On the way to your studies, a lot of questions naturally arise. Until when can I apply? How long will my studies take? And how many lectures will I have? We have summarized the most frequently asked questions and the answers for you. We are also happy to advise you individually, just contact your student advisor.
Which study program fits me?
Studying at a university or university of applied sciences - public or private? As a private university, ISM offers practical and interactive lectures in small groups. Thanks to the intensive support, bachelor's as well as master's degrees with a wide range of specializations can be obtained. Furthermore, the university is internationally AACSB-accredited.
ISM has locations in seven cities: Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin. Please note that not all study programs are offered at all locations.
ISM was founded in Dortmund in 1990. In July 2004, it became the first private university in North Rhine-Westphalia and the second nationwide to receive institutional accreditation from the German Wissenschaftsrat (Science and Humanities Council) for the maximum possible period of ten years. In June 2016, the Wissenschaftsrat decided to grant accreditation for another ten years. The ISM is thus the first private business school nationwide to receive accreditation for ten years twice in a row.
ISM is state-recognized by the Ministry of Science and Culture of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia for an unlimited period of time. The state recognition of a university is always carried out by the Ministry of Science of the federal state in which the university has its headquarters. Due to the state recognition, the degrees obtained at ISM are equal to the degrees obtained at public universities.
Yes, besides the national accreditations, the ISM also received the prestigious international AACSB-accreditation and is currently the only private university of applied sciences in Germany holding this prestigious seal of quality.
In general, this is possible due to the recognized degrees of ISM. However, the admission requirements of the corresponding university must always be taken into account.
You are very welcome to get to know ISM better at our regular events online (Info Sessions or free Online Lectures) or even on campus, if you are already in Germany.
Of course, you can also make an individual appointment with our study advisors for a consultation. Those appointments can also take place via Zoom, if you are not in Germany yet.
Compared to state universities, you study in small learning groups at ISM. The relationship with the professors during lectures and exams is more intense. In addition, lectures at ISM are not only given by the university lecturers. Classes are interactive, questions can be asked and many projects are worked on in small student teams or workshops. In addition, almost all university lecturers come from a practical background and, besides technical knowledge, also directly convey the application in a company. ISM also has one of the largest international networks in the field of economics, with around 190 partner universities. All the content you learn abroad will be credited to your studies in Germany.
The German blocked account is a bank account required for international students (from non-EU countries) to demonstrate they have enough financial funds to cover their expenses while in Germany. This account must contain sufficient funds to cover the arising costs for the duration of the planned stay in Germany.
Currently (2025), the assumed annual standard requirement is €11,904 euros. Students must pay this amount into the blocked account when they apply for a visa. The money is paid back to the student on a monthly basis, but only a certain sum can be withdrawn from there monthly (student can withdraw up to €992 per month).
After graduation, you can apply for a residence permit for 18 months at the foreigners’ registration office responsible for you in order to look for a job corresponding to your qualifications. During these 18 months you may take up any kind of employment.
The external provider VisaFlow simplifies your transition to Germany by offering comprehensive step-by-step guidance through your relocation process and initial steps in Germany.
Their web app incorporates all essential information into an interactive and easy-to-use format.
As an ISM student, you can access VisaFlow free of charge using the code "ISMDORTMUND25". Start your journey with VisaFlow by visiting platform.visaflow.app.
You can apply as early as one year before you wish to start your studies beause our admission test result is valid for one year.
The online admission tests are held very often at ISM. Documents that are not yet available (e.g. school-leaving certificate for future Bachelor students) can be submitted later on, up to the start of the study program.
You are welcome to submit your most recently received certificate with your application.
If you need a study visa for Germany, the recommended applications deadlines are:
no later than July 15 for the Spring Term starting studies
no later than December 15 for the Fall Term starting studies.
ISM does not have fixed application deadlines. However, applicants who require a visa for studying in Germany are kindly asked to submit their application documents by
July 15th (for fall semester) or
December 15th (for upcoming spring semester).
Please note that you have to take care of your visa yourself. For all students who do not need to apply for visa, the last admission test period for the fall term usually takes place in August, for the spring term in February.
The admission process ends as soon as all of the limited study places have been allocated. Early application is therefore recommended.
No specific grade point average is required for the ISM application. We will check your personal suitability for an ISM degree program in a multi-part admission process.
Then you will receive an overview of the application documents to be submitted.
The test and the personal interview will be online. The decision on the allocation of a study place is usually made no later than one-two weeks after the interview test date.
If you have an international school-leaving certificate, we need to first check whether your qualification entitles you to study in Germany before taking our online admission test.
Please send a scanned copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Transcript of Records by e-mail to the student advisor at the campus of your choice. We call this process a fast check of your application documents.
To apply, you need to have passed your Abitur (Baccalaureat) or an equivalent diploma, but no specific grade point average is required. We check your personal suitability in a multi-part admission process. You can register online for our admission test.
The standard period of study for Bachelor's is 6 semesters (3 years). The program includes a semester abroad at one of our partner universities as well as 20 weeks of mandatory internship. You can voluntarily add a 7th semester and thus a second semester abroad at a partner university to any study program in the Global Track.
Studies are held in groups of maximum 32 students.
Some classes as well as the language classes are held in smaller groups with a maximum of 18 students and also in the last year of study the group is divided again due to the specialization modules. This guarantees optimal support by the lecturers.
In semesters 1-3, you can expect about 30 hours per week; in semesters 5 and 6, the hours per week are reduced to about 20. The earliest lecture start time is 8:30 a.m.
The study programs B.Sc. International Management, B.Sc. Finance & Management, as well as the B.Sc. Information Systems and B.Sc. Applied Data Science and Business Analytics can be studied 100% in English. Our German-language Bachelor study programs have a share of approximately 30% English-language lectures, especially in higher semesters. You need at least a B2-Level in German to study those programs.
Within the first few semesters it is possible to change the course of study for your Bachelor's if the respective program is offered at your campus. However, the missed study program specifics have to be made up.
The ISM does not maintain its own dormitories. Therefore, you have to look for an apartment on site yourself. Please ask your study advisor or the International Office for our Accommodation Guide to get valuable tips and links on how to find affordable accommodation at your campus of choice.
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.
In general, ISM wants to make it possible for every qualified applicant to study at ISM, regardless of their individual financial situation. Therefore, ISM supports high-achieving students through scholarships. You can also take advantage of funding under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) if you are from EU or an EEA Member State. Financial support from funding institutions or foundations, but also student loans are further very viable options for financing your studies. You can find more information in our financing brochure and on our study financing page
To build up and expand your own network, our Career Center organizes various events such as the Career Day or company presentations. In addition, you can access job postings in the ISM job portal and find out about internships already completed by ISM students in our internship database. The Career Center supports you in creating your application documents and in preparing for job interviews.
Internships prior to your studies are not required. Nevertheless, internships that were completed after graduation from school and before you began your Bachelor's program may be credited to a certain extent, if applicable. The decision on actual credit is up to a case-by-case review by the Career Center. Please contact our student advisor if you have any questions.
ISM has a network of around 190 partner universities worldwide. Our International Office offers assistance in choosing a partner university. Depending on your course of study, you can choose from a variety of universities and countries.
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.
International applicants who require a visa for studying in Germany must submit their application documents by July 15th of the same year for the fall term. For the Master of International Business that starts in spring term, the deadline for submitting application documents is January 15. 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.
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 presentation (such as brief presentation of the results of your Bachelor studies or another term paper)
Part 2: Online interview with the program director on the admission test day
For part one you can suggest a presentation topic or receive from our study advisor a list of topics after your online registration for an admission test, of which you have to choose one. You will elaborate your ideas in a power point presentation (15 to 20 minutes/about 10 to 12 slides). We need your presentation two working days (latest) prior to your online interview appointment.
Within the interview, first you will present your power point and discuss your current issues afterwards. The rest of the test is 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.
If you have a foreign bachelor degree, we will check whether your qualification entitles you to study in Germany before taking our admission test.
Please send a scanned copy of your curriculum vitae and transcript of records and your bachelor diploma by email to the study advisor at the campus of your choice.
Students can start their studies in the consecutive Master's programs in the fall term in September and in the non-degree program "International Business" in the spring term in March.
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.
As a rule, you will have slightly fewer lectures in the master's program than in the bachelor's program. Since your schedule will not be the same every week, the hours per week will also vary. The earliest lecture starts at 8:30 am.
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.
Within the framework of our international network of partner universities, we offer the possibility in our consecutive study programs to take a Double Degree. Ask your study advisor for more information.
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).
Please note if you require a visa for studying in Germany: 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 (3,000 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.
In general, ISM wants to make it possible for every qualified applicant to study at ISM, regardless of their individual financial situation. Therefore, ISM supports high-achieving students through scholarships. You can find more information at Student finance or in our financing brochure (PDF).
To build up and expand your own network, our Career Center organizes various events such as the Career Day or company presentations. In addition, you can access job postings in the ISM job portal and find out about internships already completed by ISM students in our internship database. The Career Center supports you in creating your application documents and in preparing for interviews.
Internships prior to your studies are not required. Nevertheless, internships that were completed after your bachelor degree and before you began your Master program may be credited to a certain extent, if applicable. The decision on actual credit is up to a case-by-case review by the Career Center. Please contact our student advisor if you have any questions.
ISM has a network of around 190 partner universities worldwide. Our International Office offers assistance in choosing a partner university. Depending on your course of study, you can choose from a variety of universities and countries.
he tuition fees for the semester abroad depend on your choice of partner universities: In Europe, most of the Partner Universities are already covered by ISM fees. There are no additional costs here. At our overseas partner universities, things can be a little different. Especially when choosing partner universities in the USA, Australia and New Zealand, additional costs will arise, as the tuition fees here are higher than at ISM. Our International Office will provide you with comprehensive information.
You can apply as early as one year before you wish to start your studies. You can make an appointment for your Skype interview with our student advisor Nina Weidemann (nina.weidemann@ism.de). Please send your CV in advance by e-mail so that your suitability can be checked.
There is no fixed application deadline for the MBA General Management. Places are very limited and are allocated according to the number of applications received. The admission procedure ends as soon as all places have been allocated. Early application is therefore recommended. Important: For all international applicants who need a visa, the application deadline is June 15.
No specific grade point average is required to apply. You need a first academic degree and at least two to three years of relevant work experience after graduation. To check your professional suitability, please send your curriculum vitae in advance to Nina Weidemann (nina.weidemann@ism.de). You will receive feedback as soon as possible and, if you have the necessary qualifications, we arrange an interview appointment with the program director.
Applicants must have a good command of English. This language proficiency must be demonstrated by a TOEFL or IELTS test (min. 80 points in TOEFL/min. 6.0 in IELTS) or min. 30 ECTS in an English-language university program. For native speakers, a case-by-case assessment will be conducted if necessary.
In the case of international degrees, we will check whether your degree entitles you to study in Germany before taking our admission test. Please send your curriculum vitae as well as your bachelor's degree certificate including the current transcript of records and your school leaving certificate scanned by Email to Ms. Weidemann.
In principle, when changing universities, it is possible to have achievements from the previous study program credited. Each individual case is examined individually. The prerequisite is that the achievements were made at a state-recognized university. Please contact Ms. Weidemann (nina.weidemann@ism.de) for further information.
For the MBA General Management, missing ECTS points can be compensated by relevant work experience, if applicable. Please contact Ms. Weidemann (nina.weidemann@ism.de). A pre-master is not offered for the MBA General Management.
In the worldwide MBA university ranking by CEO Magazine, ISM achieved a top tier position for several years in a row. ISM convinced - as one of only five awarded German business schools - with its quality teaching and practical relevance. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) offered in Munich, Berlin and Dortmund can accordingly compare with international providers. Unique to ISM are the integrated modules abroad and the intensive professional coaching of MBA students.
All MBA study programs are internationally AACSB-accredited
ISM is recognized at the highest international level by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and was the first private German University of Applied Sciences that was awarded the prestigious AACSB accreditation. This is an important international seal of quality received by only 6% of the business universities worldwide, which certifies excellence in research and teaching.
The MBA General Management (full-time) consists of 9 module blocks, three of which are covered per trimester. Lectures are held on the Regal from Monday to Friday. You can view the current curriculum for the full-time MBA on our website. One module takes place during a two-week stay abroad in Barcelona (Spain). The program is complemented by individual coaching, which includes three sessions with a personal coach regarding personal development, conflict management and leadership skills.
The tuition fees for the module abroad are already included in the fees. Only the costs for your arrival & departure as well as for your accommodation and meals will be added.
In general, ISM wants to make it possible for every qualified applicant to study at ISM, regardless of their individual financial situation. Therefore, ISM supports high-achieving students through scholarships. You can find more information at Student finance or in our financing brochure (PDF).
You can apply as early as one year before you wish to start your studies. You can make an appointment for your Skype interview with the responsible student advisor at campus Dortmund where we offer this program (email: study@ism.de). Please send your CV and work experience in advance by email so that your suitability can be checked.
Application for the MBA General Management is possible until February 28 the year of start of your studies. A later application is possible after consultation in justified cases.
Please contact your Master & MBA study advisor at campus Dortmund (study@ism.de). The admission procedure ends as soon as the limited study places have been allocated. Early application is therefore recommended, especially if you require a German study visa. Also, having a job in Germany is required in order to apply for this position.
No specific grade point average is required to apply. You need a first academic degree and additionally two (for 210 ECTS) or three years (for 180 ECTS) of relevant professional experience after graduation. To check your professional suitability, please send us your CV in advance to our study advisor Nina Weidemann (nina.weidemann@ism.de). We will provide you with feedback as soon as possible and, if you have the necessary qualifications, we will arrange an interview appointment with the program director.
Applicants must have a good command of English. This language proficiency must be demonstrated by a TOEFL or IELTS test (min. 80 points in TOEFL/min. 6.0 in IELTS) or min. 30 ECTS in an English-language university program or a degree in English Studies. For native speakers, a case-by-case review may be conducted.
In the case of international degrees, we will check whether your degree entitles you to study in Germany before taking our admission test. Please send your CV and your Bachelor's degree certificate including the current Transcript of Records and your school-leaving certificate scanned to Nina Weidemann (nina.weidemann@ism.de).
In principle, when changing universities, it is possible to have achievements from the previous study program credited. Each individual case is examined individually. The prerequisite is that the achievements were made at a state-recognized university. Please contact a study advisor for further information.
For the MBA General Management, missing ECTS points can be compensated by relevant work experience. Please contact our study advisor (study@ism.de) for more information.
A pre-master is not offered for the MBA General Management.
The MBA General Management consists of 15 modules, which are taught as a block. The blocks take place on average 1x per month from Fridays to Sundays all day. You can download the current lecture schedule from our homepage.
Several modules take place abroad in different countries. Here you will get an interdisciplinary overview of all management areas in the USA, India and South Korea.
The tuition fees for the modules abroad are already included in the fees. Only the costs for your arrival & departure as well as for your accommodation and meals will be added.
In principle, ISM would like to make it possible for every suitable applicant to study at ISM, regardless of their individual financial situation. Therefore, ISM supports high-achieving students through scholarships. An application can be made directly to our study advisor responsible for MBA programs (study@ism.de). information at Student finance or in our Financing Brochure (PDF).
Do you have any questions about studying? Please contact us!
Send us your questions from Monday to Friday. We'll reply from 10 am to 3 pm (CET) on weekdays. Looking forward to chat!
Alternatively, you can use the ChatBot or send us an email to study@ism.de.
Our student advisors are happy to answer all your questions about the ISM, our study programs, application and selection process and financing options in a personal appointment.
