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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course General Management under the number 147111c. Who this online Master suits — and what you need to get in
This programme is designed for international applicants who want a recognised German Master’s while studying remotely. It fits if you are working full-time and need a 100% online set-up with 24/7 exams, or if you hold a business-related Bachelor and aim to broaden your leadership, strategy and finance skills across 120 ECTS. It also suits career changers with a non-business first degree who are ready to prove suitability via a defined admission route.
Admission requirements
Entry is selective but transparent. You qualify if you meet the following:
- First degree: a completed undergraduate degree with a business, management or economics focus comprising at least 180 ECTS from a state or state-recognised university; minimum overall grade “Satisfactory”.
- Lower first-degree grade (approx. 3.5–4.0): admission is possible with one of these additions: at least 40 ECTS of relevant Master/MBA coursework; or a completed, relevant Master/MBA; or recognised extra-university qualifications at DQR level 7 (or equivalent for foreign awards such as Postgraduate Diplomas) totalling at least 40 ECTS.
- No business background: possible via a Master entrance route by successfully completing two specified modules from the curriculum within 12 months; these modules are fully credited towards the degree.
- Recognition of international qualifications: Bachelor’s and postgraduate awards from recognised institutions worldwide are eligible if they match the required scope and discipline.
- Language of instruction: German. Required proof (one of the following, presented before start; typically not older than five years): TestDaF (TND3, at least 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2, or ÖSD B2.
- No numerus clausus (NC). An Abitur is not required for Master’s admission; your first degree is decisive.
Personal requirements
Success in a fully online, international set-up depends on your routines and tech readiness. You need solid self-organisation, perseverance and realistic weekly planning across the three time models: about 40 hours/week (full-time), 25 hours/week (part-time I) or 20 hours/week (part-time II). Plan extra buffer time around exams, project work and the thesis. Comfortable academic reading and writing in German at B2 level is essential; many modules also require quantitative thinking (statistics, finance) and evidence-based work.
Make sure you have a quiet study space, reliable high-speed internet, and the discipline to use digital materials, live sessions and on-demand exams effectively. If you study from outside Germany, align deadlines with your time zone, set weekly goals, and use coaching and learning tools proactively. Curiosity for management topics, the ability to work independently, and clear communication in German will make the difference in this distance-learning Master.
What will you study in the General Management (M.A.) at IU International University of Applied Sciences?
This programme is taught in German. You need proof of German at least at B2 level (e.g. TestDaF with min. 3 in all parts, DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2) before you start. Over four semesters and 120 ECTS, you build a broad, applied management profile geared to digital transformation.
Strategy and leadership: You explore strategic management frameworks and leadership, including a seminar in change management. You learn to steer organisations through uncertainty and transformation.
Methods and data for decisions: Research methodology and applied statistics develop your capability to translate questions into testable designs, analyse data and argue evidence-based in management contexts.
Markets, marketing and society: Modules on consumer behaviour and online/social media marketing connect customer insights with digital channels. A seminar on economy and society adds macro context to managerial choices.
Finance, accounting and governance: International accounting and corporate finance cover reporting standards, valuation and investment logic. Business ethics and corporate governance address responsible, compliant and sustainable management.
Practice and thesis: A project on institutional intervention for digital transformation puts methods and leadership into application. You complete the programme with a Master’s thesis. IU is a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) and staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised); the distance programme is approved by the ZFU (German state authority for distance learning), approval no. 147111c.
Electives: You select two specialisations to sharpen your profile, for example Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence, Customer Journey, E-Commerce, Human Resource Management, International Management, Management Consulting, New Work, Project Management (including IT projects), Strategic Financial Management, Strategic Marketing and Branding, Supply Chain Management, Health Care Management or Real Estate Management.
How does studying in the General Management (M.A.) work?
You study 100% online with flexible pacing. Start dates are rolling, learning takes place on IU’s digital campus with multimedia materials and live elements, and exams can be taken 24/7 online or at a test centre. No on-site attendance is required.
Teaching language: German with proof at B2 level
The teaching language is German. If you did not complete prior studies in German, you must submit a recognised certificate before enrolment: TestDaF (at least 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. Certificates are usually valid for up to five years.
Study model and where you will study from
This is a distance-learning programme (Fernstudium). You study from wherever you live via the online campus; there is no fixed daily presence on a physical campus. IU lists a formal study location in Germany for administrative purposes, but your learning is location-independent.
Learning format, support and tools
Learning combines self-paced study with scripts, videos and interactive online sessions. The digital campus bundles your materials, forums, an online library and tools such as IU’s learning assistant “Syntea” for personalised feedback and progress tracking. Study and career coaching add individual support; LinkedIn Learning and access to MS Office and Statista are included.
Exams and performance proofs
Assessment formats mix proctored online exams available around the clock, assignments, presentations and project work. You can also opt for exams at a partner test centre if you prefer on-site settings. The transformation project and the Master’s thesis demonstrate your applied competence.
What enrolment means if you live outside Germany
Because this is a fully online programme without mandatory on-campus phases, relocation to Germany is not required. You can complete the degree from abroad; entry and residence formalities for on-campus study in Germany (e.g. a student visa) are typically not triggered by this distance format.
What does the General Management (M.A.) cost?
Tuition is charged monthly and depends on your chosen pace. As guidance without temporary promotions: about €499 per month in a 24-month track (around €11,976 in total), €379 per month in a 36-month track (around €13,644), or €299 per month in a 48-month track (around €14,352). In addition, there's a one-time graduation fee of €799. You pay while you study; faster tracks cost less overall, slower tracks lower monthly outlay.
What else to budget: There is no travel for mandatory attendance. Optional costs can arise for specialist literature or if you choose to take an exam at a test centre instead of online. Prior learning can be recognised and reduces fees by €30 per recognised ECTS, which can noticeably lower your total.
Paying from abroad: As a distance programme you can pay from your country of residence; IU offers standard international payment options. Many students also use employer sponsorships or private study loans. Living costs do not change with enrolment, since you study from home; if you plan a temporary stay in Germany, budget at least for rent, health insurance and transport according to the city’s level.
What careers and recognition does the General Management (M.A.) offer?
The degree carries 120 ECTS and follows the Bologna framework, which supports international comparability and mobility. IU is a state-recognised private university (Fachhochschule) in Germany; the programme is accredited until 28 February 2027 and ZFU-approved for distance learning. In practice, this signals to employers and universities that the curriculum meets German higher education standards and that credits and degrees are portable within the European Higher Education Area.
Career paths are broad across sectors thanks to the generalist, applied scope. Typical roles in Germany, the EU and internationally include:
- Management consultant in strategy, transformation or operations
- Project or programme manager, including IT-adjacent environments
- Business development manager focusing on market entry and growth
- Marketing or sales manager with digital channel responsibility
- Finance, planning and performance roles (e.g. corporate finance, controlling)
Salaries vary widely by country, sector and prior experience. In Germany, graduates entering general management tracks often start in the mid five-figure range and can progress significantly with experience and responsibility, particularly in consulting, tech-enabled industries and scale-ups.
Who is the General Management (M.A.) right for – and who not?
This Master’s suits professionals who want managerial breadth with the flexibility of a modern online format. It is aimed at those who value structured, applied learning with room to specialise for industry or function.
- You want a flexible, fully online Master’s you can complete from anywhere, with 24/7 online exams.
- You prefer an applied, generalist management curriculum with options to specialise (e.g. AI, finance, marketing, supply chain, consulting).
- You appreciate personal support and digital tools such as the Syntea learning assistant, coaching and an extensive e-library.
- You seek a state-recognised, accredited degree carrying 120 ECTS for career mobility in Europe.
Equally important: certain expectations do not match this programme. Consider these points carefully before you apply.
- You do not have the required German language level (B2 with a recognised certificate) — the programme is taught entirely in German.
- You want a classic on-campus student life in Germany with daily lectures, labs and a fixed cohort — this is a distance-learning format.
- Your budget is aligned with the very low tuition of public universities — private online study comes with higher, regular monthly fees.
Lade… 
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