English 
Deutsch Who fits the MSc International Management at KLU - and what evidence do you need?
The course is aimed at ambitious bachelor graduates who want to take on responsibility in international companies. Typical profiles are: beginners in business administration who want to deepen their management skills; graduates of analytical subjects such as industrial engineering or business informatics who want to move towards international management; and internationally oriented young talents looking for an English-language full-time study programme with an integrated internship and optional semester abroad.
Admission requirements
For the application, you need a first university degree and solid English language skills. The most important formal points at a glance:
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), ideally in Business Administration / Economics. Other analytical backgrounds (e.g. industrial engineering, business informatics, mathematics) are possible if at least four business administration modules are proven during the course.
- ECTS requirements:
- Standard Track (120 ECTS programme, 4 semesters): first degree with 180 ECTS.
- Fast Track (90 ECTS programme, 3 semesters): first degree with 210 ECTS plus an academic semester abroad or a officially recognized foreign internship in the first degree.
- English language proficiency at least level B2 (instruction language is English).
- No degree certificate yet? An application with the current transcript of records is possible; you can submit the final certificate later.
Nature of the course: Full-time master with obligatory internship; in the Standard Track, a semester abroad is integrated. Studies start each September in Hamburg.
Personal requirements
What matters in everyday study life are solid foundations and your way of working. You should bring joy in data, strategy, and intercultural cooperation, as case studies, group projects, and English-language presentations shape the program. Important are:
- Self-organization in full-time mode - reliably coordinating lectures, group work, and exam preparation.
- Perseverance over 3 to 4 semesters, including internship phase and possibly a semester abroad.
- Realistic time planning: build in buffers for intensive phases, project peaks, and the master's thesis.
- Team and communication skills in an internationally diverse year group.
- Openness to digitalization topics and entrepreneurial thinking - central program components.
If you work in a structured way, learn independently, and want to take on responsibility in a team, this course is right for you. The combination of sustainability-oriented management education, international orientation, and mandatory practical part demands reliability - but rewards you with resilient competences for leadership roles in global organizations.
What do you learn in the Master International Management at KLU?
You build solid competencies in global business management - focusing on strategy, digitalization, sustainability, and entrepreneurial thinking. The program combines academic depth with practice: mandatory internship, applied projects, case studies, and business simulations are fully integrated. An exchange semester is planned in the Standard Track.
Strategy & Global Markets
You analyze international competitive dynamics and develop growth and market entry strategies. Topics range from global value creation to corporate governance in multinational companies.
Marketing, Brand & Customers Worldwide
You learn international brand management, market research in different cultural settings, and data-driven campaign control - including working with cases from various regions.
Finance & Performance Across Borders
Financial management in international structures, currency and country risks, budgeting, and controlling for globally operating companies are the focus.
People, Culture & Leadership
You deepen your intercultural communication, international personnel management, and team leadership in diverse, distributed organizations - essential for leadership roles in global contexts.
Digitalization & Sustainability
You work on data-driven decisions, digital strategies, and the integration of ESG aspects into business models. Entrepreneurial thinking and responsible leadership are central themes throughout the programme.
Specializations and Practice
In the Standard Track (120 ECTS), you complete a mandatory internship and an integrated semester abroad at one of 100+ partner universities. In the Fast Track (90 ECTS), the internship is also integrated; the semester abroad is omitted. A career skills course, networking events, and coaching support the academic content. The master's thesis concludes the program and often builds on practical projects or the internship.
How does the Master International Management program work?
Study Format and Duration
Full-time on-site study program in English at KLU in Hamburg. Standard Track: 4 semesters (120 ECTS) with mandatory internship and semester abroad. Fast Track: 3 semesters (90 ECTS) with mandatory internship, without semester abroad. The program starts in September each year.
Study Location: Campus in Hamburg
You study in Hamburg's HafenCity - urban, international, with a direct connection to logistics, trade, and services. Teaching, learning, and networking formats are designed to be practical; guest lectures and industry contacts are part of the curriculum. The language of instruction is consistently English.
Support and Career Services
An integrated career program offers a career skills course, personal coaching, networking events, alumni access, and a CV book for employers. The mandatory internship is integrated into the content so that you closely link theory and application.
Examination Formats
Performance assessments are set at the module level and carried out throughout the studies. The curriculum typically includes project and practice-oriented work, case-based tasks, and written examinations; the master's thesis serves as the final assessment.
Time and Flexibility
The program is designed for an intensive full-time study. The Standard Track offers additional international experience with the semester abroad; the Fast Track shortens the overall duration by one semester - maintaining the same on-site structure and mandatory internship.
How much does the Master International Management at KLU cost?
Tuition fees amount to 8,200 euros per semester - totaling 32,800 euros for the Standard Track (4 semesters) and 24,600 euros for the Fast Track (3 semesters). In addition, there is an application fee of 50 euros. Travel and living expenses, especially for the semester abroad, should be budgeted for separately.
For financing, scholarships (based on need or performance, sometimes covering up to 100% of the fees) and models like income-dependent repayment solutions are available. For German tax residents, fees for a master's degree are usually deductible as work-related expenses - this can significantly reduce the net cost depending on income.
From a cost perspective, private master's programs with full-time on-site presence and substantial support are more expensive than public universities, which usually only charge a semester fee. However, small groups, structured career support, and an integrated internship with an international option are included. Assess whether the expected career benefits justify the additional costs.
What careers and salaries are possible after the Master International Management?
You qualify for management and interface roles in corporations, medium-sized companies, consulting, NGOs, and start-ups - nationally and internationally. Typical starting salaries in Germany vary depending on the industry, ranging from about 45,000-70,000 euros gross annually; with professional experience, salaries of 60,000-90,000 euros and more are realistic.
- International Marketing Manager - brand management and market entry in global markets
- Business Development Manager - partnerships, growth, and new business models
- Management Consultant - strategy, operations, or transformation projects
- Financial Analyst / Corporate Finance - planning, reporting, and evaluation in international structures
- HR Business Partner with intercultural focus - talent acquisition and leadership of global teams
The degree is a research-oriented MSc and opens the door to further qualifications, e.g., a doctorate or specialized master's certificate programs. It is not intended for leadership positions in regulated professions.
Who benefits from the Master International Management - and who does not?
The program is beneficial if you are aiming for an international management career, want to learn in a practical setting, and wish to leverage the advantages of a structured career network. English-language teaching and an integrated internship support entry into the job market.
- You want to work globally in marketing, strategy, finance, or HR - with a focus on digitalization and sustainability.
- You are looking for an English-language on-site study program in Hamburg with a mandatory internship and semester abroad (Standard Track).
- You value career services, coaching, networking, and close corporate contacts.
- You aim to complete your studies in 3 semesters after your bachelor's (Fast Track) or gather more international experience in 4 semesters (Standard Track).
Not every life situation aligns with an intensive, fee-based full-time study program at a fixed location. Consider alternatives if the following points are more critical to you.
- You need a tuition-free program - in that case, public universities with low semester fees are usually more economical.
- You expect maximum location and time flexibility - the program is on-site in Hamburg and not designed as a distance learning course.
- You are aiming for a regulated profession (e.g., traditional teaching, psychotherapy) - International Management is not the suitable path for that.
- You prefer to study exclusively in German - the language of instruction is English.
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs International Management? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution Kühne Logistics University or the editorial team will answer you.