A programme that prepares you for a position in a multinational enterprise

The University of Cologne's M.Sc. International Management Master (CEMS MIM) is designed to provide you with excellent academic and practical training, together with an international focus for your future career in global business environment.The CEMS MIM programme is a rich combination of management theory and business practice within a challenging global learning environment where language and soft skills are highly valued.

This programme provides you with:

• Management practice, methods, and theories that are required for successfully managing international organisations. This includes, but is not limited to, topics in strategy, leadership, organisation, and responsible/sustainable business practices.
• The opportunity to acquire and improve your problem-solving skills, communication skills, ability to work in and lead international teams, hard and soft skills, and process capabilities.
• A unique global network and access to our CEMS student community (“CEMSies”) – at home and abroad!

The CEMS network is a Global Alliance of 34 leading business schools across five continents and more than 70 multinational corporations and NGOs that jointly offer the CEMS Master in International Management (CEMS MIM). Only one among the most reputed schools of a country can be become member of the alliance. The University of Cologne represents Germany.

Key Facts

Degree: Master of Science
Duration: 4 Semesters
Language: English
International: Internship and Semester Abroad (both required)

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Programme Overview

The master's programe carries 120 ECTS credits and compromises a Core and Advanced Section, a Specialisation Section, a Supplementary Section and a Master Thesis.

• The core and advanced category (54 CPs) comprises the compulsory CEMS Cores and elective modules.
• In the supplementary category (24 CPs), you are free to choose one of five subjects: Accounting, Taxations and Finance, Corporate Development, Marketing, Supply Chain Management or Economics.
• Modules in the specialisation category (27 CPs) feature the CEMS Business Project and Case Studies Course.
• The Master’s thesis (15 CPs) analyses a specific topic or problem and is normally completed during the fourth term.

Specialisation

At the core of the programme are three content elements: Global Strategy, Global Leadership and Business Projects with corporate and social partners.

• Global Strategy enables students to understand and navigate the international business environment. 
• Global Leadership equips students with the knowledge and skills to manage people across borders and within multinational teams, creating culturally savvy individuals that show empathy and can relate to and interact with different cultures. 
• Finally, the Business Projects, conducted with corporate and social partners, allow students to integrate theory and practice in culturally diverse teams, while tackling real business issues across a wide range of fields.

Outside of these core elements, the CEMS MIM at the University of Cologne offers an unexcelled variety of electives across business administration, economics, political science, psychology and sociology. Further modules include an international internship, an international academic exchange and the training of multi-language competencies.
Students follow the Cologne-specific curriculum of the CEMS MIM in their first year. In the second year, you complete one semester in Cologne and one semester at one of the 33 international CEMS partner schools.

Preparing you for future challenges

The CEMS MIM is a pre-experience postgraduate degree. It is the pioneer in modern international management education and was founded by the University of Cologne (Germany), HEC (France), Bocconi (Italy), and ESADE (Spain) in 1988. The CEMS MIM has consistently ranked among the Top 10 in the Financial Times Ranking of “Masters in Management” for many years.

Business Project

One highlight of the curriculum is a business project during which you work on current managerial topics in close cooperation with a company representative. The project’s goal is to apply scientific theories and methods to the issues at hand and to derive concrete recommendations. It includes conceptual and application-oriented elements, such as student presentations, case studies, discussions and guest speakers from the field.

Link to the practical world

One strong feature of the programme is the practical contact you, as a student, will receive. Guest lecturers and skill seminars establish and promote direct exchange between companies and students. We emphasise academic rigour and practical relevance to educate you through broadly-skilled and international management leaders.

English taught programme

The programme is delivered entirely in English. Starting with the application to the programme, you must document a C1 Level in English and a B2 Level command of a second (foreign) language. In order to graduate, you as a CEMS MIM student must demonstrate competencies in a third language.

Semester and internship abroad

An integral part of the curriculum is a semester abroad which exposes you to another CEMS university and country, expands your academic horizon and develops your capacity to adapt to various educational settings. Collaboration in and with intercultural teams plays a pivotal role in international management, therefore an international internship is a compulsory requirement within the CEMS MIM. This internship must cover a period of at least eight consecutive weeks, comprise a full-time assignment and be completed within one company.  

International study experience

26% of CEMS MIM students* at the University of Cologne are international passport holders. Outside of the classroom, the PIM & CEMS Club organises a variety of events on and around campuses to foster social and cultural learning experiences and to drive the international student community.

Career Opportunities

The CEMS MIM is a compelling choice for those seeking a truly versatile and geographically mobile international career: 36% of CEMS MIM graduates are located outside of their home country.
Potential employers range from start-ups and small/medium-sized companies to large global co-operations in the consulting, technology, consumer goods or finance sectors. The knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme prepare you for future leadership positions in areas of consulting, marketing, sales and finance.

• 97% are employed or continue their studies within 3 months after graduation
• 75% work for multinational companies
• 51% work for CEMS Corporate Partners 
• 76% are fluent in 3 or more languages

Application information and requirements

Application process and deadline:

• Applicants with a German bachelor degree apply via the University of Cologne’s campus management system KLIPS
• Applicants with a non-German bachelor degree apply via the University of Cologne’s campus management system KLIPS and additionally via uni-assist
• Application deadline is March 31st

Requirements and selection procedure:

A Bachelor degree or equivalent (worth at least 180 ECTS credits) in Business Administration or Economics, strong proficiency in quantitative methods and an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 (German grade). Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• at least 48 ECTS must be specific to the field of Business Administration/Management Studies 
• at least 16 ECTS must be specific to the field of Economics 
• English language skills level C1 CEFR 
• Further language skills level B2 CEFR

The successful completion of an admission test (TM-WiSo English version/ GMAT) is highly recommended.

The Admissions Board will communicate its decision at the beginning of June. Enrolment usually takes place in August