Business Administration: Management and Law - Master's Programme

Over the course of the four-semester Master's degree program, students earn a total of 120 ECTS credits. Business Administration: Management and Law consists of the following modules:

• 4 basic modules 24 ECTS credits
• 9 specialization modules 54 ECTS credits
• 2 supplementary modules 12 ECTS credits
• Master's final module 30 ECTS credits
   

In the first semester, four modules from the fields of business administration, law, economics and business methods form the general basis of the course. These basic modules prepare students for the specific requirements of the four specializations, from which they must choose one to develop their individual profile.

A total of nine modules must be selected from each of the specializations. In addition, students can select two supplementary modules from their own or a related Master's degree program at the University of Oldenburg.

The Master's thesis, which is written over a period of five months, follows the specialization in the fourth semester. The preparation of the thesis is accompanied by a research colloquium.

Sustainability Management (NM)
In view of global challenges such as climate change and social inequality, the topic of sustainability has become increasingly important for companies in recent years. Companies are desperately looking for well-trained staff with the relevant skills and knowledge.

The Sustainability Management specialization imparts precisely this knowledge by offering students the opportunity to take modules in the areas of business administration (e.g., strategic sustainability management, sustainable supply chain management, sustainable innovation management, sustainable entrepreneurship), economics (e.g., environmental and sustainability economics), and law (e.g., energy, biodiversity and environmental law). The modules cover a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods and use innovative teaching methods such as business simulations, guest lectures, and case studies.

After completing the specialization, students have a wide range of job opportunities, particularly in sustainability management in companies, in consulting, in sustainability-oriented industries (e.g., renewable energies), but also in the public sector (e.g., ministries) and non-governmental organizations. In the past, a large number of students have also successfully founded their own companies in the field of sustainability.

In addition to imparting scientific skills, an explicit goal of the specialization is to train students to become “change agents” who contribute to solving ecological and social problems. The specialization is therefore of particular (but not only) interest to students who attach great importance to the “meaning” of their future professional activity and enjoy solving complex problems.

Accounting, Finance, Taxation (AFT)
Whether at banks, insurance companies or other financial service providers, in auditing and tax consultancy, in management consultancy, in sustainability management, or as a manager in other corporate contexts: the specialist and methodological skills taught in the AFT specialization open doors to a wide variety of professional fields.

Within the specialization, students can focus on the subject areas of Accounting & Corporate Governance, Finance & Banking, and Business Taxation and thus lay the foundation for a career in these and related professional fields. These skills are relevant for starting a career in auditing, tax consultancy, or banking, for example. However, the content of the Master's specialization in Accounting, Finance, Taxation also plays a central role in other areas, such as financial analysis, risk management, or business consulting.

Current topics are also regularly addressed in the modules of the specialization, for example in the areas of sustainability reporting, sustainable finance, international corporate taxation, or financial analytics in the age of big data. Guest lectures from corporate representatives enrich the curriculum and enable exchange with practitioners. In addition, students in the specialization gain in-depth insights into working with quantitative company data and learn empirical analysis and research methods. In this way, they not only train their analytical skills and acquire important practical skills, but also lay the foundations for an academic career.

The Accounting, Finance, Taxation specialization can be completed mainly in English, which optimally prepares students for a career in an increasingly internationally networked economy. In addition, students have the opportunity to gain extensive international experience. In addition to a semester abroad at one of our partner universities, our cooperation program with the Nicolaus Copernicus University of Thorn (Toruń, Poland) enables students to achieve a double Master's degree. It is also possible to acquire substantial China skills by participating in a certificate program at one of our Chinese partner universities.

Management (UF)
The management specialization teaches current management concepts and prepares students for shaping modern business management. It is primarily aimed at students who want to train as potential junior managers or company founders.

Law of Business/Business Law (RdW)
The specialization in Business Law aims to expand and deepen students' knowledge of both law and business administration. Students develop the ability to solve problems at the interface of law and business.

 An overview of the modules and options for these specializations is provided in the study plan (download on this page).

Academically grounded, practice-oriented and technology-driven

The Master's degree course in Business Administration: Management and Law is designed as a face-to-face course on the university campus in Oldenburg, but is enriched by various online teaching-learning formats to create modern, flexible and learning-friendly conditions for your studies. In addition to traditional lectures and seminars, the course also includes practical modules such as excursions and case studies in cooperation with regional companies, which give you an insight into professional practice.

The forms of assessment include written exams, term papers, presentations, portfolios and project reports, allowing you to build up and deepen your knowledge in different ways. Innovative teaching methods are also used to promote research-based learning and involve you in current scientific issues in the subject areas. This means you are always close to the research activities of the fields on this degree course.

The use of modern technologies, software and research tools, such as Apple Vision Pro, Miro Boards, or R, is integrated into various courses to familiarize you with the tools and innovations that will shape the economy and science of the future.

The Master's degree program Business Administration: Management and Law at the University of Oldenburg offers a unique combination of business administration and commercial law skills. With an interdisciplinary approach, flexible specializations and a wide range of options, it supports you in developing your individual profile and optimally prepares you for management positions and demanding tasks in business, administration and international organizations.

Why choose this degree program?

• Interdisciplinary and practice-oriented: Combine theory with practice and benefit from modules that focus on internationality as well as research and application-oriented content.
• Individual choice of specialization: Set your own priorities in areas such as sustainability management, corporate management, accounting, finance & taxation, or business law.
• Excellent career options: The dual qualification in management and law opens up a wide range of career paths - whether in corporate management, in the public sector or as a founder.
• Internationally networked: Take advantage of exchange programs with over 40 partner universities worldwide, including attractive double degree options in Poland.

In order to study this course at the University of Oldenburg as a student from outside of Germany, you need an adequate knowledge of German.

German Language Proficiency

• if the mother tongue is German or the university entrance qualification or a first university degree was obtained in German
• DSH: Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (Level 2)
• TestDaF: Test – Deutsch als Fremdsprache (with level 4 in all four areas)

English language skills according to the admission regulations

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at Level B2 or,
• if applicants have a university degree in an English-language degree programme obtained in a country with English, or German as the official language
• other evidence (e.g., high school diploma) is permitted, if it proves sufficient language qualification
• The following language tests are accepted: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English Language Assessment, UNIcert, TOEIC, TELC, and the language test of the Language Centre of the University of Oldenburg

Proof of language proficiency must not be older than 6 years at the time of application.

For other proof possiblities see: Language requirements

By combining content from economics and law, this Master's degree course offers a dual qualification that opens up excellent career opportunities both as a manager in small and medium-sized companies in the region, in larger companies, associations, national and international organizations and in the public sector, and also for self-employment.

The course provides in-depth knowledge of conceptual perspectives and analytical methods in economics and law. These are the keys to various career paths in the above-mentioned fields. At the same time, the requirements for further academic qualifications are fulfilled.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree in a suitable previous degree program in economics with a law component or in law with an economics component or in another suitable degree program

A suitable subject is a previous degree program that provides at least

• to the extent of 18 ECTS credits in Business Administration and
• to the extent of 12 ECTS credits in Economics and
• to the extent of 12 ECTS credits in Law.

Language skills

• Proof of English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), see Foreign language skills
• If applicable, proof of academic activities, practical experience (e.g. professional and internship activities) and social commitment in accordance with § 4 (2) of the admission regulations

For more details see Foreign language skills on this page.

Admission to the course is restricted. Application is only possible for the winter semester.

Detailed application deadlines for the winter semester:

• Applications with a German university entrance qualification or degree: by 15 July
• Applications from the EU: by 15 July
• Applications from third countries (non-EU): by 15 June

Overview application deadlines Master's programmes