English 
Deutsch Who is the Bachelor's Degree in Communication & Event Management suitable for?
The distance learning programme is aimed at anyone who wishes to specifically qualify for a professional career in the field of communication or event management. It is suitable for school leavers with university entrance qualification who aspire to enter the communications, marketing or event industry directly, as well as for professionals with initial industry experience who want to complete their degree or deepen their qualifications academically. The course also offers a practical option for career changers with relevant vocational training as well as for students who have dropped out of other bachelor's programmes to reposition themselves at the intersection of corporate communication, event planning and media. The contents are flexibly tailored to full-time or part-time students and are also suitable for professionals.
What formal admission requirements must you meet?
To be admitted to the Bachelor's programme in Communication & Event Management, you need one of the following qualifications:
- General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), advanced technical college entrance qualification or an equivalent school-leaving certificate.
- Proof of English language skills at level B2 (CEFR) or at least seven years of school English.
- A 3-month internship or three months of professional experience in the communication or event industry (proof to be submitted by the start of the third semester at the latest).
Even without (advanced technical) Abitur, you can be admitted to the programme if you hold a master craftsman's certificate or a recognised advanced training qualification. Alternatively, access is possible with a completed vocational training of at least two years and three years of professional experience in the trained occupation. In this case, there must be verifiable professional proximity of the previous occupational profile to the desired course of study. If this is not the case, a trial study period with practical proof in the industry is possible.
Important personal requirements include organisational skills, communication strength and a strong interest in planning, consulting and project work. You should be open to digital media, have the ability to work in a team and be willing to work flexible hours. Resilience, creativity as well as structured and solution-oriented work are helpful, especially in event management. For self-study in distance learning, discipline, self-motivation and good time management are necessary. Initial practical experience in media, marketing or events is an advantage.
Which content areas does the Bachelor's degree in Communication & Event Management cover?
In the Bachelor's degree programme Communication & Event Management at IST-Hochschule für Management, you can expect a practice-oriented combination of business administration fundamentals, communication-specific skills, and in-depth knowledge in event management. The programme is designed to qualify you both professionally and methodically for the strategic and operational management of modern communication and event projects.
- General Management: Teaching of core business and legal principles, marketing, accounting, statistics, and economics, complemented by training in methodological and social skills.
- Communication and Brand Management: Introduction to communication science, media economics, corporate communication, and brand management.
- Event Management: Focus on the conception, planning, and execution of events, including event communication, creation, contractor coordination, and technical implementation.
- Specialisation in Online Communication: Content on online marketing, social media, media production (e.g. video and TV), and digital events, including tools and practical examples for virtual and hybrid events.
- Sustainability Management: Introduction to sustainable and resource-conserving event formats, green event concepts, value chains, CSR, and business ethics.
- Elective Modules: Individual specialisation is possible, e.g. in advertising and media psychology, creation and staging, international management, sports event management, or advanced online marketing. One elective module can be replaced by an internship or a semester abroad.
- Practical Transfer: Student projects and practical phases, excursions, networking events such as the annual “Forum Event” for aspiring event managers, as well as practical insights into tools and methods of leading industry experts.
In addition to the subject content, you will develop important methodological skills required for leadership positions in the communication and event industry, such as project management, leadership competencies, and entrepreneurial thinking.
How does the distance learning programme Communication & Event Management work?
The programme is designed as a flexible distance learning course and is offered full-time (6 semesters) or part-time (8 semesters). Both variants consist of an alternation between self-study, digital teaching formats, and occasional practical seminar days.
- Self-study: Study booklets and online learning modules form the theoretical basis and can be accessed at any time via the online campus.
- Digital Delivery: Interactive online lectures, online tutorials, and exercises, complemented by the use of an app for exam preparation, scheduling, and communication with fellow students.
- Face-to-face phases: In selected modules, seminar days (between 19 and 25 during the course) take place, focusing on practical knowledge, case studies, and networking.
- Examinations: Exams can be taken flexibly online or at examination centres across Germany. Additionally, there are options to take exams abroad.
- Practical Integration: The inclusion of real projects, internships, excursions, and practical modules promotes a strong practical relevance. Semesters abroad are optionally possible.
- Degree completion: In the final semester, you will complete your Bachelor’s thesis.
The duration of studies can be extended free of charge by up to three additional semesters. This makes the course well suited for part-time study alongside a job.
Which career paths are open to you after graduation?
As a graduate of the Bachelor's degree programme Communication & Event Management, you will have a versatile skill set that is in demand in various professional fields and industries. With the acquired know-how, you are qualified for tasks in live communication as well as in the field of digital events.
- Event Management: Organisation, execution, and evaluation of classical, hybrid, and virtual events – as an event manager in companies, agencies, artist agencies, or trade fair and congress organisations.
- Cultural Management: Planning, development, and implementation of cultural events, acquisition of funding, public relations, budgeting, and negotiation with partners.
- Communication Management: Development of cross-media communication strategies, press and public relations, brand positioning, building and maintaining contacts with media and external service providers.
- Marketing & PR: Collaboration in communication and marketing departments of various companies – from conception to implementation of advertising and media campaigns.
- Media Production: Points of contact are providers of event technology, streaming, stage construction, and media production for digital and hybrid events.
- City Marketing and Tourism: Development of regionally visible event formats, festivals, and branding initiatives in cities and regions.
The programme provides the basis for leadership roles in the event and communication industry and qualifies you for a wide range of activities nationally and internationally. The broad education also enables entry into related professional fields such as sponsoring, corporate communications, trade fair management, or sustainability management.
At which locations can you complete the course and how are the examination modalities organised?
The Communication & Event Management programme at IST-Hochschule takes place location-independently as a distance learning course, with central administration and university headquarters in Düsseldorf. The digital delivery allows maximum flexibility in learning – regardless of whether you live in Germany or abroad.
- Examination locations: Exams can be taken online or at examination centres in Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Hannover, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Weil am Rhein, Jena, Donaueschingen, in the Stuttgart area, as well as twice per semester in Innsbruck (Austria).
- Seminar days: Face-to-face events and excursions take place on selected days; the majority can be completed online.
- Worldwide possibility: Exams are also possible abroad upon agreement.
The campus in Düsseldorf serves as the organisational hub. For the distance learning programme, you only need a stable internet connection and can participate from anywhere.
What are the costs of the course and which financing options are available?
The tuition fees for the Bachelor's degree programme Communication & Event Management at IST-Hochschule für Management depend on the chosen study mode:
- Full-time (6 semesters): €379 per month (a total of €13,644 for the entire course)
- Part-time (8 semesters): €319 per month (a total of €15,312 for the entire course)
- All fees are included in the costs – there are no additional charges.
Possible financing options include:
- State BAföG funding for eligible students
- Scholarship programmes and education funds
- Instalment payments and individual payment arrangements
- Tax deductibility of study costs as business expenses or special expenses
- Special conditions for travel to and from exams and seminars (e.g. Deutsche Bahn)
- 10% discount on master's programmes for graduates of the bachelor's degree programme
Detailed individual funding advice is offered by the university. A free extension of the study period by up to three semesters is included in the fee.
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