Englisch 
Deutsch SRH Distance Learning University – The Mobile University (in German: SRH Fernhochschule) is a state-recognised German distance-learning university. Its teaching follows the CORE principle (Competence Oriented Research and Education): instead of lectures, you work through competence-based modules and sit many assessments online. The university is run by the non-profit SRH foundation, which reinvests its surplus into education.
SRH Distance Learning University at a glance
- Study model: fully online via the E-Campus, guided self-study with study booklets and e-learning, optional live sessions
- Language: most programmes are taught in German; only a small set is fully English-taught (see below)
- Flexibility: start almost any time, semester-free study, free extension for the length of the standard study period
- Study formats: Flex, Fix or Connect – up to three variants depending on the programme
- Exams: a mix of at-home assessments and live exams that you can also sit abroad at approved centres
- Fees: English-taught programmes from around €235/month; the wider (German-taught) catalogue from about €199/month
Who is it a good fit for – and who isn't?
The university suits people who want a recognised German degree without relocating to Germany and while staying in work.
A good fit if …
- you want a state-recognised German degree from anywhere in the world
- you study alongside a full-time job and need to set your own weekly pace
- you are looking for an English-taught bachelor's, master's or MBA in business, engineering or design
- you value low tuition in euros compared with UK or US online degrees
- you want to test the programme for 28 days before committing
Less suitable if …
- you want a full campus experience with a fixed timetable and on-site student life
- you need a wide choice of English-taught subjects – most SRH programmes are in German
- you are aiming for a regulated profession that requires a German state examination (for example law or medicine), which distance study here does not cover
International students often praise the E-Campus for letting them study from abroad and fit coursework around work and time zones. The most common caveats: the choice of fully English-taught programmes is narrow, and self-discipline matters, because the format is built around independent online study. Overall feedback is largely positive, but the fit depends strongly on your own learning style and language.
Which programmes are taught in English?
Only a small part of the catalogue is fully English-taught. At the moment these are two bachelor's programmes – Business Management (B.A.) and Industrial Engineering (B.Sc.) – two master's programmes – Design Management (M.A.) and UX & Service Design (M.A.) – and the Global Business Administration (MBA). Everything else is taught in German.
If you choose a German-taught programme, you will need to prove German language skills (for example TestDaF or DSH). For the English-taught programmes you need proof of English if English is not your native language. Each programme states its own language requirement, so check the individual profile before you apply.
| Course | Duration | Course contents | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | 6 Semester | Academic Research, Personal Skills, Introduction to Business Administration, Accounting and Reporting, Introduction to Economics, Business Psychology,… | from 15163 € total from 235 € monthly | |
| Design Management, Master of Arts Distance learning program | 3 Semester | Empirical Research, Change Management, Design Management Strategy, Design Theory, Scientific Design Concepts & Design Science, Project 1 - Practice-ba… | from 10682 € total from 459 € monthly | |
| Global Business Administration, Master of Business Administration Distance learning program | 4 Semester | Empirical Research, General Business Administration, Human Capital Management, Marketing, Change Management, Data Analysis, Accounting, Financial Mana… | from 8948 € total from 421 € monthly | |
| Industrial Engineering, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | 6 Semester | Academic Research, Business Mathematics, Introduction to Business Administration, Marketing Tools, Production and Logistics, Theory-Practice-Transfer,… | from 15163 € total from 235 € monthly | |
| UX & Service Design, Master of Arts Distance learning program | 6 Semester | Change Management, User Experience Design - Principles & Methods, Design Theory; Scientific Design Concepts & Design Science, Project 1 - UX Practice-… | from 1516392 € total from 421 € monthly |
Studying from abroad: visa, exams and language
Because the programmes are fully online, you can study from almost anywhere. For a distance degree you do not need a German student visa, and you do not have to move to Germany.
Exams from home or at a centre
Many assessments – assignments, online tests and case studies – are completed from home. Some live exams need a supervised setting: you can sit these at SRH study centres in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands or Italy, or abroad at an approved institution such as a Goethe-Institut, a German school or an embassy. Live exams run on eight weekends a year with six time slots each, and each exam can be retaken twice.
Recognition of the degree
SRH is a system-accredited university with permanent state recognition in Germany, so its degrees are state-recognised and carry the seal of the German Accreditation Council. If you plan to use the degree in another country, confirm local recognition through the relevant authority (for example your national ENIC-NARIC office).
Language requirements
For German-taught programmes you provide proof of German (for example TestDaF or DSH). For English-taught programmes you provide proof of English if it is not your native language. The exact level is set per programme.
How the distance study works
The heart of your studies is the E-Campus, the university's online platform and app: it holds your modules, university email, online libraries and a digital student ID, plus tools such as Office 365, Citavi, EBSCO, Statista, SpringerLink and SPSS. You get a personal student advisor and a programme mentor throughout your studies. As a rule of thumb, plan for about 30 hours per week to finish within the standard study period – roughly 25 working hours equal one ECTS credit, and a semester carries 30 credits.
How structured or free your studies feel depends on the format you pick. Up to three are available, depending on the programme:
| Format | Best for | How it works | Fee logic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flex | maximum freedom | choose module order, pace and specialisations; up to five modules in parallel | monthly fee, with some study-duration flexibility already included |
| Fix | clear structure | predefined modules, fixed learning phases and exam windows | you pay as long as you study – finishing within the standard period costs less |
| Connect | fixed dates and a group | online evening study with live sessions, starting 1 April or 1 October | monthly fee depending on the payment variant |
Not every programme offers all three formats. Fix is new (since late 2025) and starts in selected bachelor's programmes. The available formats and payment variants are listed on each programme profile.
What does it cost?
Fees depend on the degree, the programme and the study format. English-taught bachelor's programmes start at around €235 per month; the English-taught master's and MBA sit at roughly €420 to €460 per month. Across the standard study period that adds up to about €15,000 for a bachelor's and roughly €8,000 to €11,000 for a master's or MBA. The wider German-taught catalogue starts lower, from about €199 per month.
You are billed monthly, so the total is spread across your study time. Compared with online degrees in the UK or US, this is low. Extra costs mainly arise if you go beyond the standard study period: after the free extension, a monthly long-study fee applies. Arranging supervised exams abroad can also cost extra, while crediting prior learning shortens your studies and lowers the fees.
Financing options include employer sponsorship (there is a dedicated cost-transfer form). Depending on your country of residence, tuition may be tax-deductible – treat this as a general note, not tax advice.
| Programme type | Typical monthly fee | Total (standard period) |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught bachelor's | from ~€235 | ~€15,000 |
| English-taught master's / MBA | ~€420–460 | ~€8,000–11,000 |
| Wider German-taught catalogue | from ~€199 | varies by programme |
Frequently asked questions
SRH is a system-accredited university with permanent state recognition in Germany, and its degrees carry the seal of the German Accreditation Council. They are recognised in Germany; for use in another country, confirm local recognition through your national ENIC-NARIC office.
No. For a fully online distance degree you do not need a German student visa and you do not have to relocate to Germany. You study wherever you are.
Currently five: Business Management (B.A.), Industrial Engineering (B.Sc.), Design Management (M.A.), UX & Service Design (M.A.) and the Global Business Administration (MBA). All other programmes are taught in German.
For German-taught programmes, yes – you provide proof such as TestDaF or DSH. For the English-taught programmes you need proof of English if it is not your native language. The required level is set per programme.
Many assessments are done from home. For live exams that need supervision, you can use an SRH study centre in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands or Italy, or an approved institution abroad such as a Goethe-Institut, a German school or an embassy.
Yes. The model is built for working professionals: you set your own pace and can study around your job. Plan for roughly 30 hours per week to finish within the standard study period, or stretch it out if you need to.
Yes. You can test any programme for 28 days, including study material and E-Campus access. If you continue, the time counts towards your study period; if not, you can withdraw free of charge within the 28 days.
Bachelor's programmes typically run six to seven semesters, master's programmes depend on the ECTS variant (60, 90 or 120). You can extend the supervision period free of charge by the length of the standard study period; only after that does a monthly long-study fee apply.
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