FAQ

What can I expect from the International Business Management Master’s program?

The International Business Management Master’s program prepares you for a career in internationally active companies. You will build a strong foundation in international management while developing practical, intercultural and leadership skills for solving real business challenges.  

You can shape your profile through flexible specialization options in areas such as HR, supply chain, marketing and sales, finance and accounting, and marketing psychology. At the same time, you develop future-ready skills in fields such as AI for Business & Management, data analytics, leadership, negotiation, ESG and sustainability management.
Instead of learning only from textbooks, you work with real-life case studies, business simulations, consulting projects, team challenges, excursions and a final management hackathon. The program is taught entirely in English and is ideal for students who want to grow into expert or leadership roles across countries, cultures and business functions.
You can expect a boutique class size, close personal interaction with lecturers, and an interactive learning environment.

Which career paths can I pursue after graduation?

Graduates of International Business Management are prepared for a wide range of international business careers. Typical fields include international project management, consulting, business development, marketing and brand management, export management, supply chain management, strategic procurement, international HR management, finance, controlling, key account management and product management.

Examples of companies that have employed our alumni include leading global brands (e.g., Red Bull, Adidas, Google, Amazon, and Mondelēz), international consulting firms (e.g., EY, KPMG, and Boston Consulting Group), and leading local companies in Carinthia (e.g., Infineon, Lam Research, Kelag, Imerys, Treibacher Industrie AG, and HASSLACHER Group).

The program is also a strong basis for management trainee programs, executive assistance roles or starting your own international business venture.

Can I specialize during the program?

Yes. The program allows you to shape your own international management profile through flexible specialization options.
In semester 2, you choose between International HR & People Management and International Supply Chain Management. In semester 3, you choose between International Marketing & Sales Management and International Finance & Accounting. From 2027 onwards, a new Marketing Psychology Learning Path is expected to be offered, subject to approval by all governing bodies.

Can I continue with doctoral studies after studying International Business Management?

Yes. Graduates of the International Business Management Master’s program are eligible to be admitted to doctoral studies in social and economic sciences according to the relevant Austrian regulation.

This means the program is not only attractive for students aiming for international business careers, but also for those who may later want to pursue an academic, research-oriented or PhD pathway. 

How international is the program?

Internationality is at the heart of the program. International Business Management is taught entirely in English and brings together students from many different countries and cultural backgrounds from around the world.
You will work in international teams, develop intercultural communication skills and build a global network during your studies. CU is also part of the ACE²-EU European University and has a broad network of international partner universities. Students can gain additional international experience through study abroad opportunities, short international programs, internships abroad or double degree options.

How do I apply and how does the admission process work?

You apply online via the CU website. During the application process, you submit your application documents, including:

• Completed online application form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter in English
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
• English language certificate (C1 level)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Copy of a valid passport
• Any additional relevant certificates or qualifications.

The admission process has three steps: first, your complete application is reviewed. If you meet the formal requirements, you will be invited to complete a practical assignment. If the assignment is successful, you will be invited to a personal interview via videoconference. 
Applicants from outside the EU should also check whether their documents require official translation or legalization.

What are the admission requirements?

You can apply if you hold a business- or management-related Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent higher education qualification.
Applicants with a related non-business degree may also be eligible if they can demonstrate sufficient previous coursework in business-related subjects. This usually includes at least 15 ECTS in business administration, 10 ECTS in accounting and finance-related subjects and 5 ECTS in economics or business law. This makes the program attractive for applicants from fields such as business engineering, business law, economic geography or other related areas with a clear business connection.

What English language level do I need?

You need to provide proof of English language proficiency at C1 level. This can be demonstrated through a recognized English language test, such as IELTS with an overall band score of 7.0, or an equivalent TOEFL or Cambridge test.
Alternatively, you may provide proof that you completed a full-time degree program of at least two years taught entirely in English at a university in the EU/EEA, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the USA, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.

How do I apply for a double degree program?

First, you need to be enrolled in the International Business Management Master’s program at CU. At the beginning of your studies, you can then apply for one of the double degree options.
The program currently offers double degree opportunities with TH Köln / Cologne University of Applied Sciences in Germany and the University of Udine in Italy. Selected students spend one semester at the partner university and can receive degrees from both CU and the partner institution. A double degree is an excellent opportunity to study in two countries, strengthen your international profile and expand your network — all within the regular study duration.

Is the program full-time or part-time?

International Business Management is a full-time Master’s program with a work-friendly schedule. Classes take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays after 4:00 p.m. and on Fridays after 1:30 p.m.; on up to five days per semester, sessions may also be scheduled earlier, for example for excursions. 

Can the master’s program also be completed online?

No. International Business Management is an on-site program.
Most modules, however, also include self-study elements, known as asynchronous learning, which students can complete flexibly and independently online. This online component usually accounts for around 20 percent of each module, but may be higher in some modules.
For the parts of the modules that take place on campus, a minimum attendance rate of 80 percent is required.

How much are the tuition fees?

For EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals, the tuition fee is €363.36 per semester. For students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, the tuition fee is €500 per semester. In addition, all students pay a small fee for the Austrian Student Union each semester (€26.20 in the winter semester 2026/27).

What makes this Master’s different from a general management or MBA program?

International Business Management is not a generic management degree. It combines international management, real-life business projects, intercultural teamwork and flexible specialization options in areas such as HR, supply chain, marketing and sales, finance and accounting, and Marketing Psychology. 
Unlike many MBA programs, it is designed as a consecutive Master’s degree for graduates with a business-related academic background who want to prepare for international expert and leadership roles. 

Is a Master’s degree from a University of Applied Sciences equivalent to a university degree?

Yes. The International Business Management program is an officially recognized Master’s degree program under Austrian higher education law. Graduates receive the academic degree Master of Arts in Business (M.A.), which is a fully recognized master’s degree at the same qualification level as a university master’s degree. The program has a strong applied focus, which means that academic knowledge is closely connected with real business practice.

What kinds of real-life projects do students work on?

Students work on real-life business challenges through case studies, simulations, consulting projects, business labs, team challenges, excursions, and a final Management Hackathon. These formats help students apply international management tools to practical, company-related problems while developing solution-oriented teamwork skills.
In the International Entrepreneurship Lab in semester 1, student teams develop their own international new venture ideas. In the International Consulting Lab in semester 3 and the three-day Management Hackathon in semester 4, student teams work directly with the management teams of internationally active companies from the region. 
In addition, students have the opportunity to connect with practicing managers who contribute as lecturers and guest lecturers, as well as during study trips in Austria and abroad.

Do I need to speak German to study International Business Management?

No. The program is taught entirely in English, so German is not required for your studies. However, CU offers optional German courses, which can help international students integrate into Austria and improve their career opportunities in the German-speaking job market. 

Can I work during my studies?

The program is full-time but organized in a work-friendly format, with most classes scheduled later in the week. This structure may make it easier to combine the program with part-time work, although students should still expect a full Master’s-level workload, including projects, teamwork, preparation, and exams.
Many students work around 20–25 hours per week and report that this can be combined well with their studies. Full-time work is not recommended.

What is student life like in Villach?

Villach is a lively and student-friendly town in the south of Austria with around 66,000 inhabitants. Located close to Italy and Slovenia, it combines the charm of a compact Alpine town with an international atmosphere and easy access to the wider Alpine-Adriatic region. 
Students benefit from a high quality of life, a welcoming international student community, nearby lakes and mountains, and a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year. In winter, ski slopes are within easy reach (even by city bus), while in summer, students can enjoy nearby beaches at Carinthia’s many lakes. The region is also ideal for hiking, biking, swimming, and other sports and outdoor activities.
Villach also offers easy access to cities such as Venice, Ljubljana, Salzburg, Graz, Munich and Vienna. The location combines an international study experience with the advantages of a safe, scenic, and student-friendly environment.