International Business and Resources in Emerging Markets (MBA) TU Bergakademie Freiberg

What kind of student are you?

• Do you have a professional interest in transition countries, emerging economies or less developed countries?
• Are you looking for additional academic challenges to improve your career prospects in the fields of international business and development economics?
• Are you interested in acquiring intercultural skills in these markets?
• Would you like to gain international experience during your studies?
• Are you ready to study in a challenging and competitive programme?

If the answers to these questions are positive, then this MBA programme is the right one for you!

We invite you to take a look at the structure and organisation of this unique study programme, which leverages the years of experience of our faculty at one of the oldest universities in the world and our hand-selected partner universities.

The Master's degree programme is an economics-oriented degree programme that offers students a modern education in the overlapping area of modern economics, in particular modern development economics and environmental economics, and business administration, in particular international management. These areas usually have a special connection to resource-related industries. The teaching modules are designed to enable students to develop a detailed and critical understanding of the particularities, limitations, terminologies, and doctrines in these areas, generating a particular understanding of the nuances of cooperation between Eastern, South-Eastern, and Western Europe and emerging Asian economies on the one hand, and the increasing importance of ecological interrelationships on the other.

Students thus acquire skills for dealing with new and unfamiliar complex tasks and problems in the areas of management of international companies, administrations, and international organisations. Using the theoretical framework they have acquired, they can develop and apply new ideas and procedures and evaluate them by taking into account different scientific standards of judgement. This enables them to develop strategic solutions even with incomplete information and weigh them up against each other in scenarios that allow students to independently manage processes in the strategy-orientated professional field of international management. In these fields of activity in particular, the requirements structure is characterised by frequent and unpredictable changes.

The interactive nature of the courses aims to help students develop their personal communication and cooperation skills in the fields that are decisive for the professional field. As a result, they will be able to integrate other participants into tasks in a goal-oriented manner within a management function, taking into account the respective group situation, deal constructively with conflicts, and define the expected social, economic, and cultural effects to integrate them into the decision-making process.

You will also receive tuition-free German language courses over the period of the first two semesters, and you can do an internship to earn credit points.

If you choose the International Business specialisation, you will have the opportunity to spend one semester abroad at one of our partner universities. We also have double degree agreements, which enable you to stay at a partner university for one year and earn two Master's degrees — one from each institution.

The taught modules include lectures, tutorials, practical exercises, case studies, and seminars.

An optional internship of a minimum of nine weeks yields 10 ECTS points. It can be replaced by regular courses.

1 January 2027 until 15 April 2027

Late applications may be considered, but only if there are free places and only if it is still possible to start on time in Freiberg (i.e. until the start of lectures in October). Late applications have to be complete (!) and can be sent to Prof Stephan (Johannes.Stephan@vwl.tu-freiberg.de) directly.

For applicants from India, China, and Vietnam, please note: The APS certificate must be submitted with the application.

A committee selects suitable students. The assessment is based on the previous studies and their results, work experience, command of the English language, GMAT/GRE score, and the motivation letter. The following is required:

• Bachelor's degree or a similar three-year or four-year degree in the fields of business studies, economics, or comparable studies, with a good grade
• Analytical test: Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with a minimum of 570 points OR Graduate Record Examination (the new GRE) with a minimum of 305 points
• English test (details below), note: The English test is waived for English native speakers. It may be waived also for students who have completed a full Bachelor's or Master's study programme that was taught entirely in English. This is subject to an individual assessment.
• Job experience: As a general rule, one year of experience is required. Any kind of job experience, including internships, counts. (In cases in which the applicant's job experience is not yet sufficient, the applicant can plan to have more job experience during the period of study.)

107 EUR per semester, which provides access to subsidised student housing and student food in the cafeteria

• 650 EUR to 950 EUR per month, depending on individual lifestyle
• Rent in a student hall of residence per month: an average of 290 EUR

Part-time employment on campus (e.g. student assistant, canteen) as well as in town (e.g. in supermarkets, cafés, restaurants)

1. The Deutschlandstipendium is a national scholarship programme that supports above-average students with excellent grades. Social commitment, a willingness to take responsibility and special social, family or personal circumstances will also be taken into account.
2. Georgius Agricola Scholarships for international students
3. Equal Opportunities Scholarship to support international students who have to overcome special challenges and life circumstances
4. Study completion grant for international students with good academic performance in the last semester of their studies

It is advised that students visit and consult the Career Center (https://tu-freiberg.de/en/career-center). The Career Center offers counselling, training in technical and leadership skills, career fairs, and a job board.

Different kinds of accommodation are available on campus and in the city of Freiberg.

The average monthly rent for a room in the student halls of residence, including utilities, is 290 EUR. The most common form of accommodation is the shared flat. Each student has their own room, with the bathroom and kitchen shared.

An online application is required to apply for accommodation in the student halls of residence. The recommended time for application is three months before the start of the semester.