General Mangement, Master of Business Administration

Who is the MBA General Management at FHDW suitable for?

The part-time MBA programme General Management at the University of Applied Sciences for Business (FHDW) in Paderborn is primarily aimed at professionals who want to expand their management skills and specifically prepare themselves for leadership and executive roles in a national or international context. The programme is suitable for specialists who have already gained initial professional experience – regardless of whether they are currently working in a leadership position, aspire to a management role, or wish to start their own business. Graduates from other disciplines without an economics degree can also be admitted. Small learning groups and practice-oriented learning situations support participants from various industries in targeted skills development.

Admission requirements for the MBA programme

• University degree: A successfully completed Bachelor’s, Master’s or Diploma degree is required. The first degree does not necessarily have to be economics-related.
• Professional experience: Generally at least two years of relevant professional experience with a business management reference after the first academic degree. Admission with only one year of professional experience is possible in justified individual cases.
• English skills: Proof of English skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Proof can be provided, for example, by certificates, language tests, stays abroad or common language examinations. If this proof is not available, FHDW offers a language test as part of the aptitude assessment procedure.
• Admission interview: Successful participation in the admission interview at FHDW is mandatory.

Personal prerequisites and ideal conditions for participants

• Interest in leadership responsibility: You want to take on leadership tasks, make management decisions or build your own company.
• Professional prior experience: Ideally, you already have some practice in management or project leadership or are specifically aiming to take on such tasks.
• Motivation for further development: You are willing to study alongside your job and engage in an intensive, practice-oriented learning setting.
• Teamwork and communication skills: Experience shows that participants benefit who actively communicate, seek feedback and are willing to expand their perspective through exchange with others.
• Flexibility and resilience: The demanding format – combined presence phases, online lessons and excursions – requires good self-management and organisational skills.
• International interest: Openness to international aspects in management and marketing is desirable, as excursions and course content address global contexts.

What content can you expect in the MBA General Management?

In the MBA General Management programme at the Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (FHDW), you will deepen practical management skills at master’s level with an internationally recognised orientation. The course is divided into three central thematic areas:

• Leadership skills: You will engage intensively with personality and self-management, your role as a leader, as well as intercultural leadership.
• Operational management: You will acquire solid knowledge in project management, process management and the efficient use of resources. This includes skills in marketing and sales management as well as in the areas of digitalisation and data science.
• Strategy and future management: The focus is on topics such as strategy development, strategy implementation and managing global challenges.

The curriculum combines theory and practice. Subject matter is addressed in small groups of up to 14 people through business simulations, action learning projects and expert sessions. Interaction with other participants brings additional perspectives on current management issues.

• Leadership and entrepreneurship
• Project management and change processes
• Global markets and international business environment
• IT management and digitalisation
• Marketing strategies for international companies

How is the course organised?

The MBA General Management is a part-time course lasting 18 months (4 trimesters). You can start the course in either April or October. Classes take place at the Paderborn campus and consist of:

• Compact on-site phases: one to two weeks of on-site attendance per trimester (Mon–Sat) as well as several on-site weekends (Thu evening to Sat)
• Continuous self-study phases with online lectures
• Business simulations and action learning projects addressing current practical questions
• Close, personal support by experienced lecturers as well as individual career advice

In the second and third trimesters, there are one-week excursions scheduled: one to Spain (EU) and one to Hanoi (Vietnam). One of these two international excursions is compulsory. The international exchange provides valuable insights into global management practice.

Learning takes place in small groups of up to 14 participants. The didactic approach is based on impulse presentations, teaching discussions, examples from corporate practice and feedback loops in small groups. You also benefit from close interaction amongst each other and from the knowledge of numerous corporate partners.

What career opportunities does the MBA General Management offer?

The MBA General Management at FHDW prepares you specifically for comprehensive leadership roles in companies. The programme is aimed at professionals who:

• already hold or aspire to a leadership position,
• wish to qualify for strategic corporate development,
• want to move into internationally oriented management roles,
• are preparing to start their own company.

Typical fields of work after graduation are:

• Management positions in companies of all industries (e.g. executive management, department management, project management)
• Consulting firms at home and abroad
• Leadership of start-ups and innovation departments
• Responsibilities in marketing, sales, IT management or personnel management
• Tasks in an international environment, e.g. managing foreign subsidiaries

The MBA degree opens access to advanced qualifications such as executive positions or doctoral studies (e.g. DBA or PhD).

Where does the course take place?

The MBA General Management programme is offered at the Paderborn campus of the Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft. The university is a state-recognised private university of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia and is one of the first private universities in the federal state. The Paderborn location offers modern infrastructure, small learning and seminar groups as well as a close connection to a network of around 800 partner companies. Excursions to Spain and Vietnam broaden your international horizon. The Paderborn region is economically strong and provides numerous opportunities for networking.

What costs arise and how can you finance the course?

The tuition fees for the MBA General Management programme at FHDW amount to €850 per month. In addition, a one-off examination fee of €1,800 is charged. The total cost of the course thus amounts to approximately €17,100.

• Monthly tuition fee: €850
• Examination fee (one-off): €1,800

Many companies contribute to tuition fees, especially if the course is taken part-time. Other financing options include educational funds or scholarships. FHDW offers advice on funding opportunities and financing.