Management is the cornerstone of any organisation and if you want to stand out in a competitive global marketplace, it is important you earn the right qualification to do so. The master’s in business management equips you with the strategic skills and cutting-edge knowledge required to break into the field and make an impact – whatever role you end up securing.

This master’s degree is designed to prepare you for independent entrepreneurial activity or senior management positions with leadership responsibilities in corporations of all sizes and industries.

You will gain comprehensive knowledge of the business management field with a focus on transferable international skills. This course prioritises interdisciplinarity and there is a focus on information technology. Students also get the chance to enhance their management knowledge and application-specific specialisation skills, with a focus on real-world challenges.

The MSc Business Management programme at Gisma is designed for ambitious individuals seeking to:

Advance their careers: This programme is ideal for professionals looking to transition into senior management roles or leadership positions within corporations of all sizes and industries.

Launch entrepreneurial ventures: If you have a passion for starting your own business, this programme equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of international entrepreneurship.

Develop a global mindset: Are you drawn to the international business arena? This programme fosters a strong understanding of international economics, strategic management, and cross-cultural communication, preparing you to excel in the global marketplace.

Upskill and specialise: Those with a business background seeking to deepen their expertise in specific areas like Marketing, Finance, or Human Resources will find the specialisation options particularly valuable.

The degree programme has been awarded the quality seal of the Accreditation Council Foundation. The Accreditation Council Foundation is a joint institution of the federal states of Germany for quality assurance in study and teaching at German universities.

Gisma University of Applied Sciences is state recognised. It also benefits from AMBA accreditation, which was awarded for the Global MBA. The prestigious AMBA accreditation represents innovation and excellence in education.

CIM Accreditation (Marketing Pathway): The MSc Business Management & Marketing pathway is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), ensuring global recognition for quality in marketing education.

The course is available to study both full-time and part-time. The standard period of study is two years full-time, part-time correspondingly longer. If you have the relevant academic or professional experience, you could be eligible to shorten the study period to one, or one and a half years. Talk to our programme consultants to find out whether this is the case for you.

The programme is modularised, which means each module is assigned a fixed number of credit points and concludes with an examination. This programme consists of 60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits, depending on the track and your eligibility. The standard track spans 24 months (120 ECTS), while the credit-based track can be completed in 12 or 18 months (60 or 90 ECTS), based on prior academic credits, qualifications, or work experience.

In the 2-year format (120 ECTS credits), the curriculum includes a ‘mobility window’ in the 5th semester: a semester reserved for you to study abroad, undertake an internship, or complete a business project in practice.

Choose from five different specialised pathways:

MSc Business Management & Cybersecurity

General Business Competencies

International Strategic Management

International Economics

Innovation Management and Digital Transformation

CSR, ESG and Ethics

Management of People in Cross Cultural Environments

Emotional Agility in International Business

Finance and Risk Management

CEO Decision Making and Case Studies

Study abroad or Internship or Business Project

Scientific and Methods Competence

Research Methods and Scientific Work

Research Seminar

Master Thesis

Specialisation: Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity and Digital Risk Management

Data Management & Protection

Cryptology

Cyber Forensics

Business Project in Cybersecurity

MSc Business Management & Finance

General Business Competencies

International Strategic Management

International Economics

Innovation Management and Digital Transformation

Management of People in Cross Cultural Environments

Behavioural Competencies in Virtual Teams

Emotional Agility in International Business

CEO Decision Making and Case Studies

Study abroad or Internship or Business Project

Scientific and Methods Competence

Research Methods and Scientific Work

Research Seminar

Master Thesis

Specialisation: Finance

International Accounting

Finance and Risk Management

FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto Assets

M&A and Structuring the Firm

ESG and ESG Reporting

Asset Management and Derivatives

MSc Business Management & Project Management

General Business Competencies

International Strategic Management

Innovation Management and Digital Transformation

International Marketing

Management of People in Cross Cultural Environments

Behavioural Competencies in Virtual Teams

CSR, ESG and Ethics

Emotional Agility in International Business

Study abroad or Internship or Business Project

Scientific and Methods Competence

Research Methods and Scientific Work

Research Seminar

Master Thesis

Specialisation: Project Management

Project Management

Project Costing & Control

Corporate Governance & Risk Management

Project Communication & Stakeholder Management

Management Consulting

Management of IT Projects

MSc Business Management & Marketing

General Business Competencies

International Strategic Management

Innovation Management and Digital Transformation

International Economics

Management of People in Cross Cultural Environments

Behavioural Competencies in Virtual Teams

CSR, ESG and Ethics

Emotional Agility in International Business

Digital Competencies: Electives in Cloud Computing, Big Data, Cyber Security

Study abroad or Internship or Business Project

Scientific and Methods Competence

Research Methods and Scientific Work

Research Seminar

Master Thesis

Specialisation: Marketing

International Marketing

Pricing Policy

Brand Management & Product Development

Digital Marketing & Analytics

Customer Experience Design

MSc Business Management & Human Resources



General Business Competencies

International Strategic Management

Innovation Management and Digital Transformation

International Economics

Behavioural Competencies in Virtual Teams

CSR, ESG and Ethics

Emotional Agility in International Business

International Marketing

Digital Competencies: Electives in Cloud Computing, Big Data, Cyber Security

Study abroad or Internship or Business Project

Scientific and Methods Competence

Research Methods and Scientific Work

Research Seminar

Master Thesis

Specialisation: Human Resources

Employment Law

Cognitive Psychology & Leadership

HR Management and Organisation Design

HR Analytics

Management of People in Cross Cultural Environments

Human Resources pathway is taught for personal knowledge only; additional qualifications may be required to work as a HR professional in Germany.

The MSc Business Management & Marketing pathway is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), ensuring a globally recognised standard of excellence. This accreditation enhances employability, offers a pathway to professional CIM qualifications with potential module exemptions, and combines academic theory with real-world marketing skills.

Key Benefits:

Enhanced Credibility: Boosts the value of your qualification in the job market.

Pathway to CIM Qualifications: Fast-track further qualifications with potential exemptions.

Practical Training: Combines theory and real-world applications.

Boosted Employability: Signals industry-relevant skills to employers.

Exclusive Professional Advantage: This unique opportunity offers a clear path to recognised industry certifications and advancement in your marketing career.

A business management degree provides the academic knowledge and skills to pursue global career opportunities and helps you develop a broad and diverse understanding of businesses. With your choice of specialism, you will have the skills and knowledge to delve into a specific field within business management. Each specialisation opens up a varied range of exciting job opportunities in the corresponding field.

Potential graduate opportunities: management, consultancy, marketing and advertising, human resources, retail and sales, finance

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, economics or social sciences, psychology, law, engineering, computer science, or closely related sciences)

English proficiency: B2 (IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 5.5 in any component) or equivalent scores in TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE or Duolingo. Gisma also offers an English test free of charge.