This full-time, AACSB-accredited MBA is designed for international professionals aiming to advance their careers in Germany or elsewhere in Europe. The programme combines an international outlook with strong industry relevance, helping participants build the management skills and confidence needed to take on leadership roles. Teaching is delivered in English and class sizes are deliberately small to encourage active participation, close peer interaction and personalised learning.
The core curriculum is organised into six thematic clusters covering key management areas, accompanied by intensive German language instruction to support integration into the German workplace. In the second semester students continue developing their German and receive targeted coaching in academic writing and business research methods to prepare for their company report and final thesis. Students also select four electives from a choice of 10 contemporary management subjects taught by industry practitioners.
A mandatory, three-month in-company project/placement gives students the opportunity to apply their learning to real business challenges; this is followed by a three-month thesis. Placements range from startups to multinational organisations and may be based outside Germany. ESB maintains about 50 corporate partners and past student projects have included companies such as smart Europe GmbH, Mercedes‑Benz AG, Allianz Technology SE, Henkel AG, Genesis Motor Europe GmbH, Audi AG, ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Zoi TechCon GmbH. Graduates typically move into management roles across functions such as marketing and product management, business or strategy development, key account management, controlling, consulting, international sales and trade, procurement, logistics and supply chain, or tech start‑up development—often influenced by their prior professional experience.
Key facts / requirements
This curriculum builds a broad foundation in core management disciplines during the first semester and then lets you tailor your studies through electives and language/research training in the second semester, finishing with a practical company project and an academic master's thesis. Core modules cover quantitative skills (Business in Numbers: Accounting and Finance, Fundamentals of Accounting, Fundamentals of Corporate Finance), market-facing functions (Marketing Management, Managing Demand and Supply, Supply Chain Management), and strategic and organisational perspectives (Business Strategy, Strategising the Future, Understanding Markets and Environments). Modules on people, leadership and the legal context—Managing People and Culture, Leading People and Change, Managing Across Cultures, Legal Frameworks of Management—prepare you to operate in diverse, international teams. German 1 or a chosen business language course starts your language preparation for working in Germany or with German-speaking partners.
In the second semester you deepen analytical and research capabilities with Business Research Methods and continue language study (German 2 / Business Language 2). You also choose four electives from a wide menu that enable specialisation—examples include Lean Enterprise Management, Negotiating across Borders, Data-Driven Marketing and Data Analytics and Decision Making. Electives span sustainability, DEI, organisational transformation, international sales and circular-economy business models, letting you develop sector-specific knowledge or technical skills for data-driven roles.
The third semester focuses on applying what you’ve learned: an Enterprise Project and Colloquium give hands-on experience solving real business challenges, while the Master’s Thesis demonstrates independent research competence. Overall learning outcomes include: ability to interpret financial information and make corporate finance decisions; design and execute marketing, supply chain and strategic initiatives; lead and manage across cultures; apply data and research methods to business problems; and deliver practical solutions through project work and scholarly writing—skills that boost employability in international management roles.
Requirements and key components
Below is a clear summary of the documents, test scores and qualifications required for admission, plus a few practical notes for applicants.
You will need to submit basic application materials and meet the test-score and experience criteria. Admissions also include a selection interview during which your motivation and professional background will be assessed. Prepare to provide official copies of your degree and to verify your work experience when requested.
Required items and conditions:
Tip: be ready to document and verify employment dates and roles for the two years of post‑bachelor professional experience, and to discuss your motivation and career goals in the interview.
Winter Semester (International)
15 June 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
1 August 2026
Graduates typically move into management and specialist roles across sectors such as marketing and product management, business and strategy development, key account management, controlling and consultancy. Other common paths include international and global sales, trade, procurement, logistics and fulfilment, supply chain management, and tech start‑up development.
The compulsory enterprise project and ESB’s corporate network often create direct links to employers in Germany and beyond, supporting transition into leadership roles in multinational firms or specialised functional careers depending on each student’s prior experience.
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Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts — Dortmund
Furtwangen University — Villingen-Schwenningen
Harz University of Applied Sciences — Wernigerode