English 
Deutsch 
The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Facility Management under the number 1112720c. Who this German-taught, online Bachelor in Facility Management is for
This programme suits you if you plan to build a career in the operation and development of buildings and real estate while studying flexibly. Typical profiles include: technicians or coordinators in maintenance, building services or security who want to step up into management; career changers from construction, hospitality or property operations aiming for structured FM expertise; and international school leavers seeking a recognised German-taught, fully online B.A. (180 ECTS) they can complete from abroad while gaining industry-ready skills.
Admission requirements
You can enter via a school-leaving route or a professionally qualified route. Foreign qualifications are welcome and undergo an equivalence check.
- University entrance: German Abitur or subject-specific higher education entrance, or Fachhochschulreife. International school diplomas (e.g. IB or national boards) are admitted following an equivalence review aligned with German recognition practice.
- Admission without Abitur: possible with a German Meister qualification; a recognised advanced professional qualification (e.g. IHK Fachwirt); or a completed, recognised 2-year vocational training in Germany plus at least 3 years of full-time work experience. Vocational training and experience completed within the EU but outside Germany are subject to an equivalence check (comparable to DQR level 4).
- Language of instruction: German. Required proof of German proficiency (submit before start; usually not older than 5 years): TestDaF (TND3, minimum 3 points in all four parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2, or ÖSD B2. The university may accept other German B2 (CEFR) certificates at its discretion.
Personal requirements
Distance learning rewards self-organisation, steady study habits and clear weekly planning. Expect an average workload of about 40 hours/week in the 36-month full-time track, around 30 hours/week in the 48-month option, or roughly 20 hours/week in the 72-month track. Plan extra time for project work, exam prep and legal/technical readings in German. You should be comfortable with basic maths and accounting, be curious about building technology and sustainability, and communicate proactively in virtual settings.
- Solid B2 German for technical, legal and business texts; confident academic writing.
- Persistence and time management to sustain multi-semester online study.
- Digital literacy: learning on a virtual campus, collaborating online, taking remote exams.
- Analytical thinking and quantitative skills for budgeting, costing and KPIs.
- Professional experience in facilities, construction, property or services is helpful but not mandatory; motivation to apply concepts to real assets is key.
If you study from abroad, ensure a reliable internet connection, a quiet workspace and a realistic weekly schedule. Building a routine, setting milestones and engaging with tutors and peers will help you stay on track and make the most of the programme’s flexibility.
What will you study in the Facility Management (B.A.) at IU International University of Applied Sciences?
This programme is taught in German. If you are an international applicant, you must provide a German language certificate at around B2 level, such as TestDaF (min. 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2 (dated within five years). Content spans business, building technology and law, plus digitalisation and sustainability across the real estate life cycle.
You build a management foundation for running buildings efficiently. Early modules cover Business Administration, Accounting and Financial Reporting, and Cost and Performance Accounting, paired with Project Management and Collaborative Work. You learn to plan budgets, KPIs and services in day-to-day building operations.
Technical depth follows with Basic Building Construction, Building Technology and Construction Informatics. These underpin technical and infrastructural facility services, from maintenance planning to service delivery, and lead into Technical Building Management and Infrastructure Building Management. Smart Building topics and IT systems in FM connect technology to data-driven operations.
The legal and real-estate track equips you for compliant, value-oriented decisions: Law and Private and Public Construction Law, Rental and Tenancy Law, plus Real Estate Management I & II. You also work with User Needs Analysis and Space Management to align workplaces and utilisation with organisational goals.
Sustainability and governance are embedded. You address Sustainability in Planning, Construction and Operation of Real Estate and strengthen your perspective with Intercultural and Ethical Competences. A practice-oriented Project: Building Operation and a Seminar on Digitalisation in FM prepare you for real tasks. You finish with the Bachelor’s Thesis (180 ECTS).
Electives let you specialise. Typical choices include Facility Management of special properties, transportation or industrial facilities, Digital planning (CAD/BIM), Real estate law, Valuation and financing, and leadership-oriented options such as Advanced Leadership or Change Management. This helps you align the degree to technical, commercial or strategic career paths.
IU is a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) and staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised). The distance-learning format is approved by the ZFU (German state approval for distance learning), approval no. 1112720c.
How does studying in the Facility Management (B.A.) work?
You study 100% online with an always-open start date, three pace models (36/48/72 months) and 24/7 online exams. Learning is hosted on IU’s digital campus with multimedia content and live online sessions. No relocation or on-site attendance is required; you can optionally sit exams at a test centre.
Teaching language and proof of language skills
The teaching language is German. For admission to the German-taught track, you need a recognised German certificate, typically at B2 level: TestDaF (min. 3 in all four parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. Certificates must be presented before the start of studies and are generally valid for up to five years.
Study model and where you will study
This is a distance-learning programme (Fernstudium). You study from wherever you live via IU’s online campus. There is no physical campus attendance. IU mentions online exams at any time or, if you prefer, at the nearest exam centre. Start “from today” or on a self-chosen date.
Learning experience, group sizes and support
The digital campus combines scripts, videos, exercises and virtual classrooms. Live tutorials and Q&A sessions complement self-paced study. You have access to an online library and tools, and to IU’s learning assistant “Syntea”, which helps structure and revise content. Interaction with teaching staff and peers happens through forums, web sessions and office hours.
Exams and how you will be assessed
Assessments include online examinations (24/7), written assignments, portfolios, projects (e.g. Project: Building Operation), seminars and the Bachelor’s Thesis. If you prefer, you can take exams at a physical test centre instead of online.
Pace models and workload
You choose one of three models: Full-time (36 months), Part-time I (48 months) or Part-time II (72 months). This flexibly sets your weekly workload and monthly tuition. A free extension is possible, and leave semesters can be arranged to fit work or family commitments.
What does the Facility Management (B.A.) cost?
Tuition depends on your pace: about €399 per month (36 months), €344 per month (48 months) or €259 per month (72 months). That translates to roughly €14,364, €16,512 or €18,648 in total over the standard durations. The distance-learning model bundles teaching and examination services; no separate enrolment fee is stated.
Optional costs can arise if you choose in-person exams at a test centre or additional, optional services such as an international study experience. If you receive recognition of prior learning, your overall cost decreases: IU reduces tuition by €30 per recognised ECTS, and your study time can shorten accordingly.
As a fully online programme, you do not need to relocate to Germany. Your living costs remain where you are based, which can significantly lower the overall budget compared with on-campus study abroad. Monthly tuition is typically paid over the chosen study duration; details for international payments are arranged directly during enrolment.
What careers and recognition does the Facility Management (B.A.) offer?
The degree carries 180 ECTS credits and follows the Bologna framework, making it internationally comparable for further study or employment. IU is state-recognised; the programme is accredited through 2028 and ZFU-approved for distance learning (no. 1112720c). A sector-specific GEFMA certification signals practice-oriented, job-relevant FM content.
What this means for you: ECTS allow smooth credit recognition in Europe and beyond; internal quality assurance and accreditation verify that the curriculum and assessments meet established standards. As a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), IU focuses on applied skills and employability—valued by facilities providers, real estate owners and industry.
Typical roles after graduation include:
- Facility Manager in integrated FM for owners, occupiers or service providers
- Object Manager/Operations Lead overseeing budgets, service quality and contractors
- Technical Property Manager bridging engineering, leasing and asset targets
- FM Consultant in tenders, benchmarking, process optimisation and CAFM/BIM roll-outs
- Workplace and Space Manager focusing on user needs, utilisation and ESG-aligned workplaces
With experience, you can move into senior operations, portfolio services or client leadership. A related master’s in Real Estate Management, Construction Management or Sustainable Building can support progression into higher responsibility roles.
Who is the Facility Management (B.A.) right for – and who not?
This degree suits motivated self-learners who want a flexible distance-learning path into the real estate and building operations sector. It fits professionals from engineering, construction, services or real estate who want to step into holistic FM management with a mix of commercial, technical and legal skills.
- You want to study fully online with 24/7 exam options and a flexible start date.
- You aim to manage buildings end-to-end—budgeting, services, compliance and sustainability.
- You value applied learning with projects, Smart Building and FM IT systems.
- You want recognised quality signals: state recognition, programme accreditation, ZFU approval and GEFMA certification.
There are also clear limits. Read these carefully before you apply so you do not waste time or money.
- The programme is taught in German. Without a recognised B2-level German certificate (e.g. TestDaF, DSH-1, telc B2, ÖSD B2), you cannot study in this track.
- This is not an on-campus experience in Germany. If you seek a student life on a physical campus or a German student visa tied to on-site attendance, this online format will not meet that goal.
- Tuition at a private university is higher than semester contributions at German public universities; choose this path for its flexibility and support, not for the lowest sticker price.
- FM is a management field, not a licence-to-practice profession. If you need access to a regulated profession, consider other degrees with a protected licence route.
Lade… 
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Facility Management? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution IU International University of Applied Sciences or the editorial team will answer you.