The Master's degree is a further professional qualification. Master's degree programmes serve to specialise in a particular subject and academic field or to broaden knowledge.
As a rule, the admission requirement is a university degree that already qualifies you for a profession, e.g. a Bachelor's degree. There are often a number of additional entry requirements, such as special language skills or an entrance test.
A distinction is also made between consecutive and continuing education Master's degree programmes.
- Consecutive Master's degree programmes can deepen or broaden the knowledge acquired in the Bachelor's degree programme, expand it across disciplines or focus on other subject areas.
- Continuing education Master's degree programmes require qualified practical professional experience of generally at least one year.
Master's degrees generally entitle the holder to pursue a doctorate. Master's degrees obtained at universities of applied sciences, like other university degrees, open up access to higher civil service careers in public administration.
The standard period of study for a Master's degree programme is a minimum of two and a maximum of four semesters. Together with the preceding degree programme, students earn a total of at least 300 ECTS credits during their studies.