International Business Management, M.Sc. Full-time
Charakter Fresenius Hochschule · Köln, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The master’s program in International Business Management (M.Sc.) is designed to help you understand how international companies can adapt successfully to major changes such as digitalization, globalization, and climate change.
During the program, you combine strategic management knowledge with expertise in international corporate structures and international transformation processes. You can also expand your profile through German language support (optional), and in the third semester you choose an elective module, internship, or semester abroad.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- International & Global Management (Semester 1)
- Corporate Strategy (Semester 1)
- Leadership & Management (Semester 1)
- Advanced Project Management (Semester 1)
- Applied Strategic International Management (Semester 2)
- Managing Transformation & Change (Semester 2)
- Innovation Management & Design Thinking (Semester 2)
- Interdisciplinary Team Project I (Semester 2)
- Quantitative & Qualitative Methods for Business (Semester 2)
- Quantitative & Qualitative Methods for Business includes applied quantitative and qualitative methods (Semester 2)
- International Economics & Global Relations (Semester 3)
- Entrepreneurship (Semester 3)
- Advanced Team Project (Semester 3)
- Scientific Work in Practice (Semester 3)
- Master’s thesis concludes the programme in the final semester (described by the programme structure information).
- The programme structure includes a dedicated final semester where you finish your degree with your Master’s thesis (programme structure information).
Curriculum
120 CP master's with compulsory core modules, elective pools, and a master's thesis.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory core modules | International & Global Management | ||
| Corporate Strategy | ||||
| Leadership & Management | ||||
| Advanced Project Management | ||||
| German I: Living in Germany | ||||
| Intercultural Communication & Competence | ||||
| Research Methodology | ||||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory core modules | Applied Strategic International Management | ||
| Managing Transformation & Change | ||||
| Innovation Management & Design Thinking | ||||
| Interdisciplinary Team Project I | ||||
| German II: Working in Germany | ||||
| Foreign Language Skills | ||||
| Quantitative & Qualitative Methods for Business | ||||
| Semester 3 | Compulsory core modules and elective / project module | International Economics & Global Relations | ||
| Entrepreneurship | ||||
| Advanced Team Project | ||||
| Scientific Work in Practice | ||||
| Semester 4 | Master Thesis | Master Thesis | ||
| Total | Compulsory core modules, project work modules, and Master Thesis | |||
Career outcomes
- You gain strategic management know-how plus a structured understanding of international corporate structures and transformation processes, helping you qualify for international management roles.
- Your training supports roles in teams focused on international expansion and multinational presence, so you can apply your skills to real global business contexts.
- Through project work and case studies, you build practical problem-solving capabilities that match the expectations of business and consulting employers hiring for strategy and transformation profiles.
- Your programme includes flexibility to shape your professional profile through an elective module, an internship, or a semester abroad, strengthening your career direction before graduation.
- You develop research-oriented decision-making skills (methods and empirical skills) that help you contribute credibly to data-informed business strategies from day one.
Employability rate
International Business Management (M.Sc.) graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 84% and an unemployment rate of about 16%, reflecting steady demand for strategy, transformation, and international business expertise in corporate and consulting environments.
Overall, this points to a generally stable career outlook with reliable hiring prospects for candidates who can demonstrate practical project experience and strong English communication.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree with relevant credits | International applicants must hold a completed bachelor’s degree with at least 180 credit points. In the bachelor’s degree, they must have gained 60 credit points in the fields of business or economics. |
Language requirements
For this English-taught master’s program, international applicants must submit proof that their English level is equivalent to Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Fresenius also provides limited options to recognize or waive the language requirement based on certain prior studies or evidence.
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 5280 / per semester | Tuition fees per semester: EUR 5,280 for the MSc International Business Management (non-EU nationals may vary; consult the university). |
| Registration fee | EUR 595 / one time | Registration fee: EUR 595 for the MSc International Business Management. |
| Semester fee | EUR 0 / total program | Semester contribution: included in tuition fees (as stated for this programme). |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants should plan for tuition fees plus the mandatory semester contribution in Germany. Depending on your nationality, you may also need to pay a security deposit to support your German visa process.
- If required for visa purposes: security deposit of EUR 3,000 for applicants from non-EU countries (advance payment that is offset against tuition fees later).
- Plan for tuition fees and the mandatory semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), which is required for all students in Germany.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your international eligibility documents
Before you apply, confirm you meet the master’s entry requirements for international applicants: a bachelor’s degree with at least 180 credit points and 60 credit points in business or economics. Collect your bachelor transcript of records and your English-language proof at the required level. If you have questions about whether your prior studies match the business/economics credit requirement, contact the Study Advice Service early.
Apply via the university application portal
Submit your application through the Fresenius application process and upload the documents requested for master’s study programs. The university states that, to consider your application, you should upload at least your CV and your bachelor transcript of records to the application portal within the next 10 days. Your personal study advisor will guide you through what additional documents are needed for enrollment after your application submission.
Attend the admission interview (if invited)
If you fulfil the admission requirements, Fresenius invites you to an admission interview. The university states that the interview is not a knowledge test and is typically focused on your personality, your motivation, and your reasons for choosing Fresenius. After a successful interview, the university sends you a study contract with the next steps for registration.
Complete registration steps for studies in Germany
After you receive the study contract, you complete registration steps that may include submitting the signed contract, paying any required security deposit (for non-EU applicants, if applicable), and providing a valid English certificate. The university confirms that for most documents, digital copies are sufficient initially, and certified copies may be needed later before matriculation.