Double Degree for Master's or MBA

With the double degree program of the ISM you acquire two master’s degrees within the study period. ISM students who opt for any of the available double degree programs will spend their first two semesters at the ISM campus, followed by one, two or three semesters at the partner university (varies by partner university). Being enrolled in a double master’s degree program also means that you will take additional courses at the partner university compared to the courses of a regular study abroad student.

Degree students who are interested in a double degree program decide at the end of their first semester where they would like to pick the dual master’s degree track or not. They will then hand in their university selection at the International Office.

Pursing a regular degree at ISM usually takes two years. Pursuing a double degree can sometimes take a little longer, like two years plus the master’s thesis period. The conditions vary largely based on the partner institutions conditions.

ISM students who opt for any of the available double degree programs will spend their first two semesters at the ISM campus, followed by one, two or three semesters at the partner university. The curriculum and the course structure of the master programme during the semesters abroad itself are subject to change by the international partner university. Depending on the double degree contract, students will write the master thesis according to either ISM regulations or according to those of the partner university. The university that supervises the post-graduate thesis then provides the first corrector. The dual degree is not available with the Fast Track option, so the study period cannot be shortened in this case. In some cases, an internship abroad is part of your double degree stay at the partner university.

Yes - you can currently complete a double degree in the MBA program (full-time and part-time) at the City University of Seattle (USA).

Step 1: the interested student chooses a double degree partner university from our network (below) and applies for a double degree at the partner institution. You will get information from the International Office or Program Directors about the application deadlines.

Step 2: Meeting the requirements for admission. In order to be admitted for a double degree you have to fullfil these criteria: All exams of the first two semesters have to be passed prior to the start of the double degree program abroad. The mandatory ISM internship is excluded from that; however, we recommend to also have the internship done already before going abroad.

Sometimes, an internship abroad is part of your double degree programme offer at the partner university, but this varies largely based on the dual degree partner institution. For example, at Ecole de Management de Normandie or Cranfield University the internship is included in the program, but at Edinburgh Napier, Bond or Lancaster universities an internship is not mandatory by the partner university. We strongly recommend to have the internship done already before going abroad. There are some double degrees where you have to do the internship prior to the double degree phase because the partner university recognizes it towards its degree.

A dual master's degree is more demanding, but the level of demand differs at each partner university. Feel free to check out Karime Gervacio's experience report on our ISM blog. She completed her double master's degree at INSEEC in Paris and is reporting on her experience there.