Do you have questions about the online Master’s degree programme at the eLearning Academy for Communication? We have summarized the most frequently asked questions about the study process, the study organization and the learning concept for you:
Who is the Master's degree in "Cross-media Marketing Communication" aimed at? (Field of activity and qualification)
In terms of content, the specialisation “Crossmedia Marketing Communication” offers a deliberately broad, comprehensive approach to the subject area of marketing communication. Graduates of the course are able to handle the whole range of marketing communication professionally. Combined with professional experience, graduates are qualified to take on management positions. They unerringly manage marketing communication from PR to advertising in line with the company’s objective – be it in companies and organizations or in agencies. Through integrated communication, they ensure a uniform communicative external image that is image-oriented on the one hand and sales-oriented on the other. In the almost Babylonian confusion of language surrounding terms such as public relations, communication management, marketing and many more, the Master of Arts (MA) offers you a comprehensible, connectable and internationally recognized degree for professional practice as well.
When can I start my studies?
Anytime! Right now, tomorrow or on any date of your choice. There are no time restrictions. It usually takes about two weeks from the time you submit your application to the time you are notified about your admission.
What are the admission requirements?
The requirement is:
or
Applicants with a non-German mother tongue must provide proof of German language skills at level C1 in order to register for a course in German. This can be waived if you:
What documents do I need for the application?
In addition to your personal data (first and last name, date and place of birth, address,…), the following documents are required for registration for the Master’s program in Marketing Communication:
We also ask you to indicate your preferred start date and payment method in the application process.
How long does it take to study?
That’s up to you! The duration of the study depends on your needs and possibilities. The minimum duration of study is two semesters, so particularly fast full-time students can complete their studies within 12 months. You can realistically complete your studies on average in a period between 18 to 24 months, while working.
The course fee includes the study for a total of four semesters respectively 24 months. After that, you may extend your study by a maximum of two more semesters. Thus, you can study for a maximum of 36 months including the completion of the master thesis. A extension fee of EUR 290.00 is payable for each of the fifth and last six semester.
Are there any face-to-face meetings?
No, the course Marketing Communication MA is 100% independent of time and location. Only 6 online seminars must be completed in the desing and master’s thesis module. But here, too, you determine the time and place. All you need is internet access to participate in the online seminar. The defense of your master’s thesis will be carried out on site at the University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Burgenland in Eisenstadt or, if you prefer, online, via a secure video conferencing system.
Tip: For the graduation ceremony (in Austrian this is called “Sponsion”) you should plan a few days’ vacation and a trip to your university. The atmosphere of the graduation ceremony at Esterházy Castle in Eisenstadt is unforgettable!
How do I get my study materials?
It’s simple! The central study hub is the learning platform – the Online-Campus – on the internet. Submissions, work instructions, information materials, study material can always be found online. Technically, we work with an adapted version of Moodle, one of the world’s most widely-used learning platforms with 88.2 million users in 9.96 million courses worldwide.
The only technical requirement you need for your studies is Internet access on a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone and an internet browser (e.g. Edge, Firefox, Chrome).
Here is you will find a short introduction video of our learning platform:
What can students expect from the online campus?
The Online-Campus is the central study and examination platform. It includes:
What does the typical module structure look like?
Structured, varied texts, which you can either print or work through on screen, form the backbone of each module. The module instructors will introduce you to the topic in a video. They offer an overview of the module contents, the course of a module or expert opinions. Case studies will also be presented as videos within the modules, providing in-depth information and transfer into practice.
The modules are always practice- and application-oriented. In your script, you will find links to company pages (best- or worst-case studies) but also links to YouTube, statistics, associations and the like. This makes it easier for you to put theory into practice immediately – and you can use your knowledge directly for your daily work.
For particularly central topics, there are tips for further reading. Self-checks, interactive tasks and module tasks to be completed round off each module.
From the very beginning, you will also be prepared for writing the master’s thesis and you will be accompanied step by step in a seminar that teaches you to write – from the exposé to the finished work.
How are students supervised during distance learning?
Throughout your studies, a competent team made up of the head of the programme and the module managers will be at your side, . We support you with content issues and organisational questions. We motivate you and look after you in the best possible way from the beginning to your graduation.
What is the language of instruction?
The core texts and materials for the module are completely in the language you selected. Further specialist articles and videos are also available in English in individual cases in the German programme. You should be able to read and understand English, even if you opt for the German programme.
Are there any deadlines?
No! We have no time slots, deadlines or due dates. Just upload your completed module task onto our online campus, whenever you are done. It’s that easy! After the upload, the module managers receive a notification and usually have two weeks for the evaluation and grading. During holidays, we grant the professors up to four weeks reaction time. The maxim of selecting our examination mode is to give you the opportunity to learn even in examination feedback. You will therefore receive detailed feedback on your work.
What happens if an assignment is negative?
Don’t panic! You can take each examination twice by submitting up to two module tasks if necessary. If this does not work, we grant you two further board examinations (oral examinations in front of a board of examiners).
Can I take oral exams?
Yes! True to our motto of “flexible learning”, we also offer “flexible examinations“ and the option to pass modules by way of an oral exam. Please deposit your wish for oral examination with the programme management.
Katharina Schlagenhaufen commutes between Switzerland and Austria and works for an international pharmaceutical company.
Info webinarWho or what is UAS Burgenland?
The University of Applied Sciences Burgenland is a state-recognized university of applied sciences and master’s degree provider for the programs offered by the eLearning Academy. Well over 8,500 graduates in good positions and an employment rate of around 98% prove the high quality of education at the university.
The Austrian Institute of Management (AIM) is a subsidiary of the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland and specializes in online-based, practice-oriented and part-time academic further education. It is responsible for the quality control of the courses offered under its umbrella, including those of the eLearning Academy for Communication.
Do I get a student ID card?
Yes, at the beginning of your studies you are also registered as an extraordinary student of the UAS Burgenland; you receive confirmation of enrolment and a digital student ID.
Is this programme a completely new course of study?
Yes, the programme has been designed based on the findings of developers in Germany and Austria, with a strong focus on market needs. There are similar contents partly in study programmes at other institutions, but there is no identical programme that features this target-oriented package and not in this organisational form. The studies themselves are therefore new, but not the people behind them, who have many years of experience in this segment in Germany and Austria – both in communication practice and in academic teaching.
Our tutors work in relevant scientific fields and apply sound didactic concepts. So, you don’t learn alone, we are there for you and focus on personal exchange.
How up to date are the contents?
They are very topical. The course is constantly being further developed and provided with new contents, including current case videos from practitioners, current tasks of the same in the modules, new scientific findings in the scripts and use cases on the pulse of time, as well as current keynotes can be found on the online platform.
Can I interrupt my studies?
A second child, a new job, illness or relocation?! Unpredictable things can always happen. In this case, talk to us and we will certainly find a solution. In an emergency, you can also interrupt your studies for a few months or up to two semesters and let them rest.
What is the ECTS?
ECTS is an abbreviation for European Credit Transfer System. This system is the currency that measures the size of a study and makes it comparable within Europe, but also within the US. An ECTS point stands for about 25 working hours.
Let’s make the following calculation: At the online Master’s programme Marketing Communication, you must complete 60 ECTS with a positive assessment. 60 ECTS multiplied with 25 hours of work is 1,500 hours. One year has 8,760 hours. If you have a demanding full-time job, you might want to plan two years for your studies. Thus, you can expect approximately 14 hours workload per week. If you take two to four weeks off at a time for a 14 ECTS master thesis (350 hours workload), this time is reduced accordingly.
How much effort goes into writing the master’s thesis and what does it consist of?
The master’s thesis is calculated to be worth 14 ECTS out of the 60 ECTS that make up the program. You should expect to put around 400 hrs of work into writing your thesis.
You choose the subject area of your master’s thesis, but we advise and support you. The master’s thesis is an approximately 60-page-long scientific thesis consisting of two parts: a literature part and a case study. For the literature part, you summarise existing findings on the topic you have chosen, describe them in the case study and examine the chosen topic using an example. If, for example, you have chosen the topic “Crisis communication on Facebook”, investigate in depth an example in which a particularly good crisis communication has been carried out on Facebook.
Why are there ’only’ 60 ECTS points awarded for studying in this programme?
As a rule, you receive 120 ECTS points for a regular full-time master’s programme at an European university. But could you cope with such a high workload while working?
It is up to the universities to decide how many ECTS points they award for master’s degrees – 60, 90 or 120. By the way, in the Anglo-Saxon world, master’s degrees with 60 ECTS are the norm, not the exception.
Above all, the workload is realistically feasible for you in the continuing education programme that has been designed as in-service training. The UAS Burgenland has estimated 60 ECTS points for the Master’s degree “Marketing Communication”.
Is the degree or title accredited?
The successful graduates of the course will receive the academic degree “Master of Arts in Marketing Communication”, abbreviated to “MA” or “MA (Marketing Communication)” (60 ECTS) from the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland.
It is a course for further education, according to § 9 of the Austrian Fachhochschule-Studiengesetz (FHG), as amended. Thus, an academic degree is awarded according to Austrian law, which is generally internationally recognised and manageable.
Is there a graduation ceremony?
Yes! We are very proud of our graduates. Studying part-time is not always easy and we are aware of the potential multiple burden that will be placed on you during this time. The more reason we have to celebrate your graduation. We cordially invite you to celebrate your graduation together with other graduates of the UAS Burgenland in the festive setting of Esterházy Palace.
If you are unable to attend the celebrations, you receive all documents (certificate, diploma, notification) by post after the graduation took place.
What happens if I drop out of my study programme?
No fees will be refunded in the event of termination of studies. This is done for copyright reasons, among other things. Because you receive all documents and contents that you could use, even after leaving the university. Please consider carefully whether you are interested in the contents of the course and do not speculate in advance on dropping out. If you are interested in the contents and the subject matter, we are convinced that you will also graduate positively. We make every effort to make the contents as varied and application-oriented as possible. All our scientific, theoretical models are underpinned with practical examples. For example, we offer videos, case studies and stories as well as many links to best and worst cases from around the world of marketing communications to support the theory. By doing so, we want to ensure that you can understand and apply the content correctly. The module tasks also aim at applying the newly acquired knowledge. This allows you to benefit from the programme in your professional life.
Does the degree qualify as prerequisite for a doctorate?
A master’s degree on its own does not automatically entitle you to be admitted to a doctoral programme.
It is up to the individual universities who they accept for their respective doctoral studies. Admission is possible if the admitting university classifies the course as “equivalent”.
Please note, however, that you will receive 60 ECTS points for our distance learning programme. To be admitted to a doctoral programme, you usually need 120 ECTS. You may have to provide further proof of performance to show the difference when applying for a doctoral place.
Can I have credits for work done previously that counts towards my studies?
The degree Marketing Communication MA can be completed in only 12 months due to the flexible organisation of the course, the time required and the commitment required. The basis for this is the reduced number of ECTS credits (60 instead of 90 or 120) compared to classical master’s programmes. Due to the brevity and compactness of the course, no credits for previously acquired knowledge can be granted.
By when do I have to transfer the tuition into the eLearning Academy account?
According to the terms and conditions, students have four weeks from registration to pay the tuition. If you pay the entire tuition within the first two weeks, you can claim a discount.
Are there any discounts or special conditions?
Yes, in individual cases – these are communicated directly via associations, cooperation partners or the course management. Rebates and discounts can be combined. If you need further information please contact our study advisor.
What does the renewal fee cover?
The participation fee covers four semesters of study (= two semesters of study, plus two semesters buffer). One semester equals six calendar months. If you need more time to complete your studies, you may extend them beyond the two years covered by the tuition and extend for another year by paying the renewal fee. However, the maximum time of enrolment is limited to 36 months. For each extended semester, we charge a handling fee of 290 Euros to cover our administrative costs.
Are there any grants or scholarships?
Our master’s programme Marketing Communication is a course for further education according to § 9 FHG. Therefore, our students unfortunately have little claim to support according to StudFG. However, we recommend the following links for searching for other grants:
Promotion of further training by the AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich): After this, a positive decision by the AMS, course costs, examination fees, teaching aids and ancillary course costs (e.g. travel costs) are promoted (www.ams.at).
The individual provinces organise their support programmes for continuing vocational training in different ways; in Vienna, for example, the Vienna Employee Promotion Fund (waff) is entrusted with this task (www.waff.at).
Tax law in Austria and Germany also allows you to reduce your training costs. You can deduct tuition fees, but also costs for teaching materials and possibly travel expenses in connection with continuing vocational education and training. It is worth asking your tax advisor which refunds you can expect.
Student grants from Deutsche Bildung AG: Private individuals can apply to Deutsche Bildung AG for student grants of up to 25,000 euros (for master’s and MBA students). The loan is granted for a period of three months or more at any time during study, but for a maximum of six semesters. The payout instalments can be determined flexibly, the repayment is made between three and ten years proportionate to future income. In addition, there is all-round support with the “WissenPlus” support programme. Further information and contact details at: www.deutschebildung.de.
The educational leave offers the possibility to interrupt the professional activity for 2 to 12 months. During this period, a training allowance equal to the unemployment benefit is paid by the Labour Market Service. Another new model is part-time education.
In a sabbatical model, for example, the salary is divided from four years to five years. Thus, a constant income is also guaranteed during the time of the “vacation” (thus in the 5th year), which you can use for your studies.
Do employers help with financing?
Talk to your employer if you have decided to attend the course. In many cases, employers (both small and large companies) support our students or even pay the entire course fee.
