Germany is one of Europe’s most populous countries and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is home to a well-established higher education system that remains highly popular among international students. In the 2024/25 winter semester, around 402,000 international students and doctoral candidates were enrolled at German universities. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of digital technologies in education, and many students and institutions became more familiar with online learning. Today, international students who are unable to travel to Germany can consider selected online and distance-learning programs. If you want to explore more master’s courses in Germany, it can also help to browse available programs before narrowing down your online options.
You should consider a few things before choosing to pursue an online master’s degree through a German institution. To make things easier, we will review selected schools that offer online or distance-learning master’s options. Don’t wait any longer; get started below!
Top Schools Offering Online Master’s Degrees in Germany
1. Berlin School of Business and Innovation
International students can explore career-focused business and management programs at the Berlin School of Business and Innovation. BSBI offers postgraduate programs in fields such as business, management, digital marketing, data analytics, finance, and hospitality. Because BSBI’s delivery format, academic partner, campus, intake, and tuition can vary by program, applicants should confirm the current online availability of their chosen program before applying.
Fields of study at BSBI have included the Global MBA, digital marketing, data analytics, finance, and other business-related areas. Older BSBI online-course pages listed several online postgraduate courses with 18-month durations, while current BSBI program-offer pages list many postgraduate programs at about €13,920 to €15,525 before discounts, with reduced tuition available for eligible students. Applicants should check the latest tuition fees, delivery mode, and intake dates directly before applying.
2. HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media, Communication and Management
HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media, Communication, and Management was founded in 2008 and now operates as the Media University of Applied Sciences. The institution states that it is state-recognized and institutionally accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities. Its programs focus on media, communication, business, psychology, design, and humanities.
In the MA Visual and Media Anthropology program, students learn practical and theoretical approaches to film production in a research context. The program is offered as an online study program with distance-learning elements and on-campus workshops. The current tuition fee is €4,170 per semester, or €16,680 for the entire four-semester program.
3. International School of Management (ISM)
The International School of Management (ISM) is a private German business school that offers distance-learning programs. Its online M.A. Sustainability Management is taught in English and is designed for students who want to help organizations integrate sustainability into strategy, operations, and management.
You can actively influence the future as a specialist or manager with the help of ISM’s Sustainability Management master’s program. The program is 100% online and can be completed in four semesters full-time or six to eight semesters part-time. It covers topics such as global sustainable development, sustainability policies and trends, leadership, sustainable organizations, business transformation, ethics, law, consulting, and research. Current published total prices are €13,080 for the full-time model, €13,920 for the faster part-time model, and €15,000 for the slower part-time model, with a separate €600 enrollment fee listed by ISM.
FAQS About Online Master’s Programs in Germany
Can International Students Take Online Master’s Programs in Germany?
Yes. International students can take selected online and distance-learning master’s programs offered by German institutions. Some programs are fully online, while others may include campus-based workshops, optional in-person components, or campus-specific delivery modes. Before applying, students should review the official program page carefully to confirm the language of instruction, accreditation, degree-awarding institution, tuition fees, exam format, and whether any in-person attendance is required.
There are many options available to international students who wish to study in Germany. The schools listed above can be a useful starting point if you are looking for online or distance-learning master’s programs connected to German institutions.
We hope that you found our article on the top universities for online master’s degrees in Germany for international students informative. For additional insights about Germany, visit the Study in Germany Page. You can also explore the Available Programs in Germany for more study opportunities.
