MBA International Management: Why we do, what we do
In a rapidly changing business world, executive managers and employees are confronted with immense challenges: the conditions under which executive managers have to act and make decisions are volatile and uncertain like never before. Firms will only withstand future competition successfully if they are able to face these 21st century challenges and head on by exploiting opportunities and minimizing risks.
It is our aim to enable our students, as future managers, to meet these challenges for the benefit of their companies.
Facts
- 4 semester program for Non-Business Graduates
- 3 semester "fast-track" program for Business Graduates
- Language of Instruction: English
- Established in 1996 as the first state-accredited MBA in Germany
Our state-of-the-art MBA International Management program innovatively combines general management education and teaching of managerial skills to deal with rising future challenges for the benefit of companies such as:
- Sustainable Globalization
- Innovation Management & Digital Business
Accreditation
In 2011 we have achieved business accreditation from AACSB International and were reaccredited in 2017 and in 2022. Fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide have earned this hallmark of excellence in management education.
Out of approximately 200 universities in Germany, only 10 universities with business programs are AACSB-accredited. Furthermore, we are AQAS-accredited by the German Agency for Quality Assurance.
Goals and Learning Objectives
It is the aim of the Pforzheim MBA International Management program to enable our students, as future managers, to meet the challenges of the 21st century for the benefit of their company.
An international, generalist and profound classical management foundation is integrated with the most relevant future topics: Innovation Management & Digital Business, Sustainable Globalization.
Our Teaching Approach
The Pforzheim MBA International Management follows a two-tier strategy that will provide our students with distinct competitive advantages for the business of tomorrow: an international, generalist and profound classical management education is integrated with the most relevant future topics: Sustainable Globalization and Innovation Management & Digital Business.
We focus on the quality of participants, their cultural empathy and their willingness to perform, not on profits. The small course size of 20-25 students allows individual career advancement.
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Your Learning
Group work is an integral part of the MBA Pforzheim
Our curriculum combines a mixture of individual study work and team assignments. What you will need to lead a future business is practical knowledge. Therefore, through company projects, we integrate state-of-the-art theory with case studies and real-life questions by companies from the surrounding area. All of our faculty have worked at least 5 years in senior management positions. Additionally, we give you insight into more than 30 companies throughout your studies.
After a semester of foundation courses, business graduates join for a semester on management skills before the individualization through a variety of electives in the third semester. We want you to get in touch with the industry, so the fourth semester gives you the opportunity to join a company to write your thesis. At the time of graduation, you will be well prepared for the German labour market!
Internationality
More than 90% of our MBA students are international students. Global, intercultural networking begins right in the classroom. Renowned guest professors from partner universities and a semester abroad offer additional insight.
Over the last 25 years, 59 different nations have been part of the MBA.* The students come from Europe, South America, North America, Asia and Africa.
*according to the data since 1996.
Cooperation with companies
Being surrounded by some of the world's most powerful companies will allow you to benefit from our cooperations. Company projects, visits and guest talks are a vital part of our MBA. Throughout their studies, our students get in touch with more than 30 companies.
Our Students
Our Student Profiles
The main strength of our program is its international focus, not only due to the content, but also especially due to the diverse student body and faculty. In class, enriching discussions are supported by a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds and work experiences in different industries. We also host exchange students and professors from our partner universities.
We look for individuals who not only have academic excellence, but also have business experience to contribute to the class with their point of view, imagination, sustainable thinking. Additionally, we look for students who are motivated and who can motivate their peers in their search for excellence.
Students' background*
Nearly half of our students come from an engineering background. All students can benefit from the diverse student backgrounds.
Ranked among the »TOP 10 International Master’s Degree Courses – Made in Germany«, the Pforzheim MBA in International Management prepares you to take managerial responsibility. Our commitment to quality and continuous improvement is confirmed by the accreditation of AACSB International. Pforzheim University Business School thus belongs to the elite group of less than 5% of business schools worldwide, and to fewer than ten of approximately 200 German business programs that are AACSB accredited.
The Pforzheim MBA in International Management opens broad new opportunities for career development. Whether you want to tackle new challenges, have experienced a slowdown in your learning curve or are unable to move ahead in your current company, the Pforzheim MBA enables you to reenergize your career with new knowledge and skills, a new professional network, and a new brand association. If you have a non-business background, the Pforzheim MBA prepares you to reorient your career towards business and management.
We deliver business competence, not just theory. Our professors do not only hold Doctoral, Ph.D. or Master degrees – they have worked for at least 5 years in senior management positions. Our teaching is based on research as well as professional experience. Moreover, the Pforzheim MBA in International Management module system allows you to individualize your study to empower your strengths.
Being surrounded by some of the world’s most powerful companies allows you to benefit from the potential of the Pforzheim-Stuttgart region. We cooperate with various companies in different sectors through company projects, company visits and guest speakers in classroom. These close connections to practice are a vital part of our management education in Pforzheim.
We prepare you to manage the big challenges of the 21st century for the benefit of your company. Our courses in business disciplines like Marketing, Consulting, Accounting and Finance address the needs of tomorrow’s business. Additionally, our specializations tackle tomorrow’s challenges Innovation Management, Sustainability and Globalization. Moreover, we offer soft skills training throughout your studies.
Ove 90% of the Pforzheim MBA in International Management students are internationals, coming from all continents. Global, intercultural networking begins right in the classroom. Intercultural competence is not only taught theoretically, it is gained practically by day-to-day interaction. This will be important in your professional future in negotiation processes and team work. Renowned guest professors from partner universities contribute to our program.
Benefit from our well-functioning and personal alumni network. The personal atmosphere in our MBA also transfers to the alumni network: throughout your studies you will get in touch with numerous alumni who can be important door openers. Once per semester we invite 6-8 alumni to come back to Pforzheim to meet our current MBA students. Moreover, we bring together our students and successful alumni in a mentoring model.
