Human Resources Management, Master of Arts

Who is the part-time Master's degree in Human Resource Management suitable for?

The Master's degree programme in Human Resource Management (M.A.) is aimed at professionals who have already gained some experience in business, administration or the social economy and wish to specifically advance their knowledge in the field of human resources management. It is especially targeted at graduates with a Bachelor's degree in business-related disciplines who aspire to leadership positions in the HR area or want to deepen their HR skills. The programme also addresses individuals working in recruiting, personnel development, employer branding or labour law who want to expand their academic and practical knowledge.

What do you need to bring for admission?

The following formal requirements are necessary for admission to the Master's programme:

• Bachelor's degree (at least 180 ECTS credits) from a state-recognised university
• At least 40 ECTS credits in business-related modules, of which at least 5 ECTS must be in quantitative methods (e.g. statistics, mathematics, econometrics)
• If these 40 ECTS of business-related competencies are missing, you can demonstrate the missing content through an entrance test

Additional proof of professional experience is not mandatory but recommended, as the programme is designed for practical transfer and part-time implementation alongside work.

German language skills corresponding to the language of instruction are required.

Which personal requirements give you the best chances of success?

For a successful degree, you should bring the following personal requirements and interests:

• Motivation to design personnel processes strategically and operationally
• Enjoyment of interdisciplinary work between business, law and psychology
• Strong communication skills and empathy in dealing with people
• Analytical thinking, especially with regard to labour law and quantitative methods
• Self-responsible time management and willingness to combine studies and work
• Interest in dealing with digital technologies and current HR trends (e.g. digitalisation, employer branding, talent management)

Experience in the HR field, organisation or project work facilitates entry into the degree programme but is not mandatory.

Detailed Study Content

In the part-time Master's programme in Human Resource Management (M.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you will acquire comprehensive knowledge and skills in all key areas of modern Human Resources management. The programme covers, among others, the following topics:

• Strategic and Operational Human Resource Management: You will learn how to develop, implement, and evaluate HR strategies.
• Personnel Development and Talent Management: Focus is on planning and conducting training, development, and support programmes as well as identifying and retaining talent.
• Recruiting, Personnel Marketing and Employer Branding: You will gain insight into modern methods of personnel acquisition and measures to increase employer attractiveness.
• International Human Resources Management: Aspects of international HR management, intercultural competence, and global HR trends are central.
• Labour Law for Practice: Teaching of individual labour law, collective and restructuring labour law, contract design, and social security law.
• Digitalisation, Innovation and Trends in HR: You will engage with the challenges and opportunities of the digital working world.
• Communication and Leadership: Content includes leadership personality, motivation recognition, communication structures and change management processes.
• Project Management and Scientific Methodology: Development of analytical skills and application of scientific methods in the HR context.
• Self-Reflection and Profile Development: Support for individual competence development through self-reflection and profile development methods.

In the elective area, you can set individual focuses such as “Leadership and Leadership Personality”, “Digital Entrepreneurship” or “Behavioural Decision-Making”. The Master's programme is completed with a scientific final thesis (Master’s thesis).

How does the part-time degree programme work?

The Master's programme is specifically designed to be compatible with your professional activity and usually lasts four semesters plus the Master's thesis (a total of five semesters/120 ECTS).

• Hybrid Study Model: You can choose between face-to-face classes at one of the locations and virtual live study on the online campus.
• Flexible Time Model: Teaching takes place on 1–2 evenings per week as well as on two Saturdays per month. Depending on the module, exams can be taken online or on-site.
• Practical Transfer: Professional experience is recognised. With appropriate prior experience, the duration of study can be shortened.
• Self-Study Phases: The structure of the programme allows for independent learning and individual time management. You will be supported by digital learning platforms as well as exchange with lecturers and fellow students.
• StudyPLUS Offers: Expansion via free courses, language offers, networking events and career days.

The start of studies is possible in the summer and winter semester. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Career Prospects & Professional Opportunities for Graduates

With the Master of Arts in Human Resource Management you qualify for demanding specialist and management positions in the human resources area across different industries and company sizes. Typical professional fields are:

• People & Culture Management: Development and management of personnel development and training programmes, advising employees on labour law and organisational matters.
• Employer Branding and HR Marketing: Building and strengthening the employer brand, designing and implementing company-wide employer branding strategies, close cooperation with corporate communications.
• Recruiting and Talent Development: Personnel acquisition, selection procedures and development opportunities for specialists and managers, building talent-oriented company structures.
• HR Business Partner: Strategic consulting of management as well as operational HR management including shaping of company change processes.
• Self-Employment: Consulting in the field of personnel and organisational development or as a coach in the HR context.

Graduates are particularly in demand in large companies, consultancies, public institutions and internationally active organisations. The degree also prepares you for roles in change management, management consulting or digital HR.

Where can you study? Study Locations and Spatial Options

You can complete the programme at various locations of Hochschule Fresenius or entirely at the online campus. The following locations are available:

• Hamburg (Campus Business & Media in Alte Rabenstraße)
• Cologne (Campus in MediaPark)
• Munich (Campus in Infanteriestraße, Schwabing)
• Wiesbaden (Campus Moritzstraße, the most modern location of HS Fresenius)
• Online Campus (fully virtual live study with fixed lecture times via Zoom and digital learning platforms)

You have the option to study independently of location and to change your study location during your studies if you wish. The modern online campus enables flexible, location-independent learning with direct exchange with lecturers and fellow students.

What does the programme cost – and how can you finance it?

The monthly tuition fees amount to 395 euros over the regular study period of 24 months (a total of 9,480 euros plus a one-time registration fee of 250 euros). The costs include all teaching materials, examination services as well as access to StudyPLUS offerings such as language courses, career training and networking events.

• Financing Options: Various options are available to you, such as Upgrading BAföG, scholarship programmes from Hochschule Fresenius, study loans (e.g. KfW) as well as education funds.
• Tax Deductibility: Tuition fees can usually be claimed as advertising costs for tax purposes.
• Part-Time Organisation: The flexible study model allows for parallel employment so that you can finance most of your studies yourself.

The student advisory service of Hochschule Fresenius provides individual information on all financing options and supports you with questions about cost coverage and applying for funding.