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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Human Resource Management under the number 161216c. Who this online HR master suits – and what you need to get in
This 120 ECTS online master is a fit if you want to move into strategic, data-driven HR while keeping your job. Typical profiles include: an HR generalist aiming to step up to HR Business Partner level; a recruiter or talent acquisition specialist broadening into employer branding, learning & development and People Analytics; or a business/economics graduate pivoting into HR leadership with a recognised European degree. The programme is German-taught, fully online with flexible pacing.
Admission requirements
Your formal eligibility is checked individually. In brief, you need a relevant first degree and sufficient German for study and exams.
- First degree: a completed undergraduate degree in business/economics (or closely related) comprising at least 180 ECTS from a state or state-recognised university.
- Minimum grade: at least “Befriedigend” (satisfactory). If your grade is lower, alternative routes are possible, for example:
- At least 40 ECTS of relevant master/MBA coursework from a recognised university, or
- A completed relevant master/MBA, or
- Recognised extra-university qualifications at DQR level 7 (or an equivalent international level, e.g. certain Postgraduate Diplomas) amounting to at least 40 ECTS.
- Different first degree: if your bachelor’s is in another field, you can qualify via a Master entrance assessment by successfully completing specified modules within 12 months; these modules will then count towards your degree.
- International qualifications: degrees and diplomas from outside Germany are accepted if they are comparable and awarded by recognised institutions. Credit transfer for prior learning is possible and can shorten the programme.
- Language for this programme: German. You must provide one of the following at B2 level (issued within the last five years):
- TestDaF (digital TND3) – at least 3 in all four parts
- DSH – level DSH-1
- telc Deutsch B2
- ÖSD B2
- No NC. Admission does not depend on the German Abitur if you hold a recognised bachelor’s.
Personal requirements
Success in a remote master’s hinges on disciplined planning and strong communication skills. Expect a weekly workload of about 40 hours (24-month pace), 25 hours (36-month) or 20 hours (48-month). You should be comfortable reading and writing in academic German, including HR law and analytics terminology, and willing to work with statistics and People Analytics tools.
- High self-organisation and persistence for sustained online self-study
- Realistic time blocking alongside work or family; create a stable study routine
- Reliable internet, a quiet space and suitable hardware for proctored online exams
- Confidence in professional communication and collaboration in German (live online sessions, forums, presentations)
- Openness to data-driven thinking (applied statistics, HR metrics, evidence-based decisions)
If you are studying from abroad, align your learning and exam times with your time zone, and plan ahead for peak work periods to keep momentum. Your German at B2 should be secure enough to follow video lectures, legal cases and research literature without constant translation.
What will you study in the Human Resource Management (M.A., 60 ECTS) at IU International University of Applied Sciences?
This online Master builds a rounded HR skill set in just 60 ECTS: from HR strategy and core processes through recruiting and employer branding to people analytics and research methods. You conclude with a Master’s thesis. IU is a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) and is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) in Germany.
HR foundations and strategy: You start by deepening Human Resource Management I & II and connecting HR with business goals. You learn to align workforce planning, policies and stakeholder communication with organisational strategy.
Recruiting and employer branding: You sharpen an employer brand that attracts the right talent and design data-informed recruiting funnels. Content ranges from target-group messaging and selection processes to metrics for channel and campaign effectiveness.
Talent management and development: You plan competency models, learning paths and succession planning. The focus is on performance support, growth frameworks and the practical design of development portfolios that resonate with diverse employee groups.
Analytics and research: People Analytics and Big Data plus Research Methodology enable you to evaluate HR interventions with evidence. You work with KPIs, dashboards and study designs to turn HR data into management decisions.
International and thesis: A seminar in International HR Management broadens your perspective on global labour markets, mobility and compliance. You finish with a Master’s thesis that tackles a relevant HR problem with academic and applied rigour.
Electives: You set your emphasis via a compulsory elective such as Occupational Health Management, Change Management and Agility, Diversity Management, Human Performance, Communication and Coaching, Concepts of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Personality Psychology and Diagnostics, or Employment Law. These allow you to customise your HR profile for industry, consulting or in-house roles.
How does studying in the Human Resource Management (M.A., 60 ECTS) work?
This programme is delivered as a flexible distance-learning Master. You study via IU’s online campus with multimedia materials and live online formats, and you take online exams around the clock. There is no mandatory attendance; optional test centres are available.
Teaching language: choose German or English – and what that means
The degree is offered in German or in English, depending on the track you select. If you opt for the German-taught track, you must provide B2-level German, typically via TestDaF (min. 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. For the English-taught track, proof of English is required as specified by the university. Your study and assessment language follows your chosen track.
Study model and where you study from
You study 100% online from wherever you live. Starts are possible at any time. As a distance-learning student you use the digital campus for lectures, exercises, group sessions and services; you may optionally sit selected assessments at a nearby test centre if offered in your region.
Learning format, group sizes and personal support
Self-paced study with digital scripts, videos and practice tasks is combined with interactive live sessions and forums. You benefit from structured support by academic staff, tutors, and study and career coaching. The online library, tools such as Statista and LinkedIn Learning, and IU’s learning assistant “Syntea” complement your daily study routine.
Exams and assessments
Assessments are designed for online study: written exams, oral exams, term and project papers, presentations and a practical HR project appear across modules. Many exams can be taken 24/7 online; alternative test-centre options may be available. The Master’s thesis demonstrates your ability to apply research methods to an HR challenge.
Formalities for distance learning
As a distance programme with no on-campus attendance requirement, enrolment does not involve relocation to Germany. Administrative steps such as student visas or proof of financing apply only to on-campus studies and are not part of this online format.
What does the Human Resource Management (M.A., 60 ECTS) cost?
Over the standard duration, tuition totals €9,547, typically paid in monthly instalments of €449 per month. This covers teaching, online campus access, digital learning materials and regular assessments. If you choose an optional test centre, travel or local fees may add small extra costs.
Payments are spread evenly across your chosen time model, which makes budgeting predictable from abroad. Recognised prior learning can reduce the overall price: per recognised ECTS, €30 are credited, lowering both duration and fees. Independent financing routes such as education funds or student loans are commonly used by distance learners.
Because this Master is fully online, you avoid relocation and daily commuting costs. Your living expenses depend entirely on where you reside; many students continue working while studying to balance tuition and income.
What careers and recognition does the Human Resource Management (M.A., 60 ECTS) offer?
IU is a state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) private university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule). The Master awards 60 ECTS within the Bologna framework, making credits and the degree widely comparable in the EU and internationally. As a German distance-learning degree, the programme is registered with the state distance-learning authority (ZFU), which confirms suitability for online delivery.
Employers value the applied focus of a Fachhochschule: data-informed HR, legal awareness and project-based learning. Graduates move into HR roles in Germany, the EU and worldwide, including:
- HR Business Partner supporting leadership teams across people, performance and workforce planning
- Recruiting or Talent Acquisition Manager focused on sourcing, selection and candidate experience
- People Development/Learning & Development Manager designing development portfolios and succession
- Employer Branding/HR Marketing Specialist shaping the employer value proposition and campaigns
- People Analytics/HR Controller translating HR data and KPIs into actionable insights
Salary levels vary by country, sector and prior experience. In Germany, experienced HR Business Partners or People Development Managers often progress into lead roles; with responsibility, total annual packages can move from the mid five-figure range into higher brackets over time.
Who is the Human Resource Management (M.A., 60 ECTS) right for – and who not?
This distance-learning Master suits professionals who want to advance in HR with a focused, applied 60-ECTS curriculum and flexible study around work. It is a good match if you prefer autonomous learning, targeted electives and online exams without travel.
- You work in HR or a related field and want to step up to business-partner level with solid methods and analytics.
- You need maximum flexibility: start any time, study online, take many exams 24/7 from home.
- You want to customise your profile via electives such as Change & Agility, Diversity or Coaching.
- You value a state-recognised German Master with ECTS and Bologna comparability for EU careers.
- You plan to combine study with employment and avoid relocation costs.
There are also clear situations where another format or programme will fit better. Read these carefully before you decide.
- You want a traditional, on-campus experience in Germany with face-to-face classes and campus life — this programme is fully online.
- You cannot study in either German or English at the required level — language proof is mandatory for your chosen track.
- You specifically need a 120-ECTS Master (for certain country-specific recognition or future doctoral plans) — this profile comprises 60 ECTS.
- You are looking for the lowest-possible tuition typical of public universities — private universities charge higher fees in return for flexibility and services.
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