On the basis of the programme’s international orientation, the programme can be studied completely in English. However, German courses are also available.
The winter semester and the lectures start in the beginning of October.
The summer semester and the lectures start in the beginning of April.
The study is designed as a full-time study programme on site.
Winter semester (starting in October):
31 May for international applicants
(21 September for applications from Germany/EU)
Summer semester (starting in April):
30 November for international applicants
(21 March for applications from Germany/EU)
Are you interested in how companies and entire economies operate in global markets? Are you fascinated by other cultures and economic areas, and can you imagine working in an internationally operating company, research institution or in an international organisation? Our Master's programme in International Economics and Management – IEM for short – offers you a wide range of opportunities for living internationalisation.
Our compulsory modules are taught in English. With regard to the further module selection during your studies, you are free to decide whether you want to fill your study plan only with modules taught in English or to also include modules taught in German. But it is not only through the modules taught in English that you can improve your language skills and gain international experience. In addition, numerous partner universities as well as various co-operations around the world offer you the opportunity to spend a semester abroad or take part in a double degree programme, summer schools or short-term programmes. More than one third of our students, thus your fellow students, come from abroad. In a forum, we encourage cross-cultural exchange through social events, and exciting talks.
We provide you with the necessary theoretical and methodological knowledge to answer the question of how global markets actually work, what influence they have on organisations and how a company can position itself successfully in these markets. At the same time, the study plan offers a high degree of flexibility to enable you to tailor the programme to your individual interests by establishing a focus in the fields of economics and management. This opens the door to leading and strategically oriented management positions in internationally operating companies, organisations and research institutions. Your specific field of application area then depends on your individually chosen study track.
Possible career profiles:
Detailed information can be found on the website of the study programme: https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/studyoffer/course_of_study/international-economics-and-management-master.
International Economics and Management is a four-semester programme. Typically, the academic year begins in the winter semester, but it is also possible to begin in the summer semester. Three modules worth 10 ECTS credits each must be completed in each semester (ECTS = European Credit Transfer System, 1 ECTS credit is equivalent to a workload of around 30 hours). Therefore, a total of 120 ECTS credits is needed to complete the programme.
Your course of study offers lots of flexibility. Only four compulsory modules (of 5 ECTS each) provide you with basic methodological competences including mathematical abilities as well as empirical and econometric methods.
Additionally, there are various compulsory elective areas. These include the areas of “Economics” (10 ECTS), “Management” (10 ECTS), "Sustainability" (10 ECTS) and 30 ECTS in the area of “Study Tracks”. This allows students to specialise in one area in depth. Three study tracks are offered: “Data Science in Economics”, “Market Mechanisms” and “Sustainable Economics”.
10 ECTS are acquired in the “General Elective Module” from all areas of business administration and economics at Paderborn University. In addition, there is the compulsory elective area “Individual Study and Research” (10 ECTS), in which students can choose to take an internship or research module (10 ECTS). In all of these areas, you can choose your modules according to your interests and thus create your own profile.
Furthermore, the Master's thesis contributes to your individual profile-building and career goal. You can write your thesis in any field of business administration, management or economics in order to apply the knowledge you have gained during your studies to a scientific problem.
The study plan (see the PDF download below) provides an overview of the amount of ECTS in the respective areas. However, the structure shown here is just an example.
Internationalisation is all around us. The study programme includes lectures on global markets, multinational companies and international organisations, and our students and guest lecturers are from all over the world. Through our diverse opportunities to gain international experiences – a semester abroad, double degree programmes, summer schools, short-term programmes or Internationalisation@home offers – the study programme offers lots of international elements during your course of study.
There is a compulsory elective area, “Individual Study and Research” (10 CP), which is a special feature. The module can be used either as an internship or research module (10 CP). The “Internship International Economics and Management” internship module (10 CP) offers students the opportunity to gain their own experience in a professional field or area of activity relevant to the degree programme alongside their studies.
There are no tuition fees. The only expense is a semester fee of around 300 EUR to the Students' Union to cover services like free public transportation for students, enrolment and so on. You have to add cost for accommodation and of living on to this, of course.
Estimate of monthly expenses:
Monthly sum: 1,210 EUR
Academic admission requirements include a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in economics, business administration/management or a related subject. Equivalence will be assessed as part of the application procedure.
Admission is based on the grading of the Bachelor's or equivalent degree. Applicants must either belong to the best 35% of their year or have finished the Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
A detailed description can be found on the following website:
https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/studyoffer/course_of_study/international-economics-and-management-master.
Applicants are required to prove proficiency in English. Proficiency must be documented in the form of: (a) a Bachelor's degree obtained in an English-speaking country or in an accredited German study programme taught in English; or (b) a language certificate with minimum level TOEFL 87 points (Internet-based); or (c) equivalent proficiency, e.g. Business English Certificate (BEC): BEC Vantage — level B2, Cambridge First Certificate (Grade A) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Band 6.5.
Students are required to prove proficiency in German. This is not a prerequisite for admission into the programme. However, students must prove minimum proficiency at level A2 CEFR before concluding the Master's programme. Required proficiency can be acquired at Paderborn University in German courses of 240 hours in duration.
Winter semester (starting in October):
31 May for international applicants
(21 September for applications from Germany/EU)
Summer semester (starting in April):
30 November for international applicants
(21 March for applications from Germany/EU)
Non-EU citizens: Please apply via the uni-assist portal.
EU citizens: Please apply via the online application portal of Paderborn University.
The application process is completely digital. You do not need to submit any paper documents.
Students may obtain paid jobs either at Paderborn University (e.g. as a student tutor or an assistant) or in other positions outside the university.
There are two types of student accommodation in Germany: dormitories located on or near the university campus and private accommodation in a flat or an apartment. In Germany, most of the apartments are usually unfurnished! To save money and to have more living space, students often set up an apartment-sharing community and live together. There are two dormitories on the Paderborn campus which are run and managed by the student services ("Studierendenwerk"). Students can apply for a one-room apartment or a room with a communal kitchen and bathroom that are usually shared with one to three other students.
Please visit the homepage of the Studierendenwerk directly: https://www.studierendenwerk-pb.de/en/housing/ or contact the International Office: https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/studies/international-office.
Rents currently range from 260 to 500 EUR per room and month (private renting), including costs for electricity, gas, water, etc. If rooms are furnished, the landlord is likely to ask for a deposit, which is usually equivalent to two months' rent. This is returned to the student on departure if the room is left in a satisfactory state and all rent payments have been made.
With the DAAD-funded project InRegioFIT, Paderborn University is pursuing the goal of providing international students with targeted support throughout their studies and during their transition into the labour market. The project focuses on the specific regional requirements and circumstances in order to optimally prepare international talent for entering the local labour market.
Orientation phase with detailed information about:
Please visit "The Start of the Master's Programme" homepage directly: https://wiwi.uni-paderborn.de/en/studies/studienorganisation/studienphasen-und-prozesse/master-studienstart.
University services for international students:
Please visit the university's International Office homepage directly: https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/studies/international-office
Paderborn University is a campus university within walking distance of the city centre. A large number of student residences are located on the campus. The campus provides a wide range of services and facilities, including an excellent "Mensa" (canteen), sports facilities and a small theatre. For more information, see: https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/.
Despite its very modern service- and entertainment-oriented appeal, Paderborn also offers opportunities for the historically inclined, including a 700-year-old cathedral overlooking the city centre. Paderborn is known to be a very safe place, while it also offers many occasions for students to enjoy themselves. The most famous occasion is the annual "Libori" funfair, but students may also enjoy the quieter Christmas market in December. For more information, see: https://www.paderborn.de/microsite/welcome/index.php.
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