Master of Science (MSc) in International Business Studies (MIBS) FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

The programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of international business. Students are supported in acquiring all the necessary skills required to succeed in an international environment. Special attention is given to the variety of approaches that firms choose to adapt their international operations to the diversity of laws, business practices, and cultures across the globe.
The emphasis is on increasing students' capacity to understand and analyse foreign operation modes and to make decisions relating to foreign market entry and management strategies. Students develop essential communication and intercultural skills. Students have the opportunity to earn credits at one of our partner universities worldwide. The programme includes company visits as well as lectures and workshops with executives from leading companies. A wide variety of business language courses complete the international focus of the programme and prepare students for their career in an international setting.
The Master's programme in International Business Studies consists of 120 ECTS credits leading to a Master's degree (MSc in International Business Studies). The programme can be completed in two years. Students who wish to benefit from the university's expanding network of international contacts may study for up to two semesters abroad at one of our renowned partner universities.

A comprehensive and well-founded understanding of the field is provided by core courses in the following areas:

• Environment of International Business
• Foundations of International Management
• International Strategic Management
• International Functional Management
• International Information Management
• Soft Skills
• International Finance and Corporate Governance
• International Corporate Sustainability
• International Relations

The elective courses focus on different area studies and allow students to specialise in one specific region:

• English-speaking countries
• Latin America
• Asia
• Europe

The programme consists of lectures, seminars, practice elements, workshops, excursions, company visits and small-group discussions. The programme combines in-class learning with learning-by-doing elements. The ECTS system allows for individual choices (in the elective courses) according to the programme guidelines.

The core courses (60 out of 90 ECTS) cover the following subjects:

• Issues in International Political Economy
• International and European Trade Law
• Foundations of International Management I + II
• Business Strategy
• Advanced Methods of Management Research IV
• International Marketing
• Global Operations Strategy
• E-Business Projects and Innovation
• E-Business Strategy and Networking
• Managing Intercultural Relations
• International Management Solutions
• International Finance
• Change Management
• Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
• Regeneration and Sustainable Development
• The Organisation of the International System
• Power, Order and Institutions in World Politics

The language of instruction in the core courses is English.

The elective courses (30 ECTS) focus on different area studies and allow students to specialise in one specific region (students select one area during their course of study):

• English-speaking countries
• Latin America
• Asia
• Europe

The language of instruction in the electives depends on the chosen area.

Students have the option to do a joint degree programme with EM Strasbourg or Universidad de Alcalá.

Mid-February until end of May

The programme is designed for outstanding and motivated students who have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree in international business, business administration, management or a related subject. If students have completed a Bachelor's degree in another field, they must provide proof of sufficient knowledge of management and international business.
Preference will be given to candidates who have relevant academic or practical experience and whose applications show evidence of interest in a career in the field of international business.

International experience outside the country of origin is needed for admission.

Moreover, a minimum of 5 ECTS of statistics is required.

Overall, we recommend to apply only if the following criteria are all matched:

• Bachelor's degree connected to international business with a GPA better than 2.5 in the German grading scale
• Minimum of 30 ECTS in business courses & minimum of 5 ECTS in statistics courses
• Mandatory abroad experience outside of your home country (minimum: three months)
• English language proficiency (details below)
• Submission of a mandatory application video

FAU does charge tuition fees for students from non-EU states. Using the fee finder, you can quickly check whether you are required to pay tuition fees. Irrespective of tuition fees, all students are required to pay a semester contribution of 82 EUR per semester. As of winter semester 2026/27, FAU will be charging a processing fee of 100 EUR per application for applicants from non-EU states. 

General guidelines on the average costs that can be expected are provided by the results of the social survey undertaken by the German National Association for Student Affairs in 2021 (prices may vary):

According to this study, students who no longer live with their parents should have an average amount of 1,106 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details on average expenditure:

• Rent, including ancillary costs (in Erlangen, Nuremberg and surrounding areas): 410 EUR
• Food: 198 EUR
• Clothing: 46 EUR
• Travel costs (public transport and/or car): 89 EUR
• Study materials (depending on subject): 31 EUR
• Health insurance, doctors, medicine: 100 EUR
• Telecommunications: 31 EUR
• Leisure, culture, sports: 65 EUR

According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, around 63 percent of all "first-time students" have a regular job — and not just during the holidays. On average, they work around eight hours a week for an average wage of 13 to 16 EUR per hour. Students can have a "600 EUR job" or work as a student trainee in a company or as a student assistant in the university — both during and outside the lecture period. Information on the legal conditions relating to part-time jobs for students is available in the brochure "Jobben" (part-time jobs) published by the German National Association for Student Affairs. FAU’s job portal is also updated regularly with new advertisements for part-time jobs.

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

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Our diverse range of professional events and consultation services for members of all of FAU’s faculties are designed to support students, graduates and doctoral candidates when planning and starting their careers. This service is available for up to one year after graduation.

The services we offer include career guidance and advice on applying for jobs, job application training, and seminars as well as presentations and information on specific careers.

The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.

It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 39,865 students and 278 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines — from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently goes beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching are reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.

FAU is based in three cities — Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.

"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region, one of the most prosperous and successful regions in Europe. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.