The degree program is worth 120 ECTS and the regular period of study totals four semesters.
The program incorporates six subject areas from which students may select modules and the master’s thesis.
Structure of MIBAS (PDF)
In the first, second, and third semesters students have many options when structuring their master's degree. Students are required to accrue a maximum of 30 credit points per semester.
The Master of Arts in International Business and Sustainability is structured as follows:
First semester
Area I: Fundamentals of International Management
The master’s program starts in the first semester with the Fundamentals of International Management (Area I), which includes the basic classes in international management and sustainability. Thus the focal point of this program is clear from the outset.
Four required elective modules, each worth 6 ECTS, must be selected from this area.
Area II: Research Methods
In addition to imparting management skills and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the first semester includes courses designed to equip students with basic methodological skills. Students must also take one required module from this area focusing on the fundamentals of empirical social research. This module aims to impart key methods used in the critical analysis of data from the very outset of the program. The required module on the fundamentals of empirical social research is worth 6 ECTS.
A total of 30 ECTS must be accrued in the first semester.
Second and third semesters
Semesters two and three cover three thematic areas, each integrated into a discrete subject area. Within the individual subject areas students have a certain degree of freedom to customize the degree program according to their individual needs.
Area III: Sustainability Management and Socioeconomics
Courses in Sustainability Management and Socioeconomic (Area III) aim to make students aware of the main problems associated with ethically responsible management of international companies. This area also focuses on raising awareness of the complex way in which business is embedded in society and rendering transparent the environmental consequences of corporate actions. Courses enable students to develop the skills required to generate sustainable value for business and society. One particular focus in this area is enabling students to recognize and manage ethical dilemmas in the context of sustainable corporate management.
Students must select three required elective modules, worth 6 ECTS each, from this area (a total of 18 ECTS).
Area IV: International Management and Economics
The courses in International Management and Economics (Area IV) are intended to help students develop specific skills in the fields of international management and economics. As well as equipping students with specific methods and instruments for managing international organizations, this area seeks to both impart knowledge about significant institutional frameworks and enable students to comprehend the complex interactions that take place in an increasingly global world economy.
Students must select three required elective modules, worth 6 ECTS each, from this area (a total of 18 ECTS).
Area V: Advanced Research Methods
In order to provide students with sufficient knowledge of methods in accordance with the objectives of the program, additional courses in Advanced Research Methods (Area V) are offered in the second and third semesters. These courses are developed and offered in collaboration with other master’s degree programs. This module in particular prepares students for researching and writing up the master's thesis in their fourth semester.
Students must select one required elective module, worth 6 ECTS, from this area (a total of 6 ECTS).
Area VI: Electives
In addition to the five modules of the core curriculum, students can also select elective courses that correspond to their personal and professional inclinations. This might include, for example, pursuing a particular area of interest or learning a foreign language. These courses may be chosen from either the MIBAS program or other master’s degree programs (for example, programs offered by the KlimaCampus).
Students must select three required elective modules, worth 6 ECTS each, from this area (a total of 18 ECTS).
Fourth semester
The fourth semester is devoted to the master's thesis. The thesis is worth 30 ECTS, which reflects the level of time and intensity of supervision required.
Students have six months in which to complete the thesis.
In order to successfully complete the program, students must pass the module examinations in the relevant areas and the master's thesis.
Please also refere to our leaflet (PDF) and the brochure on the thematic areas (PDF) for a good overview of the program.
