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Deutsch Who this German-taught online M.Sc. fits – and what you need to get in
This programme suits you if you already work in tech or digital media and want a rigorous master’s with maximum flexibility. Examples: a front-end or mobile developer aiming to deepen User Experience and software/data skills alongside a job; a games/3D or interaction designer with solid coding experience who wants to formalise expertise in Interactive 3D or HCI; an IT professional outside Germany who needs a fully online curriculum but can travel to Berlin for mandatory on-site exams.
Admission requirements
Entry is selective by subject fit rather than a grade quota. The essentials at a glance:
- First degree: a bachelor’s in Media Informatics or a closely related field (e.g. Computer Science with a media focus, Media Technology). For completing in the standard period, you should bring knowledge equivalent to a Media Informatics bachelor.
- Start terms: winter and summer semester; no numerus clausus (no grade cap).
- Teaching language: German. You need certified German at an advanced level (typically C1) to follow courses and sit exams. Accepted proofs follow university policy; common certificates include TestDaF, DSH, telc C1 Hochschule or Goethe-Zertifikat at the appropriate level.
- Foreign qualifications: international bachelor’s degrees are admissible if equivalent. A formal document check for non-German certificates may apply; certified translations can be required.
- Application route: international applicants may have to apply via a central pre-check service before university enrolment. Application is possible for both intakes.
- On-site components: induction and examinations are usually held in person in Berlin. You must be able to travel for these dates (visa and travel planning under your responsibility).
- Admission without a first degree: not offered for this master’s.
Personal requirements
Remote study from abroad works if you plan realistically and learn consistently. Expect around 10–15 hours per week in a part-time path (2–3 modules/semester) and roughly 25–30 hours in a full-time path (5–6 modules/semester). You will study largely self-directed with online materials, collaborate in virtual teams and prepare for in-person exams in Berlin.
- Strong self-organisation, steady motivation and perseverance over four semesters.
- Solid programming skills and foundational maths/CS to handle modules like multimedia coding, cryptography and data-intensive topics.
- Reliable internet access, ability to work across time zones, and proactive communication in German in forums and group work.
- Academic reading and writing in German (seminar papers, project reports, master’s thesis).
- Capacity to align study with job/family duties, including blocking time for exam travel.
If you enjoy independent learning, can manage deadlines without constant reminders and are comfortable studying in German, the online format offers high flexibility with a clear structure towards the M.Sc.
What will you study in the Media Informatics Online (M.Sc.) at Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT)?
The programme is taught in German. You need proven advanced German for academic study (typically around C1); universities commonly accept certificates such as TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat C1. You study media-centred computer science across 120 ECTS in four semesters, combining foundations, research skills and specialisations, and finishing with a Master’s thesis and oral defence.
Core informatics for media: You deepen your technical base with modules such as Information Architecture, User Experience and Coding of Multimedia Data. You also engage with Probability Theory and Cryptography to handle secure, data-driven applications.
Research and scientific practice: A Scientific Seminar trains academic analysis and communication; the Scientific Project develops your ability to design, implement and evaluate a research-grade solution in teams. These experiences prepare you for the Master’s thesis and the final oral examination.
Product and project delivery: You learn how to turn concepts into robust products through Founding Management and Project & Quality Management. The focus is on workflows, metrics and leadership in distributed, digital teams.
Electives and specialisations: You choose freely from a pool of advanced modules; completing at least three in one line leads to a named specialisation on your transcript. Options include Mobile Computing and Security (e.g. Mobile Application Development, Security in Communication Networks, Quantum Computing), Software and Data (e.g. Database Technologies, Deep Learning, Security and Web Applications), Human–Computer Interaction (e.g. Accessibility, Human-Centred Design, Smart Graphics) and Interactive 3D (e.g. Game Design, Graphical Visualisation Technologies, Perception and Media Psychology). In addition, “prior-education-specific” modules align any background differences at Master’s level.
How “Fernstudium” works here: In Germany, a Fernstudium is a distance-learning degree. BHT is a Fachhochschule – a university of applied sciences with a strong practice focus. Teaching and supervision run online; however, there is a short on-site introductory session and in-person exams in Berlin. Public, state-recognised Master’s degrees at universities like BHT are not subject to separate ZFU approval (the ZFU is the German state authority that approves non-degree distance-learning courses).
How does the Media Informatics Online distance programme work?
You study mostly asynchronously on a dedicated online platform with multimedia self-study materials. Expect collaborative group work and academic supervision online. The only fixed on-site elements are the introductory meeting and the exams in Berlin; therefore, this is not a 100% remote programme and you must be able to travel to Germany for assessments.
Teaching language and proof of language
The teaching language is German. For admission and successful study you will need high-level German for academic contexts, typically around C1. Recognised proofs commonly include TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat C1. All learning materials, assessments and academic communication are in German.
Learning format and study materials
The programme is a distance-learning (Fernstudium) Master conducted with partners in the Virtuelle Fachhochschule (VFH). Each module provides multimedia, book-length online materials for self-paced study, plus tools for forming study groups and contacting instructors. Teaching emphasises application: cases, prototypes and lab-style tasks mapped to real-world media-IT problems.
Exams and taking them from outside Germany
Exams are generally held in person in Berlin. The provider does not indicate online proctoring or overseas exam centres. If you live abroad, plan short trips to Germany for the introduction and for assessment dates each semester.
On-site sessions in Germany
Two on-site elements are standard: a brief introductory event and the module examinations. Attendance in Berlin is expected. There are no long laboratory blocks or extended residency requirements, but the in-person exams make the programme unsuitable if you cannot travel to Germany at all.
Study pace, workload and time zone
The standard duration is 4 semesters (120 ECTS). Typical module loads are 2–4 per semester if you study part-time alongside work, and up to 6 per semester in full-time mode. Online interactions, if scheduled live, follow the German time zone (CET/CEST). Most learning is asynchronous, giving flexibility around your job.
Note on visas: A purely remote programme would not require a student residence visa. As this programme includes on-site exams, you still do not need to relocate to Germany, but you must be able to enter for short exam visits; visa needs for short stays depend on your citizenship.
What does the Media Informatics Online (M.Sc.) cost?
There are no tuition fees at this public university. Instead, you pay a materials fee of €95 per module and semester. With the typical full-time load of six modules, that equals €570 per semester. Over the standard duration of four semesters, the indicative total is €2,280 for learning materials at the regular rate.
Additional university charges: enrolment and re-registration fees apply each semester. As an online student you pay a reduced semester contribution because you do not receive a public transport ticket. Fees are charged per semester and paid in euros; the amount varies slightly by term depending on the public-levy components of the semester contribution.
Part-time vs. full-time costs: If you spread the degree part-time and take fewer modules per semester, your per-semester charge falls accordingly (e.g. 3 modules ≈ €285 per semester). The overall materials cost is driven by the number of modules you complete, not by how long you take. There are no separate examination fees listed.
What careers and recognition does the Media Informatics Online (M.Sc.) offer?
You earn a 120 ECTS Master of Science from a state-recognised German university of applied sciences. ECTS credits and the Bologna structure support international portability for employers and further study, including PhD entry where your profile fits. The programme is ASIIN-accredited (programme accreditation, 2019–2026). ASIIN is an EQAR-listed agency, a quality marker that is widely understood in Europe and valued by global employers familiar with European accreditation.
Typical roles after graduation include:
- Software and systems development for multimedia applications (web, mobile, interactive platforms)
- Mobile computing engineer across apps, IoT and distributed systems
- UX and human–computer interaction specialist, accessibility and human-centred design
- Interactive 3D, VR/AR and game development
- Technical project management and product ownership in media-tech contexts
Sector breadth is wide: media and creative industries, e-commerce, health tech, education technology, and R&D units in larger companies. Salaries vary by country and role; in major European tech hubs, Master’s graduates typically enter at upper mid-level developer, data/ML engineer (with the right electives), UX lead or technical PM tracks and progress to senior/lead roles with experience.
Who is the Media Informatics Online (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?
This online Master suits professionals who want a German public-university degree with strong applied computing for media, while keeping their job. It also works if you can plan short, predictable trips to Berlin for exams.
- You want an internationally recognised M.Sc. (120 ECTS) with formal accreditation
- You prefer asynchronous online learning with practical, case-based materials
- You seek specialisation options in Mobile Computing, Software & Data, HCI or Interactive 3D
- You value low, transparent costs at a public university and can budget per semester
- You can study in German and want to strengthen leadership and project delivery skills
There are also clear cases where this programme is not a match. Read these carefully before you plan from abroad.
- You need a programme taught in English; here, all teaching and assessment are in German
- You require a 100% remote Master; this degree includes on-site exams in Berlin and an in-person introduction
- You cannot travel to Germany for short exam visits or you need overseas exam centres/online proctoring
- You want a studio-heavy design or art-focused Master; this curriculum is computing-centred with applied media technology
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