This MSc programme prepares graduates with a business-related Bachelor's degree to become proficient marketing and brand managers. You will learn how to create distinctive brand identities, develop sustainable competitive advantages, and design strategic brand positioning. The curriculum covers planning and implementing comprehensive communication strategies so you can steer a brand’s market presence from concept through execution.
Teaching is practice-oriented and led by industry professionals. Coursework includes project work and real-world case studies, supported by interactive classes, workshops, guest lectures, and field trips. These elements are integrated to build both the strategic thinking and hands-on skills that employers seek in marketing and brand management roles.
Requirements
This four-semester Master’s programme combines in-depth marketing theory with hands-on brand management practice. In the first two semesters you build a solid foundation through core courses such as Strategic Marketing Management, Brand Theory & Corporate Brand Strategy, Brand Architecture & Positioning, and Innovation Management & Design Thinking. Leadership, advanced project management and rigorous research training (Quantitative & Qualitative Methods for Business) are integrated so you learn both the strategic and analytical skills marketers need today.
The third semester is designed to let you specialise or gain practical experience. You can choose an elective that broadens your profile—options include Corporate Finance; Sustainability Management & CSR in a Global Context; Entrepreneurship; or International Relations & Current World Affairs. Instead of an elective you may also take an internship to apply your learning in a workplace, or spend the semester abroad to deepen your international perspective.
You finish the degree by researching and writing a Master’s thesis that demonstrates subject-matter expertise and independent research ability. Graduates will be equipped to develop and manage brand strategies, lead marketing and innovation projects, apply quantitative and qualitative analysis to business problems, and pursue roles that require both creative and evidence-based decision-making.
Key modules (core)
Third-semester options / programme requirements (concise)
Eligibility overview
To qualify for this Master’s programme you must hold a completed Bachelor’s degree worth at least 180 credit points. The programme also requires a sufficient foundation in management or business administration from your undergraduate studies.
Specifically, your Bachelor’s transcript must show at least 60 credit points in management/business-administration subjects. If you have fewer than 60 credit points in these areas, you will need to pass an admissions test to make up the difference. Applicants who have not yet finished their Bachelor’s degree may still be admitted conditionally if they have already completed at least 80% of the required credit points for their Bachelor’s programme.
If you are currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s programme at Hochschule Fresenius and meet the conditional-entry rule, note that you only begin paying the Master’s tuition on a monthly basis once you officially start the Master’s programme. International applicants whose degree uses a different credit system should check how their credits are evaluated for equivalency.
Admission requirements (bullet points)
Winter Semester (International)
It is possible to submit applications all year round.
Graduates are prepared for roles as brand managers, product managers, marketing managers, brand strategists, and marketing consultants within companies, agencies, or consultancies. The programme’s emphasis on brand positioning, communication planning and implementation equips alumni to lead brand development, manage cross-functional marketing projects and drive long-term competitive advantage for organisations.
Practical training, projects and optional internships enhance employability across sectors (consumer goods, services, B2B, digital businesses). Graduates may also move into leadership or specialist roles in brand strategy, innovation management, marketing analytics and corporate communications, or pursue further research or MBA pathways.
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