Master of Business Administration (MBA) Renewables Berliner Hochschule für Technik

MBA Renewables is the first and only distance-learning MBA programme focusing on renewable energy and energy efficiency. This international online study programme has been jointly offered by Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT) and the Renewables Academy since 2011.

This part-time programme includes online modules as well as the opportunity to complete a Master’s thesis over the course of two and a half years.

Join other professionals from all over the world in this programme and gain economic, technical, legal, political, and organisational expertise tailored to the specific needs of emerging renewable energy markets. This highly regarded and accredited MBA programme will help you to enhance your career prospects.

The curriculum covers the following subjects:

• RE technologies: photovoltaics, wind power, bioenergy, renewable hydrogen – systems and applications
• Energy management and energy efficiency
• Law and energy policy
• Management and leadership skills
• Marketing and project management
• Accounting and financing
• Business plan development and entrepreneurship

Our programme has been designed to meet the needs of students who are studying while they are working. It provides flexibility enabling students to decide when, where, and how to learn.

Career prospectives

The programme is designed to equip future leaders with modern and advanced interdisciplinary management skills necessary for executive positions in the highly globalised market of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Possible career paths unfold both upstream and downstream of green energy value chains, including the following: project finance and consultancy, manufacturing, project development and implementation, or working with governmental entities, NGOs, utilities or grid operators.

On-campus time

The optional practical training module on "Advanced Practical RE and EE Implementation" gives students the chance to spend one week on campus in Berlin and deepen their knowledge by participating in hands-on training, theory lessons, field trips and group work. The elective is a good opportunity for networking and getting to know fellow students.

MBA Renewables Curriculum

First semester

• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Systems and Concepts
• Energy Policy and Economic Framework
• Accounting

Second semester

• International Business Law
• Energy Investment and Financing
• Elective 1

Third semester

• Energy Project Management
• Marketing Analysis and Instruments
• Human Resources and People Management

Fourth semester

• International Management
• Integrated Business Plan Development
• Advanced Research Methods
• Elective 2

Fifth semester

• Master's Thesis (five months)
• Oral Master's Examination

Elective courses (two out of four)

• Advanced Practical Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Implementation (including one week on campus in Berlin)
• Entrepreneurship
• Renewable Hydrogen – Power-to-X
• Energy Management and Energy Efficiency

Total number of ECTS credits (including Master's thesis): 90 CP

Each module ends with a final examination that covers the topics and concepts included in that module. Examinations can be written exams, online quizzes, or group presentations.

MBA Renewables demo course

You can become familiar with the course organisation and the online learning platform Moodle by visiting the MBA Renewables demo course. On the page that opens, you need to choose “Gast” instead of “Moodle-Account”. You can find our up-to-date teaching materials there, as well as the new, innovative, interactive learning formats we have introduced, including podcasts, dialogue cards and reflection exercises. 

MBA Renewables Master's thesis

In their Master’s theses, the MBA Renewables students examine various aspects of renewable energy and energy efficiency and relate them to business and managements topics. An overview of previous Master’s theses can be found on the MBA Renewables website, including abstracts and more information about the graduates’ background.

Renewables Academy (RENAC) AG

University degree

One of the admission requirements is a first university degree that is equivalent to 210 credits according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) – 210 credits equate to a workload of 6,300 study hours. For applicants with less than 210 credits, the programme director will determine what additional coursework the student would need to complete once accepted into the programme. Another option can be the recognition of previous professional experience.

Professional experience

Applicants need at least one to two years of professional experience in any field, after completing their first academic degree and before starting the MBA programme.

Examination fees and enrolment fees are included in the tuition fee.

MBA Renewables is studied entirely online. It is not necessary to live in Germany in order to attend the programme. Accommodation and travel costs for the optional one week on-campus time are not covered by tuition fees.

Berliner Hochschule für Technik offers a career service for students including workshops, networking, assessment training, etc. Both the Berliner Hochschule für Technik and RENAC staff provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the study process.

In addition to that, the MBA Renewables Advisory Board, formed of highly experienced professionals active at different levels of the renewable energy value chain worldwide, functions as a platform of exchange between students, graduates and the green industry.

The motto of Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT) is "Study the Future!", which perfectly encapsulates our aims. The university follows a practical hands-on teaching and applied research approach. BHT’s roots date back to the 19th century, but its present form was established in 1971 when several engineering colleges, including Beuth Engineering School, were united to create the Berliner Hochschule für Technik.

BHT offers the widest range of courses in applied engineering, applied sciences and applied economics in the whole Berlin region. The high quality of the courses is reflected in the numerous prizes awarded for excellent degree results. There are over 70 accredited and innovative Bachelor and Master’s courses at BHT, some of which are available online or as blended courses.

35% of the 12,096 students at Berliner Hochschule für Technik are female. The practical, top-quality courses, leading to professional qualifications, demonstrate the university’s cutting-edge profile. Prospective students join an outstanding university and our industrial partners worldwide gain the benefit of our practical expertise.

The Institute of Distance Learning at Berliner Hochschule für Technik has provided the highest quality and competency in further training and study programmes via distance learning for more than 30 years. The range of courses comprises six postgraduate Master’s programmes and several training courses.

For updates, follow the Institute of Distance Learning on LinkedIn.

RENAC empowers individuals and institutions worldwide through high-quality training in renewable energy, energy efficiency and green finance. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, we have been preparing professionals worldwide to lead the global renewable energy transition for over 15 years.

Learn more about RENAC.

Berlin's colleges and universities have long taken an international approach. The number of integrated international courses of study and courses taught in English that award internationally recognised degrees, such as Bachelor's and Master's degrees, is constantly on the rise. Sixty-five institutes address other cultures and economic areas, while more than 60 non-European languages are taught and researched here. Integrated international courses of study and courses of study offered in cooperation with partners abroad are a special option at several colleges and universities. Berlin's colleges and universities have nearly 500 cooperation agreements with partners abroad.