Master's in International Management

Leadership

Overview: Understand the psychological and social foundations of leadership, and learn to manage motivation, power, and workplace decisions.
Skills: Apply behavioural and motivational theories to real management challenges.
After completing the course, you'll be able to:

• Understand employee behaviour from a psychological and sociological perspective.

• Apply behavioural and motivational theories to workplace and management problems.

• Address workplace justice and diversity issues in your management decisions.

• Recognise common biases and errors in decision-making processes.

  
  

Managing Across Borders

Overview: Explore how global economic, political, and technological developments shape strategic decisions for internationally active companies.
Skills: Interpret international trade, financial markets, and the role of global institutions.
After completing the course, you'll be able to:

• Identify major trends in the global economic environment and use them for business decisions.

• Explain the effects of globalisation, world trade, and protectionism.

• Understand international financial markets and exchange-rate risk.

• Form your own perspective on current international economic issues.

Seminar: Current Issues in International Management

Overview: Explore the cultural, social, economic, and political challenges companies face when expanding internationally.
Skills: Develop internationalisation strategies for companies of different sizes and sectors.
After completing the course, you'll be able to:

• Apply management and leadership skills for international work.

• Classify key trends shaping a company's international strategic position.

• Develop appropriate internationalisation strategies.

• Justify market-selection and market-entry decisions.

  
  

Negotiation

Overview: Learn the theory and practice of negotiation, from value distribution to value creation.
Skills: Apply game-theory insights and negotiation tactics to real scenarios.
After completing the course, you'll be able to:

• Describe the negotiation process and its value-distribution and value-creation sides.

• Recognise common negotiation myths and misconceptions.

• Apply empirical insights to real negotiation scenarios.

• Negotiate effectively using value-distribution and value-creation tactics.

Global Brand Management

Overview: Explore how companies build, position, and protect brands across international markets.
Skills: Apply brand valuation, positioning, and brand-crisis management strategies.
After completing the course, you'll be able to:

• Analyse brands, brand components, and brand management strategy.

• Examine how brands are positioned across regional and international markets.

• Apply brand protection and brand-crisis management tactics.

• Analyse a company's brand strategy and propose improvements.

Master's Thesis

Overview: Apply the specialist and methodological skills developed throughout your studies to an independent academic project.
Skills: Manage a full research project, from problem definition to written analysis.
After completing the course, you'll be able to:

• Work independently on a problem from your field of study.

• Analyse the topic using appropriate scientific methods.

• Review and apply existing research literature.

• Prepare a detailed written thesis in line with academic standards.

  
  

Colloquium

Overview: Present and defend your Master's thesis findings before academic experts.
Skills: Communicate research results clearly and respond to expert questioning.
After completing the course, you'll be able to:

• Present your research using academic presentation techniques.

• Reflect on the scientific approach used in your thesis.

• Respond confidently to subject-related questions from experts.

A Master's in International Management is a postgraduate degree that prepares you to manage businesses, teams and strategies across international markets. It combines core management disciplines strategy, marketing, finance, leadership with a strong focus on cross-cultural competence and global business decision-making, equipping you to lead in multinational, cross-border settings.

International Business focuses broadly on cross-border commercial activity: trade, market entry, international economics and global supply chains. International Management builds on this but places greater emphasis on leadership, strategic decision-making and organisational management. In other words, how you actually lead and run a business once it operates internationally.

Graduates go on to build careers in business development, management and strategy consulting, international marketing, project management, and roles within international organisations. The broad, cross-functional skillset you develop also opens doors into finance, human resources and general management roles at globally operating companies.

Yes. As an English-taught programme with a genuinely international classroom, you'll study alongside peers from a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds - mirroring the multicultural teams you're likely to lead in your career. You'll graduate with cultural competence and globally transferable skills that are valued by employers across countries and industries.

Yes. You'll need a completed undergraduate degree worth at least 180 ECTS credits with a focus on economics or a related subject.

You'll develop leadership skills, strategic thinking, data analysis capabilities, cross-cultural management skills, strong communication, and critical thinking. The core toolkit needed to manage people, projects and strategy in an international business environment.

Yes. Throughout your studies, you'll apply what you learn through case studies, group projects and (depending on your curriculum route) an internship. Many students also take on student jobs alongside their studies, gaining additional hands-on, real-world experience in international business settings.

As an international student, you're generally permitted to work part-time (20 hours per week) alongside your studies. Just make sure any job you take on remains compatible with your mandatory in-person classes and coursework commitments.

Graduates commonly move into roles such as International Business Development Manager, International Marketing Manager, Strategy or Management Consultant, Project Manager, or roles within international organisations. As with any degree, specific career outcomes will depend on your background, experience and the sector you choose to pursue.

Yes. After graduating, you have the option to apply for an 18-month post-study work visa, giving you time to stay in Germany and look for a job related to your qualification.

To apply, submit your Bachelor's degree certificate, proof of English proficiency, a copy of your passport or ID, your CV, and a completed application form. Once submitted, IU's admissions team will review your application and confirm your admission decision, along with the next steps to secure your place and begin enrolment.