International School of Management (ISM)

  • Berlin
  • Cologne
  • Dortmund
  • Frankfurt
  • Germany
  • Hamburg
  • Munich
English
, German
Semester

At a glance

1990

Est.

3.5k

Students

90%

Acceptance rate

6k€

Semester tuition

200€ reward 🙌

Exclusive wearefreemovers incentives: Apply through us, pay the exact same tuition, and still get money back.
Includes Cashback + Go-Together + Referral Rewards.

Available subjects

English-taught
  • 📈 Business & Management Studies

German-taught

  • 📊 Accounting & Finance
  • 🎨 Art & Design
  • 📈 Business & Management Studies
  • 📡 Communication & Media Studies
  • 💻 Computer Science & Information Systems
  • 💹 Economics & Econometrics

About

At ISM, our private, not-for-profit private university, tomorrow’s leaders are trained in compact and praxis-relevant degree programs that prepare them to work in internationally-oriented business enterprises. ISM operates in various locations throughout Germany and has seven campuses located in major economic and cultural hubs of Germany: Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin.

As an international student, you can choose between our campuses in Dortmund, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, and Berlin. In the immediate vicinity of attractive companies and economic regions, there are many opportunities for cooperation. Whether in the far north or the deep South of the country – you benefit from close contacts to local employers. ISM students are also well integrated into their home campus. Small learning groups guarantee a personal atmosphere and promote exchange between students and their professors.

ISM is recognized at the highest international level by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and is one of the few private German universities holding the prestigious AACSB accreditation. This is an important international seal of quality that certifies excellence in research and teaching. The key requirements for receiving the prestigious accreditation are: highest quality in teaching, committed lecturers who proactively support students, successful cooperation with companies and international universities as well as very good career entry opportunities for graduates. Only around six percent of all business schools receive this seal.

Rankings and accreditations

Top 6%

Business universities holding AACSB accreditation

#151-200

IMBA program classified #151-200 in the world by QS

84

Nationalities on campus

Academic calendar

Fall semester

Mid September

Mid-Late December

⚠️ Application deadline:

April 15

Spring semester

Mid March

Mid-Late June

⚠️ Application deadline:

November 15

Prerequisites

English 🇬🇧

CEFR level
B2
Accepted certificates
TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, IELTS, Cambridge, Written confirmation of home university
Additional notes
  • TOEFL iBT: 80+
  • TOEFL PBT: 550+
  • TOEIC (out of 990): 400+ (listening), 385+ (reading)
  • IELTS 6,0
  • Cambridge B2
  • Written confirmation of home university certifying very good oral and written English skills of minimum B2

Expense breakdown

Housing

800 EUR/mo

Food

350 EUR/mo

Transport

70 EUR/mo

Leisure

200 EUR/mo

Semester tuition

5,970 EUR

Living expenses (5 months)

7,100 EUR

Travel & trips

1,500 EUR

Estimated semester cost

14,570 EUR

wearefreemovers discount

up to 200 EUR

wearefreemovers discount

up to 200 €

wearefreemovers partners directly with universities to make studying abroad more affordable. By applying through us, you keep the official university tuition and get exclusive cashback and referral bonuses.

Cashback

100€

Referral

50€
per person

Go together

up to
50€

Lifestyle

Life in

Dortmund

Accommodation

ISM does not have its own student boarding houses, so that we do not offer on-campus accommodation. The international office assists you in finding accommodation by providing you with our Accommodation Guide after the admission procedure of every incoming student is finalized. The Accommodation Guides are designed for each campus with helpful advice and links for residences as well as for the individual apartment or room-hunt. As we do not have our own housing facilities we cannot guarantee you a room in the residences listed in the Accommodation Guides.

We recommend searching for accommodation on the private market through the weblinks provided in the guides or with the help of agencies specialized in short term accommodation. This implies that you should arrive a few days prior to semester start.

An exception is Campus Dortmund – here we can offer a limited number of rooms in the student residences of the public university which are exclusively reserved for our exchange students. Details will be included in the Accommodation Guide which will be sent to you after successful application.

In general, prices for accommodation vary throughout the different campuses. In big cities such as Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin cheap housing is very sought after – here one should start looking early. These cities also tend to have higher rent prices due to the high demand. In Dortmund the situation on the market is “better” in comparison to the other cities but also in Dortmund one should start early to make sure to get something reasonably priced as well. Prices for accommodation can be from €350 per month up to €900 per month (especially in Munich).

Social and extracurricular activities

The Buddy Program is designed to support you, our incoming exchange or visiting students. Designated ISM students, called Buddies, will help you to settle into your “German life”. This means they will start getting in contact with you before your arrival.

But that’s not all! As a group, we will go on trips and spend evenings together, allowing us to use a fun and interesting environment to get to know each other better. Feel free to contact your German buddy whenever you need a little help or would like to meet with a local!

More information here.

Visa and immigration

If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA, or EFTA, you do not require a visa for studying in Germany.

Otherwise, Citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, and EFTA require a visa for studying in Germany. It takes up to three months to receive your national visa in your country. You must apply for a student visa at your local German embassy.

For more useful information, please refer to this guide.

Climate

Fall semester

Mid September

Mid-Late December
🌡️ 1°C to 22°C

Autumn cools progressively. Early weeks are pleasant, but November and December bring grey skies, rain, and chilly winds.

Spring semester

Mid March

Mid-Late June
🌡️ 5°C to 26°C

Spring begins slowly, with occasional cold snaps. By May and June, cities feel lively under warmer temperatures ideal for outdoor events and riverfront walks.

Campus location

Video