Double Master's programmes: two Master's degrees in four semesters
Double Master's programmes enable students to complete a degree at their home university as well as another degree at a university abroad. We currently have three double master's programmes at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics. One programme with Tohoku University in Japan and two programmes with Ferrara University in Italy. All programmes are open to both incoming and outgoing students.
Double Master Programme Tohoku (Japan)
Since the winter semester 2015/16, the double master's programme of the Faculty of Economics at Paderborn University and the Graduate School of Economics (GSEM) at Tohoku University, Japan, has offered students from both institutions the opportunity to study simultaneously at both institutions and to obtain a master's degree in the MSc International Economics and Management (IEM) at Paderborn University and in the Global Program in Economics and Management (GPEM) at Tohoku University in the standard period of study of four semesters. All important information for outgoings and incomings can be found here.
Information for Outgoings
Students of the M.Sc. IEM programme at Paderborn University in their first or second Master's semester are eligible to apply. To participate in the programme, students must meet the admission requirements for both courses, i.e. for the M.Sc. IEM and the GPEM. In addition to the academic qualification, personal suitability is also required. Simultaneous participation in the ASBE and the double master's programme is excluded.
Students of Paderborn University are nominated for participation in the double master's programme in the winter semester. Below you will find a detailed overview of the dates and deadlines for the winter semester 2024/25.
Application procedure in WS 2024/25:
Applications are open to students of the MSc IEM starting in the summer semester 2024 or in the winter semester 2024/25.
Documents to be submitted for the application (by 18 October at the latest) to Paderborn University are
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form (with passport photo, matriculation number and e-mail address)
- Letter of motivation (justification of the application in English)
- Proof of achievements (proof of achievements in the Bachelor's programme, degree certificate and, if applicable, overview of previous achievements in the MSc. IEM)
- Confirmation of enrolment for MSc. IEM
You can send the documents digitally to international[at]wiwi[dot]uni-paderborn[dot]de.
After submitting these documents, the selection interviews will take place. The nomination will then take place.
The documents required for enrolment at the University of Tohoku must be submitted by 15 November. These include:
- Application (* 'Application for Admission', incl. a 5cm x 4cm passport style photo portrait taken of the applicant within three months of application)
- Curriculum Vitae (* 'Application Qualification Form', p.4)
- Academic Transcript
- Certificate of Graduation
- Two letters of recommendation: (1) Recommendation Form 1 (by advisor) (*); (2) Recommendation Form 2 (by dean) (*)
- Research Plan
- Insurance Enrolment Plege (official form) (*)
All documents marked with (*) as well as an 'Application Guideline' are available for download on the GPEM website. Further details about the required documents will be announced with the nomination.
In general, the coursework for both Master's programmes must be completed. The first and fourth semesters take place at the home university, while the second and third semesters are studied at the respective partner university.
The coursework to be completed abroad is agreed in advance at the home university (Learning Agreement) and credited upon return, provided it corresponds to the respective study programme.
The course of the programme differs depending on the home university. For Paderborn University students, the double Master's programme begins in the winter semester in Paderborn. To prepare for the subsequent stay abroad, participation in an intensive Japanese course is compulsory. This takes place in March of the following summer semester at the State Language Institute (LSI) in Bochum and is taught by bilingually trained lecturers and native speakers. The costs of the courses at the LSI are covered by the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics. The language skills will be further deepened in the following semesters at the University of Tohoku. The additional coursework completed there will be recognised in the M.Sc. IEM, provided it is in line with the curriculum. In addition to the regular study programme, a project paper must be prepared and presented at the University of Tohoku. The completion of the overall programme takes place after the stay abroad at the (home) Paderborn University.
When choosing courses, it is important to ensure that the coursework is completed for both Master's programmes and is therefore compatible with the other Master's programme. The table below provides an overview of which courses must be selected for each programme. Further information on course selection at Paderborn University can be found on the MSc IEM website or in the module catalogue. For information on course selection at the University of Tohoku, please visit the GPEM website.
| Outgoing | Incoming | ||
IEM | 120 ECTS needed |
|
|
| 30 ECTS Compulsory Modules: |
|
|
| Optimization (5 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| International Economics (5 ECTS)
Modules in Sustainability (10 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| 70 ECTS Elective Modules: |
|
|
| Economics (30 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| Management (20 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| General Elective (20 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| 20 ECTS Master Thesis | ( ) | ( ) |
| For International Students only: |
|
|
| German language course 1 & 2 (equivalent to A.2 German) |
| ( ) |
GPEM | 30 credits (1 credit=2,5 ECTS) needed |
|
|
| Maximum of 10 credits (25 ECTS) acquired abroad (transferred from IEM) | ( ) | ( ) |
| 20 credits acquired in GPEM |
|
|
| Global Company Research (2 credits, compulsory) | _ | _ |
| 4 Credits Mandatory Modules: |
|
|
| Project Guidance a & b (4 credits)* | ( ) | ( ) |
| 16 Credits Elective Modules** | ( ) | ( ) |
| Successful Project Presentation (after Project Guidance b & b) | ( ) | ( ) |
*Depending on which degree you would like to receive at Tohoku University (Master's Degree of Economics / Management) you can choose either Project Guidance a & b in Economics or Management. | |||
**Maximum of 4 credits from seminars. | |||
Participating Paderborn University students are exempt from tuition fees at the University of Tohoku as part of the double master's programme. In addition, the costs of the language course at the LSI of the Ruhr University Bochum are covered by the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics.
Paderborn University does not offer a scholarship. Instead, external institutions such as the German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD), the Japan Student Services Organisation(JASSO) or the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT) can be contacted on an individual basis.
Sendai is one of the largest cities in Japan with a population of over one million, yet the cost of living is much cheaper than in other large cities.
The monthly cost of living usually ranges from 80,000 to 150,000 yen and the following list shows the details of the cost of living.
All prices are in Japanese yen. The exchange rate ranges from 110 - 150 JPY/EUR in recent years.
1) Rent
- Student residence: from 10,000 to 30,000 yen per month (incl. utilities + heating)
- Private flats: from 35,000 to 55,000 yen per month (+ utilities 10,000 in total)
- Internet fees: 1890 - 6980 yen
- Mobile phone costs: from 3,000 yen
2) Food
40,000 to 50,000 yen per month
◇ Examples (approx.)
- Milk (1 litre): 180 yen
- Bread (1kg): 350 - 400 yen
- Mineral water (500ml): 110 yen
- Eggs (10 pieces): 200 yen
- Beef (100g): 200 yen
3) Transport costs
- Bus (100 - 250 yen)
- Train: from 190 yen
- Subway: 200 - 320 yen
- Taxi: from 680 yen + distance-dependent fees
4) Other information
- Japanese tax is 8%, which is imposed equally on all goods. (Since 2020 this rate has been increased to 10%)
Current dates for information events can be found on the International Campus website. Further information about the individual study programmes and programme partners can be found here:
| University of Tohoku | Paderborn University |
| Graduate School of Economics and Management (GSEM) | Faculty of Economics and Management |
| Global Programme in Economics and Management (GPEM) | MSc IEM |
| International Support Office | MSc IEM - Application Information |
| Guide to Living in Japan | International Office (Please contact the International Office Outgoing Team(IO-Outgoing[at]zv.uni-paderborn[dot]de) in case of critical requests on formal procedures). |
The double master's programme is supervised by Prof. Dr. Stefan Jungblut (Paderborn University) and Prof. Dr. Kenji Mori (Tohoku University).
Enquiries can be sent by e-mail to: international@wiwi.uni-paderborn.de
Information for Incomings
In general, the coursework for both Master's programmes must be completed. The first and fourth semesters take place at the home university, while the second and third semesters are studied at the respective partner university.
The coursework to be completed abroad is agreed in advance at the home university (Learning Agreement) and credited upon return, provided it corresponds to the respective study programme.
When choosing courses, it is important to ensure that the coursework is completed for both Master's programmes and is therefore compatible with the other Master's programme. The table below provides an overview of which courses must be selected for each programme. Further information on course selection at Paderborn University can be found on the MSc IEM website or in the module catalogue. For information on course selection at the University of Tohoku, please visit the GPEM website.
| Outgoing | Incoming | ||
IEM | 120 ECTS needed |
|
|
| 30 ECTS Compulsory Modules: |
|
|
| Optimization (5 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| International Economics (5 ECTS)
Modules in Sustainability (10 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| 70 ECTS Elective Modules: |
|
|
| Economics (30 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| Management (20 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| General Elective (20 ECTS) | ( ) | ( ) |
| 20 ECTS Master Thesis | ( ) | ( ) |
| For International Students only: |
|
|
| German language course 1 & 2 (equivalent to A.2 German) |
| ( ) |
GPEM | 30 credits (1 credit=2,5 ECTS) needed |
|
|
| Maximum of 10 credits (25 ECTS) acquired abroad (transferred from IEM) | ( ) | ( ) |
| 20 credits acquired in GPEM |
|
|
| Global Company Research (2 credits, compulsory) | _ | _ |
| 4 Credits Mandatory Modules: |
|
|
| Project Guidance a & b (4 credits)* | ( ) | ( ) |
| 16 Credits Elective Modules** | ( ) | ( ) |
| Successful Project Presentation (after Project Guidance b & b) | ( ) | ( ) |
*Depending on which degree you would like to receive at Tohoku University (Master's Degree of Economics / Management) you can choose either Project Guidance a & b in Economics or Management. | |||
**Maximum of 4 credits from seminars. | |||
Current dates for information events can be found on the International Campus website. Further news can also be found on the homepage of the Master International Economics and Management programme.
Further information about the individual study programmes and programme partners can be found here:
The double master's programme is supervised by Prof. Dr. Stefan Jungblut (Paderborn University) and Prof. Dr. Kenji Mori (Tohoku University).
Enquiries can be sent by e-mail to: msc-iem(at)campus.upb(dot)de.
Double Master Programme Ferrara (Italy)
The Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at Paderborn University (UPB) and the University of Ferrara (UNIFE), Italy, have been offering two double Master's programmes as part of the European university alliance COLOURs since the winter semester 2024/25. It gives students the opportunity to obtain a Master's degree in MSc International Economics and Management (IEM) from Paderborn University and either the Laurea Magistrale in Green Economy and Sustainable Transitions (LM 56) or the Laurea Magistrale in Small Business Management in International Markets (LM 77) from the University of Ferrara simultaneously at both universities within the standard period of study of four semesters. In addition, a curricular internship is integrated into the academic year at UNIFE. All important information for outgoings and incomings can be found here.
Information for Outgoings
Students who complete their Bachelor's degree in the summer semester and plan to start the M.Sc. IEM in the following winter semester are eligible to apply. To participate in the programme, students must meet the admission requirements for the M.Sc. IEM. In addition to academic qualifications, personal aptitude is also required.
Nominations are made at the end of the summer semester. Below you will find a detailed overview of the deadlines. deadlines and necessary documents.
Application procedure
Documents to be submitted for the application (by 15 July at the latest) to Paderborn University are
- Certificate of achievement from the Examination Office incl. registered achievements
- Copy of Bachelor thesis application incl. submission date (if the Bachelor thesis has not yet been completed)
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
- Specification of programme variant
Send your complete application documents to international@wiwi.uni-paderborn.de.
In principle, the coursework for the M.Sc. IEM and the chosen programme at UNIFE must be completed. The programme provides for the coursework completed at the partner university to be credited at the home university. The Master's thesis is written by the students according to the PO of their home university. All students first study together for two semesters at UPB and then two semesters at UNIFE. During the second year of study, the Master's thesis is written (supervision is clarified during the first year of study in Paderborn) and the study-integrated internship is carried out. An oral defence in a colloquium is also required for the UNIFE Master's degree. This takes place at the end of the second year of study at UNIFE.
When choosing a course, it is important to ensure that the coursework is completed for both Master's programmes and is therefore compatible with the other Master's programme.
Green Economy and Sustainable Transitions
- The following must be completed in the first year of study in Paderborn
- Optimisation 5 ECTS (compulsory course - winter semester)
- International Economics 5 ECTS (compulsory course - winter semester)
- Microeconomics 5 ECTS (compulsory course - summer semester)
- 10 ECTS Sustainability
- 30 ECTS Economics
- 10 ECTS Management
- In the second year of study in Ferrara:
- Applied Econometrics 8 ECTS (compulsory course)
- Finance and Sustainability 8 ECTS
- Project Work 7 ECTS + Internship 4 ECTS
- Digital Law and Environmental Sustainability 8 ECTS
- Master Thesis 20 ECTS
Small Business Management in International Markets
- The following must be completed in the first year of study in Paderborn
- Optimisation 5 ECTS (compulsory course - winter semester)
- International Economics 5 ECTS (compulsory course - winter semester)
- Microeconomics 5 ECTS (compulsory course - summer semester)
- 10 ECTS Sustainability
- 30 ECTS Economics
- 10 ECTS Management
- In the second year of study in Ferrara:
- Statistics for Economics and Business 7 ECTS
- Organisational behaviour and HRM 8 ECTS
- International Marketing for SME's 8 ECTS
- Project Work 7 ECTS + Internship 4 ECTS
- International Trade Law 8 ECTS
- Master Thesis 20 ECTS
The stay at UNIFE is sponsored by the Erasmus+ programme. For this purpose, a pro forma application for studying abroad in the first semester of the double master's programme must be submitted to the International Office of UPB. More detailed information will be provided in the course of the programme after a successful application.
The contact person for the double master's programmes in Paderborn is Prof. Dr. Stefan Jungblut. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to international@wiwi.uni-paderborn.de.
Information for Incomings
UNIFE students are nominated as exchange students by their home university by 15 May of each year at the latest and must then submit their application by 1 June. Students are then asked by the International Office to submit their degree certificate or news transcript of records. After review, students will receive further information on enrolment in the MSc IEM programme from the International Office. General information on the Master's programme can be found on this website: Studying International Economics and Management - Master of Science
When choosing a course, it is important to ensure that the coursework is completed for both Master's programmes and is therefore compatible with the other Master's programme.
Green Economy and Sustainable Transitions
- The following must be completed in the first year of study in Paderborn
- Optimisation 5 ECTS (compulsory course - winter semester)
- International Economics 5 ECTS (compulsory course - winter semester)
- Microeconomics 5 ECTS (compulsory course - summer semester)
- 10 ECTS Sustainability
- 30 ECTS Economics
- 10 ECTS Management
- In the second year of study in Ferrara:
- Applied Econometrics 7 ECTS (compulsory course)
- Finance and Sustainability
- Project Work 7 ECTS + Internship 4 ECTS
- Digital Law and Environmental Sustainability 8 ECTS
- Master's thesis 20 ECTS
Small Business Management in International Markets
- The following must be completed in the first year of study in Paderborn
- Optimisation 5 ECTS (compulsory course - winter semester)
- International Economics 5 ECTS (compulsory course - winter semester)
- Microeconomics 5 ECTS (compulsory course - summer semester)
- 10 ECTS Sustainability
- 30 ECTS Economics
- 10 ECTS Management
- In the second year of study in Ferrara:
- Statistics for Economics and Business 7 ECTS
- Organisational behaviour and HRM 8 ECTS
- International Marketing for SME's 8 ECTS
- Project Work 7 ECTS + Internship 4 ECTS
- International Trade Law 8 ECTS
- Master Thesis 20 ECTS
The contact person for the double master's programmes in Paderborn is Prof. Dr. Stefan Jungblut. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to international@wiwi.uni-paderborn.de.
