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Global Online MBA student checking curriculum

Timeline & courses

ESMT’s curricular content is rigorous, relevant, and brought to you by senior faculty, whose cutting-edge research is published in top academic journals. Consistently ranked as one of the best business schools in Germany, ESMT Berlin is accredited by AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, and FIBAA, the highest distinctions of quality for business schools around the world.

We invite you to have a look at the timeline and courses for the Global Online MBA program.

In detail: The Global Online MBA curriculum

  • Managing in a connected world

    Course Description
    Introduction to general management This course will introduce students to the basics of general management
    Global virtual teams A course designed to provide students with hands-on insights in how to successfully work within and with virtual teams

     

  • Making wiser decisions under uncertainty

    Course Description
    Crafting better decisions This course will help you detect and overcome the barriers to effective decisions in your teams and organizations.
    Data-driven decisions Develop your critical thinking, analysis and creativity skills, with particular focus on the application of quantitative frameworks to specific business settings such as marketing, finance, and human resources.
    Ethics and responsibility The course addresses selected ethical and sustainability implications of managerial decision-making – challenges typically arising as soon as conflicting interest of different stakeholders are involved – to understand how great organizations can successfully manage to create value and benefit for multiple stakeholders simultaneously.

     

  • Understanding your market

    Course Description
    Business economics This course introduces basic economic concepts of practical value in business life.
    Marketing and sales in a digital world Develop an understanding of key concepts and decision areas in marketing and sales.
    Customer analytics

    The course helps you understand and segment customers through the use of advanced quantitative methods.

  • Understanding your organization

    Course Description
    Accounting and financial management More information will be published shortly
    Managing operations The course gives a comprehensive overview on creating value through operational excellence. This entails designing and managing the operational processes to support the value proposition, and to seamlessly match customer demand with supply.
    People, teams and organizations Application of a body of knowledge related to individual and collective behaviors in organizations, as well as to organizational systems that affect these behaviors, for analysis of managerial options and choices.

     

  • Creating strategic advantage

    Course Description
    Agile leadership Define and discuss agility and ambidexterity at individual, relational, and organizational levels.
    Customer centricity This advanced marketing course introduces customer centricity as an approach to increasing the value of a business by increasing the profitability of its customers.
    Entrepreneurial strategy Build a toolkit of strategy tools and frameworks and communicate about strategy using strategy "language".

     

  • Electives

    Technology and Innovation Electives

    Course Description
    Entrepreneurship Develop your ability to apply knowledge, frameworks and techniques from many disciplines, such as marketing and finance, to the context of going from idea to company.
    Human factors of innovation The management of innovation has often centered on company-internal aspects of this process, such as motivating scientists and engineers and creating effective collaborations between such specialized people, and with even external partners. This course addresses selected management challenges and opportunities presented by technological innovation.
    Embracing technological change How to win the innovation race in a world of accelerated technological change? This course will enable you to understand the dynamics of technological change and its impact on corporate capabilities and industrial ecosystems, allowing you to manage new technologies and to lead innovation in the age of transformation.
    Matchmakers in the digital economy Achieve a sophisticated understanding of what makes multi-sided platforms in technology-intensive businesses (also known as "matchmakers", such as eBay, amazon, Uber, Spotify) distinctive with respect to their business models, pricing and investment strategies.
    Negotiations

    This course will help you negotiate effectively and reach better agreements in your professional and private relationships.

     

    Global Experience Electives

    Course  Description
    Small Network Online Course 1 Choose a course out of the SNOC catalogue, offered by business schools within the GNAM network
    Small Network Online Course 2 Choose a course out of the SNOC catalogue, offered by business schools within the GNAM network
    Global Experience Week (international study trip, at additional cost) Please see below for more information.
    Berlin Experience Week (Germany study trip, at no additional cost) Please see below for more information.

     

  • Final Project

    The Final Project aims to develop and test the ability of participants to review an area of management studies, synthesize the main concepts and frameworks, and apply them in the context of a managerial problem. The work on the Final Project provides participants with an opportunity to anchor their learning in practice through identifying a phenomenon worth studying, defining a specific business or organizational challenge, gathering and analyzing evidence, and developing recommendations based on their analysis. Through this, students apply much of what they have learnt in their MBA studies and knowledge gained from prior work experience to a business or management issue that is relevant for their own future career.

Global Online MBA schedule and dates

  • Online MBA schedule

    May 2023 intake

    The program will start on May 29, 2023. Applications are open and will close on May 7, 2023. Please note important deadlines on the Admissions page.

     

    September 2023 intake

    The program will start on September 25, 2023. Please note important deadlines on the Admissions page.

     

    Program Flexibility

    Irrespective of your start date, your first module will always be Managing in a connected world, followed by whichever module is scheduled next. If more than one module is running simultaneously, we will recommend a module but you can change if needed. Note that modules are shared across intakes. 

    Should you decide to take a break during the two-year program, you will be able to start again at the beginning of any module you are eligible for at that time.

    In order to take any electives, you must have successfully passed Managing in a connected world, plus at least one core module (Making wiser decisions under uncertainty, Understanding your market, Understanding your organization, Creating strategic advantage).

    Note that the program must be completed within five years.

  • Online MBA module dates

    Eligibility Module Module dates
    Jan 2023 intake Managing in a connected world Jan 30 – Mar 19, 2023
    All

    Understanding your market

    Understanding your organization

    Apr 3 – July 16, 2023
    Eligible students Berlin experience week March 20 - 24, 2023
    Eligible students Electives Apr 3 - Jun 11, 2023
    Eligible students Final project March 22 - Sep 24, 2023
    May 2023 intake

    Managing in a connected world

    May 29 - Jul 16, 2023
    Eligible students Berlin experience week Jul 17 - 21, 2023
    All

    Making wiser ideas under uncertainty

    Creating strategic advantage

    Jul 31 - Nov 12, 2023
    Eligible students Electives Jul 31 - Oct 8, 2023
    Sept 2023 intake Managing in a connected world Sept 25 – Nov 12, 2023
    All

    Understanding your market

    Understanding your organization

    Nov 27, 2023 – Mar 17, 2024
    Eligible students Electives Nov 27, 2023 – Feb 18, 2024

     

    Eligibility

    While there is a lot of flexibility in the order in which you study the different modules, we do have some conditions attached to the Elective and Final report modules.

    • Everyone starts with:  Managing in a connected world
    • You then take the following core modules in any order: Making wiser ideas under uncertainty, Understanding your market, Understanding your organization, Creating strategic advantage
    • To take any elective (including the Berlin experience week), you must have passed the first module (Managing in a connected world) and at least one core module.
    • The Final project module can only be undertaken if you have passed all other modules

Global Online MBA Experience Weeks

  • Berlin Experience Week (optional elective)

    In this optional, for-credit, elective module, all participants in the Global Online MBA will have the opportunity to meet at ESMT’s campus in Berlin. Participants will experience highly interactive sessions focused on key developments in the German and Global Economy, with a particular focus on Industry 4.0, Germany’s Hidden Champions, and the Berlin startup scene. The week will comprise a mixture of academic sessions, company visits, team-building events, and a social program to cement bonds built during the initial online modules.

    The first Berlin Experience Week took place from July 11-17, 2022. Participants must have completed Module 0 and at least two other core modules to be eligible to participate in the Berlin Experience Week. This course will take place multiple times per year if there is demand. Participation in this week is included in the program fee as a standard elective course, although participants will be required to cover their own accommodation costs and their travel to Berlin.

  • Global Experience Week (optional elective)

    In this optional, for-credit, elective module, all participants of the Global Online MBA can choose to take part in a Global Experience Week. In line with ESMT’s philosophy of involving its students in decision-making where possible, all enrolled students will be polled during the program to determine which locations are chosen for the Global Experience Week. The aim of the Global Experience Week is two-fold. Firstly, the week will expose participants to the business context and leadership challenges in diverse countries and cultures.  Each week will be themed around a specific topic of global relevance, and participants will engage with leading corporates, startups and NGOs, working on assignments specific to each context. Each Global Experience Week will include a visit to one of ESMT’s Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) partner schools. Examples of potential destinations for Global Experience Weeks could be South Africa (Emerging Africa: institutional developments, business prospects, managerial practices), Japan (Aging Society: how demographic change influences business strategy), or Ireland (Europe’s Multinational Capital: how investment policy and educational focus transformed a small economy).

    The Global Experience Week will take placed based on demand. Destinations, dates and cost will be announced 6 months in advance. Participation in this week is not included in the program fee. Participants will be charged a program fee (€2,000 - €3,000) that will cover single room accommodation but excludes travel costs to and from the destination.

Curriculum delivery and optional courses

  • Experience the online learning platform the Hub

    The Hub is the only learning platform designed specifically for business education, meaning your experience is tailored to your needs. Engage with Faculty and peers through multiple interactive channels. Build on relationships formed within customized digital spaces for peer to peer learning and community building. Our Hub technology empowers learners to track their progress and personalize their learning experience.

    ESMT’s experienced, in-house Edtech team works to ensure a seamless study experience on the world’s most innovative learning platform. We liaise closely with professors and the Future of Management Education (FOME) partnership to keep updated with the latest knowledge, new learning models and techniques, and the right technologies to deliver a high-quality and impactful educational experience.

    You can experience life as a student on the Global Online MBA with our interactive demonstration of the Learning Hub.

  • Engageli, a state-of-the-art learning platform

    In addition to the online learning platform the Hub, the Global Online MBA curriculum is delivered via a new platform in the online teaching world: The highly interactive and engaging digital learning platform Engageli. This platform enables professors of the Global Online MBA to design dynamic, interactive classes, and provide differentiated instruction and personalized support by leveraging real-time engagement data during a course.

    Discover how Engageli works here.

  • Optional courses and electives

    • You can choose from a selection of elective courses focusing on technology and innovation.
       
    • Should you wish to add an elective course in a subject area not offered at ESMT, you can opt for a SNOC course taught by one of our partner universities in the Global Network for Advanced Management
       
    • If you would like to add an international study experience to your course, you can choose to add either the Berlin experience week held on the ESMT campus or for an additional fee, add the global experience week  international field study option. 
  • Online MBA Course delivery - Key facts

    • Expect to study for an average of 15 hours per week during the program.
       
    • Each course has three hours of live online sessions (Professor Sessions), plus live office hour sessions (Tutor Sessions).
       
    • All Professor and Tutor Sessions take place twice to ensure you can join from wherever you are in the world.

    Want to learn more about testing during the courses, the module structure and many other topics? Check out our FAQ page

  • Career Services

    Throughout the program, you will have access to Career Services workshops for specific skills development, as well as access to a robust professional network as you consider the next phase of your career. As an ESMT student, you will have the chance to meet with potential employers and recruiters, and connect with business leaders from an array of different sectors. Through the Alumni network, you'll also build your professional network on a local and international level.

    Please refer to our Global Online MBA Careers page for more information.

What you need to know about the curriculum

At your own pace

The Global Online MBA is designed to to be flexible. While each intake begins with module 0, you can choose to follow all subsequent modules as they are scheduled or take the modules in any order, when they are offered simultaneously. Complete modules 0-4 and earn a diploma or complete modules 0-6 and earn an MBA degree.

The Hub

ESMT’s Edtech team ensures a seamless study experience on the world’s most innovative learning platform - The Hub. We liaise closely with the Future of Management Education (FOME) partners to implement the latest knowledge, new learning models and techniques, and the right technology to deliver a high-quality and impactful educational experience. Try out the Hub!

Career Services

Throughout the program, you will have access to Career Services workshops for specific skills development, as well as access to a robust professional network as you consider the next phase of your career. Through the Alumni network, you'll also build your professional network on a local and international level.

Visit the Careers page

Discover the Entrepreneurial Strategy course

The online course Entrepreneurial Strategy is taught in the Global Online MBA and the Part-time Blended MBA in Business Innovation. Watch the introduction video to learn more!

Access the video
ESMT Blog

"Alumni insights – Team spirit at ESMT Berlin"

November 18, 2022 | ESMT Blog
Sebastian Baumann graduated from the MIM program in 2021. His master’s focused on global and digital strategy and he now works as an account executive at Moss, a fintech company. Learn about his ESMT experience.

Why data scientists should consider an MBA

October 14, 2022 | ESMT Blog
Ryan Krog, MBA 2023, explores how an MBA can help data scientists be more impactful and deliver information with greater relevance and analysis to further steer business decisions.

"The Global Online MBA – Berlin Experience Week"

July 26, 2022 | ESMT Blog
Earlier this month we were joined by 32 students from the Global Online MBA program on campus for the Berlin Experience Week. Seven students share their experiences.