This 18-month, part-time Executive MBA is designed for experienced professionals who want to deepen their management capabilities without pausing their careers. Delivered in English, the programme combines a general management curriculum with a strong entrepreneurial perspective and culminates in the completion of a Master’s thesis. The course emphasises systematic development of soft skills, strategic leadership and intercultural competence to prepare participants for senior management roles.
Learning is participant-centred and built around real-world case studies (following the Harvard case method), extensive teamwork and class discussions, and regular group presentations. Participants receive personalised leadership coaching and benefit from an international component (“International Week”) that broadens global outlooks. Teaching is provided by a blend of academic faculty and seasoned industry practitioners, and the programme is supported by a substantial alumni network that enhances professional connections and career opportunities.
The part-time format allows students to combine study with ongoing employment or professional commitments, while the English delivery and intercultural focus make it accessible and relevant to an international cohort. The emphasis on applied cases, leadership development and networking is particularly useful for professionals seeking to accelerate careers across borders.
This part-time Executive MBA is delivered across three semesters that combine core management disciplines with practical, applied learning designed for experienced professionals. Semester One builds a foundation in broad business thinking through modules in General Management & Entrepreneurship, Global Economics & the Digital Society, and Competitive Strategy & Marketing. Semester Two deepens functional expertise with Finance & Accounting, Leadership & Organisational Behaviour, and Innovation & Change Management, alongside a required elective week that provides concentrated, real-world exposure. Semester Three focuses on governance and decision-making with Organisational Governance & Operations Management, Negotiations & Ethics in Business, and concludes with a substantial thesis project.
Key modules are chosen to develop both strategic perspective and hands-on capabilities. You will learn to craft competitive strategies, assess financial performance, lead organisational change, and manage innovation in digitally connected markets. Negotiation and business ethics training sharpen your stakeholder management and moral reasoning, while governance and operations work strengthens your ability to design robust organisational processes. The programme emphasizes translating theory into practice: the thesis may be executed as a consultancy assignment, an entrepreneurial business plan, or a research project to address concrete organisational challenges.
The elective format and cohort model enhance international and peer learning. The elective week is a compact, week-long course held either in Frankfurt or in a major business or innovation hub abroad; at least one elective week is required and students may choose additional electives. Because the cohort travels and studies together, the class collectively decides which elective options to take—popular choices have included a Block Week in Frankfurt and an International Week Abroad—creating concentrated networking opportunities and cross-border perspectives.
Requirements (curriculum-related)
This part-time programme targets seasoned business executives who want to deepen their management knowledge, strengthen leadership capabilities, and expand their professional networks across different industries. It involves a demanding course of study designed to challenge experienced professionals while enabling them to continue working.
As a candidate, you should be prepared for rigorous academic work alongside your job and for active participation in peer learning and networking activities that broaden industry perspectives. International applicants should ensure their prior qualifications are documented and, where necessary, assessed for equivalence.
Admission requirements
Winter Semester (International)
31 July 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 July 2026
Graduates are prepared to move into senior management and leadership roles across industries, leveraging strengthened strategic, financial and people-management skills. The programme’s practical focus, case-based training and personalised leadership coaching support career transitions into executive positions, entrepreneurship, consultancy or higher-responsibility roles within global organisations.
The cohort model and extensive alumni network also provide substantial opportunities for professional networking, business development and cross-industry connections that can accelerate career progression.
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