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.

If you would like to get more detailed information on our admission and selection procedure, you can download the admission and selection regulations directly from our homepage.

Application

Learning and working in an international environment requires open-mindedness, perseverance, flexibility and commitment as well as interest in intercultural particularities. The special international orientation of the programme thus takes into account the European and international development of the markets and thus also the changes in the fields of work and profession.

If you are enthusiastic about business, language and intercultural content, you are ideally suited for our Master's programme.

Are you interested in our Master's program? Apply directly here!

Admission requirements

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).
  • Prospective students who have learned English as a foreign language must also submit proof of sufficient English language skills in the form of a recognized language test, e.g.TOEFL IBT: min 79 points or - TOEFL ITP: min 550 points - Cambridge Exam: minimum level: Advanced (CAE).
    Note: Submission of the English certificate after admission is possible for the application for WS22/23.
  • Applicants who have not acquired their study qualification at a German-speaking institution must prove their ability to study in Germany by passing German language tests for studies at German universities. Further information for international applicants can be found here.
  • Examination APS Beijing (for Chinese applicants).

It should be noted that this is not a purely English-language degree programme. For this reason, both English and German language skills are required.

Applicants who are interested in a double degree at Tatung University in Taipei/Taiwan should submit proof of language skills at A2 level (HSK, TOEFL, UniCert, DAAD language certificate or Chinese credits).

If you are an applicant from abroad, please note the information on the following page and the additional documents to be submitted.

Selection procedure

The Master's program in General Management is highly demanded. Since the number of each semester is limited to 25 students, our Master's program follows an internal university selection procedure. The allocation of study places is carried out according to the Hochschulvergabeverordnung (HVVO).

Übergabe des HFT Stuttgart Studierendenausweis

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.

2nd selection interview: Are you one of our best applicants? Then we look forward to meeting you in an individual interview. The selection interviews are not open to the public at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences and last about 15 to 30 minutes. You will be invited by the University of Applied Sciences by e-mail at least three working days before the selection interviews, stating the location. So do not forget to check your inbox regularly. In justified exceptional cases, the selection interview can be conducted as a telephone interview. Note: Due to the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2- the selection interviews will take place online.

3. feedback: You have successfully participated in the selection interview and have convinced us? Then we will be pleased to send you a written notification of admission and to offer you a place at our university.

Contents

Special features of the Master's program

100%

international experience of the students.

50%

of the program is completed abroad.

50%

of the program is completed in Germany.

Course of studies

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
1-2

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.

Semester
3-4

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.

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
1
UiTM Malaysia Studierende in der Vorlesung

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
2
Bachelor-Betriebswirtschaft-International-Business-Studentin-mit-Rucksack

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
3
Studierende hebt die Arme

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
Ein braunes Auge

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.

FIBAA Akkreditierung Siegel

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.

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).

Semester
1-2
Studierende im Gruppengespäch am Tisch

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.

Semester
3
Studierende am Tisch

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.

 

Semester
4
Studentin liest ein Buch in der Bibliothek

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.

Tatung University Eingang

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:
    1. Master of Arts (M.A.) General Management (HFT)
    2. 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.

HFT Stuttgart [Image: HFT Stuttgart]
Amber Kuo GM Alumni 2019/DD Deutschland
Malaysia Universität

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:
    1. Master of Arts (M.A.) General Management (HFT)
    2. 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.

UiTM Malaysia [Image: HFT Stuttgart]
Gina J. GM Alumni 2018/DD Malaysia

Career

UiTM Malaysia Studierende im Gruppengespräch

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.

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

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.

You will always find current information on our website. All available information material can be downloaded here:

More information about the structure of the master and a preliminary timetable can be found here:

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.

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.

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.

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