Business Development University of Münster

The Master of Science in Business Development equips students with the tools to create, grow, and transform businesses in a global economy. The programme combines entrepreneurship, strategic management, and innovation to foster future business leaders and founders.

In addition to six core modules covering business modelling, growth strategies, and corporate entrepreneurship, students choose five elective courses to shape their profile. Two advanced seminars and a final thesis complete the programme. A semester abroad is recommended, and international credits can be recognised.

Practice-based learning is central to this programme. Students work on real cases, develop business plans, and pitch their ideas to professionals from industry and academia. Strong team collaboration, individual mentoring, and ethical reflection support both personal and professional development.

Whether students aim to start a business, consult companies, or lead innovation in established organisations, this programme provides the necessary mindset, skills, and experiences.

The Master’s programme in Business Development is a four-semester (120 ECTS) programme focused on entrepreneurship, strategic growth, and innovation management.

Programme structure:

First Year (Semesters 1 and 2):

• Six compulsory core modules (36 ECTS): Innovation Management, Business Modelling, Go-to-Market and Business Development, Managing Growth, Corporate Entrepreneurship, Foundations of Economic Ethics

• Students start selecting elective courses (from a predefined catalogue) to deepen or broaden their competencies in areas such as International Business Development, Digital Transformation Strategies, Venture Capital and Private Equity, Business Negotiations.

Second Year (Semesters 3 and 4):

• Completion of five elective modules (30 ECTS) based on personal interests

• Two research seminars (24 ECTS): These are focused on practical case studies and business plan development. Students are required to pitch business ideas and work closely with practitioners from the start-up scene or corporate development sectors.

• Optional semester abroad: Students are encouraged to spend a semester at one of the partner universities. Credits earned abroad can be recognised towards the degree.

• Master’s thesis (30 ECTS): Conducted on a business development-related topic, often based on a self-developed business plan or strategic growth study

The specific admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations and on our homepage.

We do not charge tuition fees. However, students must pay a semester contribution fee of approx. 355 EUR per semester. This includes various services for students as well as a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in Münster and all of Germany.

You can find more information here.

We recommend that students budget at least 1,000 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, living, health insurance).

You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/international/en/studierende/general-information/cost-and-funding.html.

The Career Service team of the University of Münster provides a comprehensive range of seminars, information, and advice to help students, doctoral candidates, and graduates develop a sustainable professional profile, initiate contacts with employers, and learn application strategies and techniques.

As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and not easy to find in Münster – but it's not impossible either! Like most German universities, we do not have our own student halls of residence. However, the "Studierendenwerk", a governmental organisation, offers student halls in Münster. You can find additional information on housing options here and here (only in German).

When contacting about private offers, be careful! Please make sure that you never transfer money before you sign the rental contract. Ideally, you should be able to talk personally to the potential landlord, even if you are still abroad (via phone, video call, etc.) If you are not sure whether an offer is real or possibly a fraud, please feel free to contact the team of our International Office and send us the offer.