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

👉 You study management, international marketing, digital business models and leadership 4.0 in a 240-ECTS Bachelor of Arts delivered as an online distance-learning programme over 8 semesters with flexible full-time (48 months) or part-time (72 months) options. Teaching language is English, the course is state-recognised and accredited and you can start any time via the online campus. Tuition starts at €344 per month.

Management (B.A.) at a Glance

Management (B.A.) at a Glance
📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 8 Semesters, Study effort 30 hours weekly
💶 Fees
from 344 € monthly
from 19851 € 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 EconomicsGeneral Management
🎯 ECTS 240 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Academic Integrity and Writing for Business, Introduction to Academic Work, Collaborative Work, Intercultural and Ethical Decision-Making, Foreign Language (Italian, French, Spanish, German), Digital Skills, Business Mathematics, Intercultural Psychology, Project: Introduction to Humanities, Business 101, Managerial Economics, Principles of Management, Global Corporations and Globalization, Statistics - Probability and Descriptive Statistics, Project: Design Thinking, International Marketing, Supply Chain Management I, International Brand Management, Organizational Behavior, Corporate Finance and Investment, Project: Cross Media Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Corporate Governance and Strategy, Service Operations Management, Digital Business Models, Management Accounting, Project: Development of Business Ideas, International Accounting, Supply Chain Management II, International HR Management, Leadership 4.0, Sustainability, Project: New Work, Seminar: Current Issues in International Management, Agile Project Management, Project: Production and Logistics, Thesis Lab, Electives A, Electives B, Electives C, Bachelor Thesis
📚 Electives Applied Sales, Business Ethics and Sustainability, Business Intelligence, Managing People and Fundamentals of Business Psychology, Online and Social Media Marketing, Organizational Development and Change Management, Project: Salesforce Platform Management, Digital Product Development, Digitalization in Business and Retail, Elaboration of Business Ideas
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Management under the number 1140922.
📅 Enrollment Anytime
🔗 More Info https://www.iu.de/en/

Who this online Management B.A. suits – and what you need to get in

This fully online, English-taught Management B.A. fits you if you want a recognised European degree while staying flexible. Typical profiles include: recent school leavers aiming for an international business foundation; working professionals in operations, marketing or customer success looking to formalise experience with a bachelor’s; and career changers with vocational training who plan to upskill while employed. If you want to study from abroad without relocating and value structured online exams and clear time models, this programme matches well.

Admission requirements

Entry is possible with a school-leaving certificate or via professional experience. Language proof in English is required.

  • University entrance qualification: general or subject-specific higher education entrance (e.g. Abitur) or university of applied sciences entrance (Fachhochschulreife). International school-leaving certificates (e.g. IB Diploma) are accepted after an equivalence check.
  • Admission without Abitur: possible with
    • Master craftsperson certificate (Meister) or an advanced vocational qualification, or
    • A recognised vocational training of at least two years in Germany plus at least three years of full-time work experience. Depending on prior learning and programme fit, you may start with a trial study or provide an additional aptitude proof.
    For vocational qualifications completed within the EU (outside Germany), admission is possible after an equivalence check to a German DQR level 4 qualification.
  • Required English proficiency (level B2):
    • TOEFL iBT: minimum 80
    • IELTS Academic: minimum 6.0
    • Duolingo English Test: minimum 95
    • Cambridge (at least overall grade B)
    The certificate must be issued within the last five years. Exemptions apply if English is your native language or you completed a prior degree fully in English.
  • Programme format: distance learning with online teaching and assessments; start any time.

Personal requirements

Success in a remote bachelor’s depends less on where you live and more on how you manage your time. Plan with a realistic weekly workload: around 40 hours per week in the full-time track, or about 30 hours in the part-time track. You need steady self-organisation, perseverance over eight semesters (240 ECTS), and the discipline to meet rolling assessment deadlines. Solid study skills in English are essential for readings, cases and online exams; basic German can be an advantage for internships or jobs in Germany, but it is not required for the coursework. Create a stable routine, a quiet study space, reliable internet, and break larger modules into weekly targets. If you work alongside your studies, align module loads with peak periods at your job and use the programme’s flexibility to pace yourself without losing momentum.

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

You study management fully online and fully in English over 8 semesters (240 ECTS). The curriculum blends core business, data and finance, marketing and supply chains, people and leadership, and digital transformation – with seven hands-on project modules, a Thesis Lab and your Bachelor’s thesis. IU is a private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) that is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised), ensuring your degree is officially valid in Germany.

Business foundations and global context: You cover Business 101, Principles of Management and Managerial Economics. Modules like Global Corporations and Globalization and Corporate Governance and Strategy build your ability to make decisions in international contexts.

Data, finance and performance control: You learn Statistics and Business Mathematics to read data and probabilities. Corporate Finance and Investment, Management Accounting and International Accounting teach you to interpret figures, plan budgets and work with KPIs.

Markets, brands and supply chains: International Marketing and International Brand Management address positioning and go-to-market strategies. Supply Chain Management I/II links procurement, production and logistics – vital for resilience, efficiency and sustainability.

People, leadership and organisation: Organizational Behavior explains team dynamics, while International HR Management covers global people processes. Leadership 4.0 and Sustainability prepare you to lead in digital, networked workplaces and manage responsibility.

Digitalisation, innovation and entrepreneurship: Digital Business Models, Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Agile Project Management connect venture creation with agile execution. Design Thinking and New Work projects sharpen your problem-solving for real-world tasks.

Electives: You choose three electives (A/B/C) to shape your profile, from Business Intelligence, Online and Social Media Marketing and Organizational Development and Change Management to Business Ethics and Sustainability, Applied Sales or Project: Salesforce Platform Management. Further options include Digital Product Development, IT Service Management, Smart Factory/Services, Introduction to Data Science with Python – even an Internship is available as an elective.

Language profile: In addition to English-taught coursework, you study two foreign languages (choose from German, French, Italian, Spanish; your mother tongue is excluded). This strengthens your employability in international teams.

Practice and thesis: Seven project-based modules (e.g. Design Thinking, Development of Business Ideas, New Work) and an online business simulation ensure theory-practice transfer. The Thesis Lab prepares you for the final Bachelor’s thesis and colloquium.

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

You study as a flexible distance degree: self-paced learning on IU’s online campus, live sessions and forums for interaction, and 24/7 online exams. Start any month, choose full-time (48 months) or part-time (72 months), and extend for up to 12 months free if needed. The programme is ZFU-approved (No. 1140922), confirming its distance-learning quality in Germany.

English-medium teaching and proof of language

The programme is taught in English. You need B2 English and can evidence this with one of these typical tests: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 95 or a Cambridge certificate (overall grade B). A prior degree completed in English or being a native speaker usually waives testing. Submit proof before you start; certificates should be recent (typically not older than five years).

Study model and where you will learn

This is a distance learning degree – no mandatory on-campus attendance. You learn on IU’s digital campus with scripts, videos, exercises and live webinars. You can sit exams online from anywhere or at optional test centres in Germany. This format suits working professionals and students outside Germany who need location independence.

Learning format, group sizes and support

Courses combine self-study materials with interactive elements. You collaborate in group projects, case studies and seminars, with feedback from lecturers and tutors. You also get study and career coaching and access to digital tools, including IU’s learning assistant, to keep you on track. Support aims for quick responses and clear guidance.

Assessments you can expect

Assessment formats include proctored online exams (bookable around the clock), project reports, case studies, presentations, seminar work, and the final Bachelor’s thesis with colloquium. A company simulation lets you practise integrated decision-making in a safe setting.

Enrolment as a distance learner

As all teaching and exams can be completed online, you do not need to relocate. You study from your current place of residence; on-site sessions are not required. If you choose to visit a test centre occasionally, travel is optional and at your discretion.

What does the Management (B.A.) cost?

Fees depend on your pace. In full-time (48 months), tuition is typically €399 per month, which totals about €19,152 over the standard duration. In part-time I (72 months), the monthly fee is typically €344, totalling about €24,768. The curriculum and degree are identical; part-time simply spreads the workload over more months. In addition, there's a one-time graduation fee of €699.

What is included: access to the online campus, digital learning media, academic support, and the option to take online exams. Extra costs can arise if you choose optional travel to a test centre or purchase specialist literature. Changing speed models and a free extension of up to 12 months add financial predictability if life gets busy.

Paying from abroad is straightforward via monthly instalments. Many students also combine employer support, general scholarships or personal savings. Because this is a distance programme, you budget mainly for tuition and your local cost of living – there are no campus housing or semester ticket costs.

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

IU is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) in Germany. The Management B.A. is accredited (valid from 01/10/2022 to 30/09/2030) and awards 240 ECTS under the Bologna framework. ECTS credits and accredited status signal quality and facilitate recognition for master’s admission in Germany, across the EU and internationally, subject to each institution’s policies.

As a practice-oriented Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), IU focuses on employability: projects, case studies and a business simulation bridge theory and practice. Graduates typically move into roles such as:

  • Operations Manager or Service Operations Lead (process optimisation, KPI steering, continuous improvement)
  • Business Development Manager or International Growth Manager (market analysis, partnerships, expansion)
  • Supply Chain/Logistics Manager (planning, sourcing, production, distribution, sustainability)
  • Marketing or Brand Manager (international go-to-market, brand strategy, digital campaigns)
  • HR Business Partner or People Operations (global HR processes, organisational development, change)

Entry-level salaries in Germany for business graduates often range around the low-to-mid €40,000s per year and rise with experience, sector and location. The 240-ECTS scope also positions you well for a wide range of master’s degrees (e.g. Management, Business Intelligence, MBA) in Germany and beyond.

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

This programme fits if you need a flexible, English-taught management degree you can complete fully online, from anywhere. It is designed for people aiming at international careers who value projects, data literacy and digital business skills.

  • You want to study in English and add two extra languages (e.g. German or Spanish) to boost your global profile.
  • You prefer an online format with 24/7 exams, no mandatory on-site phases and the option to study alongside a job.
  • You want practical learning – project modules, a business simulation and electives from BI to Change Management.
  • You plan for master’s study later and value a 240-ECTS, accredited bachelor’s degree.

Equally important: there are cases where this programme is not the best match. The points below will help you avoid a poor fit and the cost of a misapplication.

  • You are looking for a German-taught programme or a traditional campus experience with daily face-to-face classes.
  • You need a degree that grants direct access to a regulated profession (e.g. medicine, law); this is a management degree.
  • You prefer ultra-low tuition like at German public on-campus universities; private distance programmes charge higher monthly fees for flexibility and support.
  • You cannot provide B2 English (or equivalent) and do not plan to obtain an accepted certificate before starting.
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