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Information on study content & electives
Information on career prospects
Information on financing options
Distance LearningFurther Education
Ökonom:in (IU)*
*Translated: Economist (IU). Language: Only available in German.
Become an Economist in just 1.5 semesters – even without A-levels!
Duration:2 semesters・45 ECTSDepending on model
Tuition Fees:From 259,- €/month
Accreditation:state-approvedZFU: 282015
Start your training Economist (IU) today
The training course to become an economist at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) gives you the opportunity to gain your first foundational knowledge in business administration. Through the general principles of business administration, you’ll be prepared step by step for your career advancement.
Want to deepen your knowledge further? No problem! The content of this training, as well as the tuition fees already paid, can be credited as external achievements towards the training "Betriebswirt:in (IU)" at IU.
Study flexible
Study flexible
anytime and anywhere with 24/7 online exams, full- or part-time.
Learn innovatively
Learn innovatively
on your digital campus with your own AI study assistant and multimedia tools.
State-recognized
State-recognized
Benefit from an accredited degree with excellent career prospects.
Summary
Your study programme summed up
Study programme & degree
Further Education (IU)
Language: de
Duration & extension
Standard: 18 months
Various time models
Starting date flexible at any time
Study fees
From €259 per month, depending on the time model chosen
Recognition & Approval
Possible with or without A-levels
Recognition & Approval
Programme is state-approved, accredited & internationally renowned, 45 ECTS - DE: AR-Siegel, ZFU: 282015
Start today: try us out for 1 month
Apply now and start today – or choose your starting date flexibly. You can then test IU for 1 month free of charge. Fees only apply if you decide to continue.
Course Content
Study content
The goal of the Economist (IU) course is to provide you, as an aspiring professional, with a foundational education in the field of business administration.
With the training or further education to become an Economist, you have the chance to expand your knowledge base and gain initial insights into business administration. Additionally, your certificate offers you an academic qualification that can serve as a career booster for professional advancement or a career change. The content of this further education, as well as any fees already paid, can be recognised as external credits towards the further education programme "Betriebswirt:in (IU)" at IU International University of Applied Sciences.
Please note: Successful completion does not automatically grant eligibility for admission to a (subsequent) degree programme!
| Module | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Betriebswirtschaftslehre | 5 |
| Buchführung und Bilanzierung | 5 |
| Managerial Economics | 5 |
| Grundlagen im Management | 5 |
| Kosten- und Leistungsrechnung | 5 |
| Recht | 5 |
| Module | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Marketing | 5 |
| Personal und Unternehmensführung | 5 |
| Unternehmungsplaung und -kontrolle | 5 |
Career
In 3 steps to a Bachelor's degree
With the further education programme economist (IU), you have the opportunity to complete your qualification in one and a half, two or three semesters, depending on the model. If you wish to further enhance your qualifications after completing this, you can have previously paid fees and achieved credits recognised as external credits towards the “Betriebswirt:in (IU)” programme.
In step 1, the university certificate economist (IU), you set your first milestone. You will take selected business administration modules such as “Kosten- und Leistungsrechnung,” “Unternehmensplanung,” and Controlling, which teach you the fundamental principles of business administration. The content of step 1 is application-oriented and tailored to the practical demands of the professional world. At the same time, you will also learn academic methods and techniques.
In this model, we award a total of 45 ECTS credits after successfully passing your exams.
In step 2, the university certificate "Betriebswirt:in (IU)", which comprises selected modules from the business administration degree programme, the focus is on the development of advanced business administration knowledge.
You will delve into financial topics, learn important legal regulations, and expand your expertise in areas like “Dienstleistungsmanagement” and marketing.
After successfully completing this step, you will earn a total of 90 ECTS credits.
The final step is obtaining a Bachelor's Degree with a total of 180 ECTS credits. To achieve this, you will complete the remaining modules from the business administration curriculum and write your Bachelor's thesis.
Fees
Study model and prices for the online Training's study programme in Ökonom:in
Part-Time I
Duration 12 Months
Excellent for talented all-rounders who want to give their studies everything they’ve got while holding down a job and keeping down their monthly costs at the same time.
€344 /mtl.
Part-Time II
Duration 18 Months
Ideal for students who would like to take their time completing their course on top of their job and everyday life and keep down the monthly costs of their studies.
€259 /mtl.
Full-Time
Duration 9 Months
Perfect for students who want to hit the ground running and shorten the period of study by increasing their studying pace.
€399 /mtl.
All our further education programmes include the following services
Free trial month*
Online library with 60,000 E-books and access to Statista
Eduroam internet access at over 20,000 locations worldwide
Opportunities to exchange with teachers and fellow students
Access to over 14,000 courses and 1,800 video tutorials via LinkedIn Learning
Personal AI study assistant Syntea
Study and career coaching
Access to MS Office
Free extension for up to 12 months
*The fees for this period only apply if you continue your studies with us.
We are here for you
Do you need help with your decision? Your personal study advisor is happy to help you!
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
We make it possible: At IU International University of Applied Sciences you can start your desired study programme - without NC, state-recognised, with or without a general A-level!
If you have general university entrance qualification (A-levels), subject-related university entrance qualification, or subject-restricted university entrance qualification, you can start our training programme immediately without any entrance exam.
You can also complete a training programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences without (subject-related) A-levels. All you need is:
a master craftsman’s certificate, or
an advanced further training qualification, or
at least two years of vocational training, or
at least three years of full-time professional experience
Start today: try us out for 1 month
Apply now and start today – or choose your starting date flexibly. You can then test IU for 1 month free of charge. Fees only apply if you decide to continue.
Request free study brochure
Voices on distance learning
Soziale Arbeit (B.A.)
Stefanie
Sehr empfehlenswert
Insgesamt ein super Studium, ich bin sehr zufrieden und fühle mich rundum gut betreut und aufgehoben. Es wird sich viel Mühe um die Zufriedenheit der Studenten gegeben und auch die Dozenten sind super nett und engagiert. Man kann jederzeit Fragen klären und hat immer einen Ansprechpartner der einem weiterhilft. Ich würde jederzeit wieder an der IU studieren und kann es nur weiterempfehlen!
Posted on 22.05.2026 on fernstudiumcheck.de
Angewandte Psychologie (B.Sc.)
Albena
Flexibilität im Fernstudium neben dem Beruf
Ich habe bisher sehr gute Erfahrungen im Fernstudium ‚Angewandte Psychologie‘ gemacht. Besonders gut gefällt mir die Flexibilität bei der IU, weil ich neben dem Studium zu 100 % arbeite. Ich kann selbst entscheiden, wann und wie viel ich lerne. Sehr zufrieden bin ich auch damit, dass ich keinen Druck habe, wann ich mit dem Studium fertig sein muss, und dass ich kostenlos verlängern kann. Dadurch kann ich das Studium besser mit meinem Berufsleben vereinbaren.
Posted on 20.04.2026 on fernstudiumcheck.de
International Management (M.A.)
Djo
Bin ein großer Fan der IU
Ich bin ein großer Fan der IU und habe dort in letzter Zeit unglaublich viel gelernt. Die Möglichkeiten, die Studierenden geboten werden – insbesondere im Fernstudium – sind sehr vielfältig und flexibel. Dadurch macht das Lernen nicht nur Spaß, sondern lässt sich auch hervorragend in den Alltag integrieren. [...] Für mich gehört die IU zu den besten Anbietern für Fernstudiengänge in Deutschland. Ich kann sie aus voller Überzeugung jederzeit weiterempfehlen.
Posted on 03.06.2026 on fernstudiumcheck.de
Awards, accreditations and certifications
