Master of Arts in International Business (MA.IB) Mainz University of Applied Sciences

The MA.IB programme takes four semesters in total:

• MA.IB students spend their first academic year at Mainz University of Applied Sciences, where they are familiarised with the core subjects of international business. 
• The third semester takes place abroad at one of our partner universities and is dedicated to a respective specialisation. 
• During the fourth semester, students will work on the Master's thesis either in Mainz or at the partner university (if they have opted for one of our double degree programmes). 
• This degree also includes an eight-week internship or work experience that can be done in any country (applied project).

Teaching Methods:

Teaching methods in each course are a mixture of lectures and seminars. A strong emphasis is placed on individual work and self-study projects. Furthermore, group work is also very important, larger and smaller groups work together on projects, which may be provided by (international) companies. Results are presented and reported back to the group.

Inter­national Focus:

The MA.IB programme is truly international. Around 60% of the students come from outside of Germany. All modules are taught and assessed in English and take an international perspective, and MA.IB students also spend at least one semester abroad. 

This teaching approach includes projects and group work, so that students get accustomed to working in international teams. Exchange of professors and lecturers from partner universities further contribute to the students’ internationalisation. Many graduates keep in touch years after their studies, creating a worldwide network.

Professional Prospects:

The MA.IB programme allows you to acquire the skills needed in international business and broadens your knowledge by adding a truly international perspective to your business education, and prepares you for middle management positions. 

As a graduate of the MA.IB programme, future employers will appreciate your ability to work and lead in culturally diverse working groups as well as your willingness to be internationally mobile.

Semester One (winter) — Mainz University of Applied Sciences

• Sustainable International Economics: Analyse global trade, financial flows, and exchange rates from macroeconomic and business perspectives.
• Leadership and Human Resources Management
• Quantitative Analytical Methods
• Financial Reporting: Learn international accounting standards (e.g. IFRS, US GAAP) and analyse financial statements of multinational companies.
• International Marketing: Understand export, multi-domestic, and global marketing strategies and their impact on product, pricing, and communication.
• International Business Law: Study legal frameworks of global trade, including EU law, UNCITRAL, ICC rules, intellectual property, and competition law.

Semester Two (summer) — Mainz University of Applied Sciences

• Digital Business and Transformation: Explore challenges and opportunities of digital transformation.
• Strategic Management: Apply knowledge from marketing, finance, and leadership to real cases.
• International Corporate Finance: Focus on financial management in multinational enterprises.
• International Management and Trade: Learn tools for export operations, including finance and risk management.
• Business Research: Develop academic research skills and apply them in projects and papers.
• Applied Project / Internship: Apply analytical tools in practice, ideally within an international company.

Semester Three — Abroad (Partner University) 

Students complete at least 25 ECTS credits abroad and specialise in a chosen management field or industry.

Optional Double Degree 

Students may also complete their fourth semester abroad and earn a double degree, depending on partner university requirements.

Semester Four — Final Thesis 

The final semester focuses on a Master's thesis addressing an international business issue. It may be combined with an internship or conducted as an independent research project. A defence is only required for certain double degree programmes.

Applied Project (Practical Experiences)

Participants apply analytical tools learned in the first two semesters into real-life practice. Ideally, students do the applied project work at an international company during the summer break between the first and second year of studies. As students usually move from Mainz to a partner university – or from the partner university to Mainz – the applied project can be completed during another time frame within the Master's study programme.

If you wish to apply to the MA.IB programme at Mainz University of Applied Sciences, School of Business, you must meet the following criteria:

• You hold a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Management from a recognised accredited university (three years full-time or 180 ECTS minimum).
• Above-average results (minimum requirement: ECTS grade C or 2.5 or better (calculated into the German grading system). Grades from non-EU applicants will be transferred into German grades by uni-assist.
• You are multilingual. You speak at least three different languages:

1. Excellent knowledge of English (details below)

2. Intermediate knowledge of German (details also below)

3. Advanced knowledge of a third language (B1 level required, see homepage)

Furthermore:

• You are highly motivated. We ask all applicants to explain their motivation for studying in the MA.IB programme in a written letter of about two pages. The letter should also explain and provide your motivation for the choice of the partner university during your stay abroad.
• You have a regional preference: Please hand in a list of your priorities (one to three) of (partner) universities for your stay abroad during the third semester.

Approx. 350 EUR per semester

Students from a non-EU country with a visa requirement for Germany probably need to prove financial means of around 1,030 EUR per month for studying in Mainz.

The MA.IB is a full-time study programme. Nevertheless, students may take up a (student) job that fits into their schedule.

IYPA: International Young Professionals Academy

The goal of the Academy is to highlight the opportunities available to international degree-seeking students and graduates that will enter the German job market – and specifically in the Rhine-Main metropolitan area – as well as to equip you with the necessary skill set that will guarantee a successful start to your professional life.

To ensure this, we offer a free and diverse range of events and courses designed to support you throughout your studies and beyond. From academic workshops to networking opportunities with industry professionals, we help you create an even more competitive job profile and foster meaningful collaborations with your peers and potential employers.

Accommodation is available through the Student Services Office ("Studierendenwerk") or on the private market. You will find detailed information about living and studying in Mainz on the website of the Studierendenwerk: http://www.studierendenwerk-mainz.de.

The application deadline for student residence rooms is 15 June. International applicants who submit their application before this date can mostly be guaranteed a place. Students are strongly advised to apply for accommodation to the Studierendenwerk on time before they have received an acceptance letter from Mainz University of Applied Sciences.

• Student halls of residence: Rent for a single room is approx. 400 to 550 EUR per month (depending on the type of accommodation).

Private housing is difficult to arrange from abroad. Information can be found on the Internet, e.g. at: https://www.studenten-wg.de. However, we strongly advise international students to apply for accommodation at Studierendenwerk Mainz.

Abroad at a partner university: Please check the websites of the partner universities.

The University of Applied Sciences in Mainz, Germany, has developed a dynamic research portfolio over many years. The courses are kept up-to-date by highly qualified staff that maintains strong connections with employers, professional institutions, and public and private sector enterprises. Guest lecturers and cutting-edge work-based projects enrich the curriculum, while continuously evolving research activity underpins teaching and learning. Currently, nearly 3,300 students are enrolled at our School of Business at Mainz University of Applied Sciences and more than 60 professors as well as 115 external lecturers from large companies ensure an excellent balance of theory and practice. Our students are our primary concern, which is why we offer them small study groups and direct links to leading companies situated in the Rhine-Main region. We take pride in our modern campus, which is an inspiring and creative place to study. Students benefit from exceptional computer services, well-equipped lecture and seminar rooms, vast research possibilities and long opening hours. All this is in easy reach of the centre of Mainz, a vibrant student city, as well as Frankfurt, Europe's financial centre.

Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate — one of the 16 states (Bundesländer) of the Federal Republic of Germany — with 212,000 inhabitants, has an impressive historical past and is more than 2,000 years old. As the centre of the Rhine-Main area, Mainz is well known for its friendliness and cosmopolitan outlook, which is best demonstrated during the carnival season. Mainz is also an important economic base for industry as well as a significant media centre (ZDF, SAT 1 and Südwestfunk radio and television channels are all based in Mainz). Mainz is twinned with Dijon (France), Watford (England), Zagreb (Croatia), Valencia (Spain), Haifa (Israel), Erfurt (Thuringia) and Louisville (Kentucky, USA). The city is situated 27 km from Frankfurt Airport (FFM) and due to its central location in Europe, nearly all European capitals are within one to two hours' flying distance.

The city of Mainz is an extremely attractive place for foreign students and a magnet for countless tourists. It is rich in cultural monuments and offers a variety of cultural events throughout the year, along with many leisure possibilities. Mainz's old town, its inner city, is the pride and joy of the city scene. Broad, roomy squares, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and magnificent baroque churches give the old town its charming, convivial character. With three universities in town, Mainz hosts around 35,000 students. The university campuses are located within the city limits and are easily accessible by public transport.

Mainz has an impressive past. Founded by the Romans 2,000 years ago, Mainz has played a central role in German history. Many Roman relics and the magnificent baroque buildings testify to the importance of the region in the Middle Ages and beyond. The best architects and most talented sculptors created the general character of the city in the 17th century and designed unique palaces for the nobility, as well as new churches. Soon after the Roman era, the central city on the Rhine became the seat of the archbishop. The cathedral has been located at its current site since 975 and its importance for Mainz's history can be seen even today, with the cathedral still dominating the panorama of this capital city of Rhineland-Palatinate. The city's most famous son, Johannes Gutenberg, printed the first bible in 1452. Attentive observers notice very quickly that the city was largely destroyed in February 1945 by air attacks. The subsequent rebuilding of the city is now also part of its history.