International Retail Management (IRM) - MSc

Key qualifications for management tasks in retail

International Retail Management prepares you for a management position in retail at a high academic level and at the same time with practical relevance. You learn part-time and deal with the impact of globalisation and digitisation on retail.

Part-time - international - flexible: Part-time Master's programme for young professionals and future managers who want to advance their career in national and international retail. You study in Reutlingen and can work anywhere in Germany.
Master's degree and salary: The tuition fees are usually covered by the cooperation partners and you also received a fixed salary.
Modern knowledge transfer: This programme is offered in cooperation with the Knowledge Foundation @ Reutlingen University (KFRU) the further education institute at Reutlingen University.

Further advantages:

Acquire key qualifications. The study programme provides you with the in-depth knowledge that is required by retail and industrial companies in their junior managers.
Combines theory and practice. During the attendance phases, the emphasis is on practical issues and project work simulates business practice
Room for creativity. You are always in direct contact with your lecturers and can develop new ideas and suggestions for your professional activities.
The flexible time model rounds off the compatibility of job and Master's programme.

Key data
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Key data

All data and facts for your study programme at a glance

Duration of studies

4 semesters

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree

Successfully completed entry examination in the form of a selection interview

Start of studies

October

Costs

The tuition fees are usually covered by the cooperation partners.

Location of study

Reutlingen

Study places

max. 30

All key data

Duration of studies

4 semesters

Location of study

Reutlingen

Start of studies

October

Application deadline

15 August

Language of instruction

German and English (approx. 50:50)

Foreign language

English

ECTS credits

90

Graduates of Bachelor's programmes with 180 ECTS credit points can acquire a further 30 ECTS credits within the framework of an additional module.

Degree

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Costs

The tuition fees are usually covered by the cooperation partners. You will also receive a fixed salary from the cooperating company.

If you have any questions and would like individual advice, please contact us.

You haven't found a company yet? Click here for the Job Exchange!

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree with 210 ECTS credits (applicants with 180 ECTS credits can acquire 30 ECTS credits in an additional module)
Successful completion of an entry examination in the form of an individual selection interview
Existing contract of employment (we recommend a release of 25-30%) or a certificate of self-employment
You don't have a contract of employment at a company yet? No problem - click here for the Job Exchange.
Evidence of English language skills level B2 (according to CFER) in accordance with § 2 of the language statute of Reutlingen University
If applicable, evidence of German language skills in accordance with § 1 of the language statute of Reutlingen University

Study places

max. 30

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree with 210 ECTS credits (applicants with 180 ECTS credits can acquire 30 ECTS credits in an additional module)
Successful completion of an entry examination in the form of an individual selection interview
Existing contract of employment (we recommend a release of 25-30%) or a certificate of self-employment
Evidence of English language skills level B2 (according to CFER) in accordance with § 2 of the language statute of Reutlingen University
If applicable, evidence of German language skills in accordance with § 1 of the language statute of Reutlingen University
Certificate recognition in case of non-German degree

International Retail Management Students interacting in the ESB Business School premises.

Acting in an academically sound and practice-oriented manner

The International Retail Management Master's programme provides you with the key qualifications required by retail companies and industrial companies with retail activities in a national and international context in their junior managers.

Structure and content

International Retail Management deals with the following questions, among others:

What are the new general conditions resulting from the globalisation, digitisation and concentration in numerous sectors for management in retail?
Why does retail need practitioners who can apply sound theoretical knowledge in everyday operations?
How can you act in both a customer - and resource-oriented way in an international context?
What requirements arise from increasingly accelerated business processes?

Study programme

The programme is consistently designed in such a way that working life and Master's studies are compatible: Within the first three semesters, eight lecture blocks are held as attendance classes at ESB Business School, Reutlingen University. A lecture block lasts two weeks, usually from Monday to Thursday/Friday. This means that you will be on campus for a total of 70 attendance days. This includes all examination dates. You will complete your Master's thesis in the fourth semester.

Key content

The International Retail Management Master's programme integrates theory and practice at the highest level: During the attendance phase, the focus is on practical issues. At the same time you will work on projects from business practice. This provides for an optimal learning-practicing combination that fits into your everyday professional life. In direct exchange with lecturers, you can develop new ideas and suggestions for your job. Approx. two thirds of the lectures are held in German, approx. one third in English.

Modules

Modules in the 1st to 3rd semester

General Management:

Leading and Managing People
Business Analytics and Data Science
Marketing Research and Consulting
Accounting and Finance
Sustainability Management
International Strategy and Implementation

Retail-specific Management:

Management in Retail
Consumer Goods Marketing
International Supply Chain Management, Buying, Logistics
Sales Management
Advanced Retail and International Management
Practical Business and Retail Studies (incl. excursions to get to know business practise)

Leadership Skills:

Negotiation Techniques
Presentation, Moderation, Rhetorics
Intercultural Management and Communication

Project-based Learning

Scientific Methods
Project Management
Applied Project Project Management

Modules in the 4th Semester

Thesis Module:

Scientific Methods
Master Thesis

One study programme, two individual variants

ESB Business School offers this programme in cooperation with the Knowledge Foundation @ Reutlingen University (KFRU). It is available in two variants:

In a variant for employees of ALDI SÜD / HOFER. In addition to the formal requirements, an existing contract of employment with ALDI SÜD / HOFER is required for participation in this programme. You will find more information on this variant of the International Retail Management programme here.
In new, open hybrid variant, i.e. an innovative mix of online and attendance teaching, the study programme is available to participants from different companies as well as to private individuals/self-employed persons.
Do you already have an employer? Then apply directly!
Don't have an employer yet? We will be happy to connect you!
You will find out more here.

Students interacting in the ESB Business School premises.

Become a part of our community!

You haven't yet found an employer for the part-time Master's programme? We will be happy to put you in touch with a cooperating company.

Find out more

Your application process

1.

You already work at ALDI SÜD/ HOFER?

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2.

You are an employee of a different company or want to participate in the open, hybrid variant?

APPLY NOW

And after graduating?

The International Retail Management programme provides its graduates with the knowledge required in the retail industry for management in a national and international context.

Your qualification profile

You think and act in a customer-oriented way and are able to apply your sound theoretical knowledge to everyday operations - also with regard to digitisation and increasingly accelerated business processes.

Typical industries

As a graduate of this programme, your knowledge and skills will be in great demand, for example in retail, procurement, marketing and sales, in national and international contexts.

Possible business areas

After completing the study programme, you will be well prepared for management/leadership positions at corporate and project level, in business development and project management.

Doctorate

Your Master of Science degree in International Retail Management at Reutlingen University also provides you with the best prerequisites for an academic career and a doctorate.

The part-time Master's at ESB has given me the opportunity to gain deep insights into international retail, international retail management and international business activities. The selection of professors and lecturers with years of experience in their fields made the knowledge transfer more multifaceted.

Niklas Renner
ALDI SÜD SE & Co. KG Aichtal
Graduated in 2022

In the Master of Arts International Retail Management programme at ESB Business School, current and future-oriented content related to the global growth field of retail management allows you to think outside the box. With this study programme, I have reached an essential milestone for my career as well as for my personal development. Thanks to the innovative combination of sound, international expertise and real-world concepts, I am now able to integrate this content directly into my everyday work as Sales Director USA.

Fabian Lumpp
Sales Director USA, Vauth-Sagel USA LP
Graduated in 2022

The combination of training to become regional sales manager at HOFER KG in Austria and the "International Retail Management" Master's programme at ESB Business School provided me with the perfect mix of theory and practice. What I particularly appreciated about the varied attendance phases in Reutlingen was the exchange with business and retail experts from all over the world. The education at the internationally renowned university prepared me in the best possible way for my future professional life by providing me with a broad range of knowledge in all areas of retail.
Matthias Hofstetter
Participant International Retail Management
Graduated in 2021

The study programme offers the ideal combination of theory and practice. Due to the very diverse group of participants, you get to know the different facets of retail really well and you expand your knowledge enormously within a very short time! Another advantage is the time allocation of the programme, which allows you to be a "real" employee and at the same time devote yourself completely to your studies.
Timo Maly
Participant International Retail Management
Graduated in 2021