This International MBA is a dual-degree, 18-month programme taught in English that takes place across two countries and an international cohort of classmates. The curriculum moves beyond narrow trade topics to encourage critical thinking about what makes organisations competitive on the global stage. Learning is practice-oriented and shaped around students’ career goals and the diverse opportunities graduates pursue.
In the first semester, all students complete a shared set of core modules at either Bremen University of Applied Sciences or one of the International Business School Alliance (IBSA) partner universities. For the specialisation and the Master’s thesis, students relocate to a second IBSA university in a different country. The core modules—identical at every partner—are:
For the second and third semesters students may choose the Sustainable Risk Management specialisation offered at ESSCA School of Management in Paris, France. This track links international management with sustainability topics in a globalised context, providing practical tools and working knowledge to analyse and respond to social, economic, technological and environmental risks. The specialisation aims to prepare graduates as responsible business leaders who can integrate sustainability into business strategies and manage people ethically within organisations.
Program requirements / key points
The programme begins with a common core semester covering essential international business topics. Core modules (identical across IBSA partners) include:
After completing core coursework at one partner university, students move to a second IBSA university for the specialisation and the master’s thesis. The Sustainable Risk Management specialisation at ESSCA (Paris) focuses on integrating sustainability into international management practice. Key learning outcomes include:
Students who specialise at ESSCA must complete a mandatory four-month internship during the specialisation period, giving practical experience to complement the classroom and thesis work.
Entry requirements
This program is intended for applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree in business administration or a closely related field. “Equivalent” degrees—such as bachelor’s qualifications in management, economics, or other business‑related disciplines that the admissions office recognizes as comparable—will also be considered.
In addition to academic credentials, candidates must bring practical workplace experience. The program expects at least two years of professional experience demonstrating that you have applied business concepts in a real‑world setting. When you apply, be prepared to document your degree and work history (for example, with transcripts and a CV) so the admissions team can verify equivalency and relevance.
Required documents (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
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Graduates are prepared for leadership roles that combine international management competence with sustainability and risk-management expertise. The programme's dual-degree structure, international mobility and practical focus (including a mandatory four-month internship in the ESSCA specialisation) equip students for positions in multinational corporations, sustainability and ESG departments, risk-management teams, consulting firms, and international organisations.
Alumni can expect to pursue roles such as sustainability manager, corporate risk analyst, ESG consultant, international business development manager, or policy advisor on sustainability-related issues. The combination of academic coursework, cross-border experience and applied internship experience enhances employability in both private and public sectors focused on sustainable business practices and ethical organisational management.
HWR Berlin (Berlin School of Economics and Law) — Berlin
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts — Dortmund
Furtwangen University — Villingen-Schwenningen
Harz University of Applied Sciences — Wernigerode