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Master of Innovation, Business and Sustainability (MIBAS)

Degree: Master of Science (MSc)

Scope: 120 ECTS credit points

Regular period of study: 4 Semesters

Language: English

Admission: Winter semester (program start: 1 October)

Application: 15 February - 31 March

 Details

The MIBAS program is divided into five modules and exciting subject areas. You will start the first semester with modules I and II, to refresh your basic knowledge of business administration and academic research. The second and third semesters build on that base. Finally, you will conclude your studies with your master’s thesis in the fourth semester. The program is built up as follows:

First, second and third semester:

  • Module I: Fundamentals of Innovation, Business and Sustainability

Innovation is the driver of businesses which are constantly in competition. Companies must constantly develop in order to be successful – including in the context of sustainability. This leads to fundamental questions and challenges for management and society at large, which you will confront in this module.

  • Module II: Research Methods

The concept of doing sustainable business raises critical questions, demands new ways of thinking and might even spur your own research project. But you will not get far without basic knowledge of empirical research methods for social sciences or the central methods of critical data analysis. This module will provide you with a solid foundation in research methods that will also be helpful for your master’s thesis in the fourth semester.

Second and third semester: Elective Intermediate Modules

Starting now, you can personalize your course of study by choosing electives within each module that are completely based on your interests.

Your Building Blocks for an International Career

Beyond that, you will acquire methods and tools for the management of international organizations. You will gain specific competencies that will help you understand institutional frameworks and the complex interplays of an increasingly globalized business landscape.

  • Module III: Innovation, Sustainability and Knowledge Exchange in Management

The goal of the module is to provide students with detailed and in-depth knowledge of innovation and societal transfer issues from a management perspective. This involves, among other things, developing far-reaching, theory-based skills in the areas of innovation and transfer. This includes knowledge about how to deal with innovation processes and questions about the exchange of knowledge between society and science. Questions about founding a company are also addressed. Students will be enabled to examine central aspects of innovation and transfer from a sustainability perspective and to assess and critically reflect on their theoretical and practical implications.

  • Module IV: Sustainability in Management

The aim of the module is to provide students with detailed and in-depth knowledge of issues relating to sustainable management. This involves, among other things, developing extensive, theory-based skills in the areas of international corporate management and sustainability. This includes knowledge about how to deal with ethical questions and questions about the sustainable use of natural resources. Students will be enabled to examine central aspects of management from a sustainability perspective and to identify, assess and critically reflect on theoretical and practical implications of sustainable management.

  • Module V: Sustainable Finance and Accounting

The goal of the module is to provide students with detailed and in-depth knowledge of the central issues and problems of financing and accounting from an innovation and sustainability perspective. At the beginning, students are provided with theoretical knowledge, study central theories in depth and learn concepts as well as the theory-guided processing of specific entrepreneurial problems that arise in the context of the module. This implies, among other things, issues of international accounting in multinational corporations, the financing of social transformation and the role of innovations in this context. Students will be able to recognize complex issues of sustainable financing, to reflect critically and to work on them independently.

  • Module VI: Electives for your individual profile

Where do your completely personal interests lie in? In order to tailor your master’s studies even more individually to your profile, you have two slots for electives. You can e.g. choose more courses from MIBAS or courses from other master’s programs at the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences – or learn a foreign language.

Fourth semester:

Your Master’s Thesis

Almost done! Once you have successfully completed all the modules, the master’s thesis awaits you in the fourth semester. You will have six months to complete your thesis after registration.

Frequently Asked Questions: New MIBAS program

Frequently asked questions about the new curriculum starting in winter semester 2023/2024 according to subject specific provision.

For current MIBAS MA students

For students who would like to change to MSc: Organizational aspects of the change

For students who would like to change to an MSc: Courses and modules in the new program

For students who would like to change to an MSc: Examination regulations / Subject-specific regulations

Other questions?

Program Goals

MIBAS students pursue the following knowledge- and skill-related goals:

  • Develop expertise in the fields of innovation, sustainability in management and in finance and accounting.
  • Acquire knowledge of relevant institutional frameworks and develop the ability to grasp the complex interactions that occur in an increasingly global economy.
  • Develop skills required to create sustainable value for both companies and society.
  • Develop skills necessary to handle ethical dilemmas and acquisition of knowledge about instruments for sustainable management.
  • Learn about methods and instruments in modern management.
  • Acquire knowledge of basic concepts in economic analyses.
  • Acquire knowledge of fundamental methodological skills for empirical social research.

Furthermore, the program encourages students to

  • develop a consciousness concerning the moral responsibility of future executives;
  • establish intercultural open-mindedness via a multicultural learning environment and focus on problems in international businesses; and
  • further develop leadership skills through practical courses.

Course overview for MSc students starting in winter semester 2023/2024

The degree program is worth 120 ECTS and the standard period of study totals four semesters.
The program incorporates six modules from which students may select a variety of courses, as well as the master’s thesis.

An overview of the modules and courses can be found in the program's course overview. For more information you may refer to the subject-specific regulations.
During the first, second, and third semester students have several options when structuring their master's degree. Students are required to accrue a maximum of 30 credit points per semester.

The following courses are offered in the MIBAS modules on a regular basis:

Module Fundamentals of Innovation, Business and Sustainability (1st semester) - 24 ECTS, 4 courses are required
Innovation Management
Organisational Development and Change
Financial and Management Accounting
(International) Finance and Investment
Sustainability and Management
Business Ethics: Managing CSR in the Age of Globalization
Entrepreneurship and Sustainability
 

Module Research Methods (1st + 2nd + 3rd semester) - 18 ECTS, 3 courses are required
Quantitative Research Methods – I
Introduction to Econometrics
Reading and Understanding Academic Articles
Introduction into Philosophy of Science
Advanced Econometrics
Qualitative Methods of Empirical Research
Decision Theory
Open topics - Research Methods
 

Module Innovation, Sustainability and Knowledge Exchange in Management (2nd + 3rd semester) - 18 ECTS, 3 courses are required
Managing and Organizing Innovation
Consumer and Management Decisions
Science Innovation (SCB)
Organizational Behavior and Design: Trends in Empirical Research
Knowledge Exchange and Innovation – Concepts
Knowledge Exchange and Innovation – Methods
Open Topics
 

Module Sustainability in Management (2nd + 3rd semester) - 18 ECTS, 3 courses are required
Strategic Management and Sustainability in the Digital Age
Industrial Ecology
Applied Business Ethics
Case Study on Sustainability (Shell)
Corporate Transition Toward Sustainability
Innovative Organizational Design
Open topics
 

Module Sustainable Finance and Accounting (2nd + 3rd semester) - 18 ECTS, 3 courses are required
Sustainable Finance: ESG and Capital Markets
Sustainable Accounting: International CSR Reporting
Sustainable Corporate Governance
Sustainable Finance & Business Strategy
Transfer and Innovation in Sustainable Finance and Accounting
Impact Investment
Open topics
 

Module Electives (2nd + 3rd semester) - 12 ECTS
depending on the students' course selection

Curriculum for MA students from winter semester 2019/2020

The degree program is worth 120 ECTS and the standard period of study totals four semesters.
The program incorporates six modules from which students may select a variety of courses, as well as the master’s thesis.

An overview of the modules and courses can be found in the program's course overview. For more information you may refer to the subject-specific regulations.
During the first, second, and third semesters students have several options when structuring their master's degree. Students are required to accrue a maximum of 30 credit points per semester.

The MA International Business and Sustainability is structured as follows:

First semester

  • Module I: Fundamentals of Management

The first semester of the MIBAS starts with the module Fundamentals of Management, which includes introductory classes in international management and sustainability. Thus, the focal point of the study program is clear from the outset.
Students must complete four courses, each worth 6 ECTS, within this module (24 ECTS credits in total).  

  • Module II: Research Methods

In addition, the first semester includes courses designed to equip students with the methodological foundation for academic research. The module Research Methods focuses on the fundamentals of empirical social research and aims at imparting knowledge about key methods used in critical data analysis.
Students must complete one course within this module (worth 6 ECTS).

Second and third semesters

Semesters two and three cover advanced modules, each dedicated to relevant subject areas. Within the individual modules, students may customize their studies by selecting different courses according to their individual needs and interests.

  • Module III: Sustainability Management and Socioeconomics

Courses in the module Sustainability Management and Socioeconomic aim at raising students’ awareness for the primary issues associated with ethically responsible management of international companies.
This module also focuses on raising awareness of the complex way in which business is embedded in society while revealing the environmental consequences of corporate actions. The courses within this module enable students to develop the skills required to generate sustainable value for business and society. An additional focus in this module enables students to recognize and manage ethical dilemmas in the context of sustainable corporate management.
Students must select and complete three courses, worth 6 ECTS each, within this module (a total of 18 ECTS).

  • Module IV: International Management and Economics

Courses in the module International Management and Economics intend to help students develop specific skills in the fields of international management and economics. Beyond equipping students with specific methods and instruments for managing international organizations, this module seeks to both impart knowledge about significant institutional frameworks and enable students to comprehend the complex interactions that take place in an increasingly global economy.
Students must select and complete three courses, worth 6 ECTS each, within this module (18 ECTS in total).

  • Module V: Advanced Research Methods

To provide students with sufficient knowledge of research methodology in accordance with the objectives of the program, additional courses in Advanced Research Methods are offered in the second and third semesters.
This module prepares students for conducting their own research projects and for and writing their master's thesis in the fourth semester.
Students must complete one course within this module (worth 6 ECTS).

  • Module VI: Electives

Beyond the core curriculum, students must select three elective courses that correspond with their personal and professional interest(s).
This may include, for example, pursuing additional courses from the MIBAS program, courses offered by other master’s programs of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences or studying a foreign language.
Students must select and complete three courses, worth 6 ECTS each, within this module (18 ECTS in total).

Fourth semester       

  • Master's thesis

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 (from registration) to complete the thesis.

To complete the program, students must complete all modules and the master's thesis.

Course overview for MA students from winter semester 2019/2020


The following courses are offered in the MIBAS modules on a regular basis:

Module Fundamentals of Management (1st semester) - 24 ECTS, 4 courses are required
Introduction to CSR: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Implementation
International Strategic Management
International Organization
Management Accounting and Control 
Corporate Strategy
Finance and Investment
Sustainability and Management
 

Module Research Methods (1st semester) - 6 ECTS, 1 course is required
Quantitative Research Methods for Market Strategies
Reading and Understanding Academic Articles
 

Module Sustainability Management and Socioeconomics (2nd + 3rd semester) - 18 ECTS, 3 courses are required
ESG and Capital Markets
Business and the Natural Environment
Applied Business Ethics
International CSR Reporting
International Normative Framework on Sustainable Management 
Industrial Ecology 
Varying additional courses in recent topics in Sustainability Management and Socioeconomics
 

Module International Management and Economics (2nd + 3rd semester) - 18 ECTS, 3 courses are required
Consumer and Management Decisions
Group Accounting & Controlling
International Accounting and Controlling 
Innovation Management
Strategic Human Resource Management 
Organizational Behavior and Leadership 
Varying additional courses in recent topics in International Management and Economics
 

Module Advanced Research Methods (2nd + 3rd semester) - 6 ECTS, 1 course is required
Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences
Qualitative Methods of Empirical Research
Decision Theory
 

Module Electives (2nd + 3rd semester) - 18 ECTS
depending on the students' course selection