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Masters in IB – Marketing Management

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IB - International Marketing Management Master's Degree (M.A.) in Germany

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Why should you do a master's in marketing management?

Marketing is constantly changing. Though digitization makes it easy to measure advertising effectiveness, the fragmentation of communication channels and the bombardment of advertisements in an “always-on” society makes it increasingly challenging to place advertising messages effectively. On a global level, this means flexibility is required in terms of strategic marketing decisions, creating a demand for a new type of manager who will help shape change. You see your future in international marketing? A Master’s in Marketing Management at CBS International Business School will equip you with the skills to analyse markets, target groups, and competitors while building brand awareness and designing products with maximum sales appeal – with the right advertising message and through the most efficient channel.

Marketing from all perspectives

Within the Marketing Master's, you acquire not only marketing knowledge but also develop a broad business-oriented foundation from business economics to supply chain management. In the first semester, you will be faced with a complex variety of marketing strategies and ways that lead to strong, distinctive, and worldwide branding. In light of global competition and cultural differences, this is not some trivial task: A good strategy a) takes into account trends and customer needs, b) points to the future and c) has the power to influence markets. In the second semester, you will learn the calculatory and psychological methods required for setting prices as well as how to influence sales figures, image, and length of the product lifecycle. The sales strategy, on the other hand, describes the decisions for distribution channels and defines sales targets. The third semester is devoted to the subject of market innovation because in the case of competitive or disruptive sectors, thought-out, anticipatory planning is necessary for launching new products or opening up new markets.

What are the requirements for a master's degree in Marketing?

You already have a first academic degree in business economics, such as a Bachelor of Business Administration. As the degree programme is completely in English, advanced English skills are a must.

  • ECTS 120
  • Semester 4
  • Language English
  • Type of Study Full-time
  • Degree Master of Arts
  • Campus Cologne
  • Internship Integrated
  • Semester Abroad Optional
  • Start of Studies Summer Cologne
  • Start of Studies Winter Cologne
  • Study Fee* 5.730 €
FINANCIAL AID
RANKINGS & ACCREDITATIONS

Study Course Plan

Some information about the study plan for the study programme Masters in IB – Marketing Management:

General business teaching units

Business Economics3 ECTS ? !
  • Analysis of demand, supply, and market equilibrium

  • Theory of consumer choice

  • Theory of the firm, production and cost analysis

  • Market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, contestable markets

  • Game theory

  • Pricing strategies

  • Factor markets, labor economics

  • Economics of information

  • Industrial organization

  • Limitations of markets and interventions by the government

  • Econometric techniques related to these topics

Empirical Research Methods3 ECTS ? !
  • Development of a research question

  • Primary vs. secondary data

  • Steps of research process

  • Research designs

  • Quantitative and qualitative data

  • Structured methods of data collection: questionnaire and structured interview

  • Un- and semi-structured methods: qualitative interview and focus group

  • Quantitative and qualitative content analysis

  • Ethical considerations of data collection

  • Sampling

  • Data analysis using statistical software programs (SPSS)

  • Univariate analysis, bivariate analysis (crosstab and correlation), multiple linear regression

  • Writing a research report – structural and other formal requirements

Strategic Analysis & Management3 ECTS ? !
  •  Strategy making process and strategic reasoning: cognitive process of strategy 
    creation through the prism of logic and intuition

  • Setting strategic purpose in the context of responsible stakeholder management

  • Advanced external environment analysis: markets, industries and competitive 
    landscapes in static and dynamic perspective in the domestic and international 
    context

  • Diagnosing and managing strategic capability through national borders over time

  • Cultural and institutional context of strategic management: concepts, frameworks 
    and analytical tools

  • Generic and interactive business strategies, inside-out and outside-in perspective on 
    achieving and sustaining competitive advantage internationally

  • Network-level strategies

  • Corporate development and configuration: strategic options and portfolio matrices

  • Strategy formation

  • Strategic change and corporate restructuring

  • Strategic renewal

  • Strategy evaluation and strategic controls: tools and methods

  • Organizing for success

Innovation Management & Digital Transformation3 ECTS ? !
  • Diagnosing the change context: diffusion and dynamics of innovation 

  • Sources & types of innovation

  • Product/service, process & business model innovation

  • Individual and corporate creativity

  • Strategic innovation management & the innovation process incl. New Product Development (NPD)

  • Introduction to digitalization, digital age & digital divide

  • Digital drivers & disruptive forces

  • Technological drivers of digital transformation

  • Socio-technological change associated with the adoption of the mentioned drivers

  • Introduction to the digital organization & digital business models

  • Impact of digitalization on the value chain (Industry 4.0)

  • Digitalization-related innovation theories & technology management

  • Digitalization leadership & organisational transformation concepts

  • Change management & transformational leadership

  • Agility and VUCA world

  • SCRUM and Design Thinking

Programme specific teaching units

Customer Relationship Management3 ECTS ? !
  • Relationship marketing vs. Transactional marketing

  • Concept of the customer lifetime value

  • Market segmentation and the customer lifetime value

  • Marketing strategies in the field of CRM

  • Big data marketing and CRM

  • Multi-channel marketing and CRM

  • Efficiency and effectiveness of loyalty programs

Service & Brand Management3 ECTS ? !
  • Definition of services in comparison to manufactured goods

  • The importance of Service Environment

  • Challenges that must be identified and addressed by companies

  • Developing effective service marketing strategies

  • The Three-Stage Model of services

  • Applying the 4 Ps to services:

  • Service Product

  • Distribution

  • Pricing

  • Promotion

  • Balancing Demand against Productive Capacity

  • Managing People in Services Marketing and improving Service Quality

  • Importance of Customer Relationship Management in Services

  • Service processes

  • The Foundations of Identity-Based Brand Management

  • The Concept of Identity-Based Brand Management

  • Strategic Brand Management

  • Operational Brand Management

  • Identity-Based Brand Controlling

  • International Identity-Based Brand Management 

Modern Marketing Strategies3 ECTS ? !
  • The need of marketing strategies and the meaning of a global approach in this field

  • Tasks and extend of marketing strategies

  • Combination of strategies

  • Variations of strategy

  • General marketing strategies as a framework for marketing instruments

  • Development of product- and brand-specific marketing concepts

  • Instrumental consideration and integrated consideration of different instruments

  • Subjects and features of branch-specific marketing

Managing Brands In The Digital Era3 ECTS ? !
  • Basics of Branding

  • Relevant models of Branding

  • Success factors of strong brands

  • Brand Equity approach

  • Identity-based Brand Management

  • Local and international brand strategies

  • Multi-brand approaches and brand tools

  • Creating and managing brands within digital business models

  • Brand architecture guidelines

Interdisciplinary competencies

Language & Communication Skills2 ECTS ? !

The “Scholarly Writing and Analysis” course is offered for German native speakers. German as a foreign language is offered as an obligatory course for Non-native German speakers.

International Project Management2 ECTS ? !
  • Social competence: Communication, motivation, groups and team structures, leadership, conflict management

  • Methodological competence: Structural aspects, time management, cost management, human resource management, creativity and problem solving

  • Organisational competence: Quality management, documentation, risk management, project start and closure

General business teaching units

Corporate Social Responsibility3 ECTS ? !
  • Cornerstones of sustainable management

  • CSR as management approach

  • Practical approaches of organizational effectiveness

  • Tools for CSR implementation

  • CSR and financial performance

  • Life cycle assessment

Corporate Governance3 ECTS ? !
  • Historical developments around the world

  • Directors and board structures in different parts of the world

  • Family business governance

  • Role of institutional investors

  • Corporate governance in mergers and acquisitions

  • Socially responsible investments

  • Corporate governance in different regions

Value Based Management3 ECTS ? !
  • Value maximization and corporate objectives, shareholder value and stakeholder value approach

  • Financial measurement of corporate strategies and competitive advantage: the principles

  • Shortcomings of traditional profitability ratios for a value-based management

  • Economic Value Added, Cash Value Added

  • Identifying the drivers of value creation and investment decision-making

  • Management compensation and incentives for value creation

Sustainable Supply Chain Management3 ECTS ? !
  • Defining the state of a sustainable supply chain based on actual trends

  • Discussion of various theoretical concepts (e.g. Stakeholder Theory, Slack Resource Theory) and their implications for sustainable supply chain management

  • Defining a “New Normal” of how to do business (e.g. circular economy, regenerative business models, carbon literacy training)

  • Sustainable Marketing (definition, Green Marketing Strategy Mix, Green Washing and Sustainable Consumer Buying Behaviour)

  • Sustainable Procurement (definition, Sustainable Procurement Process Model with a focus on sustainable supplier relationship management; new trends like circular procurement)

  • Sustainable Logistics

  • Sustainable Design

  • Carbon Emission / Human Rights in global supply chains

Programme specific teaching units

Strategic Digital & Social Media Marketing 3 ECTS ? !
  • Concepts: Online Marketing/ Digital Marketing

  • Digital marketing sub-disciplines and major activity areas

  • Performance measurement using Web analytics (e.g. Metrics and Tools)

  • Data-driven Advertising

  • Programmatic Advertising

  • Legal and ethical aspects of digital marketing (e.g., EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR))

  • Strategic planning and design of a social media marketing campaign

     

Experience Lab: Search Engine Marketing3 ECTS ? !
  • Introduction: definition

  • Search Engine Optimization / SEO

  • Keyword research

  • On-page SEO

  • Web analytics and SEO tools

  • Search Engine Advertising/ SEA

  • Campaign settings 

Business Project6 ECTS ? !

The overall objective of this course is to provide students with possibility of applying their business knowledge on concrete business situation, related to the field of their specialization.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Define project goals for the “client”.

  • Work under the set timeframe and agreed project scope.

  • Cooperate in the international project teams.

  • Evaluate markets/ industries/ competitive landscapes.

  • Develop possible strategic directions for the “client” business.

  • Formulate recommendations.

Elective area

Business Elective3 ECTS ? !

A business elective is a business or management-related elective course.By choosing Business Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge.

Interdisciplinary Elective3 ECTS ? !

By choosing Interdisciplinary Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. An interdisciplinary elective is an elective from another discipline than your own specialization.

Interdisciplinary competencies

Event Management (Ted Talk) Seminar2 ECTS ? !
  • Basics of event management

  • Objective of the event and different types of events

  • The event as a marketing and communication tool

  • Planning and preparation

  • Event execution

  • Tasks and role of the event manager

  • Choosing the right venue

  • Personnel selection

Programme specific teaching units

Business Simulation Game3 ECTS ? !

In a business simulation game participants have to manage their own virtual company which operates in the same market as other participant-operated competitors. This involves making typical management decisions in realistic environments. Beside the deepening and active examination of subject-specific knowledge the simulation games also include the team environment, where interaction, communication and prioritization are of paramount importance. Participants learn how to manage risk and uncertainty while time is limited and information constrained. Group-reflections help to take over different perspectives and to discuss pros and cons of content- as well as behavior-related actions.

Master Thesis Tutorial2 ECTS ? !

During the Master Thesis Tutorial you will learn the fundamentals for your Master thesis: Defining the topic as well as structuring the thesis and you will learn the theoretical knowledge for scientific working.

Advanced Price Management3 ECTS ? !
  • Fundamentals of pricing

  • Concepts of classic pricing policies and strategies

  • Price-demand functions and price elasticity

  • Behavioural fundamentals of pricing

  • Value-based price determination

  • Cost-oriented price determination

  • Price differentiation and bundling

  • Digital Pricing

  • International Pricing

  • Sustainable pricing strategies

Sales Excellence3 ECTS ? !
  • Classification and integration of sales and marketing

  • Objectives and tasks of sales

  • Decisions in sales in front of increased complexity in the contemporary global landscapes

  • Domestic and international distribution structures and channels

  • Sales channel management

  • Managing the customer over the customer lifecycle and over all touch points

  • CRM typologies and approaches

  • Omnichannel management and concepts

  • Discount, rebate and bonus strategies

Integrative Case Studies3 ECTS ? !
  • Focused review of the curriculum content

  • Pre-assessment quiz/ content area assessment as benchmark for students’ status quo

  • Guide and Strategic Plan to Case Study Analysis

  • Writing a proper Case Study Analysis report

  • Developing proper answers to Case questions, applying the relevant theoretical knowledge and frameworks

  • In-depth Case Study Analysis with focus all subject areas of the curriculum

  • In-depth Case Study Analysis with special focus on Strategic Management

Venture Lab4 ECTS ? !
  • Discovering and evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities

  • Developing business ideas from opportunities (e.g. based on using Design Thinking, Personas and User Stories).

  • Feasibility analysis of business ideas

  • Transferring the idea into a Business Model

  • Business Model and its building blocks (value proposition, customers segments, channels, customer relationships, revenue model, key partners, key activities, key resources, cost structure)

  • Business Plan: Introduction, Sample Case and General Outline

  • Developing the details of the business plan

  • Finding sources of financing: Business angels; Private equity; Start up financing; Venture capital investors

  • Preparing a pitch deck for successfully presenting the new venture business plan

Financials for Management and Marketing3 ECTS ? !
  • Formal rules and assumptions, national law, IFRS, US-GAAP

  • The system of financial statements and accounts

  • Accounting for services and merchandising

  • Inventory valuation

  • Receivables and Liabilities

  • Plant, natural and intangible assets

  • Ratio analysis

  • Presentation of financial statements and overview of investment accounting standards

  • Types of business combinations, joint ventures                                                      

  • Consolidation on date of acquisition, impairment

  • Consolidation subsequent to acquisition date

Environmental Impact Management and Marketing3 ECTS ? !
  • Historical developments and environmental policies: Evolution and role of industrial ecology and environmental management

  • The transition from a linear to a circular economic system

  • Industrial Metabolism, Dematerialization, Cradle to Cradle (C2C) & Circular Economy

  • Life-Cycle-Impact Portfolio and Life-Cycle-Assessment: Stages of LCA process, interconnectedness to supply chain

Elective area

Business Elective3 ECTS ? !

A business elective is a business or management-related elective course.By choosing Business Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge.

Interdisciplinary Elective3 ECTS ? !

By choosing Interdisciplinary Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. An interdisciplinary elective is an elective from another discipline than your own specialization.

Interdisciplinary competencies

Business Plan Writing and Pitching2 ECTS ? !
  • Discovering and evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities

  • Developing business ideas from opportunities (e.g. based on using Design Thinking, Personas and User Stories).

  • Feasibility analysis of business ideas

  • Transferring the idea into a Business Model

  • Business Model and its building blocks (value proposition, customers segments, channels, customer relationships, revenue model, keypartners, key activities, key resources, cost structure)

  • Business Plan: Introduction, Sample Case and General Outline

  • Developing the details of the business plan

Advanced Negotiation & Influencing Skill2 ECTS ? !
  • Positional and principal negotiations – advanced strategies and tactics

  • Identifying the opponent’s negotiation profile

  • Understanding the personal negotiation profile and preferences

  • General persuasion techniques

  • Negotiation maneuvers and tactics for advanced players

  • Techniques for opponent engagment

  • Managing emotions and self- programming for defending your point of view

  • Cialdini’s 6 principles of persuasion

Programme specific teaching units

Master Thesis24 ECTS ? !

During your 4th semester you are working on your Master thesis. You have 19 weeks to complete your thesis and the subject is freely selectable. A supervisor from CBS will support you and you can write the thesis in collaboration with a company as well. Or you can write your thesis in connection with a stay abroad.

Internship or Study Abroad10 ECTS ? !

You can choose between an internship (lasting at least seven weeks) or a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.

master-marketing-management

What will you learn in the marketing master's degree?

In the first semester, you will be faced with the complex variety of marketing strategies and ways that lead to strong, distinctive and worldwide branding. In light of global competition and cultural differences, this is not some trivial task: A good strategy a) takes into account trends and customer needs, b) points to the future and c) has the power to influence markets. In the second semester, you will learn the calculatory and psychological methods required for setting prices as well as how to influence sales figures, image and length of product lifecycle. The sales strategy, on the other hand, describes the decisions for distribution channels and defines sales targets. The third semester is devoted to the subject of market innovation, because in the case of competitive or disruptive sectors, thought-out, anticipatory planning is necessary for launching new products or opening up new markets.

Masters in IB – Marketing Management: Practice meets creativity

For positions in middle and senior management it is essential to consider theory and practice holistically in order to develop meaningful global strategies. Therefore, with the Marketing Master at CBS, you acquire not only relevant specialist knowledge based on scientific findings but also apply this knowledge practically. The essential thing here is creativity. After all, for marketing and advertising to be surprising, convincing or moving; creative approaches are required. Assessing the quality of creative service providers’ work will also be part of your career. In order to polish your own creativity, one of your assignments at CBS is a business project, where you will work on a case. In a business simulation game, you will see the effects of your proposed solutions while competing with others, and in a minimum seven-week internship at home or abroad, you will learn the ropes at work, get to know structures and processes and what it means to be creative.

Build up your expertise with a graduate degree

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Marketing Career Path - What are the job opportunities?

A Master’s in Marketing from CBS under your belt means you have specialist and practical knowledge from one of Germany’s most prestigious business schools. Possible career entry points are, for example, with international consumer goods manufacturers, global conglomerates, medium-sized companies or agencies. An academic career including a doctorate is also open to you.

The Master’s Thesis: Marketing on your own behalf

In order to concentrate fully on composing your Master’s Thesis, the fourth semester is lecture-free. Many students write their papers as part of a company project; others use the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities.

NEED MORE REASONS? FIND OUT WHY CBS IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU

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  • PRACTICE ORIENTED

  • ACCREDITED

  • PERSONAL

WHY CBS?

Learn more about us and our graduate programmes

You would like to inform yourself about our Bachelor and Master programs at home in peace? Request your information material now without obligation and free of charge, and we will be happy to send you our study information material by e-mail.

Follow us on Instagram & Facebook, get to know us at one of our Information Events, or Contact our student advisors to learn more about us.

Marc Spitz

Marc Spitz

Study advisory: Campus Brühl (Cologne)
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

Phone: +49 (0) 2232 56 73 406
WhatsApp: Reach us on WhatsApp
E-Mail: study@cbs.de
Elsa Chumakova

Elsa Chumakova

Study advisory: Campus Aachen
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

Phone: +49 (0) 2232 5673-423
WhatsApp: Reach us on WhatsApp
E-Mail: study@cbs.de
Lidia Gusev

Lidia Gusev

Study advisory: Campus Berlin/Potsdam
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

Phone: +49 (0) 221 931809 - 476
WhatsApp: Reach us on WhatsApp
E-Mail: study@cbs.de
Maike Refräuter

Maike Refräuter

Study advisory: Campus Düsseldorf/ Neuss & Solingen
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

Phone: +49 (0) 157 58248880
WhatsApp: Reach us on WhatsApp
E-Mail: study@cbs.de
Elena Göpfert

Elena Göpfert

Study advisory: Campus Hamburg
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

Phone: +49 (0) 221 93 18 09-683
WhatsApp: Reach us on WhatsApp
E-Mail: study@cbs.de
Simon Blache

Simon Blache

Study advisory: Campus Hanover
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

Phone: +49 (0) 15758244899
WhatsApp: Reach us on WhatsApp
E-Mail: study@cbs.de
Mirjam Zimmermann

Mirjam Zimmermann

Study advisory: Campus Mainz
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

Phone: +49 (0) 6131 88055 31
WhatsApp: Reach us on WhatsApp
E-Mail: study@cbs.de
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This is What Our Students Say

Philip Kollmann
Project Manager
Wayne´s Coffee

"Especially the soft skill courses have been of great help for my performance in job interviews. Through my work in the Finance and Business Club I have built up a broad network and acquired project management skills that have enabled me to score points with companies."

Katrin Rieger
Bereichsdirektorin Reisevertrieb Deutschland / Vice President Sales
HanseMerkur Krankenversicherung

"The practical learning in small groups prepared me optimally for today's project and team work. The CBS provided me with the decisive soft skills and current knowledge from the world of business."

Christopher Rosenbaum
Manager
Ernst & Young GmbH
Wirschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

"The Management Studies programme prepares you thoroughly for the tasks of a consultant. In particular, the development of presentation techniques as well as analytical thinking is of enormous importance in the everyday life of a consultant."

Oliver Kiderle
EMEA Regional Product Expert
Google Inc.

"The focus on internationality and practical skills have had a very positive influence on my development at Google. Especially the structured and very versatile project work, which is often found at a private school, was extremely helpful."

Kalle Kenkel
Commercial Excellence Manager
GE Healthcare

"My studies at CBS prepared me for a career in today's dynamic, global work environment. As one's origin and physical location become less and less decisive, it has become increasingly important to have a multinational network and adapt quickly to various cultures and environments."

Neil Jordaan
Global Digital Content Manager
Elanco

"Many professors shared their professional business experience with us in class and were able to illustrate dry theory with practical examples. I also enjoyed the international atmosphere on campus."

Patrick Stein
Head of Human Resources
Boston Consulting Group

"The strongly practice-oriented studies and the international orientation of the CBS, as well as the lectures held in English, were an absolutely necessary basis for starting a career with a renowned, international company."