English 
Deutsch 
The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Entrepreneurship under the number 1122821c. Who this online Entrepreneurship B.A. is for — and what you need to qualify
This degree suits you if you want to turn ideas into ventures or drive innovation in companies. Typical profiles include: early-stage founders validating a product while studying remotely; junior professionals from business, IT or design aiming to move into venture building or product roles; career changers from engineering or the creative industries who need structured business skills without pausing work. The programme runs fully online and awards a state-recognised B.A. (180 ECTS), with flexible full-time and part-time tracks.
Admission requirements
For entry to the Bachelor you need a recognised higher education entrance qualification and proof of language skills in the track you choose (English or German). International applicants are welcome; your documents are assessed for equivalence.
- Higher education entrance qualification: a secondary school certificate that entitles you to university study (e.g. A-levels, high school diploma with college eligibility, IB Diploma) or a comparable national qualification.
- Admission with foreign qualifications: international school-leaving certificates and prior university credits are evaluated for recognition; certified translations may be required if documents are not in English or German.
- Language of study: proof of proficiency in the chosen teaching language at least at CEFR B2 level (English for the English track, German for the German track). Accepted evidence follows the university’s list (standardised tests or prior education in the language).
- Mode of study: this is a distance-learning programme with online teaching and assessments. Reliable internet access and a suitable laptop are required.
- Credit transfer: relevant prior university study can be recognised toward the degree where content and level match.
Note: Admission routes and any alternatives for professionally qualified applicants are defined by the university; individual eligibility is confirmed during the application review.
Personal requirements
Success in a remote Entrepreneurship degree depends on your ability to plan and deliver consistently. You need strong self-organisation, the discipline to work through theory and projects each week, and the persistence to iterate on assignments and venture ideas. Expect a steady workload across modules, with peaks before exams and during project sprints. Choose a time model that fits your job and family duties so you can protect regular study slots.
- Comfortable learning in English or German at B2 level for readings, cases and presentations.
- Proactive communication in virtual teams; you will collaborate in projects and give/receive feedback.
- Basic numeracy and willingness to work with finance, market data and analytics tools.
- Resilience in uncertainty — validating ideas, pivoting, and documenting your process are part of the journey.
Choose the full-time track if you can prioritise study most weeks; a part-time model is better if you are working alongside and need more buffer for busy periods.
What will you study in the Entrepreneurship (B.A.) at IU International University of Applied Sciences?
The degree builds your end-to-end founder skill set: from customer discovery and prototyping to financing, go-to-market and growth. You choose the language track: English or German. The English track lets you study fully in English; the German track is aimed at fluent German speakers. The programme awards 180 ECTS and is delivered as an online distance degree at a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) with strong practice focus. IU is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised). The course is approved by the ZFU for distance learning (No. 1122821c).
Market, customer and business modelling. You explore how to identify opportunities, validate needs and turn insights into viable concepts. Typical modules include Market Research, International Marketing/Online Marketing, and projects such as Development of Business Ideas, Business Model Development, and Prototyping and validation of a business idea.
Finance, law and performance control. You learn the numbers behind a start-up: Accounting and Balancing, Management Accounting, Start-Up Financing and Corporate Planning & Control. International Contract Management provides legal basics relevant to founders and intrapreneurs.
Product, pricing and sales execution. You work on Fundamentals of Product Management and Pricing, then turn strategy into traction with Applied Sales I & II. Projects and casework help you build a tangible go-to-market plan for your own idea.
Organisation, leadership and agility. You develop the “entrepreneurial operating system” with Agile Project Management/Agile Management, Organizational Behavior, Collaborative Work and Intercultural and Ethical Decision-Making. Personnel Psychology strengthens your people skills in diverse teams.
Electives and specialisations. You tailor your path with three elective blocks (A–C) and a larger block (D). Options span Digital Business Models, Innovation Management, Artificial Intelligence, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Social Media Marketing, Product Management, SEO/SEA, UX Prototyping and more. A substantial Internship: Business & Management (30 ECTS) is available as an elective for hands-on experience.
Projects and thesis. Practice starts early and runs throughout, from idea generation to a Minimum Viable Product and a capstone project in entrepreneurship. You complete with a Bachelor’s thesis that can address your own venture or a real innovation challenge.
How does studying in the Entrepreneurship (B.A.) work?
Teaching language: choose English or German
The programme is offered fully in English or German. You select one track and study consistently in that language. The English track is a clear plus if you want to start quickly without German, while German skills are an asset for careers and networking in Germany.
Study model: 100% online distance learning
You study online from anywhere. There are no mandatory on-site phases and start dates are flexible. Learning happens on IU’s digital campus with multimedia materials, exercises and tools. This format suits full-time or part-time study and does not require relocation to Germany.
Learning format, pacing and support
Self-paced modules combine scripts, videos, quizzes and collaborative tools. Live online sessions are offered to support your learning, but the core is asynchronous so you can plan around work or time zones. Academic and programme advisers are available throughout for organisational and subject questions.
Exams and assessments
You can sit online exams 24/7 or, if you prefer, use an exam centre. Besides proctored exams, typical assessments include project work, case studies, presentations and written assignments. The Bachelor’s thesis closes the programme.
Time models and workload
You choose 36, 48 or 72 months. Full-time compresses modules into six semesters; part-time spreads them out for a lower weekly load. A free extension beyond the standard duration is possible if needed.
What does the Entrepreneurship (B.A.) cost?
Tuition is charged in monthly instalments that depend on the time model, starting at €235 per month. Over the full programme (180 ECTS, six standard semesters), total tuition is around €15,063 in typical plans. The monthly rate is higher in the fast track and lower in the long track; the total varies by model and any recognised prior learning.
Beyond tuition, budget for optional expenses such as travel to an exam centre (if you choose on-site exams), study materials and software you may prefer beyond the provided resources. Payments are made in euros; international students commonly pay in monthly instalments.
Compared with a public German university, a private distance degree has higher tuition but offers predictable monthly payments, fully online exams, flexible start dates and tightly structured modules without traditional semester breaks. Since you study online, living costs depend on where you reside; there are no mandatory relocation or campus costs.
What careers and recognition does the Entrepreneurship (B.A.) offer?
The degree is issued by a state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) private university of applied sciences. The programme is re-accredited (2025–2033) without conditions. It awards 180 ECTS under the Bologna framework, which supports international comparison and recognition for further study or employment across the EU and beyond. In practice, employers value the combination of business fundamentals and project-driven proof of skills typical for a Fachhochschule.
Career paths include:
- Founder or Co-founder in a start-up, from MVP to funding and scale-up
- Business Development Manager in SMEs or corporates (new markets, partnerships, growth)
- Product Manager in digital or tech environments (from discovery to delivery)
- Innovation Manager/Corporate Venturing in incubators, accelerators or innovation units
- Entrepreneur in Residence/Venture Architect in venture studios or VC portfolios
Salaries vary widely by role, location and stage: entry roles in product or business development in Germany often range from €45,000–€60,000 gross per year, rising with experience to €70,000–€90,000. Founder income is highly variable and may include equity rather than a high fixed salary, with upside after scaling or exit.
Who is the Entrepreneurship (B.A.) right for – and who not?
This programme fits you if you want to turn ideas into products and companies, or drive innovation inside existing organisations. It combines entrepreneurship theory with hands-on projects, optional internship credits and flexible online delivery.
- You want a recognised European Bachelor’s degree with 180 ECTS that you can complete fully online.
- You plan to found a start-up or work in product, growth or corporate innovation.
- You value practice: projects on business modelling, MVPs and go-to-market, plus the option of a 30-ECTS internship.
- You need flexibility to study alongside work, caregiving or across time zones.
- You prefer an English-taught track now, with the option to build German skills for the job market later.
Not every goal matches a fully online, private-university programme. Check the following points carefully before you apply.
- You want a classic on-campus experience in Germany with daily in-person classes, labs and student life – this degree is distance-only.
- You must minimise tuition at all costs – private universities charge more than public universities in Germany (which usually only require a semester contribution).
- You need a programme that leads to a regulated profession with state licensure (e.g. medicine, law teaching tracks) – Entrepreneurship is non-regulated.
- You do not feel comfortable studying in either English or German – one of these languages is required depending on the track you choose.
Lade…
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Entrepreneurship? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution IU International University of Applied Sciences or the editorial team will answer you.