ISM International School of Management, Dortmund, Germany

ISM International School of Management: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Fees, and Scholarships 

The International School of Management (ISM) is a specialized, certified business school with 7 campuses spanning the expanse of Germany. Headquartered in Dortmund, the university provides international students with the global perspective necessary to succeed as modern business executives. 

ISM offers full and part-time bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA degree programs with a primary focus on management and technology. Founded in 1990, the university excels by keeping courses small, selective, and culturally varied. 

The institute’s goal is to cultivate global business leaders and innovators. Their programs are adaptable and learning-centric, instilling in students a practice-oriented approach to research. With 930+ international students, ISM has a diverse alumni community representing over 75 nationalities. 

ISM International School of Management: Highlights 

Why study at the ISM International School of Management? 

• ISM collaborates with 190 renowned partner universities and has one of the largest international networks in economics. 
• The college provides monetary assistance via scholarships. International students from the EU can also take advantage of funding under the Federal Training Assistance Act. 
• Faculty members comprise 54 international lecturers who teach at premier business schools throughout the world and influence the direction of international business practice.
• Students at ISM are given the opportunity to globalize their educational experience by opting for a semester abroad or enrolling in a Double Degree program. 
• Small, engaging classes with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio allow the intermingling of ideas and employ a more personalized approach to teaching. 

ISM International School of Management Rankings 

• Top-ranked institute for Internationality, contact to professional practice, and academic support by CHE Rankings 2022. 
• One of the top 10 German universities by Trendence University Rankings 2022. 
• In the 2019 QS Global MBA Rankings, one of ISM’s MBA programs was ranked #151-200 out of 251 business schools worldwide.
• ISM’s International MBA Executive (IMBA) Program is ranked #28 in Europe and #103 globally by Ivy Exec.

Programs and courses offered at ISM International School of Management 

The International School of Management allows its students a certain degree of flexibility when it comes to choosing a study program. At the Dortmund campus, full and part-time bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA degree courses are open to all. 

Undergraduate programs

ISM confers a Bachelor of Science degree. The course options are 

• B.Sc. International Management
• B.Sc. Information Systems

Graduate programs 

Master’s programs are also available at the Dortmund campus of ISM. Top picks by international students include  

• M.Sc. International Management
• M.Sc. Finance
• M.Sc. Business Intelligence & Data Science
• M.Sc. International Business

If you are interested in studying Data Science in Germany, you can also browse through this list of reputed universities. 

Students should note that the B.Sc. The Information Systems course is taught entirely in English. Other courses will require international applicants to have a B2-Level proficiency in German. 

Campus and accommodation 

The Dortmund campus of ISM is one of its largest locations. 15 minutes away from the city center, it is a dynamic new economic hub for emerging entrepreneurs. Dortmund’s districts are abuzz with restaurants, lively pubs, and many great shopping outlets. 

Life at ISM will never be boring. The Westfalenhallen is also a landmark for fairs, international events, and music concerts. Thus, it is quite obvious that when it comes to universities, Dortmund finds itself on the list of the best cities for international students. 

However, international students should know that ISM does not have its own dormitories or residence halls. To aid prospective applicants, the institute maintains an extensive Accommodation Guide that you can view.

Admission requirements for international students 

There are two parts to applying to ISM: an online application and a phone interview. Before beginning the application process, it is recommended that you meet with an admissions counselor. You can also apply via Gyanberry for a smooth transition to your international education experience. 

• The GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, or other standardized tests are not required. Professional experience, personal interviews, and previous academic performance are all factors in the admissions process.
• In the application packet, letters of recommendation are not necessary. However, if you believe it may help your candidacy, you are urged to include optional letters of recommendation with your online application form.

Summer semester deadline: 15th December 

Winter semester deadline: 15th June 

You can also check out tentative application deadlines of other popular business schools in Germany. 

Undergraduate Admissions

To continue with your bachelor’s application, you will also be asked to furnish 

• the completed application form
• your resume
• two passport photos
• a letter of motivation
• a school graduation certificate qualifying you to study at a higher education institution
• Internship or work references (if available)
• evidence of your German language proficiency (if available)

Graduate Admissions 

Similarly, for your master’s application, you will be asked to provide 

• the completed application form
• your resume
• proof of language proficiency 
• a letter of motivation
• a copy of your ID card
• two passport photos
• certified copy of your degree certificate
• proof of health insurance

An admissions test is conducted for entry to MBA programs at ISM. 

Tuition, fees, and cost of attendance 

An ISM degree is a big investment in your future business career. Flexible payment plans, financial assistance, and personalized alternatives to meet your circumstances are all available to help you make it work.

They don’t have any hidden or extra fees, so the tuition fees you see here are the tuition fees you’ll pay.

Enrollment fee: 1506 USD

Admissions deposit: 3011 USD

Academic tuition fees for non-EU students are

*Note: Costs are converted based on the current exchange rate, i.e., 1 Euro = 1.003915 US Dollars. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change. 

Cost of living 

Thus, the annual cost of attendance for an international student enrolled at ISM turns out to be between 23,937- 30,283 USD or 87,922- 111,232 AED**. 

**Note: Costs are converted based on the current exchange rate, i.e., 1 USD = 3.67 AED. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change. 

Scholarships for international students 

ISM provides a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships in varying amounts and types. Because the awards are limited and competitive, they recommend that you apply as soon as possible. Different scholarships available are

• Partial scholarship for Bachelor’s programs 
• Full scholarship for Bachelor’s programs 
• Partial scholarship for Master’s programs 
• Full scholarship for Master’s programs
• MBA promotion scholarship 

Partial and full scholarships provide a waiver on course tuition fees. However, they do not include financial support regarding accommodation, living costs, learning material, and more. To apply, international students must submit 

• Proof of financial need
• Outstanding scholastic performance with a grade point average of 1.5 or better in high school
• diploma
• Essential extracurricular activities e.g. student associations, student council, charity organizations

Career prospects, placements, and salaries for ISM graduates

The Career Center cell at ISM is the interface between students, alumni, and companies. They train all fresh graduates by 

• Providing interview simulation and assessment center training
• Giving students access to internship experience reports from more than 8,000 companies worldwide
• Hosting ISM Career Days for easy placements 
• Posting a list of company profiles & job vacancies 

Graduates can expect to have a median salary in the range of 65,000-80,000 USD annually. As per government guidelines, international students studying in Germany are allowed 18 months to get a job in their field of study. After finding a job, students can then apply for an EU Blue Card which will give them access to work anywhere in the European Union.