MA in Luxury, Fashion & Sales Management

Overview

This Master’s programme blends core business administration training with a specialised focus on fashion and luxury management — covering areas such as fashion management and marketing, retail, purchasing, and sales in the luxury and consumer goods sectors. While the curriculum concentrates on the fashion industry, it also addresses the broader luxury market (from furniture to automotive), and examines complex value chains, diverse sales strategies and operational concepts. Digital channels are treated as equally important to traditional retail, and the programme is completed with modules in marketing and brand management.

Structure and practical experience

Taught entirely in English and starting only in the winter semester (end of September), the course is designed to be career-oriented and internationally connected. It is AACSB accredited and includes a semester abroad at an ISM partner university in Europe or overseas. Teaching is practice-focused, delivered by industry experts and managers, and supplemented by workshops, company excursions and twelve weeks of compulsory internships to build hands-on experience. The standard duration is four semesters, with a Fast Track option to finish in three semesters for candidates holding around 210 ECTS from their bachelor’s degree. Students can also opt for an accredited double degree with partner universities in countries such as France, the United States, Spain or Australia.

Key facts / requirements

• Language of instruction: English
• Start: Winter semester only (end of September)
• Standard duration: 4 semesters; Fast Track possible (3 semesters) if approx. 210 ECTS from Bachelor’s (check Fast Track eligibility)
• Accreditation: Internationally AACSB accredited
• International component: One semester abroad at a partner university (Europe or overseas)
• Practical training: 12 weeks of compulsory internships, plus workshops and company excursions
• Teaching staff: Practitioners and managers from the business world
• Optional: Accredited double degree with partner universities in France, USA, Spain, Australia, etc.
• Curriculum highlights: Fashion management, luxury and consumer goods sectors, value chains, sales concepts, e-commerce, retail, purchasing, marketing and brand management

This master’s curriculum blends core business administration with specialist training for careers in marketing, trading, purchasing and sales of luxury and consumer goods. In the first two semesters you study management fundamentals alongside industry-focused modules that develop the commercial and brand-oriented skills needed to operate in luxury and consumer markets. The third semester is devoted to study abroad at one of the programme’s partner universities (in Europe or overseas), and the fourth semester is focused on writing the master’s thesis.

Practical learning is built into the programme through project work, excursions and a twelve-week practical phase, giving you hands-on experience in real business settings. Many teaching staff bring direct industry experience and currently work with brands such as Montblanc, Hugo Boss or Procter & Gamble. There is also the option to pursue an international double degree for additional global exposure.

Key modules (examples)

• Core business management modules covering strategy, finance and organisational behavior
• Specialized modules in luxury brand management, marketing and consumer behaviour
• Trade, purchasing and sales modules tailored to luxury and consumer-goods markets
• Project-based modules and applied coursework linked to industry cases

Typical learning outcomes

• Ability to apply management theory to the luxury and consumer-goods sectors
• Practical skills for marketing, trading, purchasing and selling premium products
• Experience in international business environments via semester abroad or double degree
• Enhanced professional readiness through a 12-week practical phase, industry projects and excursions
• Research competence demonstrated by completion of the master’s thesis

Programme structure & requirements (curriculum-related)

• Semesters 1–2: core and specialized taught modules combining theory and applied skills
• Semester 3: semester abroad at an ISM partner university (Europe or overseas)
• Semester 4: completion of the master’s thesis
• Integrated 12-week practical phase plus project work and excursions
• Teaching staff with practical industry experience (e.g., Montblanc, Hugo Boss, Procter & Gamble)
• Option to complete an international double degree

Graduates are prepared for management roles in the luxury, fashion and consumer goods sectors, including positions in brand management, retail management, purchasing/procurement, sales management, marketing and e-commerce. The programme’s sectoral breadth allows entry into related industries such as furniture or automotive luxury divisions as well as specialist roles in omnichannel retail and digital sales.

Practical elements—such as the compulsory 12-week internship, company excursions, practitioner lecturers, semester abroad and optional double degree—support employability and international mobility. These features, together with AACSB accreditation and industry project work, help graduates build professional networks and develop skills sought by international luxury and fashion employers.