Leadership, Master of Business Administration

Who is the MBA Leadership degree suitable for?

The part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) Leadership at Hochschule Fresenius is aimed at professionals who already have some leadership experience or hold a position of responsibility and wish to further develop their skills in leadership, strategic management, and change management. The target group particularly includes junior managers, project managers, employees in middle management, as well as specialists from business, technology, or social sectors who want to build leadership knowledge specifically for modern working environments, digitalisation, and sustainable corporate management.

Admission: These formal requirements you must meet

Access to the MBA Leadership is possible through various routes:

• With a university degree and professional experience: You need a first academic degree (at least Bachelor, Diplom, or Magister) with a minimum of 180 Credit Points (CP) as well as at least 1 year of qualified professional experience in a closely related field.
• With university entrance qualification and extensive practical experience: If you have not completed a degree, you qualify with a recognised university entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, Fachabitur), a completed vocational training of at least two years, and at least 2 years of relevant professional experience, as well as a passed aptitude test and a letter of motivation.
• Individual assessment: Depending on the individual career path, certain proofs (such as specific CP requirements, further qualifications, or certificates) may be necessary. If in doubt, Hochschule Fresenius will review your documents on a case-by-case basis.

State-recognised degrees and professional qualifications are credited within the framework of legal possibilities. A certain average grade or Numerus Clausus (NC) is not required. Further information on alternative access routes and required proofs is provided by Hochschule Fresenius.

For the MBA programme, you should bring a high level of self-motivation, determination, and self-organisation. Leadership skills such as communication ability, team orientation, and the willingness to resolve conflicts constructively are advantageous. An interest in business, psychological, and management-related issues, openness to digitalisation, as well as the readiness to take responsibility for teams and projects, are considered important personal prerequisites. Prior experience in staff management, change projects, or in an international context facilitates entry into the MBA Leadership.

Study Content in Detail

In the MBA Leadership programme at Hochschule Fresenius, you develop comprehensive competencies in strategic management and modern leadership. The curriculum covers key topics such as Change Management, Digital Leadership, Finance, Quality Management, and Human Resource Management. You learn to make entrepreneurial decisions based on current economic developments and sound data analyses. Modules such as Applied Psychology for Leaders, Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics, as well as sustainable leadership in the age of digitalisation and New Work, round off the profile.

• Strategic Management and Economic Principles
• Quality Management, Product and Process Management
• Human Resource Management and Applied Psychology for Leaders
• Macroeconomic Developments and Management Decisions
• Methods of Data Analysis for Decision-Making in Companies
• Finance and Finance Organisation
• Change Management and Digital Leadership
• Economic Modelling and Entrepreneurship
• International and Intercultural Leadership Competencies
• Leadership Tools for the Hybrid Working World
• Sustainable Corporate Management and Corporate Social Responsibility

In the elective area, you can specialise, for example in International Management or sustainable leadership. The course concludes with a practical master’s thesis. Additionally, international masterclasses and certificates with Arizona State University® give you a global perspective on leadership.

Study Structure: How is the MBA Distance Learning Organised?

The distance learning MBA Leadership is designed to be flexible and is aimed at both professionals and full-time students. The standard period of study is three semesters (full-time) or up to six semesters (part-time), corresponding to 90 ECTS credits. You can start every month and determine your learning pace individually.

• Complete online study via Hochschule Fresenius’ learning platform
• Modules from compulsory and elective areas, spread over up to six semesters
• Access to digital learning materials, online library, and studymags
• Examinations in various formats: online exams, essays, presentations
• 24/7 flexible exam attendance, mostly online
• Practice-oriented project work and exchange with lecturers and study coaches
• Master’s thesis as final module independently with individual supervision

Through cooperation with Arizona State University, it is possible to complete additional international certificates and masterclasses. The study organisation is designed for maximum compatibility with work, family, and other commitments.

Career Opportunities & Job Prospects after the Leadership (MBA) Programme

With the MBA Leadership, you position yourself for leadership roles in companies from various industries. Key areas of the programme, such as Change Management, Digital Leadership, and sustainable leadership, specifically qualify you for management and executive positions in modern and internationally operating organisations.

• Advancement to senior management, controlling, or strategic initiative management
• Leadership roles in project management, organisational development, and human resources
• Leading change processes and digitalisation projects
• Responsibility for company-wide sustainability and CSR strategies
• Consulting and development of hybrid work models
• Opportunity for academic advancement, for example through a doctorate

Typical employers include large corporations, medium-sized businesses, and international organisations. The step into self-employment or consultancy is also attractive due to the acquired know-how.

Where Do You Study? Digital Learning Environment and Study Locations

The MBA Leadership programme takes place entirely online. You complete all modules, exams, and group work via Hochschule Fresenius’ digital learning platform. This allows you to study independently of location and flexibly from your preferred place.

• No fixed campus attendance necessary
• Access to digital services such as online library and study coaches
• Individual support through the online study centre
• Occasional on-site events or voluntary workshops possible but not compulsory

As a student, you still benefit from the network of Hochschule Fresenius at the locations Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Idstein, Cologne, Munich, and Wiesbaden – for example at career events or networking offers.

Costs and Financing: What Do You Need to Invest for the MBA Leadership?

The tuition fees for the MBA Leadership distance learning programme amount to a total of 11,016 euros for a study period of 36 months (€405 per month). By using a regularly offered discount code, the monthly fees can be reduced.

• 36 months: 405 euros monthly (standard), discount possible
• 24 months: 545 euros monthly
• 18 months: 695 euros monthly

The price includes all learning materials, exam fees, access to the online library, as well as personal support from lecturers and study coaches. Attendance or travel costs do not arise as exams are mostly taken online.

• KfW student loan
• Scholarship programmes such as the Deutschlandstipendium
• Funding options such as the Aufstiegs-BAföG
• Financial support from employers can be individually agreed

Hochschule Fresenius offers a transparent fee structure without hidden costs. Payment models can be adjusted to finance your studies individually.