Master of Science in Sustainable Business Development Offenburg University of Applied Sciences

Sustainability is not merely a trend but a fundamental necessity that will have a significant impact on all processes within companies and other organisations in the future. It is precisely in response to this imperative that the trinational Master's degree programme in Sustainable Business Development emerges, aiming to train experts in digital and sustainable corporate management. These professionals will be committed to shaping a sustainable future through their knowledge and willingness to make a difference.

International students will study at three established universities (Offenburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, and UNISTRA EM Strasbourg Business School). Students will receive a Master's degree from each university.

Students will integrate specialist knowledge from the realms of sustainability, corporate management, and digitalisation, applying it directly in practice through impact projects aimed at developing solutions to complex problems in the field of sustainability. Students will spend more than half of their studies working on specific sustainability projects with companies, NGOs, or public organisations.

Hochschule für Wirtschaft FHNW (Switzerland) and EM Strasbourg Business School, Université de Strasbourg (France)

Bachelor's degree in economics, engineering, natural science, computer science, or a related field

French: level B1 with proof via interview

• 150 EUR service contribution for the second semester only
• 170 EUR administration fees for each semester

Approx. 850 EUR per month is needed to cover personal expenses. This includes accommodation at a cost of 350 EUR to 400 EUR per month.

• On-campus: A limited number of student assistant positions and tutoring jobs are available. Knowledge of English is usually sufficient for these positions.
• Off-campus: In the first two semesters, students have classes only three days each week. Students are allowed to hold off-campus jobs for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the lecture period and to work a maximum of 240 half days per year (according to regulations for students).

Students whose home university is Hochschule Offenburg have the possibility to receive financial support for their stay in France through the Erasmus+ programme. This is subject to fulfilling the programme’s conditions and the availability of sufficient funds at Hochschule Offenburg. Details regarding the current funding rates for Erasmus+ projects can be found on our website at the “Financing” section.

Our programme is also accredited by the Franco-German University (FGU). Students enrolled with the FGU receive a monthly mobility allowance of 300 EUR to 350 EUR per person for a maximum of ten months per academic year, subject to the FGU’s funding criteria. Further information regarding enrolment and funding can be found on the FGU website.

Information and workshops are provided by the Offenburg University Career Center.

Before your arrival, the Graduate School team can arrange accommodation (student residence hall or private accommodation) for you. The rent usually ranges from 350 EUR to 400 EUR per month. If you wish, we can connect you with a student mentor ("senior buddy"). The mentor will assist you in making preparations before you leave your home country, pick you up at the railway station, show you around, and provide individual support during the initial weeks to help you familiarise yourself with important aspects of life in Germany.

Offenburg University is a state-owned university in Baden-Württemberg, offering Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in the fields of engineering, business, and media.

Around 4,000 students study at its two campuses. International students account for 12% of the student body. They benefit from the advantages of a smaller institution with an excellent student-teacher ratio and personal attention from instructors. State-of-the-art media, electronic, and mechanical laboratories and facilities help students put their ideas into practice. Wi-Fi access is provided throughout the campus.

The university is known for its emphasis on practical skills and applied research. Its close ties to the regional business community include many world-renowned companies. It is also strongly committed to providing an internationally oriented education. In particular, the English-taught Master's programmes of the Graduate School have won a number of awards, including the DAAD's quality label "TOP 10 International Master's Degree Courses Made in Germany".

The Graduate School's staff offers ongoing support throughout the programme:

• extensive assistance in finding accommodation
• "senior buddy" system (personal mentor for the first few weeks)
• assistance with immigration services and authorities
• guided tours of Offenburg and Gengenbach
• individual support and advice from the coordinators of each programme
• individual academic advising
• German language course in September
• ongoing language courses during the lecture period
• cultural and social programme (excursions, get-togethers, company visits, etc.)
• "Senior Service" (an initiative bringing together local senior citizens and international students)

International students from all five continents choose to study at Offenburg knowing that their cultures will be respected and appreciated.

The friendly and safe town of Offenburg, population 60,000, is at the centre of the beautiful Ortenau region, situated between the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest and characterised by a comfortable climate with warm and pleasant summers and winter temperatures rarely dropping below zero.

With almost 900 years of history, Offenburg offers a historical centre with a baroque scenery, a variety of cultural events, hiking and cycling trails along the Kinzig River and the surrounding vineyards, and typical Baden gastronomy.

Although Offenburg is relatively small, it offers great cultural and recreational possibilities. There are various festivals and festivities throughout the year, including the famous German carnival season, wine festivals in autumn, and very popular Christmas markets.

Offenburg's city centre offers a variety of department stores and speciality shops as well as a farmers' market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Inexpensive groceries can be found at the major supermarket chains around town.

Nearby cities include Strasbourg (France), 25 km, capital of the European Union and seat of the European Parliament; Freiburg, 65 km; Karlsruhe, 75 km; Heidelberg, 110 km; Basel (Switzerland), 120 km; Stuttgart, 140 km; and Frankfurt, 200 km.

Offenburg is close (35/50/130 km) to the international airports of Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, and Basel-Mulhouse, which are mainly served by low-cost carriers (easyJet and Ryanair, among others). The main German airport hub in Frankfurt can be reached by high-speed train in around 90 minutes.

More information on Offenburg can be found at https://www.offenburg.de/?langid=2.