MBA International Business Management & Sustainability

This part-time, five-semester Master of Arts programme prepares graduates from both business and non-business backgrounds for leadership positions that balance economic performance with social and ecological responsibility. Taught in English, the curriculum emphasises sustainable, value-based decision-making across organisations and markets, equipping participants with the knowledge to understand sustainability’s social, economic and environmental dimensions in an international context.

The programme develops leadership skills at multiple levels — from self-leadership to steering teams and organisations — and places strong emphasis on personal growth, resilience, intercultural competence and career development. Students also build social and stakeholder-management abilities for diverse, multicultural settings, and gain practical technical and methodological tools for sustainable business management. Analytical and decision-making skills are strengthened with a focus on transformation strategies and effective communication in English.

Designed with working professionals in mind, the programme combines individual and group coaching, a collaborative “Innovation Lounge” for innovation and change projects, and hands-on elements such as an international study week and a sustainability-focused capstone project. German language courses are included in the tuition, and students can choose double-degree pathways with partner universities in Canada (BCIT) and Thailand (SIIT). Optional job-search and career workshops connect participants with regional companies to support professional transition and networking.

Requirements / key facts

• Target participants: graduates from business and non-business fields
• Degree: Master of Arts
• Study mode: part-time
• Duration: five semesters
• Language of instruction: English
• German language courses included in tuition fees
• Programme features: individual and group coaching; Innovation Lounge for change and innovation projects
• Practical components: international study week; sustainability-focused capstone project
• Double-degree options: partner institutions in Canada (BCIT) and Thailand (SIIT)
• Career support: voluntary job-search and career workshops with regional company links

Curriculum overview

This Master of Arts in Business Administration combines foundations in research, finance and process management with applied international business, sustainability and leadership modules, spread across four semesters. The programme moves from individual academic and methodological grounding in the first semester to international project work and compliance in the second, strategic and value-chain perspectives in the third, and applied digital, organisational and thesis work in the final semester.

Key modules and learning outcomes

• Semester 1 — Academic Writing & Empirical Research Methods; Controlling & Finance Management; Integrated Business Process Management; Behavioural Science and Leading Yourself
  • Gain academic research and writing skills, quantitative and qualitative empirical methods, and financial controlling knowledge. Develop personal leadership awareness and foundational process-management capabilities.
• Semester 2 — International Business Project; International Economic Structures & Compliance; International Project Management & Sustainability; Behavioural Science and Leading People
  • Learn to design and deliver international projects, understand global economic frameworks and compliance issues, and integrate sustainability into project management. Advance people-leadership skills for multicultural teams.
• Semester 3 — International Value Chain Management; Strategic Management; Sustainable Business Models & Innovations
  • Build expertise in managing cross-border value chains, formulate corporate strategy, and create or adapt business models with sustainability and innovation at their core.
• Semester 4 — Digital Transformation & Business Development; Key Account Management; Leading Sustainable Organisations; Master's seminar & thesis
  • Apply digital transformation and business development tools, master strategic account management, and lead organisations toward sustainability. Culminate learning in a master’s seminar and thesis.
• Electives (chooseable) — Sustainable Capstone Project; Strategic Career Development with Purpose & Resilience
  • Opportunity to specialize further in a sustainability-focused capstone or in career strategy and resilience.

Program features (concise)

• Degree awarded: Master of Arts (field: Business Administration)
• Structure: Four semesters, combining coursework, applied projects and a master’s thesis
• Electives available: Sustainable Capstone Project; Strategic Career Development with Purpose & Resilience
• Language support: German language classes for international students are included in the programme fees

What you will be able to do by graduation

• Conduct academic empirical research and present findings professionally
• Analyse and manage financial and controlling functions within organisations
• Plan and run international projects with attention to compliance and sustainability
• Design sustainable business models and lead innovation across value chains
• Drive digital transformation, manage key accounts, and lead organisations toward long-term sustainability

Graduates are prepared for leadership and management roles where sustainability and international business intersect—examples include sustainability manager, project or programme manager for international initiatives, strategic business developer, or key account manager in global firms. The programme’s mix of technical, methodological and behavioural training enables alumni to take on roles that require cross-functional coordination, stakeholder management and transformation leadership.

Practical features such as the Innovation Lounge, capstone projects, career workshops and regional company links help students build a professional network and transfer classroom learning into workplace impact. The option to earn a double degree and the international study week further strengthen global employability.