Frequently Asked Questions
Which study program fits me?
Questions and answers on this page:
About the ISM
About VISA
There are a few cornerstones to have on your radar. These are:
- Health insurance
Everyone who comes to Germany for work or studies needs to register for health insurance. - Proof of graduation
You'll need to provide your high school diploma or equivalent. - Admission letter from the university
You'll need to provide proof of acceptance onto your university course. - Funding
You'll need to prove you have the funds to cover living costs for one year or the duration of your stay. - Language skills
Depending on whether you are doing a German or English-taught course you'll need to prove you have a grasp of the language. - Paperwork
e.g. Passport, biometric photos, certificate of enrollment.
Bachelor's Programs
About Application
About Your Studies
About Costs and Study Financing
The tuition fees are of 5,970 Euro per semester, which includes the bachelor thesis fee.
Furthermore, you have to pay an enrollment fee (one-time payment) of 600 Euro (for EU citizens) or 1,500 Euro (non-EU citizens).
The Federal German Embassy requests to open a block account with the amount of 10,236 Euro for the visa process.
This amount will be paid back in monthly instalments (853 Euro per month) during the first year of studies at ISM. We recommend to open this block account through FINTIBA or Expatrio.
International students have to pay a deposit (3,000 Euro) to secure their place on the study program. This is not an extra fee and will be deducted from the tuition fee of the first semester.
About Interships and Semester abroad
The tuition fees for the semester abroad depend on your choice of partner university: In Europe, 95% are already covered by the ISM tuition fees. There are no additional costs here.
At our overseas partner universities, things can be a little different. Especially when choosing partner universities from USA, Australia and New Zealand, additional costs will arise, as the tuition fees there are higher than at ISM.
Our International Office will provide you with comprehensive information about each international university you are interested in.
Master's Programs
About Application
For all students, who do not need to apply for visa, the last admission test for the fall term takes place in August, for the spring term in February. The admission procedure ends as soon as all of the limited study places have been allocated. Early application is therefore recommended. The admission test at ISM is valid for one year.
No specific grade point average is required for the application, but the final grade of the first degree (e.g. Bachelors) is included in the overall assessment. Furthermore, we check your personal suitability in a selection process at ISM. You can register online for an appointment for our admission test. You will then receive an overview of the application documents to be submitted and the questions to be answered.
You will work on this in advance at home and present your results in a Power Point presentation on your selection day when you will meet (online) with the study program director. In addition, we would like to get to know you and your study motivation in the subsequent interview. The decision on the allocation of a study place is usually made within one to two working days after the interview.
We need the following documents from you:
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- Letter of motivation.
- School-leaving certificate (certified) copies.
Qualifying you to study at a higher education institution. The original document must be submitted by the start of the study. Alternatively, prospective students with a special educational background or a particular aptitude in their future field of study can also be recognized under the German Higher Education Act. Not sure to possess the school entry qualification? Please ask your study advisor and we will do a fast check to verify if you are eligible. - External proof of knowledge of foreign languages (if available).
To be able to choose Spanish or French as second language, you need a proof of German proficiency of at least a B2 level (e.g. TestDaf). If you have any separate certificates of achievement confirming your foreign language proficiency (e.g. TOEFL test), please also submit them to us. However, these certificates are not obligatory for your application to study at the ISM. You may hand them in until the start of your studies. - Work/internship certificates (if available).
- Copy of your national ID card.
- One digital passport photo (colored, jpg format, high resolution).
Part 1: Elaboration of a case study specified topic in advance (or presentation of the results of your Bachelor studies)
Part 2: Interview with the program director at the admission test day (in person or online)
For part one you will receive three study specified questions after your registration of which you have to choose one. You will elaborate your ideas in an academically, written form in Word (about 2 to 3 written pages) and in a power point presentation (15 to 20 minutes/about 8 to 12 slides). We need your written part and the presentation two working days (latest) prior to your interview appointment.
Within the interview, first you will present your power point and discuss your current issues afterwards. The rest of the test will be a classical interview with questions about your personal career, your professional and personal goals as well as your motivation for the master program of your choice.
About Studies
The standard period of study is 4 semesters (2 years). All consecutive study programs require a semester abroad at one of our partner universities as well as 12 weeks of compulsory internship.
With the option Fast Track the semester abroad is omitted and you shorten the work placement. This allows you to complete your master's degree in 3 semesters with 90 ECTS. You can find out everything you need to know from your study advisor.
- The M.Sc. International Management is entirely taught in English at all seven campuses.
- M.A. Strategic Marketing Management in Munich and Berlin
- M.Sc. Finance in Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich and Berlin
- M.Sc. International Logistics & Supply Chain Management in Frankfurt/Main and Hamburg
- M.A. Luxury, Fashion & Sales Management in Munich and Berlin
- M.Sc. Business Intelligence & Data Science in Dortmund, Munich and Hamburg
- M.Sc. Psychology & Management in Dortmund
- M.Sc. Real Estate Management in Frankfurt/Main
- M.A. International Business in Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main and Berlin
- Pre-Master in Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Berlin and Munich
A basic requirement for the admission to the Master degree courses in English is the proof of minimum B2 level of English proficiency (according to the European Framework of Reference for languages). In the case of Master of MBA programs, English language skills need to be proven via a certificate (IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL, etc.). Ask your study advisor for more information.
Many degree programs at ISM are offered entirely in English or can be completed 100% in English.
We also have some Bachelor's or Master's degree programs in German, that include lectures in both German and English language (with a ratio of about 70:30 as regards German vs. English). Those programs are marked specificaly in the overview pages for Bachelor's and Master's programs. You can find more detailed information on this in the respective study program description.
About Costs and Financing
Master tuition fees are of 6,480 Euro per semester (over 4 semesters) which includes the master thesis fee.
Furthermore, you have to pay an enrollment fee (one-time payment) of 600 Euro (for EU citizens) or 1,500 Euro (non-EU citizens).
The Federal German Embassy requests to open a block account with the amount of 10,236 Euro for the visa process.
This amount will be paid back in monthly instalments (853 Euro per month) during the first year of studies at ISM. We recommend to open this block account through FINTIBA or Expatrio.
All international students have to pay a deposit (3,500 Euro) to secure their place on the study program. This is not an extra fee and will be deducted from the tuition fee of the first semester.
Depending on the course of study and semester, the costs range from approx. 30-100 Euro.
About Internships and the Semester Abroad
Full-time MBA Programs
About Application
About Studies
About Costs and Financing
The tuition fee is 27,300 Euro in total incl. Master's thesis (for contracts signed for fall term 2025 onwards).
If you sign a study contract by March 15th, you will also receive an early bird discount of 1,500 Euro.
There is no charge for the admission interview.
MBA Programms part-time
About Application
About Studies
The MBA General Management program in part-time can be started annually in the spring term in March.
About Costs and Financing
The tuition fee is of 28,800 Euro in total including master's thesis fee. Monthly payments are also possible.
Sign a study contract by January 31 and you will receive an Early-Bird Discount of 1,000 € on the regular tuition fee!
Do you have any questions about studying? Please contact us!
Your Bachelor Study Advisors
Campus Dortmund
Christopher Pereira
+49 231.97 51 39-43
Campus Frankfurt
Qian Ye
+49 69.66 05 93 67-43
Campus Munich
Ana Kammerer
+49 89.2 00 03 50 - 53
Campus Cologne
Angelina Hallmann
+49 221.27 09 95-43
Campus Stuttgart
Luigi Serafino
+49 711.51 89 62-143
Campus Berlin
Marrit Koenig
+49 30.3 15 19 35-22
Campus Hamburg
Rebecca Jung
+49 40.3 19 93 39-46
Your Master Study Advisors
Campus Dortmund
Katharina Röder
+49 231.97 51 39-447
Campus Frankfurt/Main
Yosra Saleh
+49 69.66 05 93 67-49
Campus Stuttgart
Yosra Saleh
+49 69.66 05 93 67-49
Campus Munich
Nina Weidemann
+49 89.2 00 03 50-42
Campus Cologne
Ioulia Aslanidou
+49 221.27 09 95-54
Campus Hamburg & Berlin
Jana Gripshöfer
+49 40.3 19 93 39-42
Your Student Advisory Service
Campus Munich
Nina Weidemann
+49 89.2 00 03 50-42
Campus Berlin
Sindy Rode
+49 30.3 15 19 35-175
Your Student Advisory Service
Campus Dortmund
Katharina Röder
+49 231.97 51 39-447
Your Study Advisors for Distance Learning (online programs)
Marcella Brockerhoff
Aysenur Bektas
+49 711 51 89 62-213