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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Management under the number 1114020. Who is this online M.A. in Management for – and what you need to qualify
This programme suits you if you want a fast, flexible route into leadership with a recognised European master’s degree. Typical profiles include career changers from engineering or science who now lead projects and want structured management skills; business or IT professionals moving toward product, operations or analytics roles; and internationally mobile graduates who need a 100% online study path alongside full-time work and across time zones.
Admission requirements
Formal entry is possible with recognised international qualifications; your documents are assessed for equivalence. Key requirements for the 60 ECTS track:
- First degree from a state or state-recognised institution and at least 1 year of qualified, relevant work experience completed after that degree (evidence required).
- ECTS-based entry routes:
- 240 ECTS: direct entry + 1 year experience.
- 210 ECTS: either complete 30 ECTS bridging courses or provide 1 year experience.
- 180 ECTS: either 30 ECTS bridging + 1 year experience, or 2 years experience.
- Minimum overall grade “Satisfactory”. If your first degree is graded 3.5–4.0, admission is possible with one of the following: at least 20 ECTS of relevant master/MBA credits; a completed relevant master/MBA; or recognised extra-university qualifications at DQR level 7 worth ≥20 ECTS equivalence.
- English for the English-taught track (proof dated within the last 5 years): TOEFL iBT 80; IELTS 6.0; Duolingo English Test 95; Cambridge at least overall grade B. Exemptions apply if your prior degree was fully taught in English or English is your native language.
- Recognition of prior learning is possible; accepted credits can reduce modules and fees.
- Route without a bachelor’s degree (Master for Professionals, only for applicants without a first degree): general higher education entrance (e.g. Abitur or equivalent) or a completed ≥2-year vocational qualification (DQR 4) plus at least 6 years relevant professional experience, of which ≥3 years in leadership/expert roles; and a passed IU preparatory module (seminar paper ~40 pages + 30-minute oral exam).
Personal requirements
Success in a fully online master’s hinges on consistent self-management. Plan for a weekly workload of about 40 hours (12-month full-time), 25 hours (18-month) or 20 hours (24-month). You need reliable internet and a quiet exam setting, strong B2-level academic English for readings, writing and presentations, and the discipline to schedule study blocks around work and time zones. Analytical thinking, comfort with data and case studies, and perseverance through independent research will help you complete assessments such as reports, projects and the master’s thesis. Proactive communication with tutors and peers via the digital campus keeps you on track when studying from abroad.
What will you study in the Management (M.A.) at IU International University of Applied Sciences?
You study core management across strategy, operations and people – in English – and finish with a research-based Master’s thesis. The 60 ECTS programme is a distance-learning degree with state recognition (staatlich anerkannt) and ZFU approval 1114020 for online study in Germany. IU is a private Fachhochschule (a university of applied sciences focusing on applied, career-oriented teaching).
Global strategy and markets. You work on Strategic Management and Managing in a Global Economy. Expect competitive analysis, corporate strategy, and how global value chains and internationalisation decisions affect performance.
Operations, systems and data. Operations and Information Management covers process design, digital infrastructures and performance control. In Advanced Research Methods you learn how to design empirical studies, preparing you for evidence-based decisions and your thesis.
People and organisations. In the seminar Managing People and Organisations you train leadership, change and organisational design. Case studies and discussion-led tasks connect theory to managerial practice.
Practice integration. IU strengthens the theory–practice transfer with a business simulation (Unternehmensplanspiel), a project module on venture creation and structured case studies. These formats let you practise decisions, apply tools and reflect on impact before you face them on the job.
Electives to specialise. You choose two 10-ECTS electives to shape your profile. Options include Data Science and Analytics, Corporate Finance and Investment, Sales, Pricing and Brand Management, IT Project and Architecture Management, Leadership and Change, Manufacturing Methods Industry 4.0 & Internet of Things, Accounting, Big Data, Consumer Behaviour and Research, Product Development and Design Thinking, and an Internship (as an elective). The Master’s thesis (15 ECTS) completes the programme and can address a practical business question.
How does studying in the Management (M.A.) work?
This is a 100% online Master with flexible start dates and three study speeds (12, 18 or 24 months). Teaching, learning resources and most exams take place on IU’s digital campus, designed for working professionals and international learners.
English-taught with clear language proof
The teaching language is English. You need an accepted B2-level certificate before you start, such as TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo English Test 95 or a Cambridge certificate (overall grade B). If your first degree was fully taught in English or English is your native language, the separate certificate may not be required.
Study model: fully online, start anytime
You study entirely online via IU’s campus. You can begin “from today” or pick a later start. Choose full-time (12 months) or part-time (18/24 months). A free extension of up to 12 months is possible if you need more time, keeping the programme manageable alongside work and family.
Learning format, group sizes and personal support
Learning happens through multimedia scripts, recorded and interactive sessions, guided exercises and online communities. IU’s learning AI “Syntea” supports your study path and materials. You have access to an e-library (including 60,000+ e-books and Statista), study and career coaching, and peer exchange – useful if you prefer structured self-study with regular feedback.
Exams and assessments that fit online study
Most examinations can be taken 24/7 as online proctored exams. Alternative formats include project reports, case study analyses, presentations and written assignments. Many modules use application-oriented assessments; the business simulation and project module add hands-on decision practice. The Master’s thesis is a research-driven capstone.
What does the Management (M.A.) cost?
Tuition depends on your time model. Regular, undiscounted fees are €729 per month for 12 months (about €8,748 in total), €569 per month for 18 months (about €10,242), or €449 per month for 24 months (about €10,776). You pay in monthly instalments in euros; the academic content and degree are the same across all models, so choose by workload and budget.
There are no relocation or commuting costs because the programme is fully online. Possible extras include optional travel to a test centre if you prefer in-person exams, and any specialist literature outside the online library. If IU recognises prior learning, your tuition can decrease (the university applies a per-ECTS reduction when credits are granted).
Compared with public universities in Germany, private online study has higher tuition; in return you get year-round starts, flexible online exams and a dedicated digital support infrastructure. For working professionals or students abroad, the predictable monthly payments can simplify planning.
What careers and recognition does the Management (M.A.) offer?
The degree awards 60 ECTS credits under the Bologna framework, which facilitates recognition across the European Higher Education Area. IU is a state-recognised university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule); state recognition (staatlich anerkannt) means its degrees are legally equivalent to those from public institutions in Germany. The programme is accredited through IU’s internal process and valid until 30 November 2028, and as a distance-learning course it is approved by the German ZFU (1114020). For employers and universities abroad, these signals indicate formal quality assurance and workload comparability.
Career paths focus on leadership and analyst roles at the interface of business, data and operations – in Germany, the EU and worldwide. Typical roles include:
- IT Consultant – requirements analysis, solution design and implementation for digital projects
- Business Intelligence Consultant – data pipelines, reporting and decision support across functions
- Compliance Officer – governance frameworks, policies, training and control systems
- Project Manager – planning, execution and financial control for cross-functional initiatives
- Operations Manager – process optimisation, quality management and performance control
Salaries vary by country, sector and experience. In Germany, early-career management roles commonly enter in the mid five-figure range per year, with growth into higher bands as you gain responsibility, specialisation and German workplace experience.
Who is the Management (M.A.) right for – and who not?
This programme fits ambitious graduates and professionals who want a compact, internationally oriented Master focused on applied management – fully online and in English – with the freedom to specialise in data, finance, leadership or technology topics.
- You need a flexible, 100% online Master you can complete from anywhere, with 24/7 online exams.
- You value an English-taught, state-recognised German degree that is ECTS- and Bologna-aligned.
- You want to tailor your profile with two electives, from Data Science to Corporate Finance or Leadership and Change.
- You prefer applied learning: business simulation, project work, case studies and a practice-oriented thesis.
It is not ideal for everyone. Consider the following points carefully before you apply.
- You are looking for a German-taught programme or need to study in German – this Master is delivered in English and requires English language proof.
- You want a traditional on-campus experience with frequent in-person classes – this is a distance-learning format without mandatory attendance.
- You need a 120-ECTS Master for doctoral entry or professional licensing in your target country – this programme awards 60 ECTS.
- Your budget requires very low tuition – private university fees are higher than the semester contributions at German public universities.
Lade… 
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