MBA

The MBA program at Otto Beisheim School of Management is a highly selective, rigorous, and globally focused business education designed to prepare future leaders for the complex challenges of the international marketplace. Accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA, the program combines academic excellence with practical insights, equipping students with the strategic, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills necessary for success in diverse industries. The curriculum emphasizes core disciplines such as finance, marketing, operations, and leadership, integrated with innovative topics like digital transformation, sustainability, and global strategy. Students benefit from a variety of teaching methods, including case studies, group projects, simulations, and interactive lectures, enabling experiential learning and critical thinking. The program offers opportunities for international exposure through exchange programs, internships, and collaborations with global companies, fostering a truly global perspective. Faculty comprises renowned academics and business practitioners who bring real-world experience into the classroom, ensuring that learning is relevant and up-to-date. Small class sizes promote close interaction and personalized mentoring, enhancing the overall educational experience. The Otto Beisheim MBA also emphasizes soft skills development, such as leadership, negotiation, and intercultural communication, essential for effective management in a multicultural environment. Upon graduation, students join a strong alumni network and benefit from career services that facilitate internships, job placements, and entrepreneurial ventures worldwide. The program is suitable for ambitious professionals seeking to accelerate their careers, switch industries, or deepen their understanding of global business dynamics. With a flexible structure, including part-time and full-time options, the Otto Beisheim MBA ensures an adaptable and enriching educational journey. Graduates are well-equipped to lead organizations, innovate, and create sustainable business solutions in a rapidly changing global economy.

Educational organisation

Core Modules:
Core management concepts are provided in the first module. Basic management concepts and functions as well as concepts and tools for economic analysis will be introduced.

Concentration Modules:
Whilst the fundamental focus of the programme is on General Management, all participants have the chance to deepen their knowledge of Marketing & Sales, Advanced Finance & Accounting, Strategy & Organisation as well as Operations, Innovation & Entrepreneurship within the scope of the module. In these modules, participants have the opportunity to choose one concentration from the fields offered. The courses in Personal Leadership are mandatory.

International Module:
In the International Module, all participants learn about business opportunities and management challenges in the USA, India, and China. You will study at renowned partner universities in the respective regions. The programme consists of tailor-made lectures delivered by senior faculty members of our partner universities and company visits.

Master's Thesis:
The thesis serves to demonstrate the participant's ability to work independently on a problem by applying research methods. The subject of the thesis will be defined by arrangement with the supervising member of the teaching faculty. We encourage our students to undertake the thesis as part of a company project.

Study abroad unit(s)

We currently cooperate with partner universities in the USA (Kellogg, Chicago), China (CEIBS, Shanghai) and India (IIM, Bangalore). One week at each partner university is mandatory and consists of tailor-made lectures delivered by senior faculty members of our partners and company visits. Dual degree programmes are offered with certain partner universities.

Internships

The Master's thesis gives you the opportunity to apply all that you have learned in a real-life project. We encourage our students to complete their Master's theses as part of a company project (internship).

Forms of assessment

Mostly group work, oral participation, and exams

Course objectives

The programme is designed for participants who seek an interesting career change and are therefore eager to learn more about general management. Ideally, you should be between 25 and 35 years of age, hold a degree in a specific academic discipline, and have professional experience.
The programme is aimed primarily at graduates from fields other than business. Participants with a business background will benefit from the strong emphasis on integrating theory and practice.

Language requirements

As the teaching language is English, non-native speakers have to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum requirement of 250 points (computer-based test) or 100 points (Internet-based test); alternatively, we accept the IELTS (7.0).

Academic requirements

We require the following for your application to the full-time MBA programme:

• a first degree (Bachelor's or equivalent)
• two years of postgraduate work experience
• one letter of recommendation from a professor or supervisor
• TOEFL (min. 100 IBT) or equivalent IELTS (7.0), if English is not your native language
• GMAT score (a minimum score of 600 is recommended) or equivalent GRE

To find out more and register for the GMAT and TOEFL tests, please see: http://www.ets.org or http://www.mba.com.

Enrolment fees

None

Costs of living

The average living costs in Düsseldorf are about 800 EUR per month.

Job opportunities

Due to a very tight schedule, students do not have the opportunity to work during this intense full-time MBA programme. Nevertheless, we encourage our students to undertake the thesis as part of a company project.

Funding opportunities within the university

WHU grants some scholarships to enable highly talented candidates from all countries to pursue the WHU Full-Time MBA. In accordance with the description of the respective scholarship, we try to support individuals who are likely to add special value to the MBA class. The WHU scholarships are not bound to a certain amount. The granted amounts will be determined by the scholarship committee depending on a number of criteria.
To apply for a scholarship, please use the respective scholarship application form which can be downloaded on our website. Please note that only one scholarship application per person is possible and that the scholarship application requires an application to the Full-Time MBA Programme at WHU. Places in the programme as well as scholarships are limited and granted on an ongoing basis. We therefore recommend an early application.

The following scholarships are provided:

• WHU Leadership Scholarship
• WHU Globalisation Scholarship
• WHU Diversity Scholarship
• WHU Scholarship for Participants from Developing Countries
• WHU Entrepreneurship Scholarship
• WHU Scholarship for Women in Business
• WHU Scholarship for an Excellent GMAT Result
• WHU Otto Beisheim Scholarship
  http://www.whu.edu/en/programs/mba-programs/full-time-mba-program/tuition-financing-options/

Arrival support

The Full-Time MBA Office provides a preparation kit before arrival in Germany which enables future students to prepare well in advance. The preparation kit contains information on e.g., visa applications, registration in Düsseldorf, accommodation and health insurance.
We also offer information sessions for the whole MBA class during the first weeks of the programme.

Services and support for international students

The full-time MBA office issues a visa support letter to those international students who need to apply for a student visa right after acceptance.
Once on campus, staff from the full-time MBA office accompany international students to the Foreigners' Registration Office in Düsseldorf and provide further support whenever necessary.

Accommodation

Accommodation ranges from one-room apartments to apartments of over 100 square metres which are suitable for sharing with other students. Rents range from 350 to 700 EUR including heating.