Health management at private universities in Germany: over 70 programmes from €157/month

Are there English-taught health management programmes?

Yes – several private universities offer health management programmes in English:

• IU International University: B.Sc./B.A. International Healthcare Management (distance learning, from €259/month)
• Frankfurt School: MBA International Healthcare Management (part-time, €42,000 total)
• Fresenius University: M.Sc. International Health Economics & Pharmacoeconomics (full-time)
• SRH University: MBA Healthcare Management (full-time, €21,540 total)

All other programmes in this category are taught in German. If you are considering a German-taught programme, you will need language skills at B2 to C1 level (CEFR).

Clinic management, Digital Health or Public Health: which path?

Your specialisation determines your career profile and salary more than the study format or university. Four main paths are available:

General health management and health economics form the broadest cluster with around 25 programmes. The curriculum combines business administration (controlling, accounting, HR management) with healthcare-specific content: healthcare law, quality management, DRG reimbursement systems and health economics. Graduates manage budgets and processes in clinics, advise health insurers on contract development or lead consulting projects in the healthcare sector.

Hospital and nursing management programmes (MSH Hamburg, MSB Berlin, HMU Erfurt, Akkon) focus on OR planning, medical controlling, hospital financing and staff management – with the highest salary potential of all specialisations (up to €10,000+/month at executive level). Digital Health is the fastest-growing field: students learn health IT architecture, data protection and interoperability standards, preparing them to lead ePA implementation, AI diagnostics and telemedicine platforms. Public Health programmes teach epidemiology, biostatistics and health promotion, qualifying graduates for roles at government agencies, the WHO and research institutes.

Disaster and emergency management: a trending field

Post-pandemic preparedness, NATO civil defence planning and climate-related disasters are driving demand for crisis management professionals. Students learn tactical emergency medicine, CBRN scenarios (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear), incident command, evacuation planning and crisis psychology. Graduates plan emergency concepts for hospitals, coordinate disaster responses for humanitarian organisations or advise governments on civil protection.

Fresenius University offers the M.Sc. Tactical Operations, Emergency and Disaster Medicine (part-time, €19,210 total) – the most-visited programme in this entire category. MSH Hamburg offers an M.A. Rescue Management (full-time, €21,160), and FHM offers a dual M.A. Rescue Management.

Crisis managers earn approximately €4,087/month at entry level, rising to €5,211/month with experience. Employers include humanitarian organisations, civil protection agencies, the German armed forces, hospitals with emergency centres and international organisations.

How to get in: admission without NC

Private universities in Germany do not apply a Numerus Clausus (NC) for health management. Requirements depend on the degree level:

• Bachelor: A secondary school qualification equivalent to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. For international credentials: recognition via anabin or application through uni-assist.
• Master: A completed first degree (min. 180 ECTS). Some programmes require professional experience in healthcare.
• MBA: A completed first degree plus professional experience (typically 2–3 years). Frankfurt School and selected providers may require GMAT or TOEFL.

A medical background is not required for most programmes. However, some hospital and nursing management programmes recommend prior healthcare experience.

Student visa, health insurance and working in Germany

Non-EU students need a student visa and a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with at least €11,904 per year as proof of financial means. Health insurance is mandatory and costs around €120 per month for students under 30.

As a student, you may work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year without a separate work permit. The Deutschlandticket (€63/month) provides unlimited access to local and regional public transport across Germany.

After graduation, you can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa to find employment in Germany. Given the severe shortage of health management professionals, your chances of finding a position are excellent.

What do health management graduates earn in Germany?

Health management graduates work in hospitals and clinic groups, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical and MedTech firms, consulting, government agencies (e.g. RKI, WHO), fitness and rehabilitation centres or Digital Health startups. Salary varies significantly by specialisation:

Company size has a significant impact: large organisations (10,000+ employees) pay around €43,300/year on average, while small companies (<50 employees) average around €30,900/year. Salaries in western Germany are generally higher than in eastern Germany.

Sources: German Federal Employment Agency (Entgeltatlas), StepStone Salary Report 2025, gehalt.de 2025. All figures gross, before tax.

Frequently asked questions

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