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Deutsch Who this part-time Finance master fits – and what you need to bring
This programme targets internationally minded professionals who want to deepen their finance expertise while staying in work. Teaching takes place on on-campus Saturdays at ISM locations in Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin, plus a two-week study block in Dublin. You will study core finance topics in German with selected English-taught modules – a good match if you aim for roles in Corporate Finance, Controlling or Financial Analysis in Germany or the EU.
Typical profiles include: professionals in Accounting, Controlling, Banking or Consulting who plan to step up into corporate finance responsibility; STEM or business graduates moving into finance roles and seeking a structured, career-compatible master’s; international graduates already living in Germany (or relocating) who want a recognised master’s degree with practical projects you can apply “on the job”.
Admission requirements
To qualify for admission you typically need:
- A first university degree (e.g. Bachelor or equivalent) in Business/Management, Economics or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
- Admission with foreign qualifications: international degrees and transcripts can be recognised; academic suitability is assessed based on content and level of your prior studies.
- Language skills: the programme is taught predominantly in German with selected modules in English. You need advanced German for lectures, exams and group work, and solid English for the international components.
- On-campus attendance: regular Saturday classes at an ISM campus in Germany are mandatory; the curriculum includes a two-week study module in Dublin (Ireland).
- Professional experience: relevant work experience is advantageous because several modules integrate “on the job” projects.
- No Abitur required: this is a master’s programme; a school-leaving certificate like the Abitur is not necessary if you hold a recognised first degree.
Personal requirements
Success in this format depends on realistic time planning and strong self-management. Expect fixed Saturdays on campus, plus additional self-study, group assignments and assessment preparation during the week. The two-week Dublin block adds intensive study time and travel planning. You should be comfortable studying in German (including technical finance terminology) and switching to English in selected modules and materials.
- High self-organisation and perseverance to balance a job, weekend classes and deadlines.
- Ability to commute to a German campus regularly; living within practical travel distance is essential.
- Confident academic writing and presentations in German; working proficiency in English for the international module.
- Willingness to apply theory in your workplace and reflect it in projects and reports.
If you currently live outside Germany, plan for relocation or frequent travel—regular presence at a German campus is required and the programme is not designed for fully remote study.
What will you study in the Finance (M.Sc.) at International School of Management?
The part-time Finance specialisation is taught mainly in German; selected modules and the two-week study block in Dublin run in English. You therefore need solid German for everyday coursework; English is required for the international components. Across 120 ECTS and five semesters you combine advanced finance with management skills and applied projects.
Finance and accounting foundations build the technical base for corporate decisions. You revisit financial accounting and reporting, study financing choices and capital structure, and work with controlling as a management tool. Typical modules include Rechnungslegung (financial reporting), Finanzierung (financing) and Controlling, complemented by quantitative work with Advanced Excel and statistics.
Capital markets and corporate finance address how firms create value and how markets price risk. You see Capital Market Theory and Financial Mathematics in action before moving into Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Investment Banking and Rating. Valuation, cash-flow modelling and portfolio logic underpin this block.
Risk and derivatives cover how organisations identify and steer market, credit and operational risks. You work with Financial Risk Management, Derivatives and Financial Market Products, and discuss Alternative Investments. Methodical approaches to risk measurement connect directly to financing and investment policy.
Leadership, projects and law round off your profile as a finance professional. You practise Project Management and advisory skills, look into restructuring and insolvency management, and apply business law basics (German and international). Coaching and conflict management modules strengthen your communication in finance contexts.
International and practical features: a two-week study block in Dublin adds Leadership in a Digital Economy, cross-cultural teamwork and executive communication—taught in English. The fourth semester centres on a theory–practice dialogue where you work on projects from your own job. The programme concludes with the Master’s thesis (15 ECTS). ISM is a German private university of applied sciences—Fachhochschule—meaning practice-oriented teaching and applied research; the Finance track sits within the M.Sc. Management.
Electives and options: within the Finance specialisation you can prioritise topics like Asset Management or Investment Banking. An optional Double Degree with a partner university is available; it adds time and travel but deepens the international profile.
How does studying in the Finance (M.Sc.) work?
Teaching languages: German as standard, English for international blocks
Classes run predominantly in German. Selected modules and the Dublin study block are delivered in English. You should plan for German as the language of instruction across most semesters and English for the international parts. Applicants need sufficient German to participate in seminars, group work and assessments; English should be at a level suited to academic study.
Study model and where you will study on Saturdays
This is a part-time on-campus programme designed to fit around full-time work. Teaching is bundled on Saturdays at ISM campuses in Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin. Campuses are city-centre or well connected: for example, Frankfurt (near Südbahnhof/Sachsenhausen), Hamburg in the HafenCity, or Cologne in the MediaPark—locations that simplify weekend travel.
Learning format, group sizes and support
You learn in seminar settings rather than mass lectures, with case work, modelling exercises and project seminars. The practice-oriented design links directly to your job, particularly in the theory–practice dialogue semester. Faculty combine academic and industry backgrounds, and you work closely with peers in small groups during workshops and the Dublin module.
How you will be assessed
Assessments mirror professional tasks in finance. Expect a mix of written assignments and exams, presentations, project and consultancy reports, plus module-integrated tests. Outputs from the practice projects contribute to your grades. The Master’s thesis (15 ECTS) caps the programme.
What enrolment means if you come from abroad
This is an in-person programme with regular on-site Saturdays. If you are relocating to Germany, plan for attendance at your chosen campus and the two-week block in Dublin. The university offers information and events for prospective international students; administrative steps for residence and work depend on your individual situation.
What does the Finance (M.Sc.) cost?
Tuition is typically €620 per month or €3,820 per semester. Over five semesters that totals about €19,200 in tuition fees. You can spread payments monthly or pay per semester, which helps with budgeting alongside a full-time job.
Plan for additional costs not covered by tuition: travel and accommodation for the two-week Dublin module, learning materials, and any optional services. Commuting or occasional overnight stays for Saturday classes may add to your personal budget depending on your campus and home base.
Financing options often combine employer support and scholarships with personal funds. Many students secure partial sponsorship from their company when project and finance skills apply directly on the job. If you pay from abroad, check your bank’s international transfer fees and timelines.
Living costs vary by city. As a guide, monthly budgets of about €1,000–€1,300 in Berlin/Cologne/Hamburg/Frankfurt and €1,300–€1,600 in Munich are common for rent, food, transport and insurance; commuting from nearby towns can reduce rent but adds travel time.
What careers and recognition does the Finance (M.Sc.) offer?
The degree awards 120 ECTS within the Bologna framework, supporting international portability of credits and recognition across the EU. The programme is FIBAA-accredited and re-accredited from 2025 to 2033 with no conditions, a formal quality seal for curriculum, teaching and graduate outcomes. ISM also holds institutional AACSB accreditation, a global business-school benchmark valued by employers.
With capital-markets, corporate-finance and risk depth plus project experience, you qualify for roles in Germany, the EU and internationally, for example:
- Corporate Finance Manager in industry or private equity: valuation, capital structure, M&A preparation and financing.
- Financial Analyst or Equity Research Analyst: business analysis, modelling, reporting for investors and management.
- Controller or FP&A Specialist: planning, forecasting, KPI steering and performance reporting.
- Risk Manager in banking, insurance or corporates: market, credit and operational risk, including derivatives use.
- Investment Banking Associate or Transaction Advisory Consultant: deal execution support and pitch development.
Salaries depend on sector, city and prior experience. In major German metros, finance roles often start around €50,000–€65,000 gross; with experience and responsibility, ranges of €70,000–€100,000 and above are achievable, especially in corporate finance, advisory and asset management.
Who is the Finance (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?
This part-time Master’s suits professionals who want to advance in finance without pausing their career. Saturday teaching, applied projects and the international Dublin block make it realistic to study while working, provided you can reserve time consistently and budget for travel.
- You already work in accounting, controlling, banking, consulting or corporate finance and want deeper technical and managerial responsibility.
- You need a predictable schedule with on-campus Saturday classes instead of ad-hoc weekday lectures.
- You value international exposure through English-taught modules and a two-week study block in Dublin, and you can integrate this into your job calendar.
- You are looking for a practice-oriented university of applied sciences setting with small groups and project work tied to your role.
Not every situation matches a part-time, on-site programme. Be honest about language, time and cost before you commit.
- You do not speak German well enough for seminars, group work and exams; most modules are delivered in German.
- You need a fully online or highly flexible distance programme with no fixed on-site attendance; here, presence on Saturdays is expected.
- You are unwilling to travel for the two-week Dublin module or cannot secure time off to attend.
- Your priority is the lowest possible tuition; private universities in Germany charge more than most public universities (which often only require semester fees).
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