This two-year Master of Arts programme is specifically built to prepare students to promote and develop Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and to deepen their entrepreneurship expertise. It is among a small number of graduate programmes worldwide that concentrate explicitly on strengthening SMEs. The course work and learning objectives focus on identifying growth and innovation opportunities within SMEs and on designing strategic, creative interventions that produce positive effects on their business ecosystems.
The curriculum is informed by the experience of Germany’s Mittelstand—its successful SME sector—providing practical insights into how SMEs can be supported and developed. Graduates leave ready to take on strategic decision-making roles that support SME growth and nurture innovative entrepreneurs, with particular applicability to knowledge-intensive business services.
A notable element of the programme is its close connection to SMEs across the globe, which enables teaching to include real-world case studies and practice-oriented projects. Teaching staff combine resident and visiting lecturers, many of whom work as consultants in their fields, ensuring that academic learning is closely linked to current practice. For detailed application information, please consult the programme website.
This four-semester program combines development economics, entrepreneurship and small/medium enterprise (SME) management with applied research and practical experience. The first semester lays the theoretical and practical foundation through modules on development economics, entrepreneurship management and SME development strategies — including a reading course and a guided field trip to German development and business promotion institutions. In the second semester students choose two elective modules tailored to their interests while completing a compulsory course in research methodology and project management, plus an internship.
The elective options let you deepen technical or managerial skills: choices cover innovation management, SME marketing, SME finance and competence development (leadership, knowledge management, organisational learning). Practical elements such as business model development, drafting a business plan, tools for innovation management, financial planning and market research prepare you for hands-on SME work. The internship (minimum six weeks) and subsequent field research in the third semester provide applied exposure to real organisations and contexts.
The program culminates in a fourth-semester Master’s Colloquium and advanced data analysis module, participation in the SEPT colloquium, and submission of a Master’s thesis. Throughout, emphasis is on research methods, data analysis and project management so you can design and execute an independent applied research project that addresses SME development challenges.
This program seeks candidates with a solid academic foundation, practical work experience, and strong quantitative and digital skills. Applicants should be able to demonstrate English language ability and comfort with common office and statistical software. The selection emphasizes both theoretical grounding in economics and hands‑on experience relevant to small enterprise promotion and training.
There are a few country-specific verification rules you should note before applying. Some national credential verification or embassy certification procedures are mandatory for applicants from certain countries — please check the program’s language and document requirements page for detailed instructions and accepted proof of English proficiency.
Admission requirements (summary)
Country-specific requirements
Winter Semester (International)
15 March 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 March 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles in SME promotion and support, entrepreneurship development, consultancy and advisory services, and knowledge-intensive business services. Typical employers include development agencies, national and regional SME support organisations, international organisations, private consultancies and incubators.
The programme’s practical components—internships, field research, case studies and connections with SME partners—equip students with applied skills for project management, policy design, business model development and innovation management in both public and private sector contexts.
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