Study

Selection Process

On this site, you can find all information about the selection criteria and the selection process for the Master in Management Science.

In the following video we describe the selection process in detail:

For each applicant, an admission score is calculated based on the criteria listed below. All applicants are ranked according to their admission score. The Selection Committee reviews the ranking list and decides about the threshold score for admission to fill the places of the program. This means that the required score for admission is not set ex ante but ex post according to the number and quality of applications we receive.

The admission score is composed of the following criteria:

Average bachelor's grade (final or preliminary) 51%
ECTS / credits in quantitative methods modules 39%
GMAT / GRE test (verbal section) 3%
GMAT / GRE test (quantitative section) 3%
International experience 4%

We award up to 10 points for your average bachelor's grade (GPA) according to the following table:

  • 1.0 - 1.4: 10 points
  • 1.5 - 1.7: 9 points
  • 1.8 - 1.9: 8 points
  • 2.0 - 2.1: 7 points
  • 2.2 - 2.3: 6 points
  • 2.4 - 2.5: 5 points
  • 2.6 - 2.7: 4 points
  • 2.8 - 2.9: 3 points
  • 3.0 - 3.1: 2 points
  • >=3.2: 1 point

Notes:

  • Only the first digit after the decimal point counts. All decimal apart from the first one are are truncated (no rounding).
  • This table is based on the German grading system in which 1.0 is the highest grade and 4.0 is the lowest passing grade. Bachelor's grades from foreign universities are converted to the German grading system by Uni Assist according to the "modified Bavarian formula". On this website you can find further information on how to convert your grade from the American GPA system (4.0 to 2.0) into the German grading system. This example can be easily transferred to other grading systems.
  • If you have not completed your Bachelor's studies yet, you can apply with a preliminary Bachelor's grade. In this case, please read the instructions "Missing Bachelor's Degree" here.

We follow a quantitative approach to economics and management. Students learn how to make decisions based on mathematical-statistical reasoning and to evaluate decisions ex-post. Therefore, strong quantitative skills are required. The quantitative part of your qualifying degree (usually your bachelor’s degree) is evaluated by counting the ECTS / credit points you received by completing quantitative modules. A maximum of 10 points can be given for the quantitative portion of the bachelor’s degree program. The quantitative portion of the bachelor’s degree program is assigned points in the following manner:

  • >= 30 ECTS: 10 points
  • 25 - 29 ECTS: 9 points
  • 22 - 24 ECTS: 8 points
  • 19 - 21 ECTS: 7 points
  • 16 - 18 ECTS: 6 points
  • 13 - 15 ECTS: 5 points
  • 10 - 12 ECTS: 4 points
  • 7 - 9 ECTS: 3 points
  • 4 - 6 ECTS: 2 points
  • <= 3 ECTS: 1 points

We consider only modules in which quantitative methods are taught and not modules in which they are solely applied. Typical examples of quantitative modules are:

  • mathematics / analysis / (linear) algebra (including Financial and Business Mathematics)
  • statistics / stochastics / probability calculus (including applied statistics)
  • econometrics / empirical economics
  • quantitative methods of economics or management / Business Research
  • operations research / methods of optimisation
  • time series analysis
  • data science / data mining / data analysis
  • quantitative market research

Typical application modules which are not counted as quantitative methods courses:

  • macro and microeconomics
  • finance / accounting
  • (theory of) decision making
  • (business) informatics
  • general marketing / market research
  • operations management

Please note: We do only consider quantitative modules which were completed as part of your bachelor's degree. In plain language: You cannot enroll in an additional bachelor in mathematics program to complete additional quantitative modules.

GMAT and GRE are tests which assess various skills related to the projected success in master's programs in management. We consider the verbal and the quantitative section of the GMAT or GRE test independently. Depending on the respective score percentile, we assign the following points:

  • Percentile 91 - 100: 10 points
  • Percentile 81 - 90: 9 points
  • Percentile 71 - 80: 8 points
  • Percentile 61 - 70: 7 points
  • Percentile 56 - 60: 6 points
  • Percentile 50 - 55: 5 points
  • Percentile <50%: 0 points

International experience is an important factor determining the career success of managers in multinational corporations. Thus, for the master in International Management, we aim to select students who already have made a substiantial experience abroad. Thus, applicants receive up to 10 additional points for their international experience according to the following table:

  • Complete studies abroad: 5 points
  • 1-2 semesters abroad: 2 points each (max. 4)
  • Internship / work experience abroad: 2 points
  • Additional foreign language: 1 points

The following instructions further define these criteria:

Studies Abroad
Students who have completed their bachelor's studies or an additional master's program in another country than their home country. We define home country by the place of birth and the place secondary education was completed.

Example: If you moved to another country at the age of 6, completed secondary and tertiary education in this country, this does not count as studies abroad.

Double degree programs do not count as studies abroad (see also semester abroad).

Semester Abroad
Students who have spend one or two semesters in another country as part of an official exchange between your home university and another university. You must have completed at least three courses / modules during your studies abroad.

We do not consider language courses as studies abroad.

As part of a double degree program, students usually spend two semesters abroad. In this case, you receive 4 points.

Internship Abroad
We count work experience in another than your home country (and the country of your secondary education). However, we count internships abroad if you complete them in connection with studies or a semester abroad.

The minimum duration of internships is 2 months.

Additional Foreign Language
You receive one additional point if you can prove profiency in one of the following languages on the B2 level:

  • French 
  • Spanish 
  • German (if German is not your native language)

You need to provide a language certificate which explicitly states the B2 level. We accept only language certificates which are not older than 5 years on the day of the application deadline (May 15).

We do not consider any other foreign languages.