Master's programs
The Business School Pforzheim offers a total of twelve Master's programs, including two MBA programs and a modular, part-time continuing education program. Every year, around 230 students complete their Master's degree at the Business School Pforzheim and start their professional careers with excellent career prospects.
Prospective students have the opportunity to learn about the framework conditions for a Master's or MBA program at the Business School, to find out about their desired degree programs, to meet the Master's program directors in person and to talk to current students. In addition, the university is usually represented by professors and Student Ambassadors at the Master & More fair in Stuttgart.
The dates for the annual Master Info Evening and for fairs are published on this page and on the homepage of Pforzheim University. If you send us a short message to master(at)hs-pforzheim(dot)de, we will also be happy to inform you personally as soon as the dates are fixed.
In January and April of each year, we present our Master's degree programs during information evenings (online and onsite).
Upcoming events 2026
- January 20th, 2026: Master's information evening (online)
- April 15th, 2026: Master's information evening (onsite)
Structure of the study programs
All Master's programs are postgraduate programs and are oriented towards a clear profile of professional functions. They convince through their practical orientation, the imparting of application-oriented knowledge, internationality and the involvement of renowned companies. The standard period of study for most Master's programs is three semesters. The start of studies and application deadlines vary depending on the orientation of the programs.
Information on the contents, the course of studies, application, admission and other questions specific to the degree programs can be found on the pages of the respective degree programs. If you have further questions, please contact us. The program directors and academic staff look forward to receiving your application.
Overview of our Master's programs
| Degree program | Degree | Beginning semester | Notes | Application deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controlling, Finance and Accounting | M. A. (Option Double Degree) | Winter semester | limited: Admissions interview | June 15 |
| Corporate Communication Management | M.Sc. | Winter semester | limited: Admissions interview | June 15 |
| Creative Communication and Brand Management | M. A. | Winter semester | limited: Admissions interview | June 15 |
| Digital Business Management | M. Sc. | Winter semester | limited: Admissions interview | June 15 |
| Human Resources Management | M. Sc. | Winter semester | limited: Admissions interview | June 15 |
| Information Systems | M. Sc. | Winter semester | limited: Admissions interview | June 15 |
| Life Cycle & Sustainability | M. Sc. | Winter semester | limited: Admissions interview | June 15 |
| Marketing Intelligence | M. Sc. | Winter semester | limited | June 15 |
| MBA International Management | MBA (Option Double Degree) | Winter- and Summer semester | limited: Admissions interview, English program | deadlines |
| Management (parallel with employment) | MBA | Winter semester | limited | July 31 (if places are still available, also up to 14 days before the start of program, at the latest) |
| Strategic Innovation Management (parallel with employment, module-based) | M. A. | Winter- and Summer semester | January 31 and July 31 | |
| Taxation, Auditing, and Law | LL.M. | Summer semester | limited: Admissions interview | January 15 |
Why pursue a Master's degree at Business School Pforzheim?
The Master's programs at Business School Pforzheim teach theoretical fundamentals and application-oriented knowledge—with a clear focus on the respective professional fields.
The teaching and learning concept is based on interactive learning and the application of acquired knowledge in research and practical projects. Excursions to companies, lectures by guest lecturers from the field, and projects for and with real clients round off the practical orientation of teaching at Business School Pforzheim.
Business School Pforzheim has an excellent network of companies and organizations that has developed over the nearly 60 years since its founding. You will benefit from the excellent practical contacts of your professors and can build up your own network during your studies – for internships, working student positions, or career entry and advancement.
An essential part of the network are also our more than 10,000 alumni, who hold specialist and management positions in Germany and worldwide. They regularly return to the lecture hall to report on current topics in the field and give tips on career planning.
The Business School Pforzheim enjoys a high reputation among employers and in the research community. This is confirmed by national and international rankings such as the 2019 Eduniversal international ranking, according to which Pforzheim is the best business school at a university of applied sciences in Germany.
Our culture is characterized by personal contact. With small groups of around 25 students, you will be in close contact with your professors and learn in close contact with and from your fellow students.
Our aim is to provide you with a holistic education during your master's program. A broad qualification in basic and advanced subjects provides a solid foundation that qualifies our graduates for a wide range of activities and equips them for future challenges in changing professional environments.
At the same time, you have the opportunity to develop an individual profile as part of your studies. Through elective subjects, different topics in projects and seminars, as well as undergraduate and master's theses, you can sharpen your profile and gain (further) qualifications in line with your individual career goals.
The master's program at Pforzheim Business School prepares you for the demands of the global workplace with a consistent international focus. As part of your studies, you will also take courses in English in Pforzheim. These are offered partly by professors from Pforzheim and partly by international visiting professors from abroad. In English-language elective courses, you will also work in teams with international MBA students and visiting students from our master's partner universities.
In almost all programs, you have the option of studying for one semester at one of our partner universities abroad. Individual programs also offer interesting double degree options. A semester abroad offers you the opportunity to develop personally and professionally, improve your foreign language skills, and get to know new cultures. Our partner universities are internationally accredited business schools that are among the leading educational institutions in their respective countries and enjoy a high reputation.
The Faculty of Business and Law at Pforzheim University meets the highest international standards. This is certified by the world's leading accreditation institution, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). AACSB accreditation is considered one of the most prestigious awards and is an outstanding confirmation of the quality of university education in economics – a seal that can open doors for you during and after your studies.
In many of our Business School's Master's programs, the student body is already interdisciplinary. This is particularly beneficial when it comes to collaborating on projects and exchanging ideas. Beyond the core curriculum, you also have the opportunity to attend interdisciplinary courses, both within the Business School and across the three Pforzheim faculties. In many programs, you have the opportunity to take elective courses in the first and/or third semester, in which you work on issues together with fellow students from different master's programs. This allows you to learn about other ways of thinking at an early stage, benefit from the expertise of other disciplines, and practice collaboration and project management in interdisciplinary teams.
As part of the Master's program, we prepare you for the challenges of economically, socially, and ecologically sustainable development in a global environment, with a focus on practical requirements. Pforzheim University is one of the first 100 educational institutions worldwide to join the UN initiative “Principles for Responsible Management Education” (UN) and commit to responsible management education.
Parallel to your studies, you have the opportunity to obtain the nationwide Ethikum certificate. In addition to acquiring specialist knowledge, the aim is to enable you to make informed, socially competent, and goal-oriented decisions and take action when dealing with issues of ethics and corporate responsibility for economically, socially, and ecologically sustainable globalization. In addition, there are a number of student initiatives that are particularly committed to the issues of responsibility and sustainability.
Additional offers for Master's students
A wide range of opportunities allows Master's students to enhance their profile alongside their studies. For example, they can get involved in one of the numerous initiatives in Pforzheim, complete the “Ethikum” certificate program, or obtain a trainer qualification certificate.
But studying at Business School Pforzheim has even more to offer:
For alumni, students, professors, and staff, the alumni network serves as a basis for forming personal networks and enables contact with (former) fellow students within their degree program and beyond. The alumni newsletter provides you with regular information about current events at Pforzheim University, such as lectures from the Studium Generale, alumni meetings for degree programs, dates for regional get-togethers, and news from the degree programs and the university. You can find more information here.
Since Pforzheim University became the first university of applied sciences in Germany to receive the internationally renowned AACSB accreditation in 2011, it has offered the top 20 percent of master's students and the top 10 percent of bachelor's students the opportunity to become members of Beta Gamma Sigma. The Pforzheim Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) Chapter has been in existence since May 2014. Membership in BGS is the highest honor that a business student can receive at an AACSB-accredited business school. Only students with outstanding achievements are personally invited to join the chapter. The criteria for participation and further information can be found here.
In addition to the Studium Generale, the university regularly offers opportunities to attend exciting guest lectures. The topics covered are diverse, ranging from psychology and the environment to current political and economic issues. Course-specific topics are also addressed. Information on these can be found on the relevant notice boards, flyers, and on the university website.
Since 1985, Pforzheim University has been inviting students, professors, staff, and guests from the region to participate in a varied program of general studies. The speakers are renowned scientists, entrepreneurs, politicians, artists, and people who have achieved extraordinary things. Hundreds of listeners regularly take advantage of the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of topics in order to broaden their horizons, learn new, stimulating, and sometimes even provocative things, and experience interesting personalities up close. Students in particular are warmly invited to attend the Studium Generale at Pforzheim University! The lectures always take place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Audimax. Further information can be found here.
