Project Management Master Degree
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Master's programs with a clear focus on project management are few and far between in Germany. Although many universities offer specialized modules or electives in this field, pure project management master's degrees remain the exception. Those who want to work in project management in the long term should therefore also consider a generalist master's degree in business administration (Business Studies). This offers a broader foundation, opens up more diverse career paths, and can be tailored to project management through appropriate specializations or practical experience.
The choice of the right master's program depends heavily on your career goals, the desired study model, and the content focus. Three universities in Germany—Munich Business School, FOM University, and the University of Applied Management—each offer specialized programs with different profiles. The following brief profiles provide an overview of the respective programs and their special features.
The Master's program in International Business at Munich Business School provides students with a solid foundation in global corporate management with a strong focus on intercultural skills. Students can choose from a range of specializations, including project management-related topics, to hone their profile. The program has an international focus, is taught in English, and offers close ties to the business world through practical projects and stays abroad.
The FOM master's degree combines business consulting expertise with digital transformation processes. The aim is to train specialists and managers who can support companies in their digital realignment. The study program is practice-oriented and allows theory to be integrated with professional application.
The Master's in Management at HAM offers a broad business education with the opportunity to set individual priorities such as project management-related topics. The semi-virtual study concept combines online learning phases with targeted classroom sessions.
The following special features play a role in one or more of the Project Management Master's degree programs at Munich Business School, FOM, and HAM. They provide insights into the content, structure, and special features of the degree programs and illustrate how these degree programs promote practice-oriented learning, individual design options, and international experience.
Below, we briefly explain what the concepts and terms used in the Project Management Master Degree study program mean.
Focus areas are thematic specializations 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 focus area.
Elective courses give you the opportunity to choose from various modules to suit your interests and career goals, allowing you to tailor your studies to your individual needs. In many degree programs, you can choose more than one elective course.
A study 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 practical project in which you work in teams to analyze real-world business problems and develop innovative solutions, often in collaboration with a partner company.
A stay abroad during your studies allows you to study at a partner university abroad for a certain period of time, participate in a project abroad, or gain international practical experience in order to strengthen your intercultural skills.
A mentoring program connects you with experienced experts or alumni who can provide valuable advice, career tips, and personal support.
A dual degree allows you to earn two master's degrees in just one period of study, often through an additional semester abroad at a partner university. This broadens both your professional qualifications and your international career opportunities.
This is an additional service that helps students learn or improve their language skills (especially in German) in order to prepare for an international or possible German career.
A transfer assessment is a type of exam in which you apply theoretical knowledge to practical questions or real-life case studies. The aim is to test your ability to transfer knowledge to professional or project-related contexts.
The term distance learning refers to education that is conducted online and allows students to access lectures, assignments, and discussions from anywhere. It offers flexibility and interactive tools for learning from anywhere, often via digital platforms, live sessions, or recorded materials.
The recognitions and accreditations a university receives are an important indicator of its quality and the content of its degree programs. Institutions such as the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, FIBAA, the German Science Council, and renowned international accreditation organizations such as AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS examine academic excellence, practical relevance, and international standards. Below we provide an overview of the most important accreditations for the three Project Management Master Degree programs.
| MBS | FOM | HAM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| German Ministry of Education | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| FIBAA | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| German Council of Science and Humanities | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| AMBA | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| AACSB | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| EQUIS | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Internationality plays a different role at each of the three universities:
At the Munich Business School, it is clearly at the forefront – studies are conducted in English, have an international focus, and often include stays abroad or cooperation with partner universities worldwide.
The FOM University of Applied Sciences focuses more on part-time, practice-oriented studies in a German context, but also offers international modules and study programs, for example through its partnerships or seminars abroad.
The University of Applied Management (HAM) integrates internationality into its curriculum through international study content and optional stays abroad, but remains more nationally oriented than Munich Business School.
In der folgenden Tabelle haben wir die wichtigsten Fakten zu den verschiedenen Master Projektmanagement Studiengängen der drei Hochschulen MBS, FOM und HAM zusammengefasst.
| Munich Business School | FOM Hochschule | Hochschule für angewandtes Management | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree program | Master Internationale Business | Master Business Consulting & Digital Management | Master Management |
| Final degree | Master of Arts | Master of Science | Master of Arts |
| Duration | 3 Semesters | 4 Semesters + Master Thesis | 3 Semesters |
| Study program language | English | English | German |
| Start of studies | Winter & Summer Semester | Winter & Summer Semester | Winter Semester |
| Location | Munich | Essen, Berlin, Bremen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt a. M., Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Munich, Münster, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Aachen, Gütersloh, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Wuppertal, Bonn, Mainz, Hagen, Kassel | Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich/Ismaning, Nuremberg |
| Format | Full-time study | Different types possible | Different types possible |
| Numerus Clausus | No Numerus Clausus | No information provided | No information provided |
| Recognition | State-recognized | State-recognized | State-recognized |
| Study requirements | Bachelor's degree: in economics or, if you have a different BA degree, a pre-master's program is possible; English language skills must be proven by means of a test | University degree (at least 40 credit points in economics or any other field, but with 1.5 years of relevant professional experience and a bridge course in Business Studies), current professional activity | Bachelor's degree in the same or a related field with at least 180 ECTS |
| Scholarship opportunities? | Yes, up to €4,000 in funding | No | No |
| Thesis | Master's thesis in German or English | Master's thesis | Master's thesis |
| Special features | Focus areas can be selected (Innovation & Digital Business for Project Management) + elective courses, international focus, mentoring program, business project, language courses, semester abroad, dual degree possible, pre-master's possible | Part-time, international experience possible, preparatory courses possible, transfer assessment every semester, digital business/consulting project, option to switch between study formats | Focus area can be selected from 2 options + focus project, AI inside, virtual teaching with occasional face-to-face seminars |
Do you want to find out what the difference is between a Master of Arts and a Master of Science?
For more information on this topic, please visit our dedicated page.
Difference between a M.A. and a M.Sc.The best location for a Project Management Master Degree depends on your personal preferences and goals. The choice should be made based on your budget, industry, and lifestyle. Here is a brief overview of the three locations Munich (MBS, FOM & HAM in Ismaning), Hanover (FOM & HAM), and Nuremberg (FOM & HAM) for a Project Management Master Degree:
| Munich | Hanover | Nuremberg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 10/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internationality | 9/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Networking Opportunities | 10/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 |
| Infrastructure | 10/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Quality of Life | 10/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Cost of Living | 2/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Student Life | 8/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Nature | 10/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Recreational Possibilities | 10/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Culture | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| 88/100 | 66/100 | 64/100 |
Career prospects in project management after completing one of the three degree programs are generally good, but vary slightly depending on the university's focus:
Thanks to its strong international focus, English-language apprenticeship, and close contacts with global companies, the degree offers excellent opportunities for leadership positions in international project management, especially in corporations, consulting firms, or start-ups with a global focus.
The practice-oriented, part-time structure of the program enables many students to advance directly within the company. Graduates have opportunities in national SMEs or in the digital transformation of companies – especially if they are already working and are using the program to gain further qualifications.
With its flexible study concept and management training, HAM prepares students for project management roles in small to medium-sized companies. The practical relevance is an advantage for direct career entry, especially in German-speaking countries or in regionally based companies.
The experiences of alumni are a decisive factor when choosing the right master's program in project management. Reviews on platforms such as StudyCheck or FernstudiumCheck provide authentic insights into the quality of the program, the support, and the career opportunities from the perspective of former students. Below, we compare the reviews of the three Project Management Master Degree programs offered by MBS, FOM, and HAM to provide a solid basis for your decision.
These ratings come from the German rating portals StudyCHECK.de and FernstudiumCHECK.de. The ratings are current as of 15.05.2025
★★★★☆ 4,3
99% would recommend
★★★★☆ 4,5
100% would recommend
★★★☆☆ 3,9
95% would recommend
★★★★☆ 4,0
97% would recommend
★★★★☆ 4,0
87% would recommend
Nor reviews!
Munich is an important business location with many international companies, particularly in the automotive, IT, and consulting industries. This creates excellent networking and career opportunities in project management. The city also offers a high quality of life and many leisure activities.
Challenges:
The cost of living, especially rent, is very high, particularly for students.
Hanover is a relatively inexpensive city with a solid job market, especially in the trade fair industry. The city is well connected and has fewer inhabitants than other major cities.
Challenges:
Compared to Munich or Berlin, Hanover is not very internationally oriented. Although there are cultural activities available, they are not particularly diverse.
Nuremberg has blossomed into a small business hub, particularly for SMEs and the digital economy. The city combines an above-average quality of life with moderate living costs. Universities are well-connected to the local economy.
Challenges:
Compared to Munich, access to large international companies is more limited, which may be relevant for those with global career goals.
It generally depends on your goals. Germany is very well suited for a master's degree in project management, mainly because of its practice-oriented degree programs, strong economy, and good career opportunities in an international environment.
However, the United Kingdom is also considered attractive for a master's degree in project management due to its renowned universities, practice-oriented programs, and international recognition.
A master's degree in project management is worthwhile if you want to take on leadership responsibilities and improve your career opportunities in international companies.
A master's degree in project management is useful if you want to deepen your technical and strategic skills in a targeted manner and qualify for management positions.
Project management is usually a business-related master's degree, but is offered in many different types: from Master of Science (M.Sc.) to Master of Arts (M.A.) to Master of Business Administration (MBA), everything is available.
A master's degree in project management can be challenging, mainly because of the combination of theory, practice, and leadership aspects—but with interest and commitment, it is well doable.
