M.A. Information Technology Management is the only programme taught in English, requiring IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

For Master programmes, a first degree with at least 180 ECTS is required. IU’s intensive 2-semester Masters require 210 ECTS – a bridge module is available if you have fewer. MBA programmes at AKAD and Fresenius additionally require at least one year of professional experience. The University of Duisburg-Essen, as a research university, typically expects above-average grades.

Frequently Asked Questions About IT Management Degrees in Germany

• Are German distance-learning degrees recognised internationally? Yes, all programmes listed here are accredited by German accreditation agencies (FIBAA, ACQUIN, ZEvA) and fully recognised under the Bologna Process. Bachelor and Master degrees carry the same ECTS credits as those from on-campus universities.
• Can I study IT Management without a German Abitur? Yes, most private universities accept equivalent international qualifications. Check the anabin database to verify whether your school-leaving certificate is recognised in Germany.
• What is a 2-semester intensive Master? IU offers 60-ECTS Master programmes designed to be completed in about 12 months. They require a first degree with 210 ECTS and are ideal for professionals seeking a fast track to a Master’s qualification.
• Is there an English-taught programme? Yes, IU’s M.A. Information Technology Management (EUR 10,099, 2 semesters) is taught entirely in English. All other programmes require German at B2–C1 level.
• How does IT Management differ from Computer Science? IT Management focuses on the strategic and organisational side of IT (project management, governance, consulting), while Computer Science is more technical (programming, algorithms, system design).
• Can I work in Germany after graduating? Yes, the EU Blue Card is available for graduates earning above the threshold of EUR 45,300/year in shortage occupations (2026 value). Most IT management roles exceed this threshold.

Related Programmes in Technology and IT

• Computer Science – Broader technical focus with programming, algorithms and software development
• Business IT – IT and business administration with a stronger technical component
• Data Science & AI – Data analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence
• Business Administration – General business as a broader alternative to Digital Business
• Management – General management without IT specialisation