Distance learning program New Work (B.A.) – IU International University of Applied Sciences

👉 You study Agile Management, Digital HR, Personnel Psychology and Project Management in a 180-ECTS B.A. New Work programme delivered fully online; the standard duration is 6 semesters with flexible time models (36, 48 or 72 months). Teaching language is German. The course is state-recognised and accredited and offers 24/7 online exams, a digital campus and an integrated learning AI. Tuition starts at €235 per month depending on the time model.

New Work (B.A.) at a Glance

📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 6 Semesters, Study effort 20 hours weekly
💶 Fees
from 259 € monthly
from 15063 € total
🏫 University IU International University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Erfurt (Germany)
IU International University is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Erfurt, Thuringia, and one of the largest distance-learning providers in Germany. Its programmes span business, IT, health and engineering. For international students, the key draw is its range of fully English-taught online degrees – accredited in Germany, open to applicants worldwide, and studied flexibly from home or alongside work.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study EconomicsHuman Resources
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Introduction to New Work, Business Administration, Introduction to Academic Work, Digital Skills, Intercultural Management, General Psychology, Personnel and Corporate Management, Human Resources, Labor Law I: Commencement of Employment, Labor Law II: Performance Problems and Termination, Introduction to Lifelong Learning, Personnel Psychology, Personnel Controlling & Payroll, Collaborative Work, Digital HR, Human Resources Specialization I, Organizational Behavior, Project: New Forms of Collaboration, Leadership 4.0, Employer Branding and Development, Agile Management, Intercultural and Ethical Competencies, Social Psychology, Agile Project Management, Human Resources Specialization II, International HR Management, Seminar: Knowledge Management, Project: New Work, Elective Module A, Elective Module B, Elective Module C, Bachelor Thesis
📚 Electives Design of training processes, Personnel services, Personnel development, Organizational development and change, Diversity and counselling, Consulting, Systemic consulting and coaching, Company training, Digital education, Online and social media marketing
👥 In-person sessions Seminar "Knowledge Management" is listed as a module; multiple project modules (e.g. "Project: New Forms of Collaboration", "Project: Agiles Projektmanagement", "Project: New Work") are scheduled across semesters.
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course New Work under the number 1112320c.
📅 Enrollment Anytime
🔗 More Info https://www.iu.de/en/

Who this online New Work B.A. fits – and what you need to get in

This programme suits you if you want to shape modern HR and agile collaboration while studying fully online from anywhere. Typical profiles include working professionals moving into People & Culture, career changers with business or social science interests, and school leavers aiming for an HR/Change career in Europe. If you are comfortable learning in German and want the flexibility of a distance-learning degree with recognised 180 ECTS, this path aligns well.

Admission requirements

You can enter via a school-leaver route, with foreign qualifications, or professionally without the German Abitur. The programme is taught in German.

  • University entrance: Allgemeine Hochschulreife or fachgebundene Hochschulreife (Abitur) or Fachhochschulreife.
  • International school diplomas: admission after an equivalence check of your certificate (e.g. IB or other national boards) against German standards; recognition is based on established databases and country rules.
  • Admission without Abitur: possible via a Meister qualification, an advanced professional qualification (e.g. IHK-Fachwirt/in), or a recognised 2-year vocational training plus at least 3 years of full-time work experience. For vocational pathways completed within the EU (outside Germany), an equivalence check is required (comparable to DQR level 4).
  • Required German for this German-taught programme (submit before start; typically not older than 5 years):
    • TestDaF (TND3) with at least 3 points in all parts
    • DSH-1
    • telc Deutsch B2
    • ÖSD B2

The degree is state-recognised and internally accredited for 2020–2028; the distance-learning format holds a ZFU approval (No. 1112320c).

Personal requirements

Studying remotely demands reliable routines and honest time planning. Expect a weekly workload of about 40 hours in the full-time track, around 30 hours in Part-time I, or roughly 20 hours in Part-time II. You need solid B2-level German to follow course media, discuss in live sessions and write assessments; English helps for literature and tools, but German is essential here. Strong self-organisation, persistence over six semesters, and comfort with digital learning (videos, e-scripts, online exams) are key. A quiet study space, stable internet and a laptop with webcam will make your study life easier. Proactive communication with tutors and peers, plus willingness to reflect on team dynamics and change processes, will support your success in modules like Agile Management, Digital HR and projects on new forms of collaboration.

What will you study in the New Work (B.A.) at IU International University of Applied Sciences?

The programme is taught in German. You will need proof of German at roughly B2 level, accepted certificates include TestDaF (TND3 with at least 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2; the certificate must be presented before you start and is typically not older than five years. The degree awards 180 ECTS over six semesters.

You combine modern HR with psychology, pedagogy and agile methods. The curriculum covers business and HR foundations (e.g. Business Administration; Personnel and Corporate Management), the legal framework of work (Labour Law I–II), and digital HR processes (Digital Skills; Digital HR). You explore how organisations collaborate and lead in an agile, technology-driven environment.

People, learning and behaviour: You study General and Social Psychology, Personnel Psychology and Introduction to Lifelong Learning. These modules build your understanding of motivation, cooperation and learning in organisations, and how to design competence development that supports change.

HR management and governance: You work through Human Resources, Personnel Controlling & Payroll and Employer Branding/Development. Together with International HR Management and Intercultural Management, you learn to design compliant, data-informed HR processes that scale across borders.

Agility, collaboration and leadership: Organisational Behavior, Collaborative Work, Agile Management, Leadership 4.0 and Agile Project Management translate buzzwords into practice. You learn frameworks for self-organised teams, iterative improvement and responsible leadership in hybrid settings.

Projects and applied learning: Mandatory projects like Project: New Forms of Collaboration and Project: New Work, plus a Seminar in Knowledge Management, tie theory to real scenarios. Your studies conclude with an independent Bachelor’s thesis documenting your applied research and problem-solving skills.

Electives: You tailor your profile via three elective blocks, choosing from areas such as Organisational Development & Change, Personnel Development, Consulting and systemic Coaching, Diversity & Counselling, Company or Digital Education, Personnel Services, Training Design, and selected business/marketing or language options.

IU is a Fachhochschule (a German university of applied sciences) with a strong practice focus. The programme is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) and designed under Bologna standards for international comparability.

How does studying in the New Work (B.A.) work?

You study 100% online with flexible start dates and full- or part-time pacing. Learning is organised in modules; assessments are scheduled per module and can be taken online. There are no mandatory on-site phases.

Teaching language and proof of language skills

The degree is delivered in German. International applicants submit recognised German certificates at approximately B2 CEFR before enrolment: TestDaF (TND3 with minimum 3 in each section), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. IU may accept other B2 certificates. Ensure your document is recent (typically not older than five years).

Study model and where you will study

This is a distance-learning programme: you study from wherever you live. There is no requirement to relocate, and there is no fixed physical campus routine. IU lists online study options and digital services; examinations are available online, with additional test centres offered as an alternative.

Learning experience, group sizes and support

You learn via digital scripts, video lectures, interactive exercises and live online sessions. The online campus includes discussion spaces with lecturers and fellow students, a large e-library and learning tools. Support includes study and career coaching designed for working professionals and part-time learners, with structured study paths and progress tracking.

Exams and performance assessments

Examinations are module-based and often take the form of online exams, written assignments, project work or presentations. Many assessments can be completed independent of time and place. The assessment type for each module is clearly communicated in advance.

Time models and workload

You choose a pace that fits your life: full-time over 36 months, or part-time over 48 or 72 months. As a guideline, weekly workload ranges from about 20 hours (long part-time) to around 40 hours (full-time). Start dates are flexible, and IU offers options such as academic leave and a defined period of free extension to absorb life events.

What does the New Work (B.A.) cost?

Tuition depends on your time model. In full-time (36 months) you pay €399 per month (about €14,364 in total). In part-time I (48 months) it is €344 per month (about €16,512 in total). In part-time II (72 months) it is €259 per month (about €18,648 in total). In addition, there's a one-time graduation fee of €699.

Monthly tuition includes access to the online campus, digital study materials and online examinations; on-site test centre sittings, if chosen, may add personal travel or incidental costs.

Recognised prior learning can lower your total price: for each credited ECTS, €30 is deducted. Beyond tuition, budget for a reliable laptop and internet connection, and—if you prefer printed texts—optional hard-copy materials. Because this is distance learning, there are no relocation or campus accommodation costs tied to the programme; your living costs depend on where you reside.

What careers and recognition does the New Work (B.A.) offer?

The programme is state-recognised and carries 180 ECTS under the Bologna framework, making the credits and award internationally comparable. It is accredited without conditions until 31 August 2028. As a distance-learning degree, it also has ZFU approval (no. 1112320c) for the German market. IU, as a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), focuses on applied, career-oriented education that is well understood by employers in Germany and the EU.

Graduates qualify for roles that bridge HR, change and digital transformation. Typical paths include:

  • HR Business Partner in international companies or SMEs, aligning people strategy with business goals
  • Change Manager supporting transformation programmes and organisation-wide initiatives
  • People & Culture Manager focusing on engagement, culture and modern work models
  • Learning & Development or Agile People Development specialist (L&D) designing capability-building
  • Organisational Development specialist facilitating structures, processes and team effectiveness

Salary levels vary widely by country, industry and experience. In Germany, entry roles in these fields commonly range from around €40,000 to €55,000 gross per year, with scope to progress above €60,000–€85,000 as responsibilities grow—especially in leadership or consulting contexts.

Who is the New Work (B.A.) right for – and who not?

This degree fits if you want to combine HR, psychology and agile methods in a structured, practice-oriented online format. It particularly suits working professionals and career changers seeking a German state-recognised Bachelor’s with flexible pacing.

  • You are comfortable studying in German and want a state-recognised, accredited Bachelor’s from Germany.
  • You prefer distance learning with online exams, flexible start dates and part-time options.
  • You want to specialise in People & Culture, Change, L&D or Digital HR and build a practical portfolio through projects.
  • You value clear structure, coaching support and the ability to pace your study load.

There are also clear cases where another option will fit better. Read this carefully before you apply from abroad.

  • You do not have B2-level German and cannot provide an accepted German certificate; the programme is taught entirely in German.
  • You want a traditional on-campus experience with daily lectures and student life; this is a 100% online programme.
  • You seek the lowest possible tuition in Germany; private universities charge higher fees than public universities (which usually only charge a semester contribution).

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