Dual Master’s programmes: two Master’s degrees in four semesters
Dual Master’s programmes enable students to obtain a degree from a university abroad in addition to a degree from their home university. Here at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, we currently offer four dual Master’s programmes: one programme with Tohoku University in Japan, two programmes with the University of Ferrara in Italy and one programme with Kristianstad University in Sweden. All programmes are open to both incoming and outgoing students.
Kristianstad (Sweden) Dual Master’s Programme
The dual Master’s programme run by the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at Paderborn University and Kristianstad University in Sweden will enable students from both universities to study concurrently at both locations from the 2026/27 winter semester onwards. Within the standard period of study of four semesters, you can obtain both the Master’s degree“M.Sc Taxation, Accounting and Finance (TAF)” from Paderborn University and the degree“Accounting and Auditing for Sustainable Business Management”from Kristianstad University. You can find all the key information for outgoing and incoming students here.
Information for outgoing and incoming students
Tohoku (Japan) Dual Master’s Programme
The dual Master’s programme run by the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at Paderborn University and the Graduate School of Economics (GSEM) at Tohoku University in Japan has, since the 2015/16 winter semester, enabled students from both universities to study concurrently at both locations. Within the standard period of study of four semesters, you can obtain both the Master’s degree“M.Sc. in International Economics and Management (IEM)” from Paderborn University and the“Global Programme in Economics and Management (GPEM)” degree from Tohoku University. You can find all the key information for outgoing and incoming students here.
Information for outgoing and incoming students
Students on the M.Sc. in International Economics and Management (IEM) at Paderborn University in their first or second master’s semester are eligible to submit an application. To participate in the programme, students must meet the entry requirements for both study programmes, i.e. the M.Sc. IEM and the GPEM. In addition to academic suitability, personal suitability is also required. Students may not participate in both the ASBE programme and the Double Master’s programme at the same time.
Nomination for participation in the dual Master’s programme takes place during the winter semester for students at Paderborn University.
Application procedure:
Students on the M.Sc. IEM programme who are due to commence their studies in the summer or winter semester are eligible to submit an application.
The following documents must be submitted as part of the application (by 19 October at the latest) to Paderborn University:
- Tabular CV (in table format, including a passport photo, student identification number and email address)
- Statement of purpose (explanation of your application in English)
- Academic transcript (proof of results from your Bachelor’s degree, degree certificate and, where applicable, an overview of your results to date in the M.Sc. IEM programme)
- Confirmation of enrolment for the M.Sc. IEM
You may submit the documents digitally to international@wiwi.uni-paderborn.de.
Selection interviews will take place once these documents have been submitted. Nomination will follow.
The documents required for enrolment at Tohoku University must be submitted by 16 November. These include:
- Application (* ‘Application for Admission’, including a 5cm x 4cm passport-style photograph of the applicant taken within three months of the application)
- Curriculum Vitae (* ‘Application Qualification Form’, p.4)
- Academic transcript
- Certificate of Graduation
- Two letters of recommendation: (1) Recommendation Form 1 (from the supervisor) (*); (2) Recommendation Form 2 (from the dean) (*)
- Research Plan
- Insurance Enrolment Undertaking (official form) (*)
All documents marked with (*) and the ‘Application Guideline’ are available for download on the GPEM website. Further details regarding the required documents will be provided upon nomination.
In general, students must complete the coursework requirements for both Master’s programmes. The 1st and 4th semesters take place at the home university, whilst the 2nd and 3rd semesters are studied at the respective partner university.
The coursework to be completed abroad is agreed in advance with the home university (Learning Agreement) and credited upon return, provided it is in line with the relevant degree programme.
For outgoing students
The programme structure varies depending on the home university. For students at Paderborn University, the Double Master’s programme begins in the winter semester in Paderborn. To prepare for the subsequent period abroad, attendance at an intensive Japanese language course is compulsory. This takes place in March of the following summer semester at the Landesspracheninstitut (LSI) in Bochum, taught by lecturers with bilingual training and native speakers. The Faculty of Business Administration and Economics covers the costs of the courses at the LSI. Language skills are further developed in the subsequent semesters at Tohoku University. The additional academic credits earned there are recognised towards the M.Sc. IEM, provided they are in line with the study plan. In addition to the regular study programme, students must undertake and present a project at Tohoku University. The programme as a whole is completed following the period abroad at Paderborn University.
Participating students from Paderborn are exempt from tuition fees at Tohoku University as part of the dual Master’s programme. In addition, the costs of the language course at the LSI at Ruhr University Bochum are covered by the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics.
Paderborn University does not offer any scholarships. Instead, external organisations 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) may be contacted on an individual basis.
Sendai is one of Japan’s largest cities, with a population of over a million; nevertheless, the cost of living is considerably lower than in other major cities.
Monthly living costs typically range from 80,000 to 150,000 yen. The following list shows the details of living costs.
All prices are in Japanese yen. The exchange rate has ranged between 160 and 175 JPY per euro in recent years.
1) Rent
- Student halls of residence: from 10,000 to 30,000 yen per month (including service charges + heating)
- Private flats: from 35,000 to 55,000 yen per month (+ utilities totalling 10,000 yen)
- Internet charges: 1,890 – 6,980 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 (1 kg): 350–400 yen
- Mineral water (500 ml): 110 yen
- Eggs (10): 200 yen
- Beef (100g): 200 yen
3) Transport costs
- Bus (100–250 yen)
- Train: from 190 yen
- Underground: 200–320 yen
- Taxi: from 680 yen + distance-based fees
4) Other information
- The Japanese VAT rate is 8 per cent and is levied at the same rate on all goods. (Since 2020, this rate has been increased to 10 per cent)
You can find the latest dates for information sessions on the International Campus website. Further information about the individual degree programmes and programme partners can be found here:
The dual Master’s programme is supervised by Prof. Dr Stefan Jungblut (Paderborn University) and Prof. Dr Kenji Mori (Tohoku University).
Enquiries can be sent by email to: international@wiwi.uni-paderborn.de
Double Master’s Programme in Ferrara (Italy)
The Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at Paderborn University (UPB) and the University of Ferrara (UNIFE) in Italy have been offering two dual Master’s programmes as part of the COLOURS Alliance since the 2024/25 winter semester. These programmes offer students the opportunity to study simultaneously at both universities within the standard period of study of four semesters, leading to both a Master’s degree in M.Sc. International Economics and Management ( IEM) from the Paderborn University, as well as either a Laurea Magistrale in Green Economy and Sustainable Transitions (LM 56) or a Laurea Magistrale in Small Business Management in International Markets (LM 77) from the University of Ferrara, within the standard duration of study of four semesters. In addition, a curriculum-based placement is integrated into the academic year at UNIFE. All important information for outgoing and incoming students can be found here.
Information for outgoing and incoming students
Outgoing students
Students who are due to complete their Bachelor’s degree in the summer semester and plan to commence the M.Sc. in International Economics and Management in the following winter semester are eligible to apply. To participate in the programme, applicants must meet the entry requirements for the M.Sc. in International Economics and Management. In addition to academic suitability, personal suitability is also required.
Nominations take place at the end of the summer semester. Below you will find a detailed overview of the dates, deadlines and required documents.
Application procedure
The documents to be submitted for the application (by 15 July at the latest) to Paderborn University are:
- Transcript of results from the Examinations Office, including courses registered for
- Copy of the bachelor's thesis application, including the submission date (if the bachelor's thesis has not yet been completed)
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
- Specification of programme variant
Please send your complete application documents to international@wiwi.uni-paderborn.de.
Incoming students
UNIFE students are nominated as exchange students by their home university by 15 May of the relevant year at the latest and must then submit their application by 1 June. After this, students will be asked by the International Office to submit their degree certificate or a current transcript of records. Following an examination, students will receive further information from the International Office regarding enrolment on the M.Sc. IEM. General information about the Master’s programme can be found on this website: Studying International Economics and Management – Master of Science
In principle, students must complete the coursework requirements for the M.Sc. in IEM and for the chosen programme at UNIFE. The programme provides for the credits earned at the partner university to be recognised by the home university. Students write their master's thesis in accordance with the study regulations of their home university. All students initially study together for two semesters at UPB and then spend two semesters at UNIFE. During the second year of study, the master's thesis is written (supervision is arranged during the first year of study in Paderborn) and the study-integrated placement is undertaken. To obtain the UNIFE Master’s degree, an oral defence as part of a colloquium is also required. This takes place at the end of the second year of study at UNIFE.
When choosing courses, care must be taken to ensure that the academic requirements for both Master’s programmes are met and that the courses are 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
- The following must be completed in the second year of study in Ferrara:
- Applied Econometrics 8 ECTS (compulsory course)
- Finance and Sustainability 8 ECTS
- Project Work 7 ECTS + Work Placement 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 in Economics
- 10 ECTS Management
- The following modules must be completed in the second year of study in Ferrara:
- Statistics for Economics and Business 7 ECTS
- Organisational Behaviour and HRM 8 ECTS
- International Marketing for SMEs 8 ECTS
- Project Work 7 ECTS + Work Placement 4 ECTS
- International Trade Law 8 ECTS
- Master’s Thesis 20 ECTS
The placement at UNIFE is funded through the Erasmus+ programme. To apply, you must submit a pro forma application to study abroad during the first semester of the dual Master’s programme to the UPB International Office. Further details will be provided once your application has been successful, as the programme progresses.
The contact person for the dual Master’s programmes in Paderborn is Prof. Dr Stefan Jungblut. If you have any questions, please email international@wiwi.uni-paderborn.de.
