18 or 24 Months
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) – the merger and acquisition of companies – are among the central strategies in the corporate world. They enable companies to tap into new markets, create synergies and increase their competitiveness. However, the complex legal, financial and strategic challenges require specialized knowledge and expertise. A degree in M&A teaches precisely these skills and prepares students to analyze, negotiate and successfully implement complex transactions. This article explains what makes a degree in M&A special, what content is taught and what career opportunities arise from it.
A degree in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a specialized academic program that focuses on the theory and practice of corporate mergers and acquisitions. It provides students with the skills and knowledge to plan, analyze, and execute complex transactions in the corporate world. The program combines content from various disciplines, such as economics, law, finance, strategic management, and negotiation. Typical topics include company valuation, due diligence, contract design, financing transactions, and integrating companies after a merger. The aim of M&A studies is to prepare alumni for a career in areas such as investment banking, management consulting, auditing or strategic corporate management. The course of study is often offered as a master's program because it requires in-depth knowledge and often professional experience. Some universities also offer specialized courses or further education in the field of M&A.
To successfully complete a course of study in the field of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and later work in this demanding field, both formal requirements and personal qualities are crucial. Here is an overview:
At Munich Business School, you can study Finance in the Master program with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. This gives you the perfect mix of business knowledge and practical experience and project management skills, for example through a business project, to help you shape your future according to your ideas. These are the most important facts about studying at MBS:
A degree program in mergers and acquisitions typically combines basic business administration principles with in-depth finance-specific topics and practical, interdisciplinary content. Here is an overview of the most common course content:
| Category | Course content |
| Business valuation and financial analysis | Methods of business valuation (e.g. discounted cash flow, multiplier method), analysis of financial ratios and annual financial statements, risk management in M&A processes |
| Legal aspects of M&A | Contract design for mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, tax law and competition law, due diligence from a legal perspective, regulations for international transactions |
| Strategic and operational planning | Development of M&A strategies, synergy effects and their quantification, integration of companies after an acquisition (post-merger integration), restructuring measures |
| Financing transactions | Financing options for acquisitions (e.g. equity, debt, leveraged buyouts), capital structure and its impact on transactions, private equity and venture capital |
| Negotiation and communication strategies | Negotiations in M&A processes, communication with stakeholders, conflict management in mergers and acquisitions |
| International Aspects | Cross-border transactions and cultural challenges, international M&A markets and trends, global regulation and its impact on M&A |
| Case Studies and Practical Exercises | Analysis of real M&A deals, simulation of negotiation and decision-making processes, creation of business plans for M&A projects |
| Technological innovations and M&A | Use of modern technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence in transaction analysis, digitalization and its impact on M&A, |
| Soft skills (optional) | Leadership skills and teamwork, time management and stress management, ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in M&A processes |
Studying business administration with a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) offers you a broader and more versatile foundation than a degree program that specializes purely in M&A. While an M&A degree program is highly focused on the specific aspects of corporate mergers and acquisitions, a business degree program gives you access to a broader spectrum of business knowledge, such as marketing, controlling, human resource management or finance. This holistic perspective is particularly valuable because M&A transactions are heavily influenced by other areas such as corporate strategy and operational efficiency.
Furthermore, a business degree offers you more flexibility in the job market. If your professional interest changes or you want to reorient yourself, a sound business education is more versatile, while a purely M&A-focused education limits you to that specific field. With a business degree and a specialization in M&A, you can cover both breadth and depth and are optimally prepared for a career that includes not only M&A but also other business challenges.
Munich Business School not only offers you a degree in business administration, but also focuses on international business, so that after graduation you can pursue your chosen career anywhere in the world. At MBS, you can expect small study groups, dedicated teachers, and award-winning programs. But more importantly, your name matters to us. Here, you are not an anonymous member, but the driving force that motivates us every morning. As a small, private university, we take the time to address your concerns and offer you a tailor-made study experience. Our lecturers have extensive practical experience and teach you skills that really count. Studying at MBS offers many highlights such as business projects, internships, semesters abroad, plenty of networking opportunities, and much more. In addition to sound business knowledge, we also promote values and skills that will give you an understanding of sustainability and social responsibility as a future professional and prepare you optimally for a wide range of careers.
The main requirement for admission to the Master study program is a successful Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS or more). Applicants with a degree in Business Studies/Management/Economics are entitled to apply for the program directly, applicants without a degree in economics can qualify for the program by completing the Pre Master Program. Upon request, we will gladly verify your documents in advance. Please contact your Program Advisor.
Applicants must proof their English language skills by passing one of the following language tests:
Note: If the test is also used to apply for a visa, please check the requirements of the respective embassy in advance.
Test results can only be accepted if achieved within the last two years. If you are unable to obtain your test results before handing in your MBS application, please inform us about your planned test date.
The English proficiency test can be waived by the following candidates:
We accept applications all year round. However, we recommend that you apply as early as possible, as the number of places is limited.
Spring semester (Master International Business only)
Applicants from Vietnam, China and India should allow an extra month to apply for the relevant visas.
Winter semester
Applicants from Vietnam, China and India should allow an extra month to apply for the relevant visas.
When submitting your online application, please provide the following mandatory documents:
You may also upload the following additional documents:
*Please provide the original documents or certified copies when you gain admission and matriculate to the program.
Qualified applicants will be invited for a personal interview on site in Munich or online via Microsoft Teams (approx. 30 - 45 minutes). The interview may include the processing of a case study.
As soon as you are an admitted student, you have the opportunity to get to know MBS even better – before making your final decision whether to join Munich Business School.
Our study advisors will of course be available for all kinds of potential questions and personal consultations.
Once you have successfully completed the application process, Munich Business School will provide you with an acceptance letter as well as two copies of your study contract. Please sign one copy and return it within two weeks to secure your spot in the program. The other copy needs to be kept for your own records.
The acceptance to the study program requires an enrollment fee of 690 Euro (EU/EFTA) respectively 1,490 Euro (non-EU) and a deposit of 1.990 Euro due upon signing the study contract. The deposit will be deducted from your first tuition fee installment.
If you are a non-EU national, you are required to apply for a student visa in order start your studies in Germany. To obtain a visa invitation letter from Munich Business School, which is necessary to apply for the visa, please add a copy of your passport details page when handing in your signed study contract.
Munich Business School offers attractive scholarship programs amount up to EUR 4,000 of the overall tuition fee. (Up to EUR 2,000 on the 1st and 2nd master's semester).
If you wish to apply for a scholarship, you should include an application when you submit your overall application. You can find further information on our scholarships and financing page.
Salaries in the field of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) vary greatly and depend on factors such as position, professional experience, company size, and location. Here are some typical salary ranges:
The diversity of the mergers and acquisitions sector is reflected in a number of exciting professional fields. Here is a closer look at three examples of professions:
No, business law is not a purely economic course of study, but an interdisciplinary mixture of law and economics. The focus is on legal topics with an economic reference, whereby business and economic fundamentals are also taught. It is more legally oriented, but you also learn about economic interrelationships.
Whether or not studying business law is difficult depends mainly on your interests and abilities. It requires a good understanding of legal and economic interrelationships, as well as the ability to analyze complex issues. If you can work in a structured way and are enthusiastic about legal and economic topics, it is quite manageable.
Most people who start a business law degree manage to complete it, as it often offers a good mix of theory and practice. However, the exact proportion depends on the university and the individual motivation. With commitment and stamina, the chances are good.
During your business law studies, you will learn the basics of law, such as civil law, commercial and corporate law, as well as economics topics such as business administration and economics. The program is usually divided into modules that include lectures, seminars and practical exercises. At the end, there are often exams, term papers and a bachelor's thesis. Internships or practical projects are often part of the program to apply the content.
After studying business law, you will be a business lawyer. You are not a fully qualified lawyer, but you have specialized in legal and economic topics, which qualifies you for work in companies, law firms or as a consultant.
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