Masters in International Business

REQUEST A BROCHURE

International Business Master's Degree (M.A.) in Germany

Your International Business Master’s degree programmme

Globalization presents new challenges to international corporations. Potential employers expect leadership, team and integration skills, high motivation, multilingualism and excellent knowledge of economics. Precisely these abilities are imparted on you within the International Business Master’s programme at CBS International Business School, so that later on, you can make strategically meaningful and sustainable decisions in middle or senior management. All this in 4 semesters at one of Germany’s most prestigious business schools, with professors with many years of professional experience and lecturers with international backgrounds. Courses are held in English.

Acquire broad competencies with the International Business Master's Degree

International management is complex. You expand your knowledge and understanding of management processes, in which small deviations have a huge impact on companies. Business and international economics, strategic and value based management, business development, leadership and change management, accounting – the number of subject areas is great in order to provide you with a comprehensive overview. Particularly in globally operating companies, the large number of competitors makes the sustainable acquisition of customers much more important than for smaller companies. For this reason, the subject, Customer Relationship Management is immediately addressed in the first semester. In the second semester, the focus is on setting up and organizing companies. As for how sustainable management becomes a success factor, you will learn more about this in the subjects Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. In the second and third semesters, you can set your own priorities by attending elective courses, which you choose based on your own prior knowledge or interests.

International Business Master's Degree (M.A.) at a glance

Campus

Cologne

Start of Studies

Winter & Summer

Semester

ECTS

120

Study Fee*

5.730 €

All facts in details

Language English
Type of Study Full-time
Degree Master of Arts
Internship Integrated**
Semester Abroad Integrated**

Start of Studies Summer Cologne
Start of Studies Winter Cologne

*The displayed prices are semester fees. For non-EU students' fees please check the tuition fees information page. Status: January 2024.

Study Course Plan

Some information about the study plan for the study programme Masters in International Business:

General business teaching units

Business Economics3 ECTS

Analysis of demand, supply, and market equilibrium
Theory of consumer choice
Theory of the firm, production and cost analysis
Market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, contestable markets
Game theory
Pricing strategies
Factor markets, labor economics
Economics of information
Industrial organization
Limitations of markets and interventions by the government
Econometric techniques related to these topics

Empirical Research Methods3 ECTS

Development of a research question
Primary vs. secondary data
Steps of research process
Research designs
Quantitative and qualitative data
Structured methods of data collection: questionnaire and structured interview
Un- and semi-structured methods: qualitative interview and focus group
Quantitative and qualitative content analysis
Ethical considerations of data collection
Sampling
Data analysis using statistical software programs (SPSS)
Univariate analysis, bivariate analysis (crosstab and correlation), multiple linear regression
Writing a research report – structural and other formal requirements

Strategic Analysis & Management3 ECTS

Strategy making process and strategic reasoning: cognitive process of strategy
creation through the prism of logic and intuition
Setting strategic purpose in the context of responsible stakeholder management
Advanced external environment analysis: markets, industries and competitive
landscapes in static and dynamic perspective in the domestic and international
context
Diagnosing and managing strategic capability through national borders over time
Cultural and institutional context of strategic management: concepts, frameworks
and analytical tools
Generic and interactive business strategies, inside-out and outside-in perspective on
achieving and sustaining competitive advantage internationally
Network-level strategies
Corporate development and configuration: strategic options and portfolio matrices
Strategy formation
Strategic change and corporate restructuring
Strategic renewal
Strategy evaluation and strategic controls: tools and methods
Organizing for success

Innovation Management & Digital Transformation3 ECTS

Diagnosing the change context: diffusion and dynamics of innovation
Sources & types of innovation
Product/service, process & business model innovation
Individual and corporate creativity
Strategic innovation management & the innovation process incl. New Product Development (NPD)
Introduction to digitalization, digital age & digital divide
Digital drivers & disruptive forces
Technological drivers of digital transformation
Socio-technological change associated with the adoption of the mentioned drivers
Introduction to the digital organization & digital business models
Impact of digitalization on the value chain (Industry 4.0)
Digitalization-related innovation theories & technology management
Digitalization leadership & organisational transformation concepts
Change management & transformational leadership
Agility and VUCA world
SCRUM and Design Thinking

Programme specific teaching units

Customer Relationship Management3 ECTS

Relationship marketing vs. Transactional marketing
Concept of the customer lifetime value
Market segmentation and the customer lifetime value
Marketing strategies in the field of CRM
Big data marketing and CRM
Multi-channel marketing and CRM
Efficiency and effectiveness of loyalty programs

Service & Brand Management3 ECTS

Definition of services in comparison to manufactured goods
The importance of Service Environment
Challenges that must be identified and addressed by companies
Developing effective service marketing strategies
The Three-Stage Model of services
Applying the 4 Ps to services:
Service Product
Distribution
Pricing
Promotion
Balancing Demand against Productive Capacity
Managing People in Services Marketing and improving Service Quality
Importance of Customer Relationship Management in Services
Service processes
The Foundations of Identity-Based Brand Management
The Concept of Identity-Based Brand Management
Strategic Brand Management
Operational Brand Management
Identity-Based Brand Controlling
International Identity-Based Brand Management

Strategic Human Resource Management & Leadership3 ECTS

Theory of strategic HRM
Strategic HRM and business strategy
Strategic HRM and organisational performance
Strategic HRM in a complex and uncertain environment
Strategic HRM in MNEs vs. SMEs
Strategic Staffing
Strategic Training and Develop Management
Strategic Compensation and Rewards
Strategic HRM and Sustainability
Leadership Theories / Models and Leadership Traits
Leadership Styles
Cognitive, Behavioural, and Emotional Explanation for Human Motivation
Performance Management and Controlling
Leadership Tools

Corporate Development & Digital Transformation3 ECTS

Organisations and Organisational Effectiveness
Organisational Theory
Basic Challenges of Organisational Planning and Development
Organisational Design
Management in Organisational and Ethical Culture
Organisational Life Cycle
Organisational Decision Making
Organisational Development and Change
Change Management in Mergers and Acquisitions

Interdisciplinary competencies

International Project Management2 ECTS

Social competence: Communication, motivation, groups and team structures, leadership, conflict management
Methodological competence: Structural aspects, time management, cost management, human resource management, creativity and problem solving
Organisational competence: Quality management, documentation, risk management, project start and closure

Language & Communication Skills2 ECTS

The “Scholarly Writing and Analysis” course is offered for German native speakers. German as a foreign language is offered as an obligatory course for Non-native German speakers.

General business teaching units

Corporate Social Responsibility3 ECTS

Cornerstones of sustainable management
CSR as management approach
Practical approaches of organizational effectiveness
Tools for CSR implementation
CSR and financial performance
Life cycle assessment

Corporate Governance3 ECTS

Historical developments around the world
Directors and board structures in different parts of the world
Family business governance
Role of institutional investors
Corporate governance in mergers and acquisitions
Socially responsible investments
Corporate governance in different regions

Value Based Management3 ECTS

Value maximization and corporate objectives, shareholder value and stakeholder value approach
Financial measurement of corporate strategies and competitive advantage: the principles
Shortcomings of traditional profitability ratios for a value-based management
Economic Value Added, Cash Value Added
Identifying the drivers of value creation and investment decision-making
Management compensation and incentives for value creation

Sustainable Supply Chain Management3 ECTS

Defining the state of a sustainable supply chain based on actual trends
Discussion of various theoretical concepts (e.g. Stakeholder Theory, Slack Resource Theory) and their implications for sustainable supply chain management
Defining a “New Normal” of how to do business (e.g. circular economy, regenerative business models, carbon literacy training)
Sustainable Marketing (definition, Green Marketing Strategy Mix, Green Washing and Sustainable Consumer Buying Behaviour)
Sustainable Procurement (definition, Sustainable Procurement Process Model with a focus on sustainable supplier relationship management; new trends like circular procurement)
Sustainable Logistics
Sustainable Design
Carbon Emission / Human Rights in global supply chains

Programme specific teaching units

Strategic Digital & Social Media Marketing 3 ECTS

Concepts: Online Marketing/ Digital Marketing
Digital marketing sub-disciplines and major activity areas
Performance measurement using Web analytics (e.g. Metrics and Tools)
Data-driven Advertising
Programmatic Advertising
Legal and ethical aspects of digital marketing (e.g., EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR))
Strategic planning and design of a social media marketing campaign

Experience Lab: Search Engine Marketing3 ECTS

Introduction: definition
Search Engine Optimization / SEO
Keyword research
On-page SEO
Web analytics and SEO tools
Search Engine Advertising/ SEA
Campaign settings

Business Project6 ECTS

The overall objective of this course is to provide students with possibility of applying their business knowledge on concrete business situation, related to the field of their specialization.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

Define project goals for the “client”.
Work under the set timeframe and agreed project scope.
Cooperate in the international project teams.
Evaluate markets/ industries/ competitive landscapes.
Develop possible strategic directions for the “client” business.
Formulate recommendations.

Business Elective3 ECTS

A business elective is a business or management-related elective course.By choosing Business Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge.

International Law3 ECTS

Foundations to Organization Theory
External & internal factors to change organizations
Organizational goals and instruments
Creating effective organizations
Organizational development & change
Alignment issues
Organizational controlling
Concluding a contract
Different types of contracts and their typical features
Performance and obligations
Solving problems (e.g. failure to perform, liabilities)
Safeguarding creditors’ rights
Forms of business organizations

Interdisciplinary competencies

Event Management (Ted Talk) Seminar3 ECTS

Basics of event management
Objective of the event and different types of events
The event as a marketing and communication tool
Planning and preparation
Event execution
Tasks and role of the event manager
Choosing the right venue
Personnel selection

Programme specific teaching units

Digital Strategizing3 ECTS

Fundamentals
Starting points for digital strategies (selection)
Challenges in introducing digital strategies – four fights
Identification of success factors for digital strategies (selection)
Agile strategy management
Social and ethical aspects of digital strategies

Business Models & Systems in a Digital Era3 ECTS

In this course, students acquire skills to develop and evaluate digital business models and learn how selected business systems and applications can improve a company’s performance.
Students know the function, structure and types of business models and selected systems and can describe and explain how and to what extent business models change.
They understand the impact of digital technologies and business systems and the relevance of data for high performing business models.
They can explain the need to adapt existing business models or develop new ones in the face of the growing importance of digitalization in diverse industries.
Students are familiar with state-of-the-art business model frameworks and apply them to support digital business model development.
They develop their own digital business models, present their ideas in a pitch format and evaluate their results.

Financials for Management and Marketing3 ECTS

Formal rules and assumptions, national law, IFRS, US-GAAP
The system of financial statements and accounts
Accounting for services and merchandising
Inventory valuation
Receivables and Liabilities
Plant, natural and intangible assets
Ratio analysis
Presentation of financial statements and overview of investment accounting standards
Types of business combinations, joint ventures
Consolidation on date of acquisition, impairment
Consolidation subsequent to acquisition date

International Corporate Finance3 ECTS

Overview of corporate finance(ing) and company structures
Present values
Future values
Introduction to valuing stocks
NPV and other investment criteria
Decision making with NPV and other criterial
Working capital management
Efficient Markets and Behavioural Finance

Venture Lab4 ECTS

Discovering and evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities
Developing business ideas from opportunities (e.g. based on using Design Thinking, Personas and User Stories).
Feasibility analysis of business ideas
Transferring the idea into a Business Model
Business Model and its building blocks (value proposition, customers segments, channels, customer relationships, revenue model, key partners, key activities, key resources, cost structure)
Business Plan: Introduction, Sample Case and General Outline
Developing the details of the business plan
Finding sources of financing: Business angels; Private equity; Start up financing; Venture capital investors
Preparing a pitch deck for successfully presenting the new venture business plan

Integrative Case Studies3 ECTS

Focused review of the curriculum content
Pre-assessment quiz/ content area assessment as benchmark for students’ status quo
Guide and Strategic Plan to Case Study Analysis
Writing a proper Case Study Analysis report
Developing proper answers to Case questions, applying the relevant theoretical knowledge and frameworks
In-depth Case Study Analysis with focus all subject areas of the curriculum
In-depth Case Study Analysis with special focus on Strategic Management

Business Simulation Game3 ECTS

In a business simulation game participants have to manage their own virtual company which operates in the same market as other participant-operated competitors. This involves making typical management decisions in realistic environments. Beside the deepening and active examination of subject-specific knowledge the simulation games also include the team environment, where interaction, communication and prioritization are of paramount importance. Participants learn how to manage risk and uncertainty while time is limited and information constrained. Group-reflections help to take over different perspectives and to discuss pros and cons of content- as well as behavior-related actions.

Master Thesis Tutorial2 ECTS

During the Master Thesis Tutorial you will learn the fundamentals for your Master thesis: Defining the topic as well as structuring the thesis and you will learn the theoretical knowledge for scientific working.

Elective area

Business Elective3 ECTS

Interdisciplinary Elective3 ECTS

By choosing Interdisciplinary Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. An interdisciplinary elective is an elective from another discipline than your own specialization.

Interdisciplinary competencies

Assessment Center Bootcamp2 ECTS

Consulting Industry: Sector Overview Company Profiles – Job Opportunities and Consulting Careers
Job profile: Characteristics of capabilities and skills needed as a consultant
Job application and interview training
Consulting (mini) case study training
Framework for processing case studies
Brain Teaser Training
Case Simulation (Individual and Group Cases)

Programme specific teaching units

Master Thesis18 ECTS

During your 4th semester you are working on your Master thesis. You have 19 weeks to complete your thesis and the subject is freely selectable. A supervisor from CBS will support you and you can write the thesis in collaboration with a company as well. Or you can write your thesis in connection with a stay abroad.

Internship or Study Abroad10 ECTS

You can choose between an internship (lasting at least eight weeks) or a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.

Discover the CBS by joining our Online Information Sessions or Trial Lectures

Online Information Session Master's

Online Information Session MBA

Teaser_Infoveranstaltungen_Schnupperstudium_MA

#Tryourstudies - Trial Lectures

controlling-und-finanzmanagement_student

What are the job opportunities? Ask our alumni

Many career paths are open to you in all areas of international companies, such as marketing, personnel management, controlling or company management. Former CBS students are working in the automotive industry, in corporate consulting, in banks and in the financial sector. And, of course, a Master’s degree is also the prerequisite for the start of a career in academia, making you eligible for a PhD.

Build up your expertise with a graduate degree

Take your next step

Why CBS?

800+

Corporate
Partners

160+

Partner
Universities

3000

Students

Locations

Nations

LEARN MORE

Relevant topics from the start

Especially in globally operating companies, the sustainable acquisition of customers is of much greater importance than in smaller companies due to the large number of competitors. This is why Customer Relationship Management is already part of the curriculum in the first semester.

The second semester focusses on the structure and organisation of companies.
In the subjects Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Supply Chain Management you will learn about sucess by sustainable management.

You will learn how to convince partners and managing directors in the Innovation Lab - Business Plan Writing and Pitiching in semester three, later implementing your skills into practice during the Capstone Simulation Game.

The fourth semester: time to take the initiative

In the fourth semester, you work on your Master's thesis. You can choose whether you write your Master's thesis in cooperation with a company during an internship or during a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.

Leadership skills for international tasks

Leadership skills for international tasks As a future leader, you will not only be measured on achievements that can be expressed in figures. Leadership requires social and intercultural skills – these abilities are often the decisive factor when it comes to filling positions. This is why your studies prepare you for such challenges, including the relevant English skills plus another language course."

As a future leader, you will not only be measured on achievements that can be expressed in figures. Leadership requires social and intercultural skills – these abilities are often the decisive factor when it comes to filling positions. This is why your studies prepare you for such challenges, including the relevant English skills plus another language course.

At the heart of business

The aim of the degree programme is to prepare students as well as possible for entering the workforce and for their future careers. Therefore, the practical transfer of specialised knowledge in the Business Project, a Capstone Simulation Game and an optional internship semester at home or abroad are part of the study programme

Here, the CBS focuses on the student. In practical projects and experimental learning formats, such as the simulation games, you learn to develop your own feeling for management decisions. You understand issues relevant to business and will convince future employers with your gained experience.

Through various networking and recruiting events during your time at CBS, you will constantly become acquainted with well-known companies.With this support, you can focus entirely on your personal career goal. Your Master's degree in International Business will help you to effortlessly enter and advance in the business world.

What are the requirements for a master's degree in international business?

You have successfully completed the first degree in Business Administration (e.g. a Bachelor’s degree at CBS) and are completely fluent in English. Course contents are based on the knowledge acquired in previous studies.

This is what our students say

Philip Kollmann

Project Manager
Wayne´s Coffee

"Especially the soft skill courses have been of great help for my performance in job interviews. Through my work in the Finance and Business Club I have built up a broad network and acquired project management skills that have enabled me to score points with companies."

Katrin Rieger

Bereichsdirektorin Reisevertrieb Deutschland / Vice President Sales
HanseMerkur Krankenversicherung

"The practical learning in small groups prepared me optimally for today's project and team work. The CBS provided me with the decisive soft skills and current knowledge from the world of business."

Christopher Rosenbaum

Manager
Ernst & Young GmbH
Wirschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

"The Management Studies programme prepares you thoroughly for the tasks of a consultant. In particular, the development of presentation techniques as well as analytical thinking is of enormous importance in the everyday life of a consultant."

Oliver Kiderle

EMEA Regional Product Expert
Google Inc.

"The focus on internationality and practical skills have had a very positive influence on my development at Google. Especially the structured and very versatile project work, which is often found at a private school, was extremely helpful."

Kalle Kenkel

Commercial Excellence Manager
GE Healthcare

"My studies at CBS prepared me for a career in today's dynamic, global work environment. As one's origin and physical location become less and less decisive, it has become increasingly important to have a multinational network and adapt quickly to various cultures and environments."

Neil Jordaan

Global Digital Content Manager
Elanco

"Many professors shared their professional business experience with us in class and were able to illustrate dry theory with practical examples. I also enjoyed the international atmosphere on campus."

Patrick Stein

Head of Human Resources
Boston Consulting Group

"The strongly practice-oriented studies and the international orientation of the CBS, as well as the lectures held in English, were an absolutely necessary basis for starting a career with a renowned, international company."

Learn more about us and our graduate programmes

You would like to inform yourself about our Bachelor and Master programs at home in peace? Request your information material now without obligation and free of charge, and we will be happy to send you our study information material by e-mail.

Follow us on Instagram & Facebook, get to know us at one of our Information Events, or Contact our student advisors to learn more about us.