Your Future in Global Trade Management

The cooperative Master’s program Global Trade Management – cooperative (M.A.) combines academically grounded study with your professional work at a globally oriented partner company. In this English-taught program, you will deepen your business administration knowledge with a focus on foreign trade and global business relations. You will explore global markets, cross-border business processes, and strategies for the internationalization of companies. In doing so, you will learn to analyze, design, and further develop international business activities with a view to the future.

What makes the cooperative model special is the close integration of university and company. You can apply the knowledge you gain in your studies directly in your day-to-day work. At the same time, you bring specific questions from your company into courses, projects, and workshops. This way, you engage with current developments in global trade and transfer academic findings directly to real business and corporate situations. Compulsory elective modules allow you to set your own areas of specialization and tailor your studies to the requirements of your field of work.

The program’s global focus is reflected not only in English as the language of instruction, but also in the diverse composition of the student body. Interaction with people from different countries and with diverse academic and cultural backgrounds opens up new perspectives on global economic relations and markets. You can bring the experience and skills you gain directly into your professional work.

With your degree, you will be ideally prepared for specialist and management roles in a wide range of fields. Possible areas of work include global management, foreign trade and international commerce, consulting, and other business areas with cross-border activities.

Study Plan

  • 1st Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Strategies of Internationalization

    5 ECTS
  • 1st Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Business Psychology

    5 ECTS
  • 1st Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Leadership & Intercultural Management

    5 ECTS
  • 1st Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    International Economics

    5 ECTS
  • 1st Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Foreign Trade Operations

    5 ECTS
  • 1st Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Project and Change Management

    5 ECTS
  • 2nd Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Compulsory Elective Module I

    5 ECTS
  • 2nd Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Compulsory Elective Module II

    5 ECTS
  • 2nd Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Compulsory Elective Module III

    5 ECTS
  • 2nd Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Global Market Reseach & Data Analytics

    5 ECTS
  • 2nd Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    E-Commerce

    5 ECTS
  • 2nd Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Foreign Trade Consulting

    5 ECTS
  • 3rd Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Placement Semester

    30 ECTS (does not apply to the 3-semester Study Plan)

    Im Praxissemester wenden Sie Ihr bisher erworbenes Wissen direkt in einem Unternehmen oder einer Organisation an. Sie vertiefen Ihre fachlichen, methodischen und sozialen Kompetenzen und gewinnen wertvolle Einblicke in die betriebliche Praxis.

  • 4th (3rd) Semester, , 30 ECTS.

    Master's Thesis

    30 ECTS

The modular structure of the program brings together the individual areas of study into a structured course of study. Each module is worth a specific number of credits (ECTS). To successfully complete the Master’s program, you need 90 ECTS in the three-semester program without a placement semester or 120 ECTS in the four-semester program with a placement semester.
For details on the program structure, please see the Curriculum and the Module Catalog.

Global Trade Management – cooperative (M.A.) at a glance: A concise overview of the program’s Curriculum, Application Process, Admission Requirements, and other important information.

Career Opportunities in Global Trade Management

International Market Analyst

Analyze international markets, economic developments, and global trends, and prepare relevant information to support strategic decision-making. As an International Market Analyst, you will combine market and data analysis with business administration expertise to support international business development.

Global Trade Manager

Shape international trade relationships and develop strategies for global business activities. As a Global Trade Manager, you will combine business administration expertise with foreign trade knowledge and manage cross-border trade processes.

Global Trade Manager
International Business Development Manager

Identify new business areas, market potential, and international growth opportunities. As an International Business Development Manager, you will develop strategies for entering new markets, build business relationships, and support their strategic development.

International Business Development Manager
Internationalization Manager

Develop strategies for the international expansion of companies and enter new markets and business areas. As an Internationalization Manager, you will support internationalization processes, assess market potential, and coordinate the implementation of international growth strategies.

Internationalization Manager
International Business Consultant

Analyze international markets, business models, and corporate strategies and develop well-founded recommendations for action. As an International Business Consultant, you will support companies with internationalization, market entry, and strategic development.

International Business Consultant

Combine Theory and Practice with Strong Business Partners


Our partner companies give you the opportunity to apply your business knowledge directly in practice. This allows you to gain professional experience and get to know different areas of a company during your studies.

Combine Theory and Practice with Strong Business Partners


Our partner companies give you the opportunity to apply your business knowledge directly in practice. This allows you to gain professional experience and get to know different areas of a company during your studies.

Two people greeting each other with a handshake in an office

Ready for the Next Step?

The Master’s program in Global Trade Management builds on your business administration knowledge with a focus on international markets, global trade, and strategic management. It provides the expertise you need for international business processes, global value chains, and a wide range of career opportunities.

Our Cooperative Partner Companies

Around 30 companies are already partnering with the International Business Administration (IBA) department in our cooperative degree programmes, ranging from logistics and retail to IT, consultancy, industry and research.

Experiences of Our Students

A Diverse and Engaging Learning Experience

Melisa, November 6, 2025 – Global Trade Management (M.A.)
Unfortunately, the Global Trade Management program is no longer offered in this form. However, based on what I have seen and learned so far, I can say that this program, particularly with the Business Foreign Languages module, provides students with excellent opportunities for a secure career path. Overall, the modules in the first semesters are relatively broad in scope, which makes for a comfortable introduction to university studies, especially for first-year students.

(Translation from the German original.)

A Good Mix of Theory and Practice

Jasmin, May 4, 2025 – Global Trade Management (M.A.)
The Global Trade Management program has helped me better understand international trade relationships and develop an in-depth understanding of global economic processes. From the beginning of the program, it became clear how interconnected the global economy is and how important sound knowledge of trade agreements, customs regulations, supply chains, and international market mechanisms has become in today’s working world.

(Translation from the German original.)

Practical and Individualized

Joshua, January 16, 2025 – Global Trade Management (M.A.)
Global Trade Management is an interesting and diverse program that ideally prepares students for entering the workforce. The curriculum combines practical and theoretical approaches, making the program varied and engaging. Another major advantage is the wide range of elective modules. This allows students to focus on the areas they are particularly interested in and better prepare for their future careers.

(Translation from the German original.)

A Great International Program

Rubio, June 2, 2024 – Global Trade Management (M.A.)
The Global Trade Management program provides a solid education in international trade, logistics, and supply chain management. My experience has been consistently positive: The program combines theory and practice, promotes intercultural exchange, and provides valuable insights from professors with professional experience. Close collaboration with companies and opportunities for internships and study abroad significantly broaden career prospects. Overall, the program has met my expectations and provided me with important skills for a successful career in global trade.

(Translation from the German original.)

Learning Is Fun

Jasmin, December 25, 2024 – Global Trade Management (M.A.)
Topics such as business administration, finance, and corporate management sparked my interest to an extent I had not expected. Learning, which I initially thought would be challenging, became an activity I genuinely enjoyed. Rather than seeing it as an obligation, I was often eager to learn and could hardly wait to understand new connections and deepen my knowledge. This experience showed me how important it is to embrace new challenges, even when they may seem intimidating at first.

(Translation from the German original.)

Contact

Prof. Dr. Martin Keim
Program Director

Prof. Dr. Martin Keim

Lara Behr
Team Master

Lara Behr