Today, human resources have achieved a powerful position because they provide decisive competitive advantage. Keywords such as shortage of skilled workers, digitalisation of work, changed work-life balance demands of Generation Y, (gender) diversity, sustainable employee management, the discussion about scandals and leadership ethics, and much more dominate the headlines. All areas are embedded in a global strategy and influenced by strong competition, especially for the best talents. Every manager has to face all these aspects and challenges in these times. Do you want to talk to fellow students about practical solutions? Then the English-language Master’s programme Human Resources Management & Leadership at CBS International Business School is ideally suited for you and opens up career opportunities for you in middle and senior management. In addition to current research and management knowledge, you will shine with team and integration skills, multilingualism, and high application expertise.
Human Resources Management is not just a business management discipline on an international scale. In this master's degree, you acquire all the essential teaching contents, which belong to a Business Master. These include Business Economics, Corporate Governance, Value-Based Management, and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Elective subjects offer a further individualization option.
*The displayed prices are semester fees. For non-EU students' fees please check the tuition fees information page. Status: March 2022.
**While writing your Masters thesis in the fourth semester, you can choose whether to do an internship or a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.
Some information about the study plan for the study programme Masters in HRM and Leadership:
Demand analysis & estimating demand
Supply and market equilibrium
Production economics
Cost analysis
Estimating cost functions and production functions
Economies of scale
Prices, output and strategy in different markets
Game theory models of oligopoly
Pricing techniques and analysis
Government regulation
Quantitative and qualitative methods
Development of a research question
Steps of research process
Methods of data collection
Sampling
Data analysis using statistical software programs (SPSS or R)
Writing a research report
Strategy making process and strategic reasoning
Cultural and institutional context of strategic management
Network-level strategies
Corporate development and configuration
Strategic change and corporate restructuring
Strategy evaluation and strategic controls
Dynamics of innovation & their implications for change management
Individual creativity and invention
Corporate creativity & intrapreneuring
Technology management
Innovation and technology strategies
Managing innovations
Diffusion of innovations
Cultural differences in innovation capability
Contemporary trends in innovation management
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
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.
Cornerstones of sustainable management
CSR as management approach
Practical approaches of organizational effectiveness
Tools for CSR implementation
CSR and financial performance
Life cycle assessment
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
Financial measurement of corporate strategies: the principles
Traditional value-based systems and their link with financial models
Cash flow return on investments (CFROI)
Customer life-time value
Corporate financial & compensation design
Defining a sustainable supply chain
Discussion of various theoretical concepts and their implications for sustainable supply chain management
Green marketing
Green logistics
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.
By choosing Business Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. The following are examples of the types of courses on offer:
Corporate Strategy and Renewal
Digital Network Economy
Digital Leadership
Portfolio Theory
Power Pricing
Finance & Growth
Advanced Portfolio Management
Branding
International HRM
Start-up Management & Business Modeling
Trader in Capital Markets
By choosing Interdisciplinary Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. The Interdisciplinary Electives usually include subjects like:
Chat Bot Design
International Competitiveness
Omni-Channel Commerce
International Trade and Emerging Markets
Bitcoin and the Market of Cryptocurrencies
Business Process Modeling
Design Thinking & Adobe Creative Cloud
SAP S/4 Hana in Controlling and Finance
App Development in JavaScript
East Asian Culture and Business
Cultures of Consumption
SPSS
*Instead of the interdisciplinary elective, German as a foreign language is offered as an obligatory course for Non-native German speakers.
Different Inteligencies – IQ vs EQ
The role of emotions – daily and work life
The construct of Emotional intelligence
Emotionally intelligent competencies & skills
Skills acquisition – Experiential/action learning
Reflection & reflexion
Encouraging engagement
Developing trust
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
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
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.
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.
By choosing Business Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. The following are examples of the types of courses on offer:
Corporate Strategy and Renewal
Digital Network Economy
Digital Leadership
Portfolio Theory
Power Pricing
Finance & Growth
Advanced Portfolio Management
Branding
International HRM
Start-up Management & Business Modeling
Trader in Capital Markets
By choosing Interdisciplinary Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. The Interdisciplinary Electives usually include subjects like:
Chat Bot Design
International Competitiveness
Omni-Channel Commerce
International Trade and Emerging Markets
Bitcoin and the Market of Cryptocurrencies
Business Process Modeling
Design Thinking & Adobe Creative Cloud
SAP S/4 Hana in Controlling and Finance
App Development in JavaScript
East Asian Culture and Business
Cultures of Consumption
SPSS
*Instead of the interdisciplinary elective, German as a foreign language is offered as an obligatory course for Non-native German speakers.
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.
You can choose between an internship (lasting at least eight weeks) or a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.
The in-depth HRM teaching contents are already anchored in the first semester. Here, you will look at the impact of globalization on human resources management. What things should be decentralized? How to deal with the idiosyncrasies of different cultures? And how do you ensure a good relationship with the stakeholders? In the second semester, you will learn how company strategies can be translated into mature HR strategies, and how long-term personnel decisions can influence the future of companies. And because HRM on an international level requires absolutely stellar English skills, the study language is English.
In corporate management questions are on the agenda, which go far beyond the human resources sector. In the second semester, you will learn how companies are further developed and how organisations are designed. In the third semester, you will learn to recognize, analyse and deal with imbalances of power and inequalities in organisations. Aditionally, you measure your skills in comparison to your fellow students in a business simulation game. This is how you can test the knowledge you will have acquired until then.
For you to best apply your knowledge after graduation, the practical reference during your studies at CBS provides a unique advantage. A business project, a business simulation game and an internship at a company in Germany or abroad help prepare you for a career in the real world.
You will learn how to convince investors, partners and managing directors in the Innovation Lab - Business Plan Writing and Pitching and advance skills in the Capstone Simulation Game. In this digital business game, you take business decisions with your team and put your business know-how into practice.
For many of our students, the practical relevance is also of interest when composing their Master’s thesis. This is because the work you write in the fourth semester is often written within the framework of an internship. Alternatively, you have the opportunity to write your thesis as part of a semester abroad.
As important as theory and scientific work may be, international human resources management means working with people who have very different interests and goals. So that you can assert your ideas and solutions, lead teams, and communicate with colleagues on all hierarchical levels in a targeted manner; courses in soft skills, self-management and project management are part of this Master’s study programme. You will receive practical experience in your profession during an internship of at least eight weeks. In a business project, you work on an actual or virtually real case.
The Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management & Leadership qualifies you for demanding tasks in personnel management functions, in personnel and management consultancies, or in strategic staff divisions. Further possible career paths are self-employment or an academic career including PhD.
In the fourth semester you can concentrate fully on your Human Resources Management Master’s Thesis. Many of our students take advantage of the opportunity to write their thesis alongside an internship with a company. Alternatively you may choose to write your thesis during an international stay at one of our numerous partner universities.
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.
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Study advisory: Campus Potsdam
Got any questions? We are happy to help!
Phone: | +49 (0) 221 93 18 09-31 |
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WhatsApp: | Reach us on WhatsApp |
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"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"The CBS is an internationally oriented and very practically orientated university which prepared me very well for the professional world through the compulsory internship, the courses offered and the required project/group work."
"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."