International Business (MIB)

HTW Berlin, the largest university of applied sciences in Berlin, offers an 18-month full-time Master's degree in International Business (MIB). The MIB, which is taught entirely in English, prepares its students for a career in a fast-changing multinational environment. The programme provides a critical understanding of contemporary concepts in business and economics. Supplementing this theoretical approach is a clear focus on the practical issues of international management.
The programme has the following goals:

• To prepare students for a range of challenging positions in various areas of international management or research. All training has been developed with a focus on the demands of globalisation and European integration.
• In addition to courses related to international business, the programme includes a number of supplementary modules. Students also receive training in problem-solving methodologies that are required in an international context.
• To promote an understanding of different cultures and to refine skills needed for successful international communication.

Educational organisation

The programme comprises three semesters. The first two semesters offer twelve different course modules (compulsory and elective). In the third semester, students take part in the Master's thesis seminar and write their Master's thesis.

Study abroad unit(s)

No study abroad units are included in the programme. However, the MIB programme is in the process of developing several partnerships. The HTW itself has about 150 partner universities worldwide.

Internships

Because of the short duration of the programme, no internships are included. However, students are free to find an internship for the semester breaks.

Forms of assessment

Every course normally finishes with a written exam. Presentations, group projects and other assignments can, however, be part of the final grade as well.

Course objectives

Graduates of the Master's degree in International Business leave HTW Berlin equipped with all the skills and training necessary for employment in a number of different fields of international management. The modules of the course, all with a focus on international practice, cover the following areas: finance, accounting, business law and marketing. We also provide training in a number of further areas such as project and change management, intercultural communication and negotiation skills.

Language requirements

Applicants are required to provide evidence of sufficient proficiency in English, at least level C1 or C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The recognised levels comprise the following:

• TOEFL, 580 (paper-based), 237 (computer-based), 96 (internet-based)
• CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English), all levels
• CAE (Certificate in Advanced English), all levels
• BEC Higher (Business English Certificate), all levels
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System), level 6-9
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication), 800 points
• Proof of study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or USA, at least one year with a minimum of 60 ECTS

If English was the official language of instruction for the first degree, please supply official proof. An additional English test is not required in this case.

Academic requirements

The International Business Master's programme follows consecutively from the International Business Bachelor's programme.
Successful applicants for the Master's programme must:
a) have successfully completed a first academic degree programme with 210 credits as a rule and
b) have completed either an International Business Bachelor's degree or a Master's, Bachelor's or German "Diplom" degree in a related subject whose content is comparable with completion of three of the four following modules from the International Business Bachelor's programme:

• Corporate/Business Finance
• Financial Accounting
• Business Mathematics/Statistics
• Economics

Proof that three of the four required modules have been studied by the applicant during his/her first degree must be provided along with proof of proficiency in English (see also Language Requirements).
c) provide evidence of "advanced knowledge of English". Evidence of language proficiency is not required of applicants whose mother tongue is English. In the case of applicants who can prove that they have studied a programme conducted in English at a foreign university for at least one year, the selection committee can likewise waive the requirement for evidence of language proficiency.
The selection committee will determine comparability for points b) and c). For b), the following applies: an applicant from a comparable programme as defined above is considered to have fulfilled these eligibility requirements if for at least 140 credits conformity with the modules of HTW Berlin's International Business Bachelor's programme is guaranteed.

Enrolment fees

Students have to pay the regular semester fee for each semester.
See: http://mib.htw-berlin.de

Costs of living

Apart from the semester fee of approx. 300 EUR, you should plan to have a budget of about 650-700 EUR per month, to cover about 200 EUR for rent (based on the price of a room in a student dormitory), 300 EUR for board, 50 EUR for health insurance, and 60 EUR for books and materials. A semester ticket with free use of Berlin's public transport system is included in the semester fee.

Job opportunities

International students are permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year on a student visa. During the semester (April to July and October to February), we would advise you to concentrate on your studies as the programme is very intensive and will take up most of your time.
In the semester holidays (August, September and March) there are normally no lectures or seminars and you may wish to work during these periods.

Arrival support

The International Office can be contacted in order to receive information about public transport, accommodation in Berlin and DAAD scholarships.

Services and support for international students

Members of the Academic Board and the International Office will support foreign students during their studies. Information on all services of the university and formal requirements will be provided.

Accommodation

Student residences in Berlin are not administered by the universities but by an independent organisation - the "Studentenwerk Berlin".
See: http://mib.htw-berlin.de