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Who this dual PR & Communication degree fits – and what you need to get in
This programme suits you if you want to combine online theory on the Virtual Campus with paid, hands-on experience at a company in Germany. You will study PR, media and marketing while working 20 hours per week in a relevant role.
Target group
You are a good fit if you recognise yourself in one of these situations:
- International school leaver aiming to start a career in communications in Germany, ready to study online in German and work three days per week at a practice partner.
- Career changer with vocational training in marketing, media or office roles who wants a recognised B.A. while gaining structured agency or in-house PR experience.
- Resident in Germany (e.g. EU citizen or already relocated) seeking a dual route: two theory days online, three days on site in corporate communication, public affairs or social media.
Admission requirements
To enrol, you complete an initial counselling interview and meet one of the following formal criteria. Teaching language is German; the theory part runs online, practice takes place at a company in Germany.
- General or subject-specific university entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur/fachgebundenes Abitur) for direct entry.
- International school-leaving certificate: equivalence check (Anabin) plus German at B2 level. An IU counselling interview is part of the process.
- Without Abitur: completed, at least two-year vocational training and a minimum of three years of full-time work experience in a related field; you start with a probationary study phase. EU vocational qualifications are accepted when comparable to DQR level 4.
- Alternative higher professional pathways: completed Meister qualification, or state-certified technician/business administrator.
- Practice partner required: you must secure a cooperating employer in Germany for 20 h/week before starting; IU supports the search.
Notes on language: As PR and writing are central, you need confident German reading, writing and grammar at B2 or above. Specific certificate types are not listed publicly; submit your available B2 proof during application.
Personal requirements
Success in this dual, largely online programme depends on your ability to plan and follow through. Expect a weekly load of roughly three on-site workdays (about 20 hours) plus two theory days with self-study, assignments and assessments. Realistically, plan for 35–40 hours per week across study and practice during teaching periods.
- Strong self-organisation: block focused study windows on theory days; keep pace with around six assessments per semester.
- Communication mindset: curiosity, integrity and resilience, including clear written German for press texts and corporate copy.
- Time management: coordinate deadlines with your employer; break down modules to weekly goals.
- Digital readiness: stable internet, basic office/software skills and willingness to learn new tools for content, analytics and media law compliance.
If you enjoy language, storytelling and social media – and you can reliably balance online coursework with on-site practice – this dual route offers a structured path into PR and corporate communication in Germany.
What will you study in the Public Relations & Communication at IU International University of Applied Sciences?
This dual bachelor’s is taught in German. To enrol, you need proven German skills at level B2. Academically, you combine PR strategy, digital communication and media know-how with hands-on projects throughout seven semesters (210 ECTS) at a Fachhochschule – a German university of applied sciences focused on practical, career-oriented teaching.
You start with the foundations of communication and PR. Topics include communication and public relations, media and communication studies, and media effects research. You also learn academic methods for business and communication and gain essential management and marketing basics to frame budgets, audiences and organisational goals.
From semester one, you build strong writing and storytelling skills. You practise professional writing in a dedicated writing workshop, develop press strategies and PR controlling, and explore corporate publishing. Later modules add public speaking and voice training to prepare you for spokesperson and media-facing roles.
Digital communication is a core thread. You plan and execute social media marketing, digital and mobile campaigns, and learn the tools behind content creation. Modules such as media psychology and corporate design help you create audience-centred content, while media law ensures you act within legal boundaries.
Practice is embedded each semester via “Practical Reflections” linking your job tasks with theory, plus applied projects like CSR campaigns, media strategy and a digital media portfolio. You conclude with the bachelor’s thesis, often aligned with your company’s communication challenges. IU is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised), and the programme carries 210 ECTS under the Bologna framework.
Electives and specialisations: In higher semesters you choose one specialisation: Corporate Communication, Media Management, Public Affairs, or AI in Public Relations and Communication. A further elective area (“Studium Generale”) lets you pick modules such as AI, sustainability or management skills to tailor your profile to your employer’s needs.
How does studying in the Public Relations & Communication work?
You study in a dual format: theory online via IU’s Virtual Campus, practice on site at a partner company in Germany for 20 hours per week. The standard duration is seven semesters (210 ECTS) with intakes on 1 April and 1 October.
Teaching language and language proof
The teaching language is German. For admission with an international school background, you must demonstrate German proficiency at B2 level. This ensures you can follow lectures, join live sessions, take exams and perform at your company in German.
Dual study model with a virtual campus and a real workplace
Theory and practice alternate in a split week: typically 2 days learning online and 3 days gaining experience at your practice partner (20 h/week). You study independently on IU’s myCampus with digital course materials and can join optional live online classes in small groups. Your workplace is located at your partner company in Germany; the virtual campus keeps the academic part location-independent.
Learning experience and personal support
Interactive scripts, exercises and IU’s AI learning assistant support your self-study. Weekly live videoconferences deepen content and allow Q&A with lecturers and classmates. Study Guides help you plan courses, integrate workplace tasks with modules and stay on track across semesters.
Exams and assessments
Assessments are scheduled close to course completion. You can take exams 24/7 online or at an IU campus/test centre. Expect around six graded performances per semester, mixing written exams with practical projects, presentations and portfolios typical for PR and communication.
Organisation and workload
To finish on time, plan for about 30 ECTS per semester. The split-week model demands good time management: protect study windows on theory days and align company tasks with module outcomes for the Practical Reflection requirements each term.
What does the Public Relations & Communication cost?
In IU’s dual model, tuition is €0 for you: your practice partner covers the fees for the full seven semesters (210 ECTS). Many companies also pay a monthly allowance. You should budget for personal costs such as a laptop, learning materials and commuting to your workplace.
Living costs depend on your job location in Germany. As a guide, students typically spend around €900–€1,200 per month for rent, food, transport and insurance in many cities; major hubs can be higher. Because theory runs online via the Virtual Campus, your main cost driver is the region where your practice partner is based.
Payments and contracts related to tuition are handled between IU and your company; you do not prepay tuition from abroad in this dual track. If you relocate within Germany for a new practice partner, factor in one-off moving costs.
What careers and recognition does the Public Relations & Communication offer?
The degree is awarded by IU International University of Applied Sciences, a state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) university of applied sciences. The programme is accredited without conditions for the dual format from 01/10/2024 to 30/09/2032. With 210 ECTS and Bologna compliance, your bachelor is internationally legible for further study and recognised by employers across the EU.
What this means for you: ECTS credits allow transparent credit transfer to compatible master’s programmes in Germany and Europe, and a state-recognised degree signals quality assurance to employers. Graduates commonly progress into master’s degrees in Communication Management, Corporate Communication, Public Affairs or Marketing Communication, sometimes with shortened duration thanks to 210 ECTS.
Career paths include:
- PR officer or PR manager: campaign strategy, media relations, crisis communication, budget control.
- Social media manager: content planning, community building, paid social, analytics and reporting.
- Press officer/spokesperson: statements, press events, monitoring and briefing executives.
- Corporate communications manager: internal/external communications, brand messaging, channel governance.
- Editor/content producer in media houses or corporate publishing: researching, writing and multi-format production.
Who is the Public Relations & Communication right for – and who not?
This dual programme suits you if you want to study PR and communication while building a real CV with weekly industry experience. It combines structured online theory with continuous practice and a clear focus on digital channels, press work and professional writing.
- You prefer learning online in German and want small live sessions for discussion and feedback.
- You are keen to work 20 hours per week in Germany and apply theory directly to campaigns, content and PR tasks.
- You want a practice-oriented bachelor (210 ECTS) with recognised accreditation and clear pathways into master’s study.
- You value portfolio-building through projects like public speaking, media strategy and a digital media portfolio.
- You aim for roles in PR, corporate communication, social media or public affairs, with the option to specialise (e.g. AI in PR).
Not every expectation fits a dual, largely online theory model. Consider alternatives if the points below apply to you.
- You need an English-taught programme; this course is delivered entirely in German and requires B2 proficiency.
- You want a traditional on-campus student life; here, theory runs online via the Virtual Campus, not in lecture halls.
- You cannot relocate or be present in Germany for the on-site company placement; the dual model requires a practice partner in Germany.
- You prefer maximum content freedom without job integration; the split week and Practical Reflections tie learning closely to your company role.
Lade…
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