International Management (CEMS MIM) – Master of Science University of Cologne

The University of Cologne's MSc International Management and CEMS Master's programme is designed to provide you with excellent academic and practical training in international management with a focus for your future career in a global business environment.

CEMS network
This network is a global alliance of 33 leading business schools across five continents, more than 70 multinational corporations, and eight social partners that together offer the CEMS Master’s in International Management (MIM). The University of Cologne’s Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (the “WiSo Faculty”) is a founding member – and the only German member – of the CEMS alliance.

The CEMS MIM is a pre-experience postgraduate degree. It is open to top-class, internationally minded, multilingual students enrolled in the MSc in International Management programme at the WiSo Faculty.

It offers:

• international course experience
• intercultural study groups
• a semester abroad at one of the top business schools in the CEMS Global Alliance in Management Education
• a consultancy project carried out in collaboration with multinational companies
• soft skills seminars geared towards developing leadership skills
• numerous opportunities to meet and network with representatives of renowned international companies

At the core of the programme are three content elements: Global Strategy, Global Leadership, and Business Projects with corporate and social partners.

• Global Strategy enables students to understand and navigate the international business environment.
• Global Leadership equips students with the knowledge and skills to manage people across borders and within multinational teams, creating culturally savvy individuals who demonstrate empathy and can relate to, as well as interact with, different cultures.
• Finally, the Business Projects, which are conducted with corporate and social partners, allow students to integrate theory and practice in culturally diverse teams while tackling real business issues across a wide range of fields.

Beyond these core elements, the CEMS MIM programme at the University of Cologne offers an unparalleled variety of electives encompassing business administration, economics, political science, psychology, and sociology. Further modules include an international internship, an international academic exchange, and the development of multilingual competencies.

Students follow the Cologne-specific curriculum of the CEMS MIM programme in their first year. In the second year, students complete one semester in Cologne and one semester at one of the 33 international CEMS partner schools.

CEMS - The Global Alliance of Management Education

Part of the CEMS MIM programme is an internship abroad with a minimum length of eight weeks. Students are free to choose a country or a company according to their interests. Internships can take place at a CEMS corporate partner, although this is not compulsory.

• Bachelor's degree with a grade of at least 2.5 (German grading system)
• at least 48 ECTS in the field of Business Administration/ Management
• at least 10 ECTS in the field of Economics
• at least 10 ECTS in the fields of Statistics and/or Mathematics (methodological expertise only, no user expertise)

Please find more information and the full list of requirements here.

The semester contribution amounts to approx. 340 EUR per semester. The fee includes a public transport ticket for the regional transport throughout Germany ("Deutschlandsemesterticket"). CEMS also charges a one-time registration fee of 100 EUR. There are no tuition fees when studying abroad.

There can be extra costs for some elements of the CEMS programme, such as the CEMS Block Seminar (around 300 EUR), language training, and some study materials.

Scholarships and further financing options

WiSo Career Services

Accommodation is available through the student union ("Kölner Studierendenwerk") or on the private housing market. Rent for a single room in a student hall of residence is approx. 200 EUR to 300 EUR. Rent for a single room on the private housing market is approx. 400 EUR to 600 EUR.
Find more information here.

The University of Cologne is a modern university in the heart of Europe. Academic excellence, internationality, and widely varied curricula create a vibrant and inspiring environment for students, scientists, and scholars.

With a population of over one million people, Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and the largest city in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Located in the heart of Europe on an ancient trade route – the River Rhine – Cologne has been an important trade location since the Middle Ages. Cologne has a booming economic sector that includes commerce, trades, banks, and international corporations. It is one of Europe's most important media hubs and is home to a variety of television and radio broadcasters. Furthermore, Cologne offers many museums, art exhibitions, cinemas, theatres, cultural events, international-level concerts, and, of course, the Cologne Carnival, which is the city's "fifth season". According to "World’s Loneliest Cities Index 2025", Cologne is ranked the city with the lowest risk of loneliness in the world.