The bachelor's as a foundation
The bachelor's is the first professionally qualifying higher education degree and, as a rule, spans six to eight semesters full-time, and correspondingly longer alongside work. It is open to you with the Abitur (higher education entrance qualification), the Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification) or through the access route for the professionally qualified. Anyone who does not yet hold an academic degree starts here.
For entry without the traditional higher education entrance qualification there are dedicated routes, which the guide on distance learning without the Abitur explains.
The master's as a further step
The master's requires a first higher education degree, usually a bachelor's with a certain minimum grade and often a subject-related connection. It deepens or broadens knowledge and, as a rule, lasts two to four semesters full-time. Part-time master's programmes, for example in management, are aimed specifically at working professionals with some years of practical experience.
How to make your choice
Three questions lead to the decision:
- Do you already hold a higher education degree? If not, the bachelor's is your starting point.
- What is your goal? For entering a profession or switching careers, the bachelor's is often enough; for specialist or leadership depth, the master's is the right fit.
- How much time do you have? The master's is shorter but denser in content and assumes prior knowledge.