Management im Gesundheitswesen (M.A.)
Hamburger Fern-Hochschule · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Master programme Management im Gesundheitswesen (M.A.) prepares you for responsible leadership roles in the health care sector by combining management knowledge with methodical and social competencies. It is designed around four qualification tracks: Empirische Methoden, Public Health, Management and Betriebswirtschaftslehre.
The programme runs over five semesters (four semesters plus one semester for the master thesis) and awards 120 ECTS. You can start the study either in the spring semester (01.01.) or in the autumn semester (01.07.), with enrolment stated as possible at any time.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Empirische Methoden I (5 ECTS) to build epidemiological foundations, health reporting basics, and introductory statistics
- Gesundheitssystem (6 ECTS) covering social security, current health situation, and health system research perspectives
- Modelle und Theorien von Organisationen und Personal (9 ECTS) focusing on organisation knowledge and leadership in healthcare
- Leistungswirtschaft und Rechnungswesen (5 ECTS) covering production and logistics, information economics, and accounting fundamentals
- Empirische Methoden II (8 ECTS) covering descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses
- Versorgungsforschung (5 ECTS) introducing health services research, service quality, service deficits, and innovative care concepts
- Gestaltung von Wandel und Innovationen (7 ECTS) covering change management and learning organisations/innovation implementation
- Strategische und finanzwirtschaftliche Ausrichtung von Unternehmen (5 ECTS) focusing on strategic direction and corporate finance thinking
- Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekte (10 ECTS) developing and applying research and development work in the program context
- Strategische Steuerung von Organisationen und Personal (10 ECTS) focusing on strategic steering of organisations and personnel
- Fallstudien zur Finanzwirtschaft im Gesundheitssystem (5 ECTS) applying finance topics through case studies
- Nachhaltigkeit und Sicherung von Qualität (9 ECTS) working on quality assurance and sustainability in healthcare contexts
- Balanced Scorecard (8 ECTS) for performance measurement and management in healthcare organisations
- Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten / Masterkolloquium (8 ECTS) for academic work and thesis preparation
- Masterthesis (20 ECTS) as the final master’s thesis component
Curriculum
120 ECTS (HFH Master Management im Gesundheitswesen). Credit points per module and semester totals are taken from the official study plan and programme-specific provisions.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory modules | Empirische Methoden I | 5 | 25 |
| Gesundheitssystem | 6 | |||
| Modelle und Theorien von Organisationen und Personal | 9 | |||
| Leistungswirtschaft und Rechnungswesen | 5 | |||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory modules | Empirische Methoden II | 8 | 35 |
| Versorgungsforschung | 5 | |||
| Gestaltung von Wandel und Innovationen | 7 | |||
| Strategische und finanzwirtschaftliche Ausrichtung von Unternehmen | 5 | |||
| Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekte | 10 | |||
| Semester 3 | Compulsory modules | Strategische Steuerung von Organisationen und Personal | 10 | 32 |
| Fallstudien zur Finanzwirtschaft im Gesundheitssystem | 5 | |||
| Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten / Masterkolloquium | 8 | |||
| Nachhaltigkeit und Sicherung von Qualität | 9 | |||
| Semester 4 | Final modules and thesis | Balanced Scorecard | 8 | 28 |
| Masterthesis | 20 | |||
| Total | Compulsory modules and Masterthesis | 120 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You qualify for leadership and staff roles in healthcare organisations and can pursue responsibilities up to top management levels in the healthcare sector.
- You gain job-relevant management skills for organisational and personnel management, including evidence-based decision-making using quantitative research methods.
- You build sector-specific expertise in health services research and public health-oriented healthcare management topics, strengthening your value in hospitals and other healthcare institutions.
- You develop applied finance and controlling competencies for healthcare decision-making through modules such as cost/accounting and finance case studies.
- You strengthen your ability to lead change and innovation in healthcare organisations, preparing you for roles in transformation, quality improvement, and strategic projects.
- You graduate with a research-informed master profile that supports progression to higher-responsibility roles and, under defined conditions, can be a basis for doctoral studies.
Employability rate
Graduates of this healthcare management master typically see an employability rate of around 85% and an unemployment rate of about 15% in Germany, reflecting steady demand for academically trained management and staff specialists in healthcare organisations.
Together, these figures suggest a stable career outlook, especially for roles in hospitals, healthcare institutions, and related organisations that recruit for planning, steering, quality, and leadership responsibilities.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and eligibility for the Master | For international applicants applying with a foreign university qualification, you must hold a first academic degree (e.g. a bachelor's or equivalent) that qualifies you for admission to a Master programme at HFH. The HFH states that for applicants with foreign qualifications it checks eligibility based on the assessment of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). |
| Professional and subject-related background in health or related fields | In addition to the first academic degree, the HFH requires at least one year of relevant professional practice in the health sector or in adjacent fields for admission to this M.A. International applicants who do not meet parts of the subject background can be required to successfully complete a Pre-Semester. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Health and related management background (plus evidence of at least one year professional practice in the health sector or adjacent fields) | Direct match | The HFH programme-specific entry requirements include both a relevant first academic degree and at least one year of professional practice. It also expects foundational knowledge in empirical methods, management, and business administration, which may be covered via a Pre-Semester if needed. |
Language requirements
The HFH does not offer its study programmes in English. For applicants with foreign qualifications, you must provide proof of German language skills at least at level B2, which is required for admission to study at HFH.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 410 / per month | HFH study fee: 410 € per month and 12.300 € total for the program. Amount shown as published on the program page. |
| Pre-Studies module fee | EUR 360 / per module | Pre-Semester (optional if needed for basic knowledge): 360 € per module, maximum 1.080 €. |
| Master’s thesis examination fee | EUR 990 / one time | Examination fee for the Master’s thesis per attempt: 990 €. |
Proof of financial resources
Germany requires proof that you can financially support yourself during your studies. For students applying for a residence permit, you should prepare financial evidence according to the official immigration guidance for your case and visa type.
- Proof of funds for your stay in Germany as required for your visa or residence permit application (amount and acceptable formats depend on the official guidance for your situation).
- If the university requests additional financial documentation for enrolment, provide it in the format stated by the HFH.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | July - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | July - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | July - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Confirm your eligibility with foreign qualifications
Check that your foreign degree qualifies you for Master admission and that you also meet the programme-specific requirement for at least one year of relevant professional practice in the health sector or adjacent fields. If your prior studies do not include foundations in empirical methods, management, and business administration, plan for the possibility that you may need to complete a Pre-Semester. For foreign-qualification cases, the HFH states it assesses eligibility based on ZAB evaluations.
Prepare your German language documentation (B2 or higher)
Because the HFH states it does not offer programmes in English, you must provide proof of German language skills at least B2 for admission. Make sure your language certificate is valid and matches the required level stated by HFH. If any supporting documents are not originally in English, prepare certified translations into German as required by the HFH.
Submit your application documents to HFH for review
Submit the required foreign-qualification documents (degree certificate and transcripts) so the HFH can review your admission eligibility. If you have an equivalence certificate from ZAB or the relevant authority, include it as stated by HFH, especially where your qualification is not clearly listed in ZAB records. Ensure you provide certified translations into German where HFH requests translations for originals that are not already in English.