International Business and Management (M.A.)
Program structure
Structure of the program
The duration of the Master's program International Business and Management is 4 semesters. This corresponds to 120 ECTS credits for the whole program and 30 ECTS credits for each semester. Each module is worth 5 ECTS credits, the Master's thesis is worth 30 ECTS credits.
The modules of the program are grouped into the following categories:
- General Competences: The main focus of these modules is the training of soft skills, which have been tailored especially to the requirements of this international Master program.
- Key Competences: The major study area International Business Management characterises the Master program by combining the two central aspects of these studies: management competences and internationality. The modules are designed to cover a broad range of relevant competences for management positions in international companies or organisations.
- Specializations and Electives: Students choose one specialization and two electives from the offer at the faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences according to their individual interests and professional goals. Additional electives are optional. Each elective is composed of three modules. The two electives “Innovation and Transformation” and “Consulting” are offered in English language, while the other electives are offered in German.
The study plan provides a general overview:
Study plan for International Business and Management - NEW Curriculum for new intake as of next winter semester - September 1, 2024
Study plan for International Business and Management - current curriculum
Module descriptions of the current Curriculum
General Competences
Key Competences
- Global Economic Framework
- Human Resource Management in Multinational Companies
- International Marketing
Specialisation I, II or III
- Elective 1, Module 1
- Elective 2, Module 1
General Competences
Key Competences
Specialisation I, II or III
- Elective 1, Module 2
- Elective 2, Module 2
General Competences
Key Competences
Specialisation I, II or III
- Elective 1, Module 3
- Elective 2, Module 3
The last semester of the program is reserved for the Master thesis which is usually written in cooperation with a company. The time allowed for the thesis is 4 months.
Depending on their individual interests and career goals, students can choose between three specializations and seven electives:
Specialization I: Markets and Processes
Specialization II: Human Resources and Change
Specialization III: International Management
Two electives have to be chosen within a specialization. The following electives are available:
English language:
- Innovation and Transformation
- Consulting
German language:
- Strategic Marketing
- Human Resource Management
- Financial Control (not available in the new curriculum starting from the Winter Semester 2024/25)
- Change Management
- Digitalisation in Society
Depending on the specialization chosen, different electives can be combined with each other. The following chart shows the three specializations and possible combinations of electives in the Master program International Business and Management:
Recommended combinations of electives in the Master program International Business and Management
The specialization and corresponding two electives will be chosen by each student individually at the beginning of the first semester. The students will then study within their specialization and electives for the duration of the Master program. Each elective consists of three modules, with one module in each elective being taught per semester. In some electives, students have the possibility to choose between several modules during the third semester. You can find an overview over the individual modules of the electives here:
Overview of the individual modules of the electives
The following curriculum is an example for students who have chosen specialization III "International Management" with the two electives in English language "Innovation and Transformation" and "Consulting":
Sample Curriculum of the Master program International Business and Management
Electives in English language
- Module 1: Operations Management
- Module 2: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Module 3: Organisational Transformation Case Studies
- Module 1: Consulting and Management
- Module 2: Controlling and Finance Tools for Consultants
- Module 3: Consulting Case Studies
Electives in German language
- Module 1: Product and Innovation Management (This module is taught in English language)
- Module 2: Markenführung und Kommunikation
- Module 3: a) Vertriebs- und Kooperationsmanagement
- Module 3: b) Big Data – von Daten zu Prognosen und Entscheidungen
Note: Students can choose between two modules a) and b) in the third semester.
- Module 1: Risikomanagement
- Module 2: Prozess- und Projektcontrolling
- Module 3: Finanzen-Projekt/Seminar
- Module 1: Strategien und Implementation
- Module 2: Leadership und Innovation
- Module 3: a) Fusion, Sanierung und Development
- Module 3: b) Big Data – von Daten zu Prognosen und Entscheidungen
- Module 3: c) Konzeptentwicklung und Fallstudien zum Personalmanagement
- Module 3: d) Organisational Transformation Case Studies
Note: Students can choose between 4 modules a), b), c) or d) in the third semester.