International Business Management (MSc)

This master's builds on core business administration concepts and applied practice to deepen your understanding of international management. It covers both strategic and operational perspectives and places strong emphasis on project-based learning. The programme prepares graduates for roles in internationally active companies and organisations, as well as for management-level positions.

Learning is practical and problem-focused: you will work on practice-based projects that require creative, solution-oriented approaches. The curriculum uses a variety of contemporary teaching methods to develop analytical and problem-solving skills, and guest speakers from industry bring real-world perspectives into the classroom. Students are also taught academic methodology to ensure systematic, research-informed work alongside applied tasks.

The programme fosters cooperative learning in an explicitly international setting — courses are taught in English, the student body is internationally mixed, and there are regular exchanges with peers and faculty. Through electives and specialisations the content goes beyond traditional business topics to address current global challenges. You can choose to specialise in International Management, which includes an international study visit, or in Digital Business Management & Leadership, which includes a digital business safari in Berlin.

Key facts and features

• Language of instruction: English
• Project- and practice-based curriculum with strategic and operational focus
• Emphasis on cooperative learning, guest speakers, and real-world application
• Training in scholarly methodology alongside applied problem solving
• International student body and regular exchanges with faculty and peers
• Specialisations:
  • International Management — includes an international study visit
  • Digital Business Management & Leadership — includes a digital business safari in Berlin

Curriculum overview

This MSc is built around 12 taught modules (each assessed by an exam) plus a supervised master's thesis in the final semester. The taught part delivers broad, cross-sector and cross-functional management knowledge with an international focus. Teaching combines lecture-based input with practice-based projects and team work to develop analytical problem-solving that factors in cultural differences, fosters creative solution-finding, and strengthens project-management capabilities and personal career development.

The taught programme runs across two semesters: the first (September–December) covers core foundations in international business environment, operations and information management, people and organisations, finance and accounting, marketing, and an initial personal development module. The second semester (January–May) deepens strategy and research skills, continues personal development, and allows specialisation through a dedicated module plus two electives. The third semester (June–October) is reserved for the master’s thesis and graduation.

Learning outcomes focus on:

• Applying analytical frameworks to international management problems while accounting for cultural and contextual factors
• Working in teams to design creative, practice-based solutions and managing projects to completion
• Developing career-ready professional skills through personal-development modules and applied coursework
• Conducting independent research culminating in a master’s thesis

Key modules & structure (concise)

• Total taught modules: 12 (each ends with an exam)
• Semester 1 (Sept–Dec):
  • International Business Environment
  • Operations and Information Management
  • Managing People and Organisations
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Personal Development I
• Semester 2 (Jan–May):
  • International Business Strategy
  • Personal Development II
  • Research Methodology
  • Specialisation module (choose one track) plus two electives within that specialisation
• Specialisation options (examples of electives):
  • International Management: Consulting & Project Management; Media Marketing; Entrepreneurship; Hospitality Management
  • Digital Business Management & Leadership: Digital Market Management; Digital Supply Chain Management & Smart Operations; E‑Commerce & E‑Retailing
• Semester 3 (June–Oct):
  • Master’s thesis (research project leading to graduation)

Graduates are prepared for management and specialist roles in internationally active companies and organisations, including positions in international management, consulting, project management, marketing, digital business and supply chain roles. The programme’s applied projects, specialisations and industry links (guest speakers, study visit, option to do a company-based thesis) increase employability for roles in consulting firms, multinational corporations, digital and e‑commerce businesses, hospitality and service sectors.

The mix of strategic and operational training, plus electives in areas such as digital market management and smart operations, also supports transitions into leadership or specialist roles (e.g., digital product manager, international strategy analyst) and provides a foundation for further professional development or executive education.