International Management Fast Track (MBA)
Accelerate Your Career with a Fast Track MBA at CBS!

Study International Management Fast Track (MBA) – Earn Your MBA in One Year in Cologne!
Do you want to earn your Master of Business Administration (MBA) in just one year? The Fast Track MBA in International Management at CBS in Cologne offers you exactly that opportunity. Inspired by American MBA programmes, this accelerated curriculum allows you to earn a fully accredited MBA degree in a shorter time frame—ideal for those who want to quickly achieve one of the most prestigious academic titles.
With 60 ECTS credits, the programme covers all essential business administration topics typically found in an MBA. If you already have relevant work experience, the Fast Track MBA at CBS University of Applied Sciences is the perfect choice for you.
Who is the One-Year MBA for?
This intensive MBA programme is designed especially for graduates from non-business disciplines who want to broaden their expertise and enhance their career prospects.
If you have previously studied in a different field and feel that expanding your business knowledge would help you advance your career, this internationally oriented MBA will prepare you for senior management roles.
Even if you already have a business background, the Fast Track MBA allows you to refresh your knowledge, specialise in key areas, and accelerate your career development—all without interrupting your professional trajectory for too long. Upon completion, new career opportunities will open up, and you will be fully equipped to take the next big step in your career.

Learning content
Master Thesis
18
ECTS
You have 12 weeks to complete your thesis and the subject is freely selectible. A supervisor from CBS will support you and you can write the thesis in collaboration with a company as well.
Managing Change & Digital Transformation
3
ECTS
- Organizations and the environmental change
- The formal and informal subsystem of change
- Forms of change
- Frequency and magnitude of change
- Organizational responses to change
- Resistance, commitment and readiness to change
- Implementing change management
- Culture, politics and power
Master Thesis Workshop
1
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.
International Human Resource Management
3
ECTS
- The organizational context
- IHRM in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, international alliances and SMEs
- Staffing international operations
- Recruiting and selecting staff for international assignments
- International training and development
- Re-entry and career issues
- International performance management
- IHRM trends and future challenges
Modern Marketing Management
3
ECTS
- The Strategic importance of International Marketing
- The world trading environment
- International Marketing Research and opportunity analysis
- Consumer Buying Behaviour – Analysing Customer Requirements
- Identifying Market Segments and Targeting
- Marketing Strategy Development with focus on market entry strategies
- Implementation: The 4Ps in International Marketing
- Technology enabled International Marketing
Corporate Finance & Valuation
3
ECTS
- Determinants of a firm’s financial structure
- Market value of a firm and financial decisions
- Effects of time, uncertainty, taxes, and incentives on the present value of firm cash flows
- Net present value and discounted cash-flow analysis
- Risk, Return and Capital Budgeting
Global Supply Chain Management
3
ECTS
- Fundamentals of international logistics
- Inventory management
- Warehouse management
- Packaging and transportation
- Procurement logistics
- Production logistics
- Distribution logistics
- Disposal logistics
- Supply Chain Strategy & Design
- Supply Chain Planning & Synchronization
- Trends in supply chain management
International Law
3
ECTS
- Foundations to Organization Theory
- External & internal factors to change organizations
- Organizational goals and instruments
- Creating effective organizations
- Organizational development & change
- Alignment issues
- Organizational controlling
- Concluding a contract
- Different types of contracts and their typical features
- Performance and obligations
- Solving problems (e.g. failure to perform, liabilities)
- Safeguarding creditors’ rights
- Forms of business organizations
Financial & Cost Accounting
3
ECTS
- Financial transactions and their impact
- Major financial reports
- Accrual accounting
- IFRS versus US-GAAP
- Ratio analysis
- Cost behaviour, terms, and definitions
- Traditional costing systems
- Job costing and process costing
- Activity-based costing
- Overhead analysis sheet
- Cost-volume-profit analysis
- Pricing decisions, product mix decisions
- Budgeting
- Transfer pricing
Leadership Skills, Team & Self Management
1
ECTS
- Leadership Theories / Models and Leadership Traits
- Leadership Styles
- Cognitive, Behavioural, and Emotional Explanation for Human Motivation
- Performance Management and Controlling
- Leadership Tools
- Coaching (Principles of coaching, Coaching models)
- From the workgroup to the high-performance team
- Phases of team development
- Trust and control
- Typology models: Jung, Kretschmer, Hippokrates
- Group dynamics
- I am okay – you are okay
- Ego-States (Eric Berne)
- Realistically setting goals
- Emergence and avoidance of conflicts
- Escalation of conflicts (Friedrich Glasl)
- Moderation of discussions
Career Seminar
1
ECTS
- Leadership Theories / Models and Leadership Traits
- Leadership Styles
- Cognitive, Behavioural, and Emotional Explanation for Human Motivation
- Performance Management and Controlling
- Leadership Tools
- Coaching (Principles of coaching, Coaching models)
- From the workgroup to the high-performance team
- Phases of team development
- Trust and control
- Typology models: Jung, Kretschmer, Hippokrates
- Group dynamics
- I am okay – you are okay
- Ego-States (Eric Berne)
- Realistically setting goals
- Emergence and avoidance of conflicts
- Escalation of conflicts (Friedrich Glasl)
- Moderation of discussions
Managerial Accounting
3
ECTS
- Managerial accounting and global business environment
- Cost term, terms and classifications
- Job-order costing
- Process costing
- Cost behavior
- Cost-volume-profit relationships
- Variable costing
- Activity based costing to aid decision making
- Profit planning
- Sustainability and ethics in accounting decision making
Sustainability and Business Ethics
3
ECTS
- The origins of Corporate Social Responsibility
- Important Ethical Theories
- Key terms and concepts – Sustainability, CSR, Corporate Governance, Corporate Citizenship, Business Ethics
- Strategic Sustainability and Ethics Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Sustainable Accounting
- Sustainability Reporting
- Socially Responsible Investment
- The Impact of Sustainability
Advanced Business Strategy
3
ECTS
- External Analysis
- Internal Analysis
- Generic business-level strategies for competitive advantage
- Basic Corporate-level strategic choices for long-term profitability
- Diversification strategy
- Internationalization
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Strategic entrepreneurship
- Strategic leadership
- Social Responsibility and Ethics of Strategic Management
- Basics of Corporate Governance
Modern Market and Business Intelligence
1
ECTS
- Introduction to Market Research
- Defining the Market Research Problem and Developing an Approach
- Research Designs
- Secondary Data
- Qualitative Research
- Quantitative Research
- Scaling and Sampling
- Fieldwork and Data Preparation
- Basic Data Analysis (how to use it)
- Report Preparation and Presentation
Foundations of Managerial Economics
3
ECTS
- Demand Analysis and Applications of Elasticities
- Supply Analysis and the Theory of the Firm
- Production Economics and Cost Analysis
- Economies and Diseconomies of Scale
- Market Equilibrium and Welfare Analysis
- Prices, Output and Strategy
- Strategic Interaction and Game Theory
- Market Failure and Government Regulation
Basics Of Industrial Management
3
ECTS
- Basic Business, Economic, and Market Principles and Key Terms
- External Business Environment: At both National and International Level
- Global Markets and International Trade
- Competitive Environment
- Internal Environment
- Management, Leadership & Motivation
- Business Function: HR
- Business Function: Operations
- Business Function: Marketing
- Business Function: Finance and Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Business Ethics: Ethical Business Management, International aspects of Ethics & CSR
- Emerging Business Trends
Academic Writing and Research Design
1
ECTS
- Research Question
- Acquisition of Information
- Layout of Scientific Studies
- Structural Aspects of Scientific Papers
- Quotation Format and Referencing
- Analytical Argumentation
Quantitative Methods and Toolset
1
ECTS
- Algebra and Mathematical Functions
- Matrix Algebra and Linear Equations
- Differentiation and Integral Calculus
- Optimization: Functions of several variables
- Linear Programming
- Mathematics of Finance
- Apply the sampling methods and the Central Limit Theorem
- Compute the measures of location and measures of dispersion
- Represent the statistical data
- Perform linear (multiple) regression and correlation analysis
- Describe the basic concepts of probability
- Set up a difference and/or relationship hypothesis and carry out statistical inference tests
- Apply decision making theory to make decisions under risk and under uncertainty
- Apply statistical software like R or SPSS in common business issues
Why CBS UNIVERSITY
Your path to CBS
The Getting started Your studies at CBS University of Applied Sciences are so individually Like yourself — and at the same time uncomplicated designed. With our easy to use Online application process Can you yourself cushy of everywhere From apply, completely without Numerus clausus.
Instead of staring Admission requirements Waiting for you with us is a personal selection processthat is your strengths and focuses on potential. Regardless of whether you are looking for dual, part-time or full-time studies Decide, the CBS University offers you the optimal connection of Theory and practice.

Admission requirements
Die Zugangsvoraussetzungen für dein MBA-Studium an der CBS University of Applied Sciences variieren je nach Studiengang .
Deadlines
The application deadline is year round open, even before you graduate from high school. For dual study programs, you should sufficient lead time Plan so that we can find your suitable practice partner. The start of studies is flexible: in the winter semester or, for selected programs, also in the summer semester. One early candidature is particularly important for limited study places secure and apply for any necessary visas in good time.
funding
A dual or part-time study Is often used by the Practice partner financed, which is also a valuable occupational provides accompaniment. A full-time study On the other hand, can be achieved by numerous Funding opportunities like BAföG or stipends Personalize to give you an optimal connection of personal Development and academic To make the future possible.
YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS
To ensure a quick and straightforward applicationprocess, we have made it as simple as possible! In just a few steps, you canapply for your business administration (MBA) degree – online, flexibly,and without long waiting times.
Maximal Praxisah
Through our approach, theory and practice to connect, you can use the knowledge you have learned during your studies upfront apply and gain valuable insights into the real world of work.
Business Projects
As part of the business projects at CBS International Business School, students have the opportunity to work together with renowned undertakings at realistic projects to work. This practice-oriented Form of teaching combines theoretical knowledge with specific economic issues and provides deep insights into professional processes.
Business cooperation
Thanks to a network of via 1,300 established companies out various industries Do students benefit from exclusive insights into the working world. These collaborations not only open up exciting perspectives, but also promote development important contacts and offer sustainable career opportunities.
Internship/professional experience
Whether in the form of Compulsory internships, which are an integral part of many degree programs, or through the integration of professional experience into dual and part-time programs: You can your knowhow directly in the real working world apply.
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Ablauf und Präsenzzeiten deS Studiums
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Inspiration und Impact – Das sagen unsere Alumni
Lass dich von den Erfahrungen unserer Alumni inspirieren und entdecke, wie das Studium an der CBS ihre berufliche und persönliche Entwicklung geprägt hat.
FAQ: The Most Important Questions About theMaster of Business Administration (MBA) Fast Track
Here you will find answers to all the key questionsabout your MBA programme. If you have any further questions, feel free tocontact us at any time.
Is my International Management MBA recognised?
Yes, all CBS University of Applied Sciences master’s degrees are fully accredited and internationally recognised.
Can I pursue a PhD after completing the Fast Track MBA?
Yes, under certain conditions, the Fast Track MBA qualifies you for doctoral studies.
What salary can I expect after completing the International Management MBA?
After completing your MBA in International Management, you can expect competitive salary prospects.
Earnings vary based on industry, company size, location, and work experience. According to mystipendium.de, the average starting salary for graduates with a Bachelor’s in International Management is approximately €48,000 per year.
With increasing work experience and senior management roles, salaries can rise significantly.
What are the career opportunities with an International Management MBA?
The comprehensive curriculum prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths, including:
• Consulting
• Project Management
• Marketing & Sales
• General Management
• Product Development
• Research
• Administration
What are the admission requirements for the Fast Track MBA?
To apply for an MBA at CBS University of Applied Sciences, you must have:
• A first academic degree from a recognised German or international university, university of applied sciences, or business academy.
• A minimum of 180 ECTS credits from your undergraduate studies.
• At least one year of professional work experience to demonstrate practical business expertise.
All application documents must be submitted in English and will be carefully reviewed by the CBS Admissions Office to ensure all requirements are met.
Where can I study the Master of Business Administration (MBA)?
You can complete the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in cologne. The city offers a dynamic economic environment with numerous companies, networking opportunities and an international community — ideal for your career in management.
How long does an MBA Fast Track programme take?
The programme lasts two semesters (12 months) and is offered full time.
Any questions? We're here to help
Do you have any questions about our bachelor's or master's degree programs? Our Student Advisory team is here to support you! Schedule your personal consultation—online or in person—for tailored, non-binding guidance on finding the right study program for you.
