As the business faculty at the HFT Stuttgart we offer a Master's program in General Management with hands-on learning experience, in which the knowledge acquired in the Bachelor's program is deepened and theoretical contents are directly related to practice through teaching concepts such as training, teamwork and business games. The special feature of our Master's program is the integrated semester/year abroad, combined with the option to obtain a double degree. In this way, our graduates are optimally prepared to work in management positions in a global and international environment.
New: German Track for international students
Study General Management in English, improve your German language skills and complete your third-semester internship at a company in Germany.
Application deadline
start beginning of May
15 June (applicants from EU countries)
15 June (applicants from non-EU countries)
Note: Extension of deadline for applicants from non-EU countries
Study time
4 Semester
Study title
Master of Arts (M.A.) for double degree plus MBA or M.Sc.
The new location is now open: We are now located at 30 Rosensteinstraße
The General Management program at Stuttgart Business School (SBS) is now located at Rosensteinstraße 30, Nordbahnhof.
We have completed the move to our new location and look forward to welcoming you there. A map showing how to get there is available for download as a PDF below.
Opportunities for international students to work in Germany
The German Track will provide you:
The opportunity to study an international Master at the HFT Business School in Stuttgart Germany.
Improvements of your German language skills.
An internship in a German company in your third semester.
The university degree Master of Arts at the HFT (M.A.).
Chances of getting to start off in Germany on your own after your studies.
Requirements:
(1) A professionally qualifying higher education degree (Bachelor’s, Diploma or equivalent) in the field of Business Administration, following a full-time study programme of at least three years’ duration (180 ECTS credits) with a final grade of at least 2.5. The economic part of the Bachelor's degree must be at least 50%.
(2) To enrol on the Master’s programme, applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
TOEFL (79 Points)
Cambridge Exam (Advanced)
German language test for university entrance (DSH)
Test of German as a foreign language (TestDaF)
"German examination section" of the assessment test at preparatory colleges
or other recognised proof of German language examinations at German universities - minimum level RO-DT
(3) Applicants who did not obtain their entry qualification at a German-speaking institution must provide evidence of sufficient German language proficiency of at least A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (German Track programme).
(4) Letter of motivation with personal ideas and expectations for the study and the desired profession as well as explanations of the preferred study option with or without double degree and target foreign region (maximum 1 page DIN A4).
Please note that this is not a purely English-language degree programme. For this reason, both English and German language skills are required.
If you are an applicant from abroad, please note the information on the following page and the additional documents to be submitted.
In order for prospective students to complete the Master's degree in General Management with us, the following requirements must be met:
First professionally qualifying university degree with at least three years standard period of study (i.e. Bachelor's or equivalent degree with at least 180 ECTS-CPs) in the field of business administration with an examination result of at least 2.5. The economic part of the Bachelor's degree must be at least 50%.
Letter of motivation with personal ideas and expectations for the study and the desired profession as well as explanations of the preferred study option with or without double degree and target foreign region (maximum 1 page DIN A4).
Applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, TOEFL (79 Points) or Cambridge Exam (Advanced)
For applicants who have not obtained their study qualification at a German-speaking institution: Proof of language proficiency through German language examinations for studying at German universities, e.g:
German language test for university entrance (DSH)
Test of German as a foreign language (TestDaF)
"German examination section" of the assessment test at preparatory colleges
or other recognised proof of German language examinations at German universities - minimum level RO-DT
Please note that this is not a purely English-language degree programme. For this reason, both English and German language skills are required.
If you are an applicant from abroad, please note the information on the following page and the additional documents to be submitted.
Selection procedure
1. examination of the documents and conditions: Are all documents complete? Do you meet our requirements? If so, you will take part in our selection procedure.
Documents to be submitted:
Certificate of higher education entrance qualification.
Certificate of the first professionally qualifying university degree in one of the degree programmes listed in § 1 para. 1 (for foreign degrees, additionally a certified German translation).
Curriculum vitae in tabular form.
Letter of motivation outlining personal ideas and expectations of the degree programme and intended profession as well as explanations of the preferred course of study with or without a double degree and target region abroad (max. 2 pages DIN A4).
Proof of English language skills at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), TOEFL or others.
For foreign applicants:
Proof of German language skills from applicants who have obtained their university degree at a non-German-speaking university.
Certificate from the Studienkolleg Konstanz confirming the recognition of educational certificates from the country of origin. This must be submitted together with the certificate from the country of origin and a translation into German as well as the German language certificate.
2. Feedback: As soon as you have been admitted to the Master's degree programme in General Management, you will receive an acceptance letter via the online application portal and a letter of admission.
In the first two semesters, the interdisciplinary program focuses on the acquisition of interdisciplinary knowledge and valuable soft skills. During their studies in the first and second semester, our students at the HFT Stuttgart deal with various economical case studies in a practice-oriented way. We prepare our students to gain knowledge of all the procedures and processes which is required in management positions and decision-making levels. Of course, we always keep an eye on increasing globalization and internationalization.
Semester
3-4
In the second stage of the Master's program, our students have three options, of which they choose one at the beginning of their studies. All options include a mandatory stay abroad. The special international orientation takes the European and international development of the markets into account and therefore also the changes in the fields of work and profession. To prepare for their semester/year abroad, the students need to choose one of the three foreign languages English, Spanish and Chinese.
Profile
Master's graduates are future managers. They are able to apply their acquired broad specialist knowledge to specific issues and work on these in a structured and solution-oriented manner. Key qualifications and a foreign language support the professional training. This qualifies students for working in international and interdisciplinary teams.
Option
1
Double Degree Program
Within the framework of the double degree program, you have the opportunity to acquire the two international degrees Master of Arts and Master of Science or Master of Business Administration. For this purpose, you will complete a nine-month stay abroad with the Master's thesis as an included cooperation project. Available for selection:
the Scottish partner university Napier University Business School in Edinburgh (specialising in International Business Management or International Human Resource Management) or
the Tatung University in Taipei (Taiwan) or
the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam (Malaysia).
Option
2
Exchange Semester
Alternatively, you have the possibility to spend a semester abroad in the 3rd semester at one of our partner universities or as a free-mover. After the stay abroad you will write your Master's thesis at the HFT Stuttgart in the 4th semester and choose your major within the General Management Seminar.
Option
3
International Internship
The third option of the "International Internship" offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and working abroad. Thus, a supervised international practical project is planned, in which the practical phase allows the acquired knowledge and skills to be directly applied and deepened. Our students complete this semester in international operating companies abroad.
Option
4
German Track - new
Improve your German and gain work experience in Germany.
German Track
at a glance
German Track at a glance
Degree
Master of Arts General Management
Duration
4 semesters
Language
English-taught GM modules + German language courses
Entry German level
A2
English level
B2
Semester 3
Internship in a German company
Places
5 slots
Application
via HFT standard application portal
Content
Semester 1-2:
German Track students are fully integrated into the General Management Master’s program at HFT Stuttgart. In the first two semesters, they acquire interdisciplinary management knowledge, practical business skills and valuable soft skills through practice-oriented case studies. At the same time, they improve their German language skills through integrated German language courses, preparing them for everyday life, internships and career opportunities in Germany.
Semester 3-4:
In the third semester, German Track students complete an internship in a German company instead of a semester abroad. This allows them to apply their management knowledge in practice and gain valuable work experience in the German labour market. In the fourth semester, students continue with their advanced studies and complete their Master’s thesis, graduating with the same Master of Arts degree in General Management.
German Track FAQs
Is the German Track a separate degree?
No. German Track students are integrated into the regular General Management programme and graduate with the same Master of Arts degree.
Do I need fluent German to apply?
No. You need German at A2 level when applying. During your studies, German language modules help you improve your skills.
What happens in the third semester?
Instead of going abroad, German Track students complete an internship at a company in Germany.
International orientation
International Know-How
Transfer of in-depth knowledge in an international context (e.g. Doing Business in Europe, International Trade and Company Law, International Financial Reporting Standards)
Transfer of knowledge about intercultural characteristics (e.g. International Business Skills or Culture Conditions)
Languages
Integration of foreign language training into the compulsory programme - choice between English, Chinese and Spanish
Selected lectures with English as teaching and working language
Majors
Majors
In the 4th semester, students who have chosen a semester abroad or an internship abroad can additionally choose one of the seven majors offered in the context of functional specialisations. Each specialisation is offered within the framework of a comprehensive General Management Seminar.
The majors offered are
Advanced Financial Reporting & Taxation
Advanced Finance
Advanced Controlling
Advanced Human Resources Management
Advanced Marketing and Sales
Advanced Logistics Management
Advanced Quality Management
Would you like to know more about the subjects you will attend in our Master? Then take a look at our module manual. The course is accredited by FIBAA, thus the quality is officially confirmed.
Our Master's programme General Management is FIBAA accredited.
Practical Orientation
The Master's program in General Management is characterised by its strong practice orientation. In addition to experienced professors, lecturers from the business world pass on their practical knowledge to students.
80%of our students are writing their master thesis in cooperation with a company.
100%of our professors have relevant professional experience in economics.
Semester
1-2
Hands-on content
In the first and second semester, fundamental topics of business administration are conveyed and presented to the students. In addition, our students work and analyse real case studies of multinational companies and, for example, take part in a competitive business game in groups (Cesim Global Challenge).
Content which are focused on teaching and hands-on skills (e.g. all key qualifications, languages) are mainly conducted in the form of training. Not only theoretical input but also comprehensive exercises are included. Based on the approach of qualifying students for working in teams, in an international environment and for management tasks, teamwork is an important part of the didactic concept of the course. Our students organize themselves into groups e.g. to work on case studies. Therefore, presenting work results is an essential part of group work.
Semester
3
International Internship
The third semester, as a mobility semester, is geared towards gaining international experience. If this semester is not spent at a cooperating university, for example, as part of the integrated double degree study programmes, an international practical study project will be completed.
In this course, the theoretical knowledge acquired previously will be applied and deepened. This semester is to be completed by students in internationally operating companies abroad in order to gain professional experience. For further support in finding internships, the student's office are offering a helping hand.
Semester
4
Masterthesis
The course ends with a final thesis (Master's thesis), in which many students choose a practice-oriented topic, usually in cooperation with a company. Graduates in General Management are therefore optimally prepared for their career entry through the practice-oriented course of study.
International
A major feature of the Master's program in General Management is the international orientation of the program. As described in Contents and Profiles, students spend a study period abroad as part of the Master's program in General Management.
Among them, students have the opportunity to obtain two international degrees: Master of Arts and Master of Science (at Napier University Business School in Edinburgh/Scotland) or MBA (at Tatung University in Taipei/Taiwan or at Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Allam/Malaysia). Further double degree programs with foreign universities (e.g. Merida Mexico) are in preparation.
Double Degree in Taiwan
Master Program at Tatung University
9-month integrated study abroad including MBA study program (in English)
3rd semester with lectures at Tatung University, optional additional internship in Taiwan
Joint master thesis with examiners from Tatung University and HFT Stuttgart
In two years 2 internationally recognized degrees:
Master of Arts (M.A.) General Management (HFT)
Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Tatung)
Financial Framework
No tuition fees at Tatung University
self-financing of all additional costs (such as flights, living costs, etc.)
DAAD scholarships possible
Further information and support can be obtained from the International Office
I really appreciate that I was able to do the double degree program at HFT for one year and received a master's degree in General Management. I'm so glad i could gain this experience in Germany! In addition, I have met some friends here coming from different countries. Being with people from all walks of life not only let me understand the importance of intercultural communication but also have influenced me a lot.
Amber Kuo
GM Alumni 2019/DD Deutschland
Double Degree in Malaysia
Master Program at Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School (AAGBS) of UiTM
9-month integrated study abroad including MBA study program (in English)
3rd semester with lectures at the UiTM
Joint master thesis with examiners from UiTM and HFT Stuttgart
In two years 2 internationally recognized degrees:
Master of Arts (M.A.) General Management (HFT)
Master of Business Administration (MBA) (UiTM)
Financial Framework
No tuition fees at the UiTM
self-financing of all additional costs (such as flights, living costs, etc.)
DAAD scholarships possible
Further information and support can be obtained from the International Office
My semester abroad in Malaysia was an exciting and thrilling time for me. I got to know a whole new culture and had great experiences there. I also used the time to travel a lot and broadened my horizon.
After successfully completing the Master's degree, graduates can take up positions, particularly in the areas of controlling, marketing and human resources as well as in purchasing, logistics and sales.
Our Master's graduates are future managers. They are able to apply their acquired broad specialist knowledge to current, specific and possibly new types of questions, and to work on these in a structured and solution-oriented manner. Key qualifications support the training of future managers. For example, graduates are enabled to lead project teams or lead workshops.
Regardless of whether our graduates enter the higher service in a public administration after their studies, whether you do your Ph.D. in cooperation with a foreign partner university, or whether you do your Ph.D. in cooperation with a German university - with the Master of Arts degree in General Management, you are well prepared for the international and global job market.
Build your career in Germany
The German Track is designed for international students who want to study General Management in Stuttgart and prepare for professional opportunities in Germany. You will improve your German language skills during the first two semesters and complete an internship at a German company in your third semester.
Learn German while studying German Language I, II and III are integrated into your curriculum.
Gain work experience in Germany Complete your third-semester internship at a company in Germany.
Stay on track for the same degree You remain part of the regular General Management programme and graduate with the same M.A. degree.
Studying at the HFT has especially improved my intercultural understanding in an economic context and has discovered my passion for South East Asia. Since my graduation I have been working for an international company in Jakarta/ Indonesia and I am once again overwhelmed by the opportunities that are offered!
Manuel Denner
GM Alumni 2018/ DD Malaysia
Maintaining contacts, cultivating personal networks, getting ahead professionally with events and news - the alumni network of the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences helps you to do this. The alumni.hft-stuttgart.de portal enables all alumni who have studied, taught or worked at the HFT Stuttgart to stay in touch. Free registrations are possible at any time.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions are already answered here:
Studies in general
What is the structure of the Master's programme with a double degree?
The structure differs in that students only spend the first two semesters at the HFT Stuttgart. Afterwards, students complete a 9-month stay abroad (including a master's thesis as a cooperation project between the two universities) at Napier University Business School in Edinburgh/Scotland (with a focus on International Business Management or International Human Resource Management), Tatung University in Taipei/ Taiwan or Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Sha Alam/ Malaysia. Further programs with foreign universities are in preparation.
For further information, please refer to Contents and Procedure.
Which information about the Master's programme is particularly important and where can I get it?
You will always find current information on our website. All available information material can be downloaded here:
Can I also study the Master's programme in General Management part-time?
General management does not exist on a part-time basis. However, lectures are only held 2 to 3 days a week, so a part-time structure is possible.
Can I change my course option during my studies?
In general, it is possible to change the previously indicated course of study during the course of study, but this should be done after consultation with the Dean of Studies and if possible before the start of the second semester.
Can I attend a trial lecture?
Twice a year the HFT Stuttgart offers a study information day with numerous sample lectures and presentations in all study courses for prospective students. At the same time, there is the possibility to participate in a lecture as a guest auditor. For this purpose, prospective students can view the curriculum for the preferred course in LSF, select the preferred lecture and contact the lecturer directly regarding an appointment.
What qualifications or previous knowledge are required?
In order to be admitted to the General Management course, you must have a Bachelor's degree (with at least 180 ECTS) in the field of business administration with at least 50% in business subjects.
Can I study the Master's degree part-time or part-time?
No, this is a full-time course.
How long does the course take and how is it structured?
The course comprises four semesters. This includes an obligatory stay abroad.
Can I apply with a grade point average of > 2.5?
No, there is a numerus clausus (NC) of at least 2.5.
What are the application deadlines?
For German applicants: June 15
For non-german applicants: May 15
Is the lecture language exclusively English?
No. Most lectures are held in English, but a few lectures are held in German. Therefore, B2 German language skills are required.
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