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ISM introduces itself

The ISM University – your strong partner in distance learning

7 campuses, 4,500 students, 600 lecturers – we have stood for the highest quality in education for 30 years. As part of the high-performance ESO group, we are one of the leading private Business schools in Germany.

Our innovative University of Applied Sciences offers full-time, dual and part-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. With our distance learning programs, we have integrated another study model that complements and enriches our portfolio as a distance learning university. Please note that the teaching language of our bachelor’s degree programs is German (language level B2).

Bachelor distance learning courses

Master distance learning courses

ISM - this is how you study today!

Exciting courses await you at ISM, which you can easily complete while working or full-time.

  • Business Administration
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing & Communication
  • Brand & Fashion Management
  • Business Psychology

In our study structure we place great emphasis on maximum flexibility, high-quality learning content, versatile learning methods and comprehensive support. The courses have a modular structure.

We make suggestions, you decide the order yourself. The compulsory modules are supplemented by four elective modules with which you can deepen the subject according to your own interests.

Flexible, multimedia, personal and future-proof – this is what ISM distance learning stands for.

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Distance university with a profile: your advantages with ISM

Flexible
  • Online study regardless of time and place
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Individual integration into everyday life – also part-time
  • Modular set-up
Multi-media
  • Various learning media for every type of learner
  • Textbook in digital or printed form
  • In-depth videos for each module
  • Quizzes to check learning success
  • Podcasts, explanatory videos, animations, case studies and exercises
Personal
  • Always there for you: Support from professors
  • Learning platform for networking and sharing
  • Weekly masterclasses live seminars from the 4th semester onwards with our professors in the virtual classroom
  • Regular webinars
  • Study coaches as advisors for careers, choice of studies and learning difficulties

Experience with ISM

In distance learning, you don't have to learn alone. Our student Hannah says: "I especially like the fact that I can immediately check what I have learned through small knowledge checks, with direct feedback. That way you know exactly where you stand and what needs to be deepened. And although every student is spread out somewhere in the world, there is still a direct exchange with each other, you help each other and can have discussions with professors at monthly meetings, just like in a normal lecture."

Hannah Pohl

Bachelor student in the ISM distance learning program

Experience with ISM

Our student Marcel says he was looking for a "study programme that is practically oriented towards top international companies [and makes it possible] to work on the side to gain relevant experience. This is also what Marcel particularly likes about the ISM distance learning programme so far: "Practical relevance (examples at top companies), free time management for work, holidays, internships, research in shops and companies, studying from home as well as the lively contact with other students despite distance learning."

Marcel Gebert

Bachelor student in the ISM distance learning program

Experience with ISM

With an Internet connection and a PC or laptop, you are already fully equipped for the ISM distance learning program. Our multimedia learning materials are completely new with up-to-date examples and many illustrations or videos. Our students also like this: "I was looking for a university that is not only able to provide high quality content, but also to meet the requirements of a modern distance learning program. ISM is a prime example of combining a modern distance learning program with high quality content," says Leon about his experience at ISM.

Leon Böhning

Bachelor student in the ISM distance learning program

Experience with ISM

Whether you study abroad or from home: In distance learning at ISM, you can decide for yourself when and from where you study. You don't have to be present on campus for a single exam or event - something our students also praise: "You really are 100% flexible and 100% online and can put together your own individual study plan. You can even take your exams online - cool, isn't it?" says Fabio about our distance learning program.

Fabio Nagelsky

Bachelor student in the ISM distance learning program

Experience with ISM

Even if it's a distance learning program, we won't leave you alone! With our holistic support concept, we are there for you if you have any questions - whether via mail, chat or telephone. Our study coaches, module leaders and teaching staff will support you on your way to a successful degree. "Already the first contact with the Study Coaches Marcella and Regina had convinced me: the whole team is really friendly and answers questions super fast and competent" - this is how Angelika comments her personal experience with the distance learning program.

Angelika Gmeiner

Bachelor student in the ISM distance learning program

Experience with ISM

Study digitally: When exceptional situations require special measures. The Corona pandemic (2020) presented society worldwide with largely unknown challenges - for some universities, this probably included teaching and learning at a distance. The ISM rather records it as an involuntary trial run in the matter of 'Home-Study', with the following conclusion: "The digital teaching runs technically and organizationally flawless at the ISM. The knowledge transfer works great and the exchange with the lecturers and fellow students doesn't come up short either."

Robin Paulus

Bachelor student in the ISM distance learning program

Experience with ISM

Surprisingly interactive: digital teaching with lively exchange Study models of the future may be digital, but they still have to meet participants' demand for interaction and communication. This is just as true for distance learning courses as it is for digital elements in face-to-face study. At ISM, our online lectures focus on interactive learning and group work - not a contradiction in terms, as our students confirm: "At first, I thought that online lectures would only be frontal and in lectures, but that has not been confirmed. Digital teaching at ISM is very interactive, always includes group work phases and offers completely new formats."

Mareike Tegethoff

Master student in the presence area

Experience with ISM

Karriere und Familie sollten sich heute nicht mehr ausschließen. Die digitalen Möglichkeiten bieten das Potenzial neben dem Familien- und Berufsalltag flexibel und erfolgreich zu studieren. Uns von der ISM ist es ein großes Anliegen, dass Bildung in jeder Situation möglich ist, wie es folgendes Beispiel zeigt: „Als berufstätige Mutter von drei Kindern kann ich die Möglichkeiten, die ein Fernstudium bietet, nicht genug loben. Eine E-Mail vom Spielplatz verschicken, aus der Ferne studieren und trotzdem Geld verdienen und auch noch mit den Kindern Fußball spielen – die Qualität der ISM ist die Flexibilität, die ein Fernstudium bietet – ein tolles Angebot.“

Frenze Taut

Studentin im Vollzeit-Bachelor Business Communication

Future proof

State approved

The ISM University is officially recognised for an unlimited period by the Ministry of Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Due to the state recognition, the degrees obtained at ISM are on an equal footing with the degrees obtained at state universities. This also applies to distance learning programs. 

FIBAA accredited

For many years, our university of applied sciences has stood for successful continuing education in the fields of business and management. We have the quality of the ISM distance learning programs reviewed by the Accreditation Council as part of the accreditation process. For this purpose, an external team of experts from FIBAA prepares a report for the Accreditation Council for each degree program. These reports demonstrate the high academic standard and practical relevance of ISM's distance learning programs. (The reports are publicly available and can be accessed in the Accreditation Council's database for all accredited study programs. We also have our distance learning programs audited by the State Central Office for Distance Learning (ZFU). All distance learning courses and the certificate courses are successfully certified by the ZFU

Accredited by the Science Council

As an important advisory body on science policy, the Science Council examines within the framework of institutional accreditation whether teaching and research can be carried out according to recognised scientific standards. As early as 2004, ISM received an institutional accreditation for ten years. The new accreditation took place in 2015. The ISM succeeded in doing this as one of the first private universities in Germany.

Outstanding

We at ISM are proud always to belong to the leading universities in various rankings and to receive regular awards.

CHE ranking: One of the best private universities in Germany

Trendence: Outstanding results in the areas of lecturer quality & practical relevance

Universum: Top marks for international orientation & practical relevance

Wirtschaftswoche: ISM again among the best private Business schools

Multirank: Outstanding results in the global multirank

Practice oriented

The ISM has a board of trustees consisting of high-ranking international companies, associations and institutions. Here there is close cooperation with curators so that program content can be consistently modernised and has a close practical relevance. In addition, the top-class network enables practical projects and events to be carried out. 

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Do you have any questions about your education? Then contact us!

AACSB accreditation

Currently the only distance learning program in Germany with AACSB accreditation

Accredited

All of our degree programs are reviewed and accredited by the Accreditation Council.

State recognized

With ISM you enjoy the best education – we are state-approved for an unlimited period of time.

Approved distance learning courses

Of course, all our study programs bear the seal of quality of the State Central Office for Distance Learning (ZFU).