Master of Science in International Economics and Management Paderborn University

Are you interested in how companies and entire economies operate in global markets? Are you fascinated by other cultures and economic areas, and can you imagine working in an internationally operating company, research institution or in an international organisation? Our Master's programme in International Economics and Management – IEM for short – offers you a wide range of opportunities for living internationalisation.

Our compulsory modules are taught in English. With regard to the further module selection during your studies, you are free to decide whether you want to fill your study plan only with modules taught in English or to also include modules taught in German. But it is not only through the modules taught in English that you can improve your language skills and gain international experience. In addition, numerous partner universities as well as various co-operations around the world offer you the opportunity to spend a semester abroad or take part in a double degree programme, summer schools or short-term programmes. More than one third of our students, thus your fellow students, come from abroad. In a forum, we encourage cross-cultural exchange through social events, and exciting talks.

We provide you with the necessary theoretical and methodological knowledge to answer the question of how global markets actually work, what influence they have on organisations and how a company can position itself successfully in these markets. At the same time, the study plan offers a high degree of flexibility to enable you to tailor the programme to your individual interests by establishing a focus in the fields of economics and management. This opens the door to leading and strategically oriented management positions in internationally operating companies, organisations and research institutions. Your specific field of application area then depends on your individually chosen study track.

Possible career profiles:

• Manager in a multinational firm
• Management consultant, data analyst
• Position in an international organisation
• Position in an NGO
• Position in a financial institution or central bank
• Research-oriented career

Detailed information can be found on the website of the study programme: https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/studyoffer/course_of_study/international-economics-and-management-master.

International Economics and Management is a four-semester programme. Typically, the academic year begins in the winter semester, but it is also possible to begin in the summer semester. A total of 120 ECTS credits is needed to complete the programme (ECTS = European Credit Transfer System, 1 ECTS credit is equivalent to a workload of around 30 hours). 

Your course of study offers lots of flexibility. Only four compulsory modules (of 5 ECTS each) provide you with basic methodological competences including mathematical abilities as well as empirical and econometric methods. 

Additionally, there are various compulsory elective areas. These include the areas of “Economics” (10 ECTS), “Management” (10 ECTS), "Sustainability" (10 ECTS) and 30 ECTS in the area of “Study Tracks”. This allows students to specialise in one area in depth. Four study tracks are offered: “Data Science in Economics”, “Market Mechanisms”, “Sustainable Economics” and "Economics and Management". 

10 ECTS are acquired in the “General Elective Module” from all areas of business administration and economics at Paderborn University. In addition, there is the compulsory elective area “Individual Study and Research” (10 ECTS), in which students can choose to take an internship or research module (10 ECTS). In all of these areas, you can choose your modules according to your interests and thus create your own profile.

Furthermore, the Master's thesis contributes to your individual profile-building and career goal. You can write your thesis in any field of business administration, management or economics in order to apply the knowledge you have gained during your studies to a scientific problem.

The study plan (see the PDF download below) provides an overview of the amount of ECTS in the respective areas. However, the structure shown here is just an example.

There is a compulsory elective area, “Individual Study and Research” (10 CP), which is a special feature. The module can be used either as an internship or research module (10 CP). The “Internship International Economics and Management” internship module (10 CP) offers students the opportunity to gain their own experience in a professional field or area of activity relevant to the degree programme alongside their studies.

Academic admission requirements include a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in economics, business administration/management or a related subject. Equivalence will be assessed as part of the application procedure.
Admission is based on the grading of the Bachelor's or equivalent degree. Applicants must either belong to the best 35% of their year or have finished the Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
A detailed description can be found on the following website:
https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/studyoffer/course_of_study/international-economics-and-management-master.

Approx. 330 EUR per semester
The fee includes the Deutschlandticket, covering all regional public transport in Germany.

Rent: 400 EUR
Health insurance: approx. 160 EUR
Food: 350 EUR
Free time: min. 150 EUR
Semester fee: approx. 330 EUR per semester (55 EUR/month)
Miscellaneous: approx. 120 EUR

Total approx. 1,235 EUR

Students may obtain paid jobs either at Paderborn University (e.g. as a student tutor or an assistant) or in other positions outside the university. 

With the DAAD-funded project InRegioFIT, Paderborn University is pursuing the goal of providing international students with targeted support throughout their studies and during their transition into the labour market. The project focuses on the specific regional requirements and circumstances in order to optimally prepare international talent for entering the local labour market.

Students are eligible to apply for a room at the dormitories of the "Studierendenwerk Paderborn" (affiliated with Paderborn University). As an alternative, students can look for a room or an apartment on the private market. The typical rent is between 350 EUR and 450 EUR per month.

Paderborn University is a campus university within walking distance of the city centre. A large number of student residences are located on the campus. The campus provides a wide range of services and facilities, including an excellent "Mensa" (canteen), sports facilities and a small theatre. For more information, see: https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/.

Despite its very modern service- and entertainment-oriented appeal, Paderborn also offers opportunities for the historically inclined, including a 700-year-old cathedral overlooking the city centre. Paderborn is known to be a very safe place, while it also offers many occasions for students to enjoy themselves. The most famous occasion is the annual "Libori" funfair, but students may also enjoy the quieter Christmas market in December. For more information, see: https://www.paderborn.de/microsite/welcome/index.php.