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Plan your studies at ISM

How to become a student at ISM and study in Germany?

You can boost your future career chances and be more than just a student with a study degree at ISM: Benefit from small learning groups, a perfect, pratice-oriented learning atmosphere, internationality and professors from the real business world. No matter if Bachelor's, Master's or MBA: ISM offers ideal programs for everyone interested in outstanding management studies.

How to apply at ISM

Step 1

Get an Overview

Our Bachelor’s Programs start twice a year in spring term (March) and fall term (September).

Our Master’s Programs usually start once a year in the fall term (September/October).

The exception is the Master of International Business and the preparatory semester (Pre-Master) which start in the spring term (March).

The full-time MBA starts in September, the part-time MBA in March.

Important note:

If you do not need a study visa for Germany, there is no official application deadline for you. You can apply even one year in advance from the desired start date, if you wish to benefit from Early-Bird fee discounts.

If you must apply for a German study visa the application deadlines are:

  • July 15th (for fall term)
  • December 15th (for spring term).

Applications submitted after these dates will be considered, but at your own risk. In all cases, you are responsible for obtaining your visa and arriving on time for the semester start. If you do not receive your study visa on time, in certain cases we will allow starting your semester with online classes before you travel to Germany. Please contact our study advisors for more information.

Step 2

Pre-Check of Eligibility

The Bachelor’s Programs are designed for applicants who have achieved general qualification for German university admission or qualification for admission to universities of applied sciences.

Please contact our study advisors and provide information about your degree (school leaving certificate if you have), transcript of records and languages you speak and we're happy to do a fast check of your eligibility to study at ISM.

In order to apply for our Master's Programs, you need to have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree comprising the equivalent of at least 180 ECTS points or an equivalent program at a university or university of applied sciences or a foreign university of equivalent level. Depending on the program chosen, you may also have to prove achievement of ECTS points relating to a specific field.

For the admission to the MBA General Management, the proof of a first successful degree with 210 ECTS points from a program at a university, or of a foreign university of corresponding rank as well, is required. Furthermore, you need to have at least two to three years' professional experience after the first degree.

No matter which program you apply for, we recommend to apply for a pre-check as early as possible, so that our admissions team has enough time to check your eligibility to study at ISM. Please contact our study advisors for further instructions.

Step 3

Online Registration for Admission

After successfully completed the pre-check of your eligibility, you can register online for the admission test.

You can apply up to one year in advance from the desired beginning of your program as the successfully passed admission test is valid for one year.

The bachelor's and master's admission test will be online and is valid for all ISM locations.

An early application is recommended, as we directly allocate study places on a first come-first serve basis.

Apply for an Admission Test
Step 4

Uploading Your Application Documents

Once you've registred online for admission, in order to process your application further, we kindly ask you to upload certain documents in our Online Application Portal (you'll receive the link to it once you've filled out the previous form). These documents differ by study type:

Bachelor's Application Documents

To process your Bachelor’s application, we need:

  • the completed application form (we'll send you the link after you've registered for an admission test)
  • your CV or resume
  • a letter of motivation
  • a school graduation certificate qualifying you to study at a higher education institution (or transcript of records if you did not graduate yet)
  • two passport photos
  • optional: evidence of English language knowledge (such as language certificates), if available
  • optional: evidence of previous German language knowledge (if available, as knowing German is not mandatory for starting your studies at ISM in English)
  • optional: any internship or work references (if available)
Master's Application Documents

For your official Master’s application we need the following documents from you:

  • the completed application form (we'll send you the link after you've registered for an admission test)
  • your CV or resume
  • a letter of motivation
  • proof of English language knowledge (B2 level) (please send your language certificate, if available)
  • certified copy of your first degree certificate (such as Bachelor's etc, if already available), otherwise certified Transcript of Records
  • a copy of your national ID card
  • two passport photos
  • optional: proof of health insurance that is valid for Germany (only if available already, otherwise you can upload this before immatriculation)
MBA Application Documents

For the MBA programs, we need all of the documents required for a master's program (see above), along with 

  • two letters of reference from university professors or former or current employers.
Step 5

Participation in the Admission Test

Bachelor Admission Test

For the bachelor, you will have to pass a mathematical test as well as an English test (or provide evidence of your foreign language proficiency e.g. IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge Certificate).

You will also have a personal interview at the end of the day, where you will be asked about your motivation to study and we will check your general suitability for the program of your choice.

Important note: Weaknesses in language knowledge or mathematics do not lead directly to a rejection of your bachelor's application! In this case, you may have to take intensive courses at ISM or with external providers in order to reach the required level needed by the time you begin your studies. We are here to help you reach your full potential!

Our application and admission test dates are very flexible. Nevertheless, applicants who require a student visa for Germany and who do not have a visa (student visa) yet, please apply no later than the following dates:

  • July 15th for all programs starting in the fall term
  • December 15th for all programs starting next year in the spring term
  • If you've missed any of these deadlines, please contact a study advisor and you'll receive more information if you can still apply.

Master and MBA Admission Test

On the day of the admission test, you will present the results of the case study. Afterwards, there will be a personal interview covering your personal background, professional goals and your motivation to study in order to assess your general suitability for the program of your choice.

Our application and admission test dates are very flexible. Nevertheless, applicants who require a student visa for Germany and who do not have a visa (student visa) yet, please try to apply no later than the following dates:

  • July 15th for all programs starting in the fall term of the respective year
  • December 15th for all programs starting next year in the spring term

Important note: Candidates who are not in Germany have the option of taking the admission test online. Please specify this in the application by checking the box "I want to take the Admission test online".

Apply for an Admission Test
Step 6

Getting Your Results

The result of your admission process will be communicated to you usually within a few days after your interview. A positive admission result is valid for one year for all ISM locations.

Important note: Weaknesses in language knowledge or mathematics may not lead directly to a rejection of your application. In this case, you have to take some intensive courses at ISM or with external providers to reach the required level prior to the beginning of your studies. We are here to help you reach your full potential.

Apply for an Admission Test
Step 7

Making a Decision

After successfully passing the admission test, you will receive the ISM study agreement within a few days. Please read it carefully and get in touch with us if you have any concerns or questions. After signing the study contract and transferring the deposit fee (varies by program type, see each program page), you will receive the official letter of admission needed for applying for visa.

Step 8

Applying for a Visa (if required)

Non-EU students need an appropriate visa for entry in Germany in order to study here. You need to apply at the responsible German embassy or consulate in your home country.

Please apply as early as possible because it may take up to three-four months to receive the German study visa in your country.

The letter of admission confirms that you are officially enrolled at ISM (the entry with a tourist or visitor visa is for most countries not sufficient). Please inform yourself about the visa application procedure and the documents needed (PDF) well in advance.

Our International Officers are happy to help answer questions regarding visa issues.

Furthermore, as per German legislation, non-EU students need to provide proof that they have sufficient funds available to sustain their stay in Germany. This is done in the form of a so-called "blocked account". With a blocked account, you can provide evidence during your visa application process that you have adequate financial resources for the duration of your studies. In this account you must have sufficient credit in order to cover the costs arising for the duration of your planned stay in Germany, unless other proof of financial support is presented in the visa procedure.

For more information, please visit the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.

How to get a student visa for Germany

Study in Germany

Your ticket to study is the visa – Visa Issues Info

Non EU-students and students from countries other than the USA, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea who would like to study in Germany need an appropriate visa for entry in Germany. You need to apply for your student visa at the responsible German embassy or consulate in your home country. Please note: The entry with a tourist or visitor visa is not sufficient for study purposes for most countries!

Your visa application has to state explicitly the reason for your stay in Germany (e.g. language course, studies, etc.). In particular the following documents need to be attached to the visa application:

  • Letter of acceptance of the ISM
  • Proof of sufficient financial funds (for example, you get a so-called "blocked account" in Germany or for example with the help of the document “Verpflichtungserklaerung” which you get from the German embassy if you have a person living in Germany).

For further information please contact the respective German consular mission abroad or our ISM International Officers.

Do you need health insurance in Germany?

All students must bring proof of valid health insurance. The German social security system generally treats German and foreign students the same, i.e. foreign students can take out insurance with the statutory health insurers in Germany, currently for about 100 euros per month. Students from selected countries (mainly from the EU) can claim an exemption.

International students with private insurance can be exempted from compulsory health insurance if they present a certificate of insurance from their home insurance company, translated into German, which precisely describes the content and scope of the insurance coverage. The health insurance company in Germany will check this and may issue an exemption. Note: Please note that students older than 30 years of age are not eligible for student health insurance through the statutory health insurance companies and must take out private insurance either in their home country or in Germany. Please note that travel insurance cannot be accepted.

You can find more tips on health insurance and our partner Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) in the ISM Study Guide, (PDF).

Transportation for guest students – Arriving in Germany

We try to offer a pick-up service for our international guest and exchange student arrivals at the following airports and main train stations.

You have to inquire about and book this service (if available at the time of your travel) not later than two weeks prior arrival. You will get a form which you have to fill out via email.

  • Dortmund: Duesseldorf international airport (NOT Duesseldorf-Weeze), Dortmund airport and main train station
  • Frankfurt: Frankfurt international airport and main train station
  • Munich: Munich international airport and main train station
  • Hamburg: Hamburg international airport and main train station
  • Cologne: Cologne/Bonn international airport and main train station
  • Berlin: Berlin airport and main train station

The service costs 10/15 € per trip and per person (in Munich: 20 € from the airport per trip and per person). You can pay in cash when you meet the driver (German ISM students).

For further information, please contact the International Office study advisor at your respective campus.

Arriving by Car

If you decide to come to Germany by car please note that in Germany environmental zones have been introduced. It is therefore necessary for you to buy an environmental badge which is obligatory for driving in green zones in Germany. For more information please visit: umwelt-plakette.de - here you will be able to choose your native language for further information. Be aware that should you be driving without the badge in green zones and be stopped by the police – they will charge you a fine.

German language courses

When studying at International School of Management, German classes are either an integrated part of the curriculum or can be taken either as a pre-course right before the start of the semester or as evening online classes during the semester.

During your studies:

At ISM, we offer free additional language and hands-on courses within our StudyPlus program. In this program, you can also take German courses. All StudyPlus courses take place online and during the evening so you can combine them with your regular study program’s schedule. For more information on the exact schedule, please check your student portal or contact your local study office.

Prior to study start:

Foreign students who wish to learn German or refresh their German knowledge can take part in a 3-week intensive German course prior to semester start (cost is €480 + an additional fee for study material). You will receive 6 ECTS for the course if you pass the course successfully. The course will take place from Monday to Friday and has 90 teaching units in sum.

There will be a course for beginners and - if there are enough interested students - we will also offer a course for advanced learners.

In addition, we also try to offer three different language courses during the semester for free with 3 ECTS being awarded at the end of the class: Beginners + Intermediate + Advanced Business presentations.

Note: please be aware that you need an upper/intermediate level of German to successfully pass the semester at the ISM if you participate in classes taught in German and an upper/intermediate level of English to participate in English-taught programs, classes of foreign lecturers and for the ISM Business Certificate.

Do you have any questions about studying? Please contact us!

Feel free to send us your questions from Monday to Friday. We'll respond to you from 10 am to 3 pm (CET) on weekdays. Looking forward to chat!
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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.
Get in touch for a consultation
Study advisor Bachelor's programs
Your Bachelor Study Advisors

pereira

Campus Dortmund

Christopher Pereira
+49 231.97 51 39-43
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Qian Ye

Campus Frankfurt

Qian Ye
+49 69.66 05 93 67-43
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Ana Kammerer

Campus Munich

Ana Kammerer
+49 89.2 00 03 50 - 53
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Angelina Hallmann

Campus Cologne

Angelina Hallmann
+49 221.27 09 95-43
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Luigi Serafino

Campus Stuttgart

Luigi Serafino
+49 711.51 89 62-143
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Marrit Koenig

Campus Berlin

Marrit Koenig
+49 30.3 15 19 35-22
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Rebecca Jung

Campus Hamburg

Rebecca Jung
+49 40.3 19 93 39-46
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Study advisor Master's programs
Your Master Study Advisors

Katharina Röder

Campus Dortmund

Katharina Röder
+49 231.97 51 39-447
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Antonio Luna ISM Study advisor

Campus Stuttgart and Frankfurt/Main

Antonio Luna
+49 711.51 89 62-243
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Nina Weidemann

Campus Munich

Nina Weidemann
+49 89.2 00 03 50-42
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Florian Dorste

Campus Cologne

Ioulia Aslanidou
+49 221.27 09 95-54
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Sindy Schulz

Campus Hamburg & Berlin

Sindy Rode
+49 30.3 15 19 35-175
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Study advisor MBA programs
Your Student Advisory Service

Nina Weidemann

Campus Munich

Nina Weidemann
+49 89.2 00 03 50-42
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Sindy Schulz

Campus Berlin

Sindy Rode
+49 30.3 15 19 35-175
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Study advisor Distance Learning online programs
Your Study Advisors for Distance Learning (online programs)

Marcella Brockerhoff

+49 711.51 89 62-221

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Jana-Alexandra Fox

+49 711 51 89 62-221

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