AACSB accreditation
ISM holds the prestigious AACSB accreditation, making it the first private German university of applied sciences to earn this recognition. Only about 6% of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.
International School of Management (ISM), Germany
Elevate your global business education with ISM — a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences in Germany and HBS’s dual-degree partner.
About ISM
A premier German university of applied sciences.
The International School of Management (ISM) is a premier private, state-recognised university of applied sciences in Germany, renowned for its commitment to excellence in business education.
With a strong emphasis on internationality, practical relevance and personalised learning, ISM offers students a transformative academic experience across its seven campuses in Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin.
Dual-degree partner
International School of Management.
The HBS × ISM pathway connects a personal Swiss learning environment with seven German campuses and an internationally focused management education.
Recognition
Prestigious accreditations and recognitions
Accreditation detail
What each recognition means
FIBAA accreditation
All ISM programs are accredited by the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA), guaranteeing high-quality teaching and learning outcomes.
German Council of Science and Humanities
ISM has received institutional accreditation from the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat), validating the quality of its academic offering.
ATHEA accreditation
ISM is institutionally accredited by the Association for Transnational Higher Education Accreditation (ATHEA), confirming its compliance with European quality standards.
Academic excellence and global reach
A multicultural learning community
Bachelor’s to doctoral
ISM offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, MBA and doctoral programs designed to equip students with practical skills and global perspectives.
Over 190 universities
ISM has partnerships with over 190 universities around the world, supporting exchanges and collaborative learning opportunities.
85+ nationalities
With students from over 85 nationalities, ISM fosters a vibrant and inclusive learning community.
Rankings and achievements
Selected rankings
- CHE University Ranking 2023
Top group for support and practice
ISM ranked highest in support at the beginning of studies, graduation in due course, and practical experience.
- U-Multirank 2020
Global Top 25 in two categories
ISM was placed among the global Top 25 in “contact to work environment” and “student mobility”.
- Trendence Graduate Barometer 2016
Top five universities of applied sciences
ISM ranked among the top five universities of applied sciences in Germany, praised especially for the quality of its teaching staff.
- WirtschaftsWoche 2019
4th among private universities
ISM placed 4th among private universities and 14th overall in Germany for business administration.
Dual degree partnership with HBS
What the partnership offers
A blend of strengths
A blend of HBS’s academic foundation with ISM’s practical and international teaching approach.
International network
Access to ISM’s international university network and multicultural student body.
Industry reputation
Graduates benefit from ISM’s strong industry reputation and global career support.
Explore
HBS × ISM dual degrees
BBA + B.Sc. International Management
Three years: two in Switzerland, one in Germany.
View programMBA + one of ten ISM master’s degrees
Two and a half years: one in Switzerland, one and a half in Germany.
View pathwaysDual degrees