DID YOU KNOW?
In 2024, Munich Business School secured the top spot among private universities of applied sciences in the field of business administration from a recruitment perspective for the fifth time in a row.
Sustainability and climate protection are no longer niche topics – they are at the center of social, political and economic developments. Those who choose to study sustainability are not only opting for an exciting and diverse field of study, but also for a career with real added value. Here are six good reasons why studying sustainability is worthwhile:
Studies in the field of sustainability enable you to actively work on solutions for some of the most pressing challenges of our time – from climate change and scarcity of resources to social justice. You are helping to make the world a better place.
Those who study sustainability often do so out of conviction. There are few other fields where you can integrate your personal values so strongly into your professional career and make a real impact.
From green energy and sustainable urban planning to climate-friendly business models – sustainability is a driver of innovation. As a graduate, you can be directly involved in developing future-proof solutions.
More and more companies, institutions and governments are focusing on sustainability – whether through CO₂ reduction targets, circular economies or sustainable supply chains. This creates a wide range of career opportunities in a growing labor market.
Sustainability issues do not stop at national borders. Your studies will prepare you for an international career – whether at the UN, in global NGOs or in multinational companies committed to sustainability.
Sustainability degree programs combine content from environmental sciences, economics, politics, technology and sociology. This broad, networked thinking is in high demand and makes you flexible – in science, business or the NGO sector.
Below you can find out what advantages MBS offers you in your Master's degree in Sustainability.
In the following, we will briefly explain what is meant by the concepts mentioned in sustainability studies.
A degree program with an international focus prepares you for the challenges and opportunities of global markets through intercultural content, languages and often international experiences such as semesters abroad.
A business project is a real-world project in which you work in teams to analyze real business problems and develop innovative solutions, often in collaboration with a partner company.
A semester abroad allows you to study at a partner university in a foreign country, gain international experience and improve your language and intercultural skills.
Elective courses offer you the opportunity to choose the modules that match your interests and career goals, and to customize your studies. In many degree programs, you can choose more than one elective course.
A double/dual degree enables you to earn two master's degrees in just one period of study, often by spending an additional semester at a partner university abroad. This broadens both your professional qualifications and your international career opportunities.
Studying in English means that some or even all courses and exams are offered in English, which broadens international career opportunities and strengthens language skills.
Language courses offer you the opportunity to choose from a range of languages to suit your interests and career goals, and to customize your studies. In particular, because at MBS you can choose to focus on an international economic area, and learning the relevant language in this context promotes understanding even more.
A mentoring program connects you with experienced professionals or alumni who are ready to provide valuable advice, career tips, and personal support.
A pre-master's program prepares prospective students for a master's program by teaching them the basics and improving their language and subject knowledge. In particular, students who have a bachelor's degree in a different subject and want to start a master's program.
Specializations are advanced topics that you can choose within your study program to specialize in specific areas such as marketing, finance or entrepreneurship. In some programs, you can even choose more than one specialization.
The accreditations of a university or college are an important indicator of the quality and recognition of its study programs. Institutions such as the German Council of Science and Humanities, the Ministry of Education and FIBAA, as well as renowned international accreditation organizations such as AACSB and AMBA, assess the academic excellence, practical orientation and international standards of universities. Some universities, such as Munich Business School, work tirelessly to ensure that further accreditations are added and existing ones are renewed. Below, we take a look at the most important accreditations for your Sustainability Studies at MBS.
| Munich Business School | Public German Universities | |
|---|---|---|
| State Accreditation | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| FIBAA | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Accreditation by the German Council of Science and Humanities | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| AACSB | ✔️ | ❌ |
| AMBA | ❌ | ❌ |
DID YOU KNOW?
Munich Business School has also won many rankings and awards. You can find an overview of these here:
All Rankings & Accreditations of MBSThese are the companies that regularly work with MBS students on projects.
At Munich Business School, you can study International Business in the Master's program with a focus on sustainability. This gives you the perfect mix of Business Studies knowledge and sustainable business experience to shape your future according to your ideas. These are the most important facts about studying at MBS:
90
3 Semesters
English
Full-time study
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Integrated
September
7 areas of focus, including Sustainable Business
Are you interested in the details? Here you will find our detailed course of studies for the Master International Business at MBS, which provides you with a first-class sustainability program if you choose the Sustainable Business specialization.
The concentration modules allow students to dive deep into specific fields of international business. In the first semester, students enroll in 2 out of 5 additional courses.
International Entrepreneurship: Identifying and Generating a Business Idea
Innovation and Digital Business
International Family Firms: Understanding and Managing Family Businesses
Foundations of Sustainable Business
Sub-Modules:
International Strategic Management
Organizational Behavior
Conscious Business
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Choose 1 out of 3
Gain insights into business practices and current business topics in the chosen region based on an understanding of the social background as well as the economic and political system in the respective region.
Choose 1 out of 3:
Depending on the level, learn the appropriate grammar and vocabulary skills to advance to the next level of language proficiency.
Sub-Modules:
Business Communication
Business Ethics
Negotiation Skills
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Feel a stronger sense of belonging to the MBS community by actively engaging in a variety of extracurricular offerings.
The concentrations allow students to dive deep into specific areas of international business. In the second semester, students choose 2 out of 7 courses:
Corporate Finance: Corporate Finance and Portfolio Management
International Marketing: Integrated Corporate Communication and Relationship Marketing
International Entrepreneurship: Establishing a Startup and Testing the Business Idea
Innovation and Digital Business
International Family Firms: Building, Protecting and Investing Family Wealth
Foundations of Sustainable Business
Choose 2 out of 8:
Choose 1 out of 5:
Use case studies, business simulations, in-depth reports as well as expert knowledge to understand the complexities of the business environment in the chosen region from a cultural, economic, social, political, and legal perspective.
Choose 1 out of 3:
Depending on the level, learn the appropriate grammar and vocabulary skills to advance to the next level of language proficiency.
Sub-Modules:
Responsible Leadership
Business & Society
Master Thesis Preparation
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Feel a stronger sense of belonging to the MBS community by actively engaging in a variety of extracurricular offerings.
Students in the Master International Business gain comprehensive international experience by studying one semester at one of the numerous international partner universities of MBS. Alternatively, students can spend two semesters at selected universities and complete their studies with a dual degree.
Last but not least: writing you Master Thesis
"Degree Content:
The curriculum at Munich Business School is comprehensive and relevant to today's business world.
Professors:
The faculty at MBS is one of its strongest assets. Professors are not only highly qualified in their fields but also approachable and supportive. They bring real-world experience into their teaching, which adds significant value to the learning process."
Chamaiporn on StudyCHECK
The content of sustainability studies covers a wide range of topics to prepare students for the complex challenges in the field of sustainability. This content offers a comprehensive apprenticeship that is interdisciplinary and imparts both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
✓ Introduction to Sustainability: Fundamentals and definitions of sustainability, its ecological, social and economic dimensions.
✓ Environmental Sciences: Ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change, air and water pollution, and sustainable resource management.
✓ Sustainable Economy: Concepts of circular economy, sustainable management, environmental economics and their applications in various industries.
✓ Social science perspectives: social justice, development policy and ethical issues of sustainability.
✓ Climate protection and energy transition: strategies for reducing CO₂ emissions, renewable energies and technological developments to promote a clean energy supply.
✓ Environmental management and law: guidelines, environmental certifications, environmental law and regulatory requirements for companies and organizations.
✓ Methods of data collection and analysis: statistical methods, qualitative research and analysis tools for evaluating ecological and social projects.
✓ Project and innovation management: planning, implementing and managing projects that promote sustainable solutions.
✓ Communication and public relations: strategies for communicating sustainability issues and communicating effectively with different audiences.
✓ Practical project work and case studies: application of real-life scenarios for practical experience and to transfer theory into practice.
A degree in sustainability opens up a wide range of career opportunities for you – in business, politics, research and society. Here are six exciting career options that you can pursue with this degree:
In this role, you develop strategies for environmental and social responsibility, take care of sustainability reports, CO₂ balances or supply chain standards – in short, you put companies on the green path.
As a consultant, you will support companies, organizations or cities in implementing sustainable projects – from climate strategies and energy efficiency to compliance with environmental standards and ESG criteria.
Whether it's Greenpeace, the UN, WWF or local environmental associations, you can work directly on projects that promote environmental and climate protection, fair production or social justice – often with an international focus.
With a scientific focus, you can work in research facilities or institutes on solutions for climate change, biodiversity or sustainable resource use – data-driven, analytical and future-oriented.
Public authorities, ministries and local governments are looking for experts in climate protection concepts, environmental planning and sustainability promotion. You can also make a real difference in political consultancy – at the local and global level.
Many sustainability graduates found their own companies – for example, in the areas of zero waste, green tech, social business or renewable energies. Alternatively, you can join young companies that want to change the world with innovation and idealism.
DID YOU KNOW?
To learn more about Sustainability Managers, Business Consultants and similar Business Studies professions, you can visit the following page:
Business Careers explained| Prerequisites | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level positions | €32,000 – 55,000 per year |
| Mid-career level | €45,000 – 85,000 |
| Executive level | €65,000 – €120,000 |
| Industry | Industry-dependent – e.g. higher in industries such as manufacturing, energy or logistics |
| Location | Higher in metropolitan areas like Munich |
| Experience | In most cases, the more experience, the higher the salary |
| Qualifications | In most cases, the more qualifications, such as a DBA, the higher the salary |
DID YOU KNOW?
After an MBS Bachelor's or Master's degree, you can also take up all these professions abroad without any problems.
A Master in Sustainability is a postgraduate program that provides you with in-depth knowledge and skills to address ecological, economic and social challenges. You will learn to develop sustainable strategies, lead projects and find innovative solutions to complex problems. The studies are interdisciplinary and prepare you for responsible positions in companies, NGOs or public institutions, in order to actively contribute to sustainable development.
Sustainability is important in the study of environmental science because it gives you a holistic understanding of how natural systems work and how human activities affect them. It helps you develop solutions that balance ecological, social and economic needs to ensure the long-term health of the planet and the well-being of future generations.
The study of sustainability deals with the ecological, social and economic aspects of sustainable development. You will learn how resources can be used responsibly to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the opportunities of future generations. It has an interdisciplinary focus and provides you with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement sustainable solutions to global challenges.
A study of ecological sustainability focuses on giving you an in-depth understanding of how to protect and preserve natural resources. You'll learn how to analyze environmental problems and develop solutions that maintain ecological balances by studying ecological processes, conservation efforts and sustainable management to minimize long-term environmental impacts.
Yes, a master's in sustainability is worthwhile if you are looking for a career with purpose and want to work in future-oriented fields. It offers you specialized knowledge, increases your job opportunities in various industries and enables you to actively contribute to solving global challenges.
Sustainability is a concept that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is based on the idea of using and managing natural resources in a way that ensures long-term environmental, social and economic stability.
The concept of sustainability is often broken down into three dimensions:
Sustainability seeks to balance these three areas to ensure a future that is both environmentally sound and livable for all people.
Download Information Material
In our exclusive and non-binding information material, you can find out everything you need to know about:
To successfully complete a sustainability degree and later work in this field, certain prerequisites, skills and personal qualities are helpful:
These requirements, skills and characteristics help students to overcome the challenges of a sustainability degree and to succeed in professions in this field.
Studies in Business Studies with a focus on sustainability offer a valuable combination of in-depth economic knowledge and specialized sustainability know-how.
While a course of study dedicated to sustainability provides in-depth knowledge of ecological and social issues, combining it with Business Studies gives you a broader and more strategic understanding. This is because, to successfully implement sustainable approaches, it is crucial to also understand economic interrelationships and business management tools.
With a solid foundation in Business Studies and a specialization in sustainability, you will not only be able to develop sustainable practices, but also implement them efficiently and cost-effectively in companies. You will learn to strategically anchor sustainability in a way that is economically viable at the same time. This is particularly in demand as companies are increasingly striving to combine ecological and social responsibility with economic success.
In addition, the combination of Business Studies and sustainability makes you a sought-after specialist who has both the economic and the sustainable know-how to excel in management positions. This dual expertise opens up a wider range of career opportunities for you and gives you an advantage in the job market – whether you are looking for a job in a company, an NGO or a public organization that wants to reconcile sustainable goals with economic success.
MBS not only offers you a first-class Business Studies program, but also focuses on international business so that you can easily pursue your chosen career anywhere in the world after graduation. The Master International Business at MBS offers many highlights such as semesters abroad, internships, business projects, plenty of networking opportunities and much more. At Munich Business School, you can expect small study groups, dedicated teachers and award-winning programs with many interesting specializations. But more importantly, you count as a person with us. Here, you are not an anonymous member, but the driving force that motivates us every morning. As a small, private university, we take time for your concerns and offer you a customized study experience. Our lecturers have extensive practical experience and teach you skills that really count. In addition to sound business knowledge, we also promote values and abilities that will teach you social responsibility as a future sustainability expert and optimally prepare you for a wide range of professions in your desired field.
Do you want to learn more about Business Studies?
For more information, please visit our page on the subject.
Business StudiesMBS offers students many advantages that are particularly possible thanks to the structure of a private university of applied sciences. You will benefit from these during your studies at MBS:
Professors with business experience and specialists as guest lecturers
Small class sizes and support from the Career Center, for example
in Finance and Management
Wide-ranging Business Studies and specialized knowledge in several key areas
Staying abroad included & many Networking opportunities
The program and completion of a sustainability degree are often clearly structured to prepare students comprehensively for their future work. Here is an overview:
Introduction phase (1st to 2nd semester):
Consolidation phase (3rd to 5th semester):
Practical phase:
Final phase (6th to 7th semester):
This structured program ensures that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, providing them with comprehensive preparation for the professional world.
The Munich Business School in Numbers
Do you feel at home anywhere in the world and want to start an international career? Then the Master in International Business Management at MBS is perfect for you! You will not only deepen your knowledge of economics, but will also become an expert in various fields through individually selectable specializations, thus sharpening your personal profile. The integrated semester abroad will prepare you for specialist and management roles in the global economy. If you want to gain even more international experience, you can add a second semester abroad and thus obtain two specialized master's degrees in just two years – your international career will then be ready to take off with the Master in International Business Administration!
The course-specific modules of the Master's program in International Management prepare you optimally for your career in international business. To ensure a strong practical focus during your studies, the Master's program offers specific concentrations in addition to general business administration and courses in international marketing and international finance. In the first and second semesters, you choose two out of five or seven business concentrations, respectively, giving your studies an individual touch. You can choose from topics such as digital business management, international marketing or corporate strategy & innovation. These courses will enable you to deepen your skills and prepare you specifically for your future career.
The studies at MBS focus on the international market. A large part of the course content is taught in English and MBS students come from all over the world.
Internationality is also expressed through the semester abroad. Students spend the last semester at one of our more than 60 partner universities around the world.
Students work on a business project for a real company. In doing so, they apply the theoretical knowledge gained during their studies in practical applications.
The English-language Master's in International Business with a focus on Sustainable Business at Munich Business School provides you with in-depth knowledge of sustainability management in three semesters. You will learn the principles of sustainable management, deal with complex topics such as circular economy and immerse yourself together with your fellow students in future-oriented scientific disciplines such as human-centered design and biomimicry to develop innovative sustainability methods based on the interaction between people and nature. You will spend the first two semesters on campus in Munich, where you will experience how sustainable business works in practice in interactive lectures and practical projects. You combine your focus on Sustainable Business with a further specialization such as Innovation & Digital Business or International Marketing, thus designing your Master's program in International Business entirely according to your own preferences.
In the third semester, you will transfer to one of our more than 60 partner universities worldwide. With locations on four continents, there is a wide selection to choose from. Finally, the Master's thesis rounds off your studies.
If you have any further questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact our student advisory service.
Application
In order to qualify for the Master International Business study program, you must fulfill academic, linguistic, and to some extent professional requirements.
You may submit your application documents at any time. Since the places are limited, we advise you to apply for your desired study start as early as possible.
The main requirement for admission to the Master International Business 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.
English Proficiency
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.
You must submit the following mandatory documents for us to consider your written application:
*Please submit the relevant original document, or a certified copy, as soon as you are accepted onto the program.
Online application:
Apply online for the Master’s program in International Business
Eligible applicants will be invited to a personal interview, either in person in Munich or online via Microsoft Teams (approx. 30–45 minutes). The interview may include examining a case study.
As soon as you are accepted onto the program, you will have the opportunity to get to know Munich Business School a little better – before you make the final decision about your studies. And, of course, our student advisors will be available to answer any questions you have.
When we confirm your place, we will send you confirmation of your acceptance along with two copies of your study contact. To secure your place, please sign and return one copy of the contract to us within two weeks. You can keep the other copy for your files.
Additionally, in order to be formally accepted onto the program, you must pay a one-off matriculation fee of €690 (EU/EFTA) or €1,490 (non-EU) and make an advance payment of €1.990. This advance payment will be deducted from your first tuition fee payment.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you must apply for a student visa in order to start your studies in Germany. You will require a letter of invitation from Munich Business School to secure your visa – which we will be happy to provide once we receive your signed student contract and a copy of your passport.
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.
