Double Master's Programme in Business Administration – Master of Science

This double Master's programme lets you earn two separate Master's degrees by studying at two highly regarded universities. All students begin their studies at the University of Cologne and then continue at one of the programme’s partner institutions to complete the second degree. The structure is designed to combine the strengths of both universities and to give you formal recognition from each.

There are multiple programme pathways so you can align your studies with specific academic interests and career goals. Available specialisations include Corporate Development, Finance, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management — each offered in combination with different partner universities. Before applying, review the available partner combinations to find the pathway that best fits your focus.

For international students this model offers significant benefits: exposure to two academic systems, broader professional networks, and enhanced employability through a truly international qualification. Make sure to check the specific partnership options and curricular details for the specialisation you choose, since the exact course content and credit transfer arrangements depend on the partner university.

Requirements & notes

• Language of instruction: English.
• All tracks commence at the University of Cologne.
• Leads to two Master’s degrees—one from the University of Cologne and one from a partner university.
• Specialisations offered: Corporate Development, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain Management.
• Admission criteria, application deadlines and partner-specific requirements vary by pathway—consult the programme’s official webpage or the admissions office for exact details.

Overview

This international double-degree master’s is offered jointly by both partner institutions as part of their regular curriculum. The programme relies on reciprocal recognition of credit points between the universities and culminates in a joint master’s thesis that is co-supervised by faculty from both sides. The structure is therefore built to combine coursework from each university with a shared, research-based final project.

Structure and focus

Students select one of the partner tracks—Louvain School of Management (Belgium), Aalto University School of Business (Finland), or the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (India)—so they can tailor the programme to their career goals and the partner’s particular strengths. At the University of Cologne, students concentrate in a single major: corporate development, finance, marketing, or supply chain management. Each double-degree variant emphasizes different topics and course offerings depending on the partner university’s available specialisations, giving you both depth in your chosen major and exposure to another academic culture.

Key modules and learning outcomes

• Key coursework combines advanced modules in the chosen major (corporate development, finance, marketing, or supply chain management) with complementary classes offered by the partner university, allowing you to build both specialised expertise and cross-disciplinary perspectives.
• The joint master’s thesis develops independent research skills and the ability to integrate insights from two institutions, supervised by professors from both universities.
• Graduates emerge with specialised analytical and managerial competencies in their major, international experience across two higher-education systems, and a research project that demonstrates the ability to tackle complex business problems.

Programme requirements (core features)

• Part of the regular course offerings at both participating universities
• Mutual recognition of credit points between the two institutions
• Completion of a joint master’s thesis co-supervised by professors from both universities
• Specialisation at the University of Cologne in one of: corporate development, finance, marketing, or supply chain management
• Choice of partner university track: Louvain School of Management (Belgium), Aalto University School of Business (Finland), or Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (India)
• Each double-degree option has its own academic focus, determined by the partner university’s available specialisations

Graduates leave the programme with a strong international profile and specialist knowledge in their chosen major, making them suitable for roles in corporate development, finance, marketing, supply chain management and related consulting or managerial positions. The combination of two degrees, international study experience and a jointly supervised thesis enhances employability with multinational firms and organisations.

The programme’s partner network and intercultural training also supports career paths that require international mobility or collaboration across regions, such as global strategy teams, international operations, or roles in firms with cross-border activities.