Overview This consecutive, English-language Master's program builds on the business foundations students acquire in related bachelor's degrees and deepens their knowledge in contemporary business studies and international management. The curriculum equips graduates with the skills and qualifications required for specialist and leadership roles in international companies and organisations, enabling them to handle complex managerial responsibilities at an advanced level.
The program places strong emphasis on practical relevance and real-world challenges in international management, combined with a highly international classroom environment. Small, diverse cohorts and up-to-date course content prepare students to respond to a constantly changing global business landscape and to work effectively across cultures and markets.
Teaching methods are varied and interactive, including lectures, case studies, management simulations, team and project work, presentations and written assignments. Small-group formats encourage close interaction with lecturers and peer discussion, while both collaborative and individual study are integrated throughout the program.
Students also benefit from personalised support and a practice-oriented learning environment that balances theory and application. The programme follows the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and offers structured academic guidance, a buddy system for new students, and a mix of face-to-face and e-learning formats delivered by experienced instructors with management backgrounds.
Key features
This full-time Master's programme is a 120 ECTS course of study that balances intensive classroom teaching with a substantial independent-study component. Across the first three semesters you follow a fixed semester schedule made up of six courses each (30 ECTS per semester), delivered mainly as lectures. The final, fourth semester is dedicated to an independent Master's thesis worth 30 ECTS, which provides the opportunity to investigate a topic in depth and demonstrate advanced research ability.
Key modules span three areas: core international business management, general competence training, and student-selected electives. Core modules (three each semester) build advanced knowledge in international business management—covering topics such as global strategy, cross-border operations, and international marketing. General-competence modules (one per semester) focus on transferable skills: teamwork and social skills, professional communication, and research methods. The two elective slots per semester let you tailor the programme to your interests and career goals by choosing from a range of specialized subjects.
Learning outcomes include mastery of theoretical and practical tools for managing businesses in international contexts, improved interpersonal and communication abilities, and robust methodological skills for empirical research. The thesis semester consolidates these outcomes: you will plan and execute an independent research project, apply appropriate methods, and present your findings in a scholarly format. For full module descriptions and the detailed study plan, consult the programme’s module handbook and structure documentation.
Program structure — key facts
This master’s program requires a completed Bachelor's degree (or internationally equivalent qualification) with a strong focus on business or economics. Your undergraduate curriculum should be substantially related to the field—at least 80% of your courses must cover business and/or economics topics. You will also need to prove language skills in both English and German at the CEFR levels specified below.
There are specific degree-recognition rules for applicants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Please check these rules carefully when preparing your application documents. You should be prepared to submit official transcripts and credentials that clearly show the duration and structure of your prior degrees so the admissions office can verify equivalence.
Finally, you must provide certified proof of English proficiency at CEFR level C1 and German proficiency at CEFR level A1. If anything about your academic background or language documentation is borderline or unclear, contact the admissions office early to request a pre-evaluation.
Winter Semester (International)
1 April 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Graduates are prepared for specialised and leadership roles in international companies and organisations. The programme’s focus on international management, practical projects, management simulations and intercultural skills equips alumni for positions in areas such as international business development, strategy, project and operations management, consulting, and roles within multinational firms or international institutions.
The combination of advanced business knowledge, language competence (English/C1, basic German/A1), and the international study environment also supports careers that require cross-border collaboration, expatriate assignments, or further academic study in management-related fields.
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