English 
Deutsch Who this part-time Master suits – and what you need to get in
This programme fits ambitious professionals who want to advance without pausing their career. Typical profiles include: early-career business graduates in roles like analyst, associate or junior manager seeking leadership skills; engineers or STEM graduates already exposed to commercial tasks who now want structured management training; and founders or professionals in SMEs who need rigorous tools in strategy, finance and operations while continuing to work in Germany.
Admission requirements
To qualify, you need a recognised first degree and evidence that you can study in English. WHU states the following entry criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (first university degree) with solid knowledge of business administration. Applicants without a business major should demonstrate substantial business coursework or comparable experience.
- International qualifications: degrees from outside Germany are considered if they are comparable to a German Bachelor’s. Provide official transcripts and degree certificates; documents must allow an equivalence assessment.
- Language of instruction: English. You need documented English proficiency suitable for graduate study. If your prior degree was not taught in English, be prepared to submit a recognised proof of English ability.
- No Abitur required: admission is based on your completed Bachelor’s (or equivalent), not on a German school-leaving certificate.
- Application materials typically include CV, transcripts/degree certificate, and evidence of business knowledge. Additional steps (such as interviews or tests) may apply.
Campus location: teaching takes place on campus in Vallendar (near Koblenz). The standard study time is 17 months.
Personal requirements
Part-time study alongside a job demands strong self-management. You should be able to prioritise, protect regular study slots each week, and coordinate group work across time zones and schedules. Expect intensive teaching periods combined with independent reading, case preparation and assignments between modules—perseverance and reliable time planning are essential.
Success also depends on confident academic English: you will read research articles, discuss cases and submit written work in English. If you work in Germany, everyday German is helpful for networking and internships, but it is not the teaching language. Finally, be realistic about workload alongside peak periods at work; agree expectations with your employer early, plan for assessment deadlines, and use the school’s support and small-cohort setting to keep momentum from abroad or during business travel.
What will you study in the Part-time Master in Management at WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management?
You build a rounded management toolkit in English: strategy and leadership foundations, core functional skills in finance and marketing, and data-driven decision-making. Learning is strongly practice-oriented, with small cohorts and direct access to faculty. A highlight is the international Capstone Module Abroad, most recently held in Vietnam, focusing on innovation and intercultural management.
Strategy and leadership: You explore corporate and competitive strategy, organisational design, and leadership. Expect courses that help you analyse industries, set priorities, and lead teams through change.
Markets and customers: Marketing and sales topics cover customer insights, brand and product strategy, and go-to-market execution. You learn to translate analysis into measurable growth.
Finance and performance: Core finance subjects develop your fluency in managerial accounting, financial analysis, and value creation. You practise budgeting, investment appraisal, and performance steering.
Operations, data and digital: Operations, supply chains, and analytics support you in improving processes and making evidence-based decisions. WHU’s campus-wide AI initiative gives you access to ChatGPT Edu and introduces AI-supported analysis in study and work.
Capstone Module Abroad: The programme includes an intensive international module. In Vietnam, participants examined local business ecosystems, deepened intercultural management skills, and connected with companies and partner faculty. Travel and accommodation for such modules are organised around your job.
Electives and applied projects vary by cohort and are designed to let you deepen industry or functional interests while applying new tools directly at work. The degree follows the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), ensuring international comparability within the Bologna framework.
How does studying in the Part-time Master in Management work?
The degree runs over 17 months in a part-time format so you can keep working. Teaching takes place mainly on the WHU campus in Vallendar in small, supportive groups. Learning is hands-on, with cases and applied projects you can feed back into your role.
The teaching language is English throughout
All classes, materials and assessments are delivered in English. This is a clear USP if you aim for a European degree without German fluency. You should be comfortable studying and presenting in English; the university expects evidence of strong English skills during admission.
Part-time, on campus in Vallendar on the Rhine
The study format is part-time and on campus. Vallendar is a small university town near Koblenz in the Rhine valley: quiet enough to focus, well connected for weekend and block sessions, and known for a close-knit campus community. You benefit from WHU’s compact campus, modern facilities and an active network of alumni and company guests.
Learning in small cohorts with direct access to faculty
You study in small groups with accessible professors and guest lecturers from industry. Expect interactive seminars, case discussions, and collaborative projects. The setup prioritises individual feedback and strong peer learning.
Assessments designed for practice
Assessment typically combines case analyses, presentations, written exams and applied assignments you can tie to your job context. Group work is common, mirroring real management tasks.
International mobility without pausing your career
The Capstone Module Abroad is integrated so professionals can participate alongside work. Recent cohorts travelled to Vietnam to study innovation and intercultural management on site. Plan for travel time and costs in addition to tuition.
What does the Part-time Master in Management cost?
Tuition is €33,000 in total for the 17-month programme. This covers teaching on campus in Vallendar and the academic components of the curriculum. Travel, accommodation and incidental expenses for the international capstone and other off-site activities are not included and should be budgeted separately.
Many students pay tuition in instalments over the standard duration; if you are paying from abroad, check with WHU about bank transfers and schedule options. Scholarships or discounts are not listed here; the university provides individual guidance on financing on request.
Living costs depend on your personal setup. Vallendar and the wider Koblenz/Rhine region offer a range of housing, from student flats to serviced apartments; prices vary by size and proximity to campus. If your employer is in the Düsseldorf/Cologne/Frankfurt corridor, commuting via regional trains is feasible for block sessions. Plan a separate budget for course materials, commuting, and capstone travel.
What careers and recognition does the Part-time Master in Management offer?
The programme awards a Master of Arts in Management using the ECTS credit system, part of the Bologna framework used across Europe. This makes the degree structure internationally comparable and supports mobility in the EU and beyond. The WHU network and Career Center add employer visibility in Germany and internationally.
Typical roles after graduation include:
- Management or strategy consultant in Germany or the EU
- Product or brand manager in consumer goods, tech or industrial firms
- Business development or growth manager in SMEs and scale-ups
- Project or operations manager in manufacturing, logistics or services
- Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) or commercial controller
Salary development varies by sector, company size and prior experience. Graduates who combine several years of work experience with a recognised European master’s typically access faster promotion tracks into team lead or project lead roles, especially in consulting, tech and industry.
Who is the Part-time Master in Management right for – and who not?
This programme suits early-career professionals who want to move into broader management roles without pausing their job. The small-cohort format, strong industry input and international module are designed for immediate on-the-job impact.
- You want an English-taught master’s in Germany you can complete alongside full-time work.
- You value small classes, close faculty access and a strong alumni network for career moves.
- You seek practical coursework you can apply directly in your company.
- You want international exposure through a compact, job-compatible capstone abroad.
It is not the best fit for everyone. Consider alternatives if the following apply.
- You are looking for a fully online programme without on-campus attendance in Germany.
- Your priority is the lowest possible tuition; public (state) universities in Germany often charge far less, but with different formats and admission timelines.
- You specifically want a German-taught degree to build academic German; this programme is taught entirely in English.
- You cannot allocate time for block sessions on campus and international travel linked to the capstone module.
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