International Business and Finance (M.A.)
Your Path to the World of International Finance
The Master of International Business and Finance is a 3-term program. Cross-cultural exposure is a key element of this program, and European students are required to study for one term at one of our partner universities. Students of the Master’s degree program also benefit from a broad network of renowned business partners, like blue chip corporations, consulting companies, and investment banks.
What makes this degree program special?
Students gain in-depth knowledge in the areas of financial markets, corporate finance, corporate strategy, M&A, and innovation management.
Cooperation with the Bayerisches Staatsballett
The master’s program and the Bayerisches Staatsballett — how do these two fit together? At first glance, they seem worlds apart, but a closer look reveals remarkable synergies. The collaboration was initiated by Annette Baumann, press spokesperson for the Bayerisches Staatsballett, and Prof. Dr. Thorsten Feix, director of the master’s program.
They recognized the potential and developed a partnership that is unique worldwide: Since the winter semester of 2025, the master’s program and the Bayerisches Staatsballett have been engaged in a partnership that benefits both sides. The goal of the collaboration is to combine the strengths and expertise of both institutions to specifically support and develop future leaders. At the same time, the partnership aims to enhance the national and international visibility of both partners. Together, they are developing new teaching formats on the topics of coaching, resilience, body language, and international communication.
Content of Studies
The program combines cutting-edge content with a consistently international focus. It centers on topics such as international corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, international banking (including investment banking), international management, as well as theories, current issues, and case studies in the field of corporate strategy. The program’s high appeal is reflected in the steadily increasing number of applications and students, underscoring its international significance.
Our “Classroom Theory Meets Corporate World” approach combines academic fundamentals with practical insights into the corporate world. In addition to coursework, presentations, research projects, and master’s theses offer students the opportunity to independently apply and deepen their knowledge. Company visits and direct interaction with blue-chip companies, investment banks, M&A advisors, and strategy consultancies also provide immediate insight into current developments and challenges in international business practice.
Here you will find the study and examination regulations for the master’s program International Business and Finance: SPO.
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Study Plan
| Overview of Modules | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Semester (Wintersemester) | 2. Semester (Sommersemester) | 3. Semester (Wintersemester) | ||
| Financial Market Decisions (4 SWS, 6 CP) | Studies Abroad1 (30 CP) | Intensive Module | ||
| Business Ethics and Corporate Governance (4 SWS, 6 CP) | Corporate Strategy, Strategic Innovation and New Business Designs2 (4 SWS, 6 CP) | Advanced M&A Management (2 SWS, 4 CP) | ||
| Managing People (4 SWS, 6 CP) | Strategy Case Study – Simulation2 (4 SWS, 6 CP) | Advanced M&A Management - Case Studies (2 SWS, 4 CP) | ||
| Securities and Corporate Valuation (4 SWS, 6 CP) | Intercultural Management2 (4 SWS, 6 CP) | Advanced Risk Management (2 SWS, 4 CP) | ||
| Corporate Finance & Investment Banking2 (4 SWS, 6 CP) | Master Thesis (18 CP) | |||
| Insurance, Banking and Securities Regulation2 (4 SWS, 6 CP) | ||||
| International Guest Lecture2 (4 SWS, 6 CP) | ||||
Modulzuordnung:
1 „Non-European“ students can choose between Studies Abroad or Studies at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences during their 2nd Semester.
2 Students, who decide to stay at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, have to choose five out of six modules with 30 ECTS.
Abbreviations: SWS = Semesterwochenstunden, CP = Credit Point
Is this degree program right for me?
The “International Business and Finance” master’s program is designed for students who are interested in international financial markets, corporate finance, and strategic issues, and who envision their professional future in an international environment. Are you ambitious and analytical, with a keen interest in the international interconnections between business and finance? Do you want not only to understand business concepts theoretically but also to apply them to real-world challenges in the corporate and financial sectors? Then this program offers the right balance of academic rigor and practical relevance.
Topics such as international corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, international management, and corporate strategy are central to the curriculum, alongside current developments and practical case studies. The program is conducted entirely in English and brings together students from different countries and cultural backgrounds. If you enjoy learning in an international environment, exploring different perspectives, and developing your intercultural skills, you will find an ideal setting here.
Our “Classroom Theory Meets Corporate World” approach also gives you the opportunity to gain early insights into international business and financial practices. Through company visits, research projects, presentations, and interactions with companies, investment banks, M&A advisors, and strategy consultancies, you can put your knowledge into practice while building valuable professional contacts for your future career.
Your Career Prospects
Today, employers expect master’s degree graduates to navigate an international and dynamic market environment with confidence while responding effectively to economic changes, increasing competition, and the growing importance of social responsibility. Our vision is therefore to develop students into highly sought-after professionals who combine excellent theoretical knowledge with a sound understanding of the global business environment. The program specifically prepares you for challenging roles and leadership positions in multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, it opens up a wide range of career opportunities in management and strategy consulting, particularly in the areas of corporate finance and corporate strategy. By combining sound financial knowledge, strategic thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset, our graduates acquire the skills they need to pursue successful careers in internationally oriented finance and business sectors.
Your Application
- Motivation Letter
- You should have passed a Bachelor program with at least 210 ECTS. In case of up to 30 ECTS missing you might bridge those in the first term with additional lectures or on-the-job experience
- Your Bachelor studies should be focused on finance, strategy and management.
- The hurdle rate for the grade is 2.5 or better according to the German grading system. If you have a foreign Bachelor Degree, a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist is required.
- An English (TOEFL or IELTS) test is mandatory for all non-native speakers (only exception US, UK); the TOEFL hurdle rate is 85 points, the IELTS hurdle rate is 7.0
- No mandatory German as all lectures are in English. We offer German as well as many other language lectures by our University
- First-hand experience (e.g. internships...) in finance and strategy
Our Academic Regulations and Examination Rules establish a procedure for assessing applicants’ suitability for the program. This assessment is based on a structured questionnaire. As part of the application process, the Admissions Committee determines whether the relevant admission requirements have been met. Please note that we are unable to conduct a preliminary review of application documents or assess individual applications before the formal application process.
Applicants with a foreign college degree must prove that their bachelor’s degree is equivalent to a German college degree. To do so, you must first submit an application through uni-assist to have your foreign college degree evaluated. Augsburg University of Applied Sciences conducts the admissions process for applicants with foreign university degrees in collaboration with uni-assist, which evaluates and verifies international academic credentials. Please apply for what is known as “preliminary evaluation documentation” (VPD) well in advance, as processing typically takes four to six weeks. The VPD includes, among other things, a conversion of your final grade into the German grading system. This serves as the basis for the further admissions process and the allocation of study places. Please note that uni-assist charges a fee for processing your application.
Once you have received the VPD, you can submit your application to the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. Further information on the application process and on applying for the VPD can be found on the uni-assist website:
Please submit all certificates and supporting documents required for the application in certified German translations.
Testimonials
In addition to IBF's excellent curriculum, the best part of this program is the people. The professors are excellent at sharing their knowledge and are always up to date with the latest developments in the international markets, ensuring that we have the newest information.
For those who are willing to build a career in an international environment, the IBF Master program provides a great chance to learn how to work in diverse teams efficiently, solve multi-faceted problems quickly and develop creative solutions together.
During my Master's program, I particularly appreciated the academic learnings in finance and the diverse encounters in the international environment, which gave the program a unique touch.