Business Administration (Master of Science) – Major: Accounting & Taxation, Corporate Development, Finance, Marketing or Supply Chain Management University of Cologne

Most of our courses are offered in English. Therefore, it is possible to apply without knowledge of German and to complete the Master's degree programme in English (except for the "Accounting and Taxation" courses).

Being able to choose from five different specialisation fields, you will select one major and start the focus on that respective field from the beginning. The focus can be put on the following disciplines within business administration:

• accounting and taxation
• corporate development
• finance
• marketing
• supply chain management

The MSc Business Administration at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne broadens the knowledge that you have gained in your Bachelor's studies and makes you an expert in your respective area. For many managing positions across different industries and for certain professions in research and teaching, a Master's is indispensable. In order to get an individual impression of the various career prospects, please read our interviews with graduates.

Since many of our courses are delivered in English, you can complete the Master's programme mostly in English. For our Master of Science in Business Administration, we have applications from a large number of different nationalities, which means you can be sure of an international and intercultural environment. Our cooperation agreements with an extensive number of excellent partner universities worldwide provide you with attractive options to spend a semester abroad. In addition, you may enrich your studies through our short programmes in New York and Hong Kong or through a summer school.

As a student of the WiSo Faculty, you gain from an approach that is based on theory and methods, combining both research and teaching with practical elements. The teaching at our faculty has benefited from many years of experience in working with companies and visiting lecturers from different professional fields. Many of the visiting lecturers are professionals and managers who bring important industry experience to the programmes, resulting in sector-specific, up-to-date programme content for our students. This ensures that the programmes reflect the real world and that they thus combine practice and theory, whilst also promoting knowledge-sharing between companies and you, the student.

15 June for the next winter semester

The Master's in Business Administration programme comprises 120 ECTS credits, lasts four semesters as the standard period of study and consists of the following subject categories. The core and advanced section (18 ECTS credits) consists of basic method modules, chosen by the student. The specialisation section (48 ECTS credits) consists of modules for the respective major and the seminar. In the supplementary section (24 ECTS credits), students can choose from a wide range of possibilities in the fields of management, economics and social sciences. The last area is the Master’s thesis, carrying 30 ECTS credits.

We maintain partnerships with more than 160 partner universities throughout the world, so it is easy for you to take a semester abroad – or take part in one of our study tours or other short programmes such as "WiSo@NYC". More information and offers can be found at international.wiso.uni-koeln.de.

No tuition fees

The semester contribution amounts to approx. 320 EUR per semester. This fee includes a public transport ticket for regional transport throughout Germany ("Deutschlandsemesterticket").

Overall grade of at least 2.7 (German grade) in the Bachelor’s degree

Fulfilment of the following subject-related requirements: 

• at least 60 ECTS in the field of Business Administration
• at least 18 ECTS in the field of Economics
• at least 15 ECTS in the fields of Statistics and/or Mathematics (only modules with mathematical and/or statistical methodological skills; pure (software) application skills are not accepted)

Please find more information and the list of requirements here.

• Accounting: German (C1) and English (B2) language skills
• Corporate Development, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain Management: English (B2) language skills

15 June for the next winter semester

Scholarships and further financing options

Accommodation is available through the student union ("Kölner Studierendenwerk") or on the private housing market. Rent for a single room in a student hall of residence is approx. 200 EUR to 300 EUR. Rent for a single room on the private housing market is approx. 400 EUR to 600 EUR.

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The University of Cologne is a modern university in the heart of Europe. Academic excellence, internationality, and widely varied curricula create a vibrant and inspiring environment for students, scientists, and scholars.

With a population of over one million people, Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and the largest city in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Located in the heart of Europe on an ancient trade route – the River Rhine – Cologne has been an important trade location since the Middle Ages. Cologne has a booming economic sector that includes commerce, trades, banks, and international corporations. It is one of Europe's most important media hubs and is home to a variety of television and radio broadcasters. Furthermore, Cologne offers many museums, art exhibitions, cinemas, theatres, cultural events, international-level concerts, and, of course, the Cologne Carnival, which is the city's "fifth season". The University of Cologne is a modern university in the centre of Europe. Academic excellence, internationality, and widely varied curricula create a vibrant and inspiring environment for students, scientists, and scholars.