Sustainable Business Development

Do you want to do more than just maximize profits? In the trinational Master’s program in Sustainable Business Development, you’ll study in Germany, France, and Switzerland to learn how to develop sustainable business models that are environmentally sound and economically successful. Through real-world projects with partner companies, you’ll put your knowledge directly into practice and become a driving force for a world worth living in.

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Profile

Degree
3 internationally recognized master's degrees (M. Sc.)

Study Language
German, French, English

Standard period of study
4 Semester

Starts of study
Winter semester

Application deadline
March 31 (resident outside the EU) / July 15 (resident within the EU)

Admission requirements
completed bachelor's degree in a related field

Language requirements
Language level of B1 in German, French and English

ECTS
120 Credits

Place of study
University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (Switzerland), EM Strasbourg Business School, Université de Strasbourg (France), Hochschule Offenburg

Selection process
Yes (NC)

Everything You Need to Know

Course Content

During your studies, you’ll combine economic, environmental, and social topics to develop business models that truly work. You’ll bring together knowledge and practical skills from a wide range of fields:

Circular economy systems
Resource efficiency
Sustainable business strategies
Corporate governance and ethics
Renewable energy
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Globalization and Sustainability
Corporate Culture

In the first part of your program, the “Fundamentals,” we’ll bring you and your fellow students up to speed on sustainability, technology, and economics.

Each semester, your journey takes you to a different campus of our partner universities. You’ll gain exposure to diverse perspectives and build an international network:

1st Semester: FHNW School of Business (Basel, Switzerland)
2nd semester: Hochschule Offenburg (Offenburg, Germany)
3rd & 4th Semesters: EM Strasbourg Business School, University of Strasbourg (Strasbourg, France). Here, you will also write your master’s thesis in the 4th semester.

Your courses will be held in German and French; in selected subjects, you will communicate in English. To help you get off to a smooth start in your trinational program, we offer language courses during your first year of study.

Dual study phase in the second year of study

In your second year, you’ll shift into high gear and build a direct connection between the university and the company. Here’s what your course of study will look like:

3rd semester: You alternate weekly between the university and your partner company. This allows you to apply your newly acquired knowledge directly to real-world projects and further develop your skills in a professional setting.
4th semester: You’ll be working full-time at the company and focusing entirely on your master’s thesis.

Your 2 Paths to a Dual Degree Program

graphical representation of the second academic year

You can choose the country where you want to build your professional network. We offer two options for companies and students:

Companies in France: In the standard model, students work at a French company. Hiring is straightforward via an apprenticeship contract (contrat d’apprentissage).
Companies in Germany: Alternatively, you can complete your internship at a German company.

Perspectives

With your triple master’s degree, many doors are open to you, for example in these fields:

Sustainability Management
Sustainability Management in NGOs and the Public Sector
Product and Life Cycle Management
Supply Chain Management
Sustainable Transformation Management
Sustainability Consulting
Starting Your Own Sustainable Business
Ph.D.: During your two-year master’s program (120 ECTS credits leading to a degree from the University of Strasbourg), you will fulfill the formal requirements for a Ph.D. and gain valuable research and methodological skills.

Application

Admission Requirements

a) A bachelor’s degree comprising at least 180 credits (according to ECTS), or an equivalent first degree from a suitable and accredited program at a recognized institution of higher education.

Equivalent first-cycle degree from a suitable and accredited program at a recognized institution of higher education.

b) For all students, the required language proficiency level corresponds to Level B1 in German, French, and English according to the Common European Framework of Reference.

c) Suitable bachelor's programs include business, engineering, natural sciences, or computer science. Bachelor’s degrees in other fields are accepted upon demonstration of appropriate aptitude and interest.

Selection Process

Online application with documents in digital form; preliminary selection based on the documents submitted in the online application
Trilingual interview (in German, French, and English) before a selection committee

Financing your study

Erasmus+

If Hochschule Offenburg is your home institution, you can receive Erasmus+ funding for your time in France. As soon as you meet the program requirements and the funds are available, we’ll provide you with financial support.

You can find details on the current funding amount directly under Erasmus+.

Recognition and Support from the DFH

Our degree program is recognized by the Franco-German University (DFH).

Students who enroll at the DFH receive a monthly mobility grant of €300–350 per person for a maximum of 10 months per academic year (in accordance with the DFH’s eligibility criteria). For more information on enrollment and financial aid, visit the DFH website.

FAQ – What you should know

Gebühren und Kosten

Students at Hochschule Offenburg must pay certain fee(s) for each semester:

Administrative fee per semester: €80.00 (waived for exchange students from partner universities and special scholarship recipients who are not pursuing a degree)
Social contribution per semester for the Freiburg-Black Forest Student Services Organization: €65.00 (for the cafeteria, dormitories, counseling centers, etc.)
Contribution to the Student Government per semester: €25.00 (waived for recipients of special scholarships and exchange students from partner universities, who are not pursuing a degree)
Flat-rate service fee per semester for students in the Graduate School’s international master’s programs: €150.00 (for housing placement, field trips and excursions, mentors, etc.).
Tuition fees per semester charged by the State of Baden-Württemberg for non-EU citizens: €1,500.00. You are exempt from the €1,500.00 tuition fees if you:
- are a citizen of the European Union and/or the European Economic Community,
- are the spouse or child of a citizen of the European Union and/or the European Economic Community,
- have earned your high school diploma in Germany,
- are recognized as a refugee in Germany,
- are an exchange student from a partner university.
MBA tuition fees for students in the International Business Consulting program: a total of €10,400.00 for the entire program (3 semesters). Students in the MBA program do not pay any additional tuition fees to the State of Baden-Württemberg.
Semester tuition fee charged by the State of Baden-Württemberg for a second degree program: €650.00 (only for students who are exempt from the State of Baden-Württemberg’s tuition fee of €1,500.00 and have already earned a master’s degree in a consecutive degree program in Germany).

This information is provided without guarantee. The current laws of the State of Baden-Württemberg are legally binding. For more information on tuition fees, visit the following website: https://mwk.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/hochschulen-studium/studium/studienfinanzierung/gebuehren-fuer-internationale-studierende-und-zweitstudium/

The respective payment deadlines will be announced with the letter of admission.

Exchange students from partner universities and recipients of special scholarships may pay the student service fee after arriving in Offenburg.

Vor der Ankunft

Do I need a visa?
Students from non-EU countries must obtain a student visa. A tourist visa is not sufficient. Apply approximately three months before arrival.

Do I need to prove financial resources?
Yes. You must demonstrate you can cover your living expenses, approximately €11,904 for the first year. This can be done via a blocked account, scholarship, or proof of savings.

Is health insurance required?
Yes, all students must have valid health insurance for enrollment. You can use German student insurance or a recognized international plan.

Nach der Ankunft

What should I do immediately after arriving in Offenburg?

Complete enrollment at the university to receive your student ID (“OSKAR”) and login credentials.
Open a German bank account for rent, insurance, and other payments.
Confirm health and liability insurance coverage.
Register your address at the town hall and visit the immigration office for a residence permit if required (non-EU students).
Pay the broadcasting fee (€18.36 per household per month).

Is there an orientation or welcome program?
Yes. All new students are invited to orientation sessions, including a special introduction for international students. This provides an opportunity to meet peers and become familiar with the university before classes begin.

Is there support before arrival?
Yes, the university provides a Buddy Program to connect incoming students with current students who can help with housing, paperwork, and settling in.

Services

We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming atmosphere to ensure you have a successful and enjoyable time at Hochschule Offenburg. Here are some of the key services we provide:

Accomodation

Intercultural competence certificationat

Summer language course

Infoveranstaltungen

Driving Sustainability Across Borders

You’ll spend more than half of your studies working on concrete sustainability projects. In the “Impact Projects” with our partner companies, NGOs, and public organizations, you’ll tackle real-world challenges. You’ll work and make an impact together in trinational teams, guided by learning coaches. You’ll see results and feel that your actions are making a meaningful difference.

In the process, you’ll take on various roles:

Entrepreneur: You develop and implement your own sustainable business idea.
Consultant: You help companies make their business models more sustainable.
Intrapreneur: You work individually within a company and become a driver of real transformation there.