International Business Development (MSc) FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences

The extensive range of courses offered in English emphasises the international orientation of the degree programme. The programme can be completed in English. However, some elective modules are offered in German, allowing for bilingual study. Some modules are carried out in cooperation with regional companies, for which German language skills are essential for project work on-site and are therefore mandatory for these modules.

Diverse, practice-orientated, and well-founded courses and lectures

International Business

• International Brand Management
• Cross-Cultural Competencies
• International Supply Chain Management
• International People & Change Management
• International Project
• International Mobility Semester

Business Management

• Governance & Responsibility
• Customer Development: Customer Relationship Management
• Digital Business Transformation
• Portfolio Management
• Taxation of Groups as well as Investment and Financing

Business Development

• Mindset and Business Development
• Strategic Business Development
• Management of Business Processes
• Innovation, Marketing, and Sales
• Coaching for Start-ups (ACIAS Incubator)

Academic Research

• Statistical Methods and Data Science
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research
• Master's Thesis

For EU and non-EU applicants:

• 15 January for the following summer semester
• 15 July for the following winter semester

You will have the opportunity to shape your study schedule from the start. In addition to a few compulsory modules, you can choose modules according to your interests and inclinations. You can decide whether you want to study abroad for a semester as part of the mobility semester or focus on an international topic as part of a practical semester in a company. After four semesters, you will complete your Master's degree programme with your Master's thesis and receive the academic title of Master of Science.

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Our Master's degree programme in Business Development has a strong international focus and is largely taught in English. It is also possible to study entirely in English. The students are an international mix, and the lecturers bring international experience to the programme. The diverse cultural backgrounds, along with teamwork in project work and case studies, help participants develop their intercultural skills.

The curriculum includes a mobility semester in the third semester, during which you have the opportunity to study at one of our 110 partner universities worldwide.
If you choose to study abroad for two semesters, you have the option of completing your studies with a double degree – a Master of Science from FH Aachen and an equivalent degree from the partner university, depending on the institution you study at. In this case, the final thesis will also be written abroad.

The curriculum includes a mobility semester in the third semester, during which you have the opportunity to work on a practical project at a company, ideally in conjunction with a stay abroad.
If you decide to undertake the international project, you will work on a practice-oriented project in a company in Germany or abroad for at least four months, followed by writing a report. The project should have an international focus and be supervised by a professor at FH Aachen.

No tuition fees

Before the semester starts, a mandatory social contribution and student activity fee ("Sozial- und Studierendenschaftsbeitrag") of about 320 EUR per semester has to be paid. It is used to benefit the "Studierendenwerk Aachen" (housing and social affairs) and includes the student mobility ticket (public transport), which is valid for a period of one semester and allows the use of all public transport in the whole of Germany except for high-speed trains.

The cost of living in Aachen amounts to approx. 900 EUR per month. You should have at least 670 EUR per month available, which is equivalent to 8,040 EUR per year. Monthly costs comprise the following: social contribution and health insurance (up to age 30): approx. 120 EUR monthly; accommodation: approx. 350–450 EUR (basic accommodation); food, clothes, and other essentials: approx. 200 EUR; and computer, TV, and radio licence fee: around 18 EUR. In order to cover your monthly living expenses, the amount mentioned above should be available under all circumstances.

The degree programme is admission-restricted, meaning that only a limited number of places are available. To apply, you must meet the following admission requirements:

1. A degree from a Bachelor's programme lasting at least six semesters (or equivalent degree) with at least 180 credit points in business or a related field, with qualifying examination results from a German or foreign university that are at least equivalent to a German university of applied sciences degree or successful completion of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with a score of at least 505 points if the university entrance qualification was obtained outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
2. An overall grade of the Bachelor's degree (or equivalent degree) of at least 2.5
3. Sufficient knowledge of the English language
4. Application is possible before graduation if no more than 40 credits remain outstanding.

Please refer to the Admission and Examination Regulations for detailed information on the admission requirements and programme content before submitting your application.

Language Skills
Proof of a profound command of English (German "Abitur" is not sufficient):

• University entrance qualification from an English-speaking school or
• Studying an English-language degree programme (at least 180 credits) or
• Business English at a C1 level, minimum grade 2.5 (at least 5 credits) or
• New Generation TOEFL test, min. 92 points (min. 20 for each section) or
• IELTS exam, min. band 6.5 (min. 6.0 per subtest) or
• First (FCE) certificate, min. grade B2 or
• English entrance exam at the “ Sprachenakademie Aachen”

For EU and non-EU applicants:

• 15 January for the following summer semester
• 15 July for the following winter semester

No

Applicants should not count on financing their stay in Aachen by working part-time during their studies. However, some students are successful in finding part-time jobs either at the university or elsewhere.

Students usually live in a private room in a shared apartment. Living areas, bathrooms, and cooking facilities are shared. Furnished rooms start at 300 EUR per month plus around 75 EUR per month for electricity, water, and heating. It is possible to rent a private apartment, but the monthly costs are higher. Most apartments or rooms require the first month's rent and a security deposit of one to three months' rent in advance before you can move into the room. Aachen also has some public student residences. FH Aachen students can apply for a room in a student dorm (https://www.studierendenwerk-aachen.de/de/).

Career Service

• Advice regarding applications and application documents
• Events and counselling regarding soft skills/ job entry
• Events and counselling on intercultural competence

"Freshers' helper team", Community of International Business Students (CIBS)

With over 2,700 students, the Faculty of Business Studies is the biggest faculty at FH Aachen. For more than 50 years, the Faculty of Business Studies has successfully been educating students in an economic, practice-oriented, and value-oriented manner.
The FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1971 after the merger of several technical colleges and vocational training centres. Additionally, it looks back on more than 100 years of practice-oriented educational tradition.
Theory and practice are closely linked during the entire course of study. A professionally qualifying and scientifically sound course of study is ensured by the close connection with professional practice and staff of 230 professors and approximately 700 employees engaged in teaching and research.
More than 15,000 students benefit from this. The FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences offers a first-rate education in modern and trendsetting professions. There is a close cooperation with regional and international business enterprises as well as renowned research institutions. At the FH Aachen, new job requirements are seen as a chance to constantly adjust and expand the curriculum.
At present, prospective students can choose from more than 70 Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in engineering sciences, business studies, and design. In addition, some degree programmes are offered as dual and extra-occupational study programmes.
A special advantage of the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences is the location of Aachen in close proximity to Belgium and the Netherlands. This internationality in teaching and studies is an essential and unique feature of the FH Aachen. We prepare our students for the demands of a globalised working world and develop their capability of cross-cultural collaboration. To this end, we support the mobility of our students and teaching staff during the course of study and in joint projects as well as through international degrees in cooperation with our partner universities. Currently, the percentage of students from abroad at the Faculty of Business Studies is around 20%.

Aachen is the westernmost city in Germany, located right at the border of the Netherlands and Belgium. Today, Aachen has over 250,000 inhabitants. One in five residents is a student, contributing to the city's vibrant and youthful atmosphere. With its unique location in a tri-border region (Dreiländereck), Aachen has a great exchange of international cultures and lifestyles. Historic landmarks like Aachen Cathedral and the Old Town Hall lend the city its distinctive charm and make a stroll through the old streets especially inviting.