What you get for free
Information on study content & electives
Information on career prospects
Information on financing options
Distance learningMaster's degree without a bachelor's degree
With professional experience as a manager or expert, you qualify for the Master for Professionals programme. Find out how it works.
Get your degree – with our Master’s for Professionals
You have achieved a lot professionally. Now you want to prove to yourself: You can do even more! As an experienced manager or expert, we offer you the opportunity to complete a master's degree – even without having a bachelor's degree. In our online study programme, you can choose from master's and MBA programmes in seven subject areas, including business and management, health and social affairs or IT and technology.
Admission without a bachelor’s degree
Qualify for your preferred study programme – through longstanding professional experience and by passing our entrance exam.
Combining work & studies
We offer you a study programme which you can adapt to your busy lifestyle thanks to maximum flexibility.
State-approved
We stand for innovative education – state-approved and accredited.
Your Master’s for Professionals takes you to the next level
Boost your career
You improve your career opportunities to take on even more responsibility.
Get a raise
You might qualify for a raise in your old job or score a new one with higher pay*.
Accept new challenges
You qualify for new tasks in your profession or any field where your technical and leadership expertise is in demand.
Grow personally and professionally
You gain practical knowledge and also develop yourself personally.
*Source: Graduates’ survey 2021
Admission requirements for your distance learning master’s programme without a bachelor’s degree
1. Standard admission requirements
- A levels/ vocational diploma or - Completed vocational training of at least two years (DQR level 4) with relevance to the desired study programme
2. Professional experience
- At least 6 years of professional experience relevant to your preferred study programme, including at least 3 years in a leading or expert role: Proof must be supplied using certificates of further training, employer references, letters of recommendation, written confirmations by the employer or similar certifications
3. Passing of preparatory module at IU
The preparatory module* consists of two parts: - Seminar paper (approx. 40 pages), time for completion: 12 weeks (full-time) - Oral exam of 30 minutes
*One-time fee for your preparatory module: 500€ (includes attendance of the course “Academic Work”). The preparatory module can only be attended at IU. If you start your master’s programme at IU based on this preparatory module, you cannot switch to another university within this master’s programme.
Starting your Master’s for Professionals in 5 steps
Submit your application
Apply easily for your chosen degree programme using our online application.
Submit documents
Send us your documents as soon as possible. We will check if your qualifications meet our admission requirements. If everything is in order, you will receive an email with your login details for the online campus. You will get access to the course “Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten” and be admitted to the preparatory module.
Completing the preparatory module
Next, you complete your preparatory module. Once you pass, you will be fully enrolled.
Receive admission letter
Your study contract then becomes legally binding and you will receive your letter of admission.
Start your studies
We will unlock your master's programme for you on the online campus, and you can get started right away.
Find your preferred study programme
Your Master’s for Professionals offers you access to a selection of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS programmes. Depending on your time model and master’s or MBA programme, the tuition fees start at 306€ a month and with a duration ranging from 12 to 36 months. You can be admitted for the following areas of study:
M.A. International Healthcare Management
60 ECTS, Language: English
M.Sc. Public Health
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Applied Health Management
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Social Management
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Digital Innovation and Intrapreneurship
60 ECTS, Language: English
M.A. Management
60 ECTS, Language: English
M.A. Sustainable Management
120 ECTS and 60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Public Management
60 ECTS, Sprache:Language: German
M.A. Supply Chain Management
120 ECTS and 60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Digital Entrepreneurship
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Applied Controlling
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Applied International Development
60 ECTS, Language: English
Master of Business Administration
90 ECTS and 60 ECTS, Language: English and German
M.Sc. Business Intelligence
60 ECTS, Language: English
M.Sc. Data Management
60 ECTS, Language: English
M.A. Digital Transformation
120 ECTS and 60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Information Technology Management
60 ECTS, Language: English
M.A. IT-Management
120 ECTS and 60 ECTS, Language: German
M.Sc. Wirtschaftsinformatik
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Marketing Management
60 ECTS, Language: German and English
M.A. Digital Marketing
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Human Resources Management
60 ECTS, Language: English
M.A. Human Resources Development
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Human Resources Management
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Coaching
120 ECTS and 60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. E-Counselling in Education
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Leadership in Education
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Mediation und Konfliktmanagement
60 ECTS, Language: German
M.A. Real Estate Management
60 ECTS, Language: German
Master’s for Professionals: Your questions answered
The DQR is a German framework for qualifications. Its purpose is to classify qualifications within an educational system. It uses eight levels to describe professional and personal competences you can gain through academic or vocational training.
If you have completed your A levels, vocational diploma or vocational training of at least two years, you are classified at level 4 of the DQR. This means you are able to plan and conduct tasks in a learning area that is subject to change.
You can find a detailed description of the DQR and how to determine your personal level here.
Yes. According to the law, access to a master's programme is possible via certain professional qualifications and a master's aptitude exam. If you are admitted and complete your studies, you obtain a nationally and internationally recognized master's degree. This degree is equivalent to a master's degree with a preceding bachelor's degree.
After receiving the admission authorisation for your online study programme, you complete a preparatory module at IU International University of Applied Sciences. It consists of two parts: First, you write a seminar paper of approx. 40 pages that is similar in content and length to a bachelor’s dissertation.
At the same time, you attend the course “Academic Work” and receive support from a professor during the writing of your paper. The second part is a 30 minute oral exam on the contents of your seminar paper. Once you have passed this, you are allowed to start an online master’s programme with us.
Deine Infoveranstaltungen zum Master for Professionals
We are here for you
Do you need help with your decision? Your personal study advisor is happy to help you!