International Purchasing Management – Hybrid (IPM) – MScManagement responsibility in purchasing-related functions

International Purchasing Management pools the central future-oriented key qualifications for purchasing. It teaches a generalist and interdisciplinary perspective - also in related areas of competence such as engineering, controlling, finance and supply chain management.

Part-time - interactive - flexible:
Part-time Master's programme for young professionals and experienced professionals who wish to pursue a career in purchasing. You study in Reutlingen and can work anywhere in Germany
Master's degree and salary: The tuition fees are usually covered by the cooperation partners and you also receive a fixed salary.
Modern knowledge transfer: This programme is offered in cooperation with the Knowledge Foundation @ Reutlingen University (KFRU), the professional training arm of Reutlingen University.

Key data
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Key data

All data and facts for your degree programme at a glance

Duration of studies

4 semesters

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree

Successful entrance examination in the form of a selection interview

Start of studies

Early October

Costs

The tuition fees are usually covered by the cooperation partners.

Study location

Up to 50% online

Attendance in Reutlingen

Places in programme

max. 25

All key data

Duration of studies

4 semsters

Study location

Hybrid variant: up to 50 % online teaching - attendance components in Reutlingen

Start of studies

Start of October each year

Application deadline

15 July each year

Language of instruction

English

ECTS

90 ECTS

Degree

Master of Science (MSc)

Costs

The tuition fees are usually covered by the cooperation partners. You will also receive a fixed salary from the company in this case.

You haven't found a company yet? Click here to go to the job exchange!

Admission Requirements

Above-average Bachelor's degree of 210 ECTS (applicants with 180 ECTS may obtain 30 ECTS in an additional module)
Successful entrance examination in the form of a selection interview
Existing employment contract (we recommend working hours reduction of 25-30%) or a certificate of self-employment
You don’t have an employment contract with a company yet? No problem - go to the job exchange here.
Documented English proficiency of level B2 (according to CEFR) according to § 2 Reutlingen University language regulations.
If applicable, documented German proficiency in accordance with § 1 of the HSRT's language statutes
A certificate of recognition if the qualifying degree is not from Germany
Successful participation in the selection process.
Successful entrance examination in the form of a selection interview

Places in programme

max. 25

Zugangsvoraussetzungen

Bachelor’s degree of 210 ECTS (applicants with 180 ECTS may obtain 30 further ECTS in an additional module)
Successful entrance examination in the form of a selection interview
Existing employment contract (we recommend working hours reduction of 25-30%) or a certificate of self-employment
You don’t yet have an employment contract with a company? No problem - go to the job exchange here.
Documented English proficiency of level B2 (according to CEFR) according to § 2 Reutlingen University language regulations.
If applicable, documented German proficiency in accordance with § 1 of the HSRT's language statutes

International Purchasing Management Students interacting in the ESB Business School premises.

A balance between on-campus and online teaching

With a balanced combination of online and classroom teaching, the Master's programme International Purchasing Management provides you with the specialist knowledge to take on management responsibility in internationally operating commercial enterprises, particularly in purchasing-relevant and related functions.

Structure and content

International Purchasing Management addresses the following questions, among others:

What value can digitalisation add to strategic and tactical decisions in purchasing and procurement? What role do e.g. purchasing and auction platforms play in efficient procurement and financing?
How can modern analytical methods and "big data" be used in purchasing?
Which negotiation strategies and techniques can achieve optimal results depending on the negotiation situation and partner?
How can ethical conflicts and sustainability issues be resolved in procurement?
What should be considered when drafting international contracts?
Which market mechanisms are prevalent in procurement markets of raw materials and intermediate products and how do they develop?
What contribution can project purchasing make in development projects to optimise products from a purchasing point of view?
How can international purchasing organisations be designed and international project teams be managed with efficiency and agility?

Study plan overview

The Master’s programme takes four semesters (24 months). You study part-time for the first three semesters and can work approx. 75 % in your company. During the first three semesters you will complete online and classroom modules with four to five lecture days each (usually from Wednesday to Saturday; 75 days in total).

You will complete the Master's thesis in the final semester, ideally in cooperation with your employer.

In the programme you will acquire 90 ECTS: 60 ECTS in the first three semesters, 30 ECTS via the Master's thesis in the 4th semester. Graduates of Bachelor's programmes of 180 ECTS credits can obtain the further 30 ECTS credits required in an additional module.

Core areas

The part-time MSc International Purchasing Management programme pools the central future-oriented key qualifications for purchasing.

The modules provide you with professional, personal and analytical skills and will boost your career in international purchasing and beyond. This Master’s programme is a hybrid model with up to 50% online teaching.

Modules in the programme

Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Fundamentals (Purchasing and Procurement; Supply Chain Management)
Accounting and Law (Supply Chain Costing and Controlling, International Commercial and Contract Law)
Purchasing Personal Skills (Negotiation Techniques; Project Management; Presentation and Moderation)
Purchasing Data Analytics
Product Development, Operations and Quality Management
Purchasing Finance & Economics (Supply Market and Raw Material Economics; Supply Chain Financial Management)
Intercultural Leadership and Organisation (Leadership and Organisational Development; Intercultural Management and Communication)
Purchasing Strategy (Sustainable Supply Chain Management; International Purchasing Strategy)
Purchasing Process and IT Management
Capstone Module: Integrated Purchasing Project
Master’s thesis

Your application process

1.

The program is offered closed to companies. Please contact KFRU if you are interested in this program for your company.

IPM-Hybrid

And after your studies?

Graduates of this programme are able to take on management responsibility for their future employers - especially in purchasing-relevant functions and related areas of competence such as controlling, finance and supply chain management.

International Purchasing Management students at the ESB Business School collaborating on a project.

Your qualification profile

As a graduate of the Master's programme in International Purchasing Management, you will have skills applicable to a wide variety of functions, such as negotiation, project management, data analytics and in IT/digitalisation - in addition to your professional competence in purchasing.

International Purchasing Management Professor and student interacting with a company representative at the international buisness fair

Typical sectors

As a graduate, your knowledge and skills are in demand, for example, in commercial and industrial companies with (international) purchasing as well as in public administration and consulting.

ESB Business School International Purchasing Management student speaking with a partner company representative

Possible fields of business

With their management and professional competence, our graduates find a wide range of applications, for example in the areas of purchasing, supply chain management and project management.

International Purchasing Management ESB Business School students interacting with each other in the library.

Doctoral degree

Your Master of Science degree in International Purchasing Management also gives you the best foundation for an academic career and a doctorate.

Those who study the part-time Master's programme International Purchasing Management can look forward to internationality, practical relevance and small study groups. Through interactive and entertaining lectures, even challenging content is conveyed in an exciting and sustainable way. Through presentations, case studies and open communication between professors and students, what is learned is practised and can be immediately integrated into everyday working life. For me, this is an optimal combination of my professional career and academic training!

Antonia Bloch
Sourcing Buyer, Kyndryl Deutschland GmbH
Graduate of 2021

The focus of the Master’s programme is on exciting study content on the topic of international supply chain and purchasing management. The programme provides teaching at the highest level, which enables a quick implementation of operational and strategic approaches to improve personal performance in the company. Due to the small class size, the content could be taught directly and interactively and could be very well understood. The various pieces of assessment were well divided and were in effective different forms such as written exams, presentations and homework.

Hannes Kipp
Project and Outsource Buyer, Kalkhoff Werken GmbH
Graduate of 2020