Master of Business Administration in International Management (MBA) Pforzheim University

The MBA International Management (MBA IM) at Pforzheim University Business School prepares you to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. Today’s business environment is evolving rapidly, confronting executives and professionals with complex demands: increasing globalisation across economies, societies, environments, and cultures; the rise of new technologies, the growing importance of information and communication technologies, and heightened expectations regarding corporate social and environmental responsibility.

In this dynamic and uncertain context, managers must make decisions under increasingly volatile conditions. Organisations will remain competitive only if they can address these challenges proactively by leveraging opportunities while effectively managing risks. This requires adaptability, innovation, and forward-thinking leadership.

The MBA International Management programme at Business School Pforzheim is designed to equip you with the skills and mindset needed to succeed as future managers in this environment.

To achieve this, the programme follows a two-tier strategy that provides a distinct competitive advantage. A comprehensive, international, and generalist foundation in classical management is combined with a strong focus on key future-oriented topics, including Innovation Management & Digital Business and Sustainable Globalisation.

Based on your individual interests, you can choose from a range of electives in the second and third semesters. These include Marketing, Finance & Accounting, Big Data & Artificial Intelligence, and Recent Developments in Management & Business Transformation. In addition, you may participate in a company project during the third semester, allowing you to apply your knowledge in real-world business contexts.

The programme also offers international study opportunities. You may choose to spend the third semester at one of our partner universities in Asia, Europe, or the Americas. A Double Degree option is available in cooperation with ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal.

If you completed your first degree in Germany and have not previously studied or worked abroad, the programme includes a mandatory semester abroad at one of our partner institutions.

Business School Pforzheim has been accredited by AACSB International since 2011 and was the first university of applied sciences in Germany to receive this prestigious accreditation. The accreditation was successfully renewed in 2017 and 2022, confirming that Business School Pforzheim meets the highest standards in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer. Fewer than six percent of business schools worldwide and only sixteen institutions in Germany hold this hallmark of excellence in management education.

SEMESTER ONE

• Foundations in Accounting & Finance (5 ECTS)
• Foundations in Marketing (5)
• Foundations in Business Functions (9)
• Foundations in Economics (5)
• Management Skills I (1)
• Research Methods I (2)
• Company Experience I (1)

SEMESTER TWO

• Innovation & Digital Business (5)
• Sustainable Globalisation I (5)
• Strategic Management & International Business Development (5)
• Accounting & Finance in an International Context (5)
• Research Methods II (3)
• Management Skills II (4)
• ELECTIVES - Management Skills, e.g.: Change Management (2), Leadership (2), Negotiation (2)
• Company Experience II (1)

SEMESTER THREE

• Innovation & Digital Business II (5)
• Sustainable Globalisation II (5)
• Consulting & Business Dynamics (5)
• ELECTIVES - Specialisation, e.g.: 
  • Company Project (6)
  • Marketing, e.g.: Digital Marketing (3), Communication Management (3), Multicultural Marketing & Branding (3)   
  • Big Data & Artificial Intelligence, e.g.: AI & Data Analytics (3), Big Data Analytics (3), Data Science with Python (3)
  • Accounting & Finance, e.g.: IFRS (6), Sustainable Finance (3), Applied Corporate Valuation (3) 
  • Recent Developments in Management & Business Transformation, e.g.: New Digital Work (3), Economics & the Law of Digital Ecosystems (3), Sustainable Innovation Management (3)
• Company Experience III (1)
• Management Simulation (2)

SEMESTER FOUR

• MBA thesis (27)

For full curriculum, check PDF.

• An eight-week period between semesters two and three offers a time frame for internships.
• Students are encouraged to write their thesis with a company / an institution in semester four.
• Through company contacts, our alumni network, the Mentoring Programme, company visits, projects and trainings, students are supported in finding an appropriate internship.

• 15 June (if a visa is required) or 31 July (if no visa is required) for September entry
• 15 December (if a visa is required) or 31 January (if no visa is required) for March entry (Business graduates only)

• Bachelor's degree
• At least two years of full-time work experience after first academic degree
• TOEFL or IELTS (or proof that the language of instruction for the previous programme of study was English)
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test):
  • expected score 550+ or equivalent GRE
  • GMAT Focus Edition: expected score 515+ or equivalent GRE
  • A GMAT waiver is possible with a very good CGPA of first academic degree
• Letter of motivation plus essay on extracurricular activities
• APS (for applicants from China, Vietnam and India) or verification of educational certificates from HEC (for applicants from Pakistan)
• Successful interview (in person or via Microsoft Teams)

207 EUR per semester
(227 EUR for the first semester, including student ID)

Approx. 750 EUR per month

Companies in the area offer working student jobs. For individual students, jobs as student assistants are available at the university.

As part of your studies, we offer application and interview training tailored specifically to the MBA programme and conducted in collaboration with experienced company professionals.

A career fair is held twice a year on campus, complemented by various networking events.

The university’s Career Center supports MBA students with applications and facilitates contacts with companies. In addition, it operates an online platform where students can find information on recruiting events, internships, and job opportunities.

We also offer a mentoring programme. Within this programme, graduates with at least two years of professional experience after completing their MBA degree share their knowledge and expertise with their mentees.

Through numerous events such as Guest-in-Classroom sessions, excursions and company visits, the MBA programme enables its students to build a large business network.

The Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe offers accommodation in student halls of residence near the campus. In addition, numerous accommodation options are available in the city of Pforzheim and the surrounding area. The university also provides lists of private rooms and apartments through the International Programmes Office.

Pforzheim University

Founded in 1877, Pforzheim University comprises three schools: the School of Design, the School of Engineering, and the Business School. Together, they offer a wide range of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes that emphasise interdisciplinary thinking and close collaboration among academics, economists, lawyers, engineers, designers, and experts from various sectors.

The university is characterised by the high academic qualifications and extensive practical experience of more than 850 professors, lecturers, and staff members, who support over 5,300 students from the beginning of their studies. Close cooperation with regional and international businesses provides students with a highly practice-oriented and enriching study experience. Pforzheim University also enjoys an excellent reputation among leading German companies.

Applied research plays a key role at the university. Institutions such as the Institute for Applied Research, the Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation Consulting, the Steinbeis Transfer Center, and the Jewellery Technology Institute contribute significantly to its strong practical orientation.

The Business School

For more than 60 years, Business School Pforzheim has been providing students with a comprehensive education in business and economics at a high academic level. Since 1963, it has laid the foundation for many successful professional careers. With over 3,200 students and around 100 professors, it is the largest faculty at Pforzheim University.

The Business School offers a broad portfolio of 14 Bachelor’s and 12 Master’s degree programmes, all aligned with professional fields and tailored to the needs of the global economy. The high quality of education is confirmed by AACSB accreditation, placing the Business School among the world’s leading institutions in business education.

Its size, combined with highly qualified and experienced faculty, enables the Business School to provide a diverse and attractive range of programmes. Academic excellence, teaching quality, and professional experience are key criteria in faculty appointments, ensuring that students benefit from both strong theoretical foundations and practical insights.

The close integration of theory and practice is reflected in numerous projects and research activities conducted in cooperation with industry and research partners. Practical experience is further enhanced through internships, project work, and thesis projects carried out in collaboration with companies in Germany and abroad.

All programmes are approved by the State of Baden-Württemberg and accredited by recognised accreditation agencies. The high quality of education, excellent study conditions, and strong labour market orientation are consistently reflected in rankings and evaluations (e.g. top positions in Wirtschaftswoche, CHE Ranking, Die Zeit, and Eduniversal).

The City of Pforzheim

The city of Pforzheim is located in the greater Stuttgart metropolitan region in the state of Baden-Württemberg in south-western Germany. It serves as the northern gateway to the Black Forest, one of Germany’s largest and most renowned holiday regions. Known as the centre of the German jewellery, watch, and silver goods industries, Pforzheim is also referred to as the “City of Gold.” Here, centuries-old traditions of jewellery and gold craftsmanship meet modern design and high-tech industries.

Baden-Württemberg is one of Europe’s most innovative and globally connected regions. It is home to numerous internationally renowned companies, including Daimler, Porsche, Bosch, SAP, Zeiss, and Würth. In addition, the region benefits from a strong network of small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which are “hidden champions” and global market leaders in their respective fields.

Pforzheim offers a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, including a theatre, a library, several museums, as well as parks and scenic trails. The surrounding region provides excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation. Thanks to its central location, the “City of Gold” is also an ideal starting point for exploring Germany and the rest of Europe.