Department

Business & Management

accompanying university course of studies

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Business Administration

Graduates of the extra occupational Master course of studies “Master of Business Administration” are distinguished by their entrepreneurial 360°-view: by conveying comprehensive business knowledge and management competencies, MBA students develop into business-minded, assertive personalities, who are able to safely navigate the international business world.

» More information

For experts and managers wishing to acquire strategic managerial expertise in order to pursue new career opportunities.

This course prepares you to:

perform managerial tasks in international organisations
make confident, well-informed decisions
handle complex negotiations and make convincing presentations
develop and implement global strategies
optimise company-wide processes

At a glance Factsheet

University degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Duration: 3 semester + thesis

Semester start: March and September each year

Time models: Evening and Saturday study

Credit points: 90 ECTS credits

Accreditation: the FOM is system accredited by the FIBAA. Therefore, this course of studies also accredited.

The administrative language of the course of studies is German.

Where do you want to study?

Study centre

Depending on the institution and when the study programme begins (in the summer or winter semester), at the FOM there are a variety of time plans available to choose from.

Semester start: March and September each year

Time models: Evening and Saturday study

Course description

The general management degree for the top managers of tomorrow: During the MBA degree course from FOM University you will acquire all-round expertise in all of the most important
corporate functions – in a way that is hands-on, forward-looking and with reference to international correlations.

This degree course, which is held primarily in English, provides both business expertise as well as extensive intercultural and management skills. For example, you will acquire in-depth knowledge in disciplines such as marketing and communication, human resources and leadership management as well as international business law. In all modules there is a focus on digitisation and the influence it has on the respective functional areas. From the third semester you will select your preferred area of specialisation – a wide range of specialised subjects provides you with a degree course that perfectly matches the requirements of your daily professional activities.

Holistic teaching concept, which is close to the real world

The core goal of the MBA degree is the development of integrative, practise-oriented thinking and action. Real case studies from the world of business and a lively mix of teaching methods help to sharpen your overall, interdisciplinary perspective. Thus, you will gain important knowledge that will allow you to maintain an overview of all operational processes when making decisions.

You will also benefit from the continual exchange of information and experiences with other students from a wide range of sectors and specialist areas. You will learn to assert yourself in interdisciplinary teams, take responsibility, manage negotiations and ultimately implement well-founded and constructive measures. A voluntary coaching programme, which runs alongside the degree course, can also support you with your own personal development.

What are the characteristics of a strong manager nowadays?

As an MBA graduate, you will be able to answer this important question thanks to the innovative teaching concept. After completing the degree course you will be able to take over management activities in international companies, develop global strategies and optimise group-wide processes. The MBA from FOM University can also prepare you optimally for the takeover or founding of a company.

You will complete your master studies in Business Administration with the academic degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Prerequisites for admission

University degree¹ (Diplom, Magister, Bachelor, Staatsexamen) worth 210 Credit Points² (applicants with a university degree worth 180 Credit Points² may be admitted to a course after appropriate professional experience or other university achievements are recognised)
at least one year’s professional experience after the first degree
an adequate knowledge of English (corresponding to an intermediate language level B2 according GER, e.g. at least 860 points TOEIC or at least 83 points TOEFL)
must currently be employed³

1) Degrees from accredited Bachelor training programmes at Berufsakademien [tertiary education institutions offering academic training and practical in-company training]
2) FOM awards credit points according to the standards of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). They measure the workload required of students in the study programme.
3) Variations to this may be possible in exceptional cases.

Time models & Lecture times

Je nach Studienort und Studienbeginn (Winter- oder Sommersemester) stehen Ihnen unterschiedliche Zeitmodelle zur Auswahl. Bitte wählen Sie Ihr gewünschtes Hochschulzentrum aus, um die möglichen Vorlesungszeiten angezeigt zu bekommen.

Semester breaks: August and mid to the end of February

Study content / plan

Tuition fees

tuition fee: 11.880 euro payable in 24 monthly instalments of 495 euro.
registration fee: 1.580 euro one-time payment regristation fee. Participants who have already completed or are taking a course of study or a recognised continuing education programme at one of the institutes belonging to the BCW Group pay half the enrolment fee.
examination fee: 350 euro one-time payment at the end of the study programme
total cost: 13.810 euro including registration fee, tuition fee and examination fee

Starting in winter semester 2023

tuition fee: 13.800 euro payable in 24 monthly instalments of 575 euro
registration fee: 1.580 euro one-time payment regristation fee. Participants who have already completed or are taking a course of study or a recognised continuing education programme at one of the institutes belonging to the BCW Group pay half the enrolment fee.
examination fee: 500 euro one-time payment at the end of the study programme
total cost: 15.880 euro including registration fee, tuition fee and examination fee

» Further information on financing possibilities and on questions of tax deductibility.

» Why does FOM charge tuition fees and other questions about costs and financing.

Accreditation

The FOM University of Applied Sciences is accredited by the German Council for Science and Humanities for its special service to education and research and was the first private university in Germany to receive system-accreditation by the FIBAA in 2012. This seal of approval proves that the quality management of the FOM University meets the high standards of the Accreditation Council, the most important body for the quality of studies and education at German universities. In 2018 the FOM University received system-accreditation for further eight years. Thus, all courses of study offered by the FOM are accredited. A Master’s degree from the FOM University enables entry to a subsequent a PhD programme.
» You can download the accreditation certificate here.
» Find out more about the accreditation of the courses of studies here.

Apply now

The benefits:
Close links to industry
Innovative management concept
Practical relevance through case studies and business games
Individual career coaching & Soft Skills Workshops
Worldwide exchange programmes
MBA Statements
Dr. Cetin Nazikkol
CEO Middle East & Africa
thyssenkrupp AG | MBA Graduate of the FOM

„I decided on the Master of Business Administration, as I was looking for a practice-orientated and short course of studies, which would sharpen my entrepreneurial comprehensive perception. The MBA was a turning point for me. The compact business administration course of studies, which includes all of the necessary components of management, was a solid foundation for the path to higher management. The volume of work which one must navigate due to one's professional occupation and the MBA is not to be underestimated. However, this challenge gave me a great deal of motivation which I incorporated into my career path."
Manuel von Luckner | Electrical Engineer Network Planning
RWE Germany AG | currently studying for an MBA at FOM

"In the MBA programme, you learn to perform confidently in different working environments and apply general management expertise in an international context. Every subject is examined from different business perspectives, so that you can play a constructive and defining role in modern corporate structures. The leadership methods that are taught help us apply what we have learned to everyday working practice. The exchange programme in San Diego also optimally complemented my career and has been an asset to my everyday professional life."
Prof. Dr. Dr. habil. Eric Frère is Dean of Business Administration II and Academic Director of the Master of Business Administration programme
„At FOM, you meet highly-qualified scientists and experienced managers from industry who provide you with a sound theoretical foundation based on the latest findings in research and optimally prepare you for the requirements of business practice during your MBA programme. Your skills are also developed by FOM's innovative management concept which encourages you to think and act in way that is relevant to practice and benefits the company as a whole.”
Prof. Dr. Piotr Zmuda
Deputy Scientific Director for the KCC KompetenzCentrum for Corporate Social Responsibility
"Research results from the KCC KompetenzCentrum for Corporate Social Responsibility which flow into the MBA courses include exploring sustainable stakeholder value creation in business, the transition to a Circular Economy in a Business to Business context, implementation of Circular Business Models, and decision-making in network relationships."
Ian Walsh is Director of international studies at FOM and President of the Ian Walsh Consulting Network
"The MBA helps you to change: your job, your function, your business. You understand how the different parts of the organization fit together. You learn the soft skills necessary for career progression. Your fellow-students give you new perspectives: imagine being in a team consisting of the senior vice president of an American multinational, a professional footballer, a woman surgeon and the East European ballet master of an international troupe. And discussing with a practitioner the challenges of doing business in China."
Graduate Ramona Heitz MBA | Product Manager SICK AG
"The MBA helps you to change: your job, your function, your business. You understand how the different parts of the organization fit together. You learn the soft skills necessary for career progression. Your fellow-students give you new perspectives: imagine being in a team consisting of the senior vice president of an American multinational, a professional footballer, a woman surgeon and the East European ballet master of an international troupe. And discussing with a practitioner the challenges of doing business in China."
Dr. Cetin Nazikkol
CEO Middle East & Africa
thyssenkrupp AG | MBA Graduate of the FOM

„I decided on the Master of Business Administration, as I was looking for a practice-orientated and short course of studies, which would sharpen my entrepreneurial comprehensive perception. The MBA was a turning point for me. The compact business administration course of studies, which includes all of the necessary components of management, was a solid foundation for the path to higher management. The volume of work which one must navigate due to one's professional occupation and the MBA is not to be underestimated. However, this challenge gave me a great deal of motivation which I incorporated into my career path.“
Manuel von Luckner | Electrical Engineer Network Planning
RWE Germany AG | currently studying for an MBA at FOM

"In the MBA programme, you learn to perform confidently in different working environments and apply general management expertise in an international context. Every subject is examined from different business perspectives, so that you can play a constructive and defining role in modern corporate structures. The leadership methods that are taught help us apply what we have learned to everyday working practice. The exchange programme in San Diego also optimally complemented my career and has been an asset to my everyday professional life."
Prof. Dr. Dr. habil. Eric Frère is Dean of Business Administration II and Academic Director of the Master of Business Administration programme
„At FOM, you meet highly-qualified scientists and experienced managers from industry who provide you with a sound theoretical foundation based on the latest findings in research and optimally prepare you for the requirements of business practice during your MBA programme. Your skills are also developed by FOM's innovative management concept which encourages you to think and act in way that is relevant to practice and benefits the company as a whole.”
Prof. Dr. Piotr Zmuda
Deputy Scientific Director for the KCC KompetenzCentrum for Corporate Social Responsibility
"Research results from the KCC KompetenzCentrum for Corporate Social Responsibility which flow into the MBA courses include exploring sustainable stakeholder value creation in business, the transition to a Circular Economy in a Business to Business context, implementation of Circular Business Models, and decision-making in network relationships."
Ian Walsh is Director of international studies at FOM and President of the Ian Walsh Consulting Network
"The MBA helps you to change: your job, your function, your business. You understand how the different parts of the organization fit together. You learn the soft skills necessary for career progression. Your fellow-students give you new perspectives: imagine being in a team consisting of the senior vice president of an American multinational, a professional footballer, a woman surgeon and the East European ballet master of an international troupe. And discussing with a practitioner the challenges of doing business in China."
Graduate Ramona Heitz MBA | Product Manager SICK AG

"The content of FOM's MBA programme is designed in such a way that individual management disciplines are always examined from different perspectives and in international contexts. This continually strengthens the ability to perform confidently in international job markets and face intercultural duties and challenges. What I particularly like about the MBA programme at FOM is that you can work and study at the same time. I also highly recommend gaining experience in an international environment through FOM's international programmes."
The MBA programme

Zum Wintersemester 2023/24 wird die FOM Hochschule ihre Studiengebühren erhöhen. Laufende Studienverträge sowie Anmeldungen zum Sommersemester 2023 sind hiervon nicht betroffen und behalten ihre Gültigkeit bis zum Studienabschluss.

Mehr Flexibilität durch einzelne virtuelle Module
Um die individuelle Flexibilität für die berufstätigen Master-Studierenden zu erhöhen, wird ab dem Sommersemester 2023 jeweils eins der drei bis vier Lehr-Module eines Semester in virtueller Präsenz stattfinden. Die virtualisierten Master-Module sind aufgrund ihrer fachlich-didaktischen Eignung speziell ausgewählt worden und werden typischerweise aus den hochmodernen Studios der FOM Hochschule gesendet. Konkret bedeutet dies für Master-Studierende, dass sie – je nach ausgewähltem Zeitmodell – bis zu zehn mal pro Semester weniger ins Studienzentrum kommen müssen und dadurch mehr Zeit für das Studium haben. Die Präsenz und der Austausch vor Ort bleiben aber weiterhin zentrale Merkmale des FOM Konzepts, aber fokussiert an einem bzw. max. zwei Tagen pro Woche.