Bachelor's in International Management International School of Management (ISM)

The International Management Bachelor's programme offers a practical approach to teaching and learning and a great deal of internationality and creative freedom. Business studies, economics, global procurement management, strategic marketing, strategic international management, corporate organisation and controlling — the broad subject area gives Bachelor's students a comprehensive insight into the exciting field of international management practices. Depending on the individual interests and strengths, students can specialise in a subject area such as international marketing, international management, global supply chains, consulting, controlling, or people's management during the course of studies. 

In the lectures, students will learn about topics such as how international marketing works, how to negotiate with business partners from different cultures or how a company can grow and stay globally competitive.

With a degree in Business Management, you’ll graduate prepared to take on exciting opportunities in different industries and roles all across the global business world.

This course of study is offered at all ISM locations in Dortmund, Berlin, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart. For more details, visit the website or contact the study advisors.

Semesters 1–3: Fundamental knowledge in core business functions and theories such as business administration, mathematical basics or economics, forming the basis for a solid education

Semester 4: Semester abroad at one of the around 190 partner universities worldwide

Semesters 5–6: Focus on individual areas of interest with different elective modules such as consulting, international marketing, human resources or business controlling

(Optional) Semester 7: Additional semester abroad at a partner university — Global Track

Besides practical projects and excursions, an internship of 20 weeks is integrated into your studies, through which you will deepen and expand the knowledge and skills you have already acquired.

Students participate in a total of 20 weeks of internships, including ten weeks abroad.

The ISM Bachelor's programmes are designed for applicants who have achieved a general qualification for university admission ("Allgemeine Hochschulreife") or a qualification for admission to universities of applied sciences ("Fachhochschulreife"). The programmes do not have a numerus clausus (no NC).

All applicants applying for a Bachelor's programme at the ISM are required to pass an online entrance examination.

The ISM's admission process for Bachelor's takes place online and involves:

• Uploading application documents (school leaving certificate including transcript of records (if available), brief CV, info about English language knowledge)
• Online self-assessment evaluation in mathematics and English (to be submitted prior to interview)
• Online interview with faculty (structured as classical interview, also the performance of the assessment in English and maths will be discussed)

Included in the tuition fee

On average, the cost of living for students in Germany is about 1,000 EUR per month. Depending on lifestyle and choice of accommodation, higher costs might incur in cities such as Munich, Berlin or Hamburg.

As an international student in Germany, you can work part time (20 hours per week) during the semester and full time (40 hours per week) during the semester breaks. This means that over the course of a year, you can work a maximum of 140 full days or 280 half days without requesting approval from the German Employment Agency.

ISM is a private university of applied sciences that is financed solely by tuition fees. It supports international students with the allocation of scholarships — usually partial scholarships of 25% to 50% of the tuition fee — to enable suitable, highly motivated students to study at the university.

More information on scholarships and study financing

The Career Centre is the central service centre for student internship applications, career entry help and perspectives, and the set-up of a student's own network. It is the interface between students, alumni, and companies. The Career Centre offers the best possible support to students in order to help them get access to internships, prepare them for job interviews and to find the best career path.

ISM does not have a private dormitory and cannot offer student accommodation.

The International School of Management (ISM) — with campuses in Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, and Stuttgart — is a private, state-recognised University of Applied Sciences that has been offering high-quality, practical, and career-focused management education programmes with a strong international orientation for more than two decades. Founded in 1990, the ISM is home to about 3,200 students pursuing business degrees in a personal atmosphere, under the guidance of faculty and staff members.
The programme of study includes full-time and part-time Bachelor's degree programmes as well as dual, consecutive, full-time and part-time Master's degree programmes; one non-consecutive full-time Master's programme; and one part-time MBA programme. The courses cover a wide variety of areas like International Management, Finance, Logistics, Tourism, Marketing, Trade, Sales, Fashion Management, Business Psychology, Sports Management, and Commercial Law.
Due to the compact structure of all study programmes, full-time students graduate in six or seven semesters with a Bachelor's degree and in three semesters with a Master's degree. The ISM also offers an MBA programme geared towards graduates of all academic disciplines. Students of this MBA General Management programme graduate within two years and complete four modules at partner universities in the USA, in Brussels, India, and Hong Kong.

Dortmund Campus

The largest ISM Campus is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, only 15 minutes from the Dortmund city centre. It was founded in 1990 and currently hosts approx. 850 students studying in state-of-the-art, well-equipped seminar rooms. The quality of life in Dortmund is enhanced by a rich selection of cultural and sporting events, wonderful parks, and a city centre that offers every possible opportunity to shop, dine, and relax. Located in the heart of the Rhine-Ruhr area, Dortmund has an excellent public transport network which connects the city to the neighbouring cities of Bochum, Essen, Düsseldorf, and Cologne.

Frankfurt/Main Campus

The ISM Campus in Frankfurt/Main was founded in 2007 and is located just two railway stops from the city centre of Sachsenhausen. Currently, approx. 720 students are preparing for their management careers on this campus. The city of Frankfurt/Main is home to the European Central Bank, the German Central Bank, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as well as Germany's largest airport.

Munich Campus

The ISM Campus in Munich was founded in 2009 and is located just a few minutes away from Königsplatz and the main train station. Approx. 740 students are currently enrolled. Munich is one of Germany's largest university cities, with tremendous economic dynamism. A strong practical relevance is ensured through the proximity of well-known companies such as ProSiebenSat1, the CH Beck Publishing House, BMW, and Sony.

Hamburg Campus

The ISM Campus in Hamburg was founded in 2010 and is centrally located at HafenCity in close proximity to the Hamburg warehouse district and city centre. The campus currently hosts about 560 students. The city of Hamburg offers a wide range of cultural activities, including theatre, opera, and numerous museums and galleries as well as the famous neighbourhood of St Pauli. As one of Germany's most important economic hubs, Hamburg is also an exciting location to study in, with outstanding possibilities for internships, business projects, and entry positions.

Cologne Campus

In the 2014/2015 winter semester, the ISM unveiled a new campus in Cologne. Located at Mediapark, the new premises meet the private business school's overall requirements, boasting a modern architectural design as well as a pleasant atmosphere. Cologne's Mediapark is extremely well served by public transport. It is also located in the immediate vicinity of a host of enterprises that will prove to be a valuable source of internships or company talks at the ISM.

Stuttgart Campus

ISM opened a new campus in Stuttgart in 2016. In Stuttgart, ISM has taken over a campus, which boasts an exceptional infrastructure and currently has 240 students. The campus is just a few minutes on foot from the city centre and is easy to reach using public transport. As it the home of numerous world famous companies, the German city of Stuttgart is the ideal place to study.