Marketing in Germany: from €259/month distance to EBS Master

By Christian Wolf, Editor-in-chief  · Last updated 01.03.2026

Marketing is one of the most versatile degree programmes at private universities in Germany – and specialisations are expanding: from Online Marketing and Brand Management to Growth Hacking, Sales and E-Commerce. Around 50 programmes at over 15 universities are available – as distance learning from €259/month (IU), full-time on campus, dual (often free) or part-time at the FOM. All programmes are NC-free (no GPA requirements).

Language note: Most marketing programmes at German private universities are taught in German. English-taught options exist primarily in full-time campus programmes at Brand University, UE, XU, Berlin International and CBS. Distance learning requires German proficiency (B2–C1).

How much does a marketing degree cost at a private university in Germany?

Costs depend on the study format, university and degree level. Distance learning is the most affordable option, while dual programmes are often completely free for students (the employer pays). For comparison: similar programmes at US or UK universities cost $15,000–50,000/year – German private universities offer significantly better value.

Distance learning: from €259/month

Distance learning offers the most affordable entry into a marketing degree with maximum flexibility. Important: All distance learning marketing programmes are taught in German and require B2–C1 German proficiency. The IU dominates this segment with over ten specialisations from €259/month, including Marketing, Growth Hacking, Online Marketing and Customer Centricity.

Full-time on campus: from €14,500

Full-time programmes offer intensive campus life, agency projects and direct networking. Several programmes are taught entirely in English, making them accessible to international students: Brand University (Brand & Marketing Management, Digital Branding, Brand Strategy), UE (Digital Media & Marketing, Visual & Experience Design), Berlin International and CBS (Digital Marketing M.A.). The EBS Master in Marketing (€33,780) is the premium programme.

Dual study: often free

In dual programmes, the partner company typically covers tuition fees. At IU and accadis, bachelor students study for free while earning a salary. Most dual programmes are taught in German. The accadis dual master Global Marketing Management (€950/month) is the only dual master option.

Part-time alongside work: from €345/month

Part-time programmes are designed for working professionals studying alongside their career. Most part-time programmes are taught in German and require at least B2-level German proficiency. The FOM offers the most affordable entry (€345/month) with over 30 locations across Germany.

Funding: scholarships, loans and employer sponsorship

German and EU students are eligible for BAföG (state financial aid). Non-EU students are generally not eligible for BAföG. Other funding options include:

• DAAD scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service funds international students across all disciplines
• Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month, available to all students regardless of nationality
• KfW student loans: Up to €650/month, available to EU citizens and some non-EU residents
• Dual programmes: The partner company covers tuition and pays a training salary of €800–1,200/month

 Tip: At many institutions, you can request prospects and information materials and in some cases download them immediately. The brochures contain all the information on study content, costs, financing and funding opportunities.

IU Internationale Hochschule

Marketing

 Request brochures

Which marketing programmes are taught in English?

Unlike MBA programmes, most marketing degrees in Germany are taught in German. However, several full-time campus programmes are fully English-taught:

• Brand University – Brand & Marketing Management B.A., Digital Branding M.A., Brand Strategy M.A., Marketing & Communication B.A. (Hamburg)
• UE – Digital Media & Marketing B.Sc., Visual & Experience Design M.A. (Potsdam, Berlin)
• XU University – Digital Marketing and Social Media B.Sc. (Potsdam)
• Berlin International – BA International Management & Marketing (Berlin)
• CBS – Digital Marketing M.A. (Cologne)
• Karlshochschule – International Marketing B.A. (Karlsruhe)
• EBS – Master in Marketing M.Sc. (Oestrich-Winkel)

Choosing by specialisation:

• Branding & luxury marketing: Brand University (Hamburg) – Germany’s only university specialised in brand management
• Digital marketing & data: CBS (Cologne) and XU (Potsdam) – strong focus on analytics, social media and performance marketing
• International marketing & management: Berlin International and Karlshochschule – broad international perspective at moderate cost
• Premium & corporate marketing: EBS (Oestrich-Winkel) – research-focused M.Sc. with strong corporate recruiting network
• Creative & design-driven: UE (Potsdam/Berlin) – Digital Media & Marketing B.Sc. and Visual & Experience Design M.A.

German-taught only: All distance learning programmes (IU, Euro-FH, AKAD, Brand University distance, SRH Fernhochschule, FHM), most part-time programmes (FOM, HAM) and several full-time programmes (SRH Heidelberg, HMKW, FHM, Fresenius).