The Franco-German University has just announced its support to the double degree Business Administration and Marketing, Sales offered by the IAE Metz School of Management and the University of Passau, an opportunity for future students of the degree.
We went to meet Sandrine Heitz-Spahn, Lecturer in Management Sciences at the University of Lorraine, in charge of the Master's degree at the IAE Metz School of Management.
Can you present us this double degree?
This is a bi-national course leading to two Master's degrees: a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Passau (Germany) and a Master's degree in Marketing and Sales from the University of Lorraine.
The first year is spent at the University of Passau (Germany) and leads to 60 ECTS in the 1st year of Master M.Sc. in Business Administration specialised in International Management and Marketing. The 2nd year of Master's degree take place at IAE Metz School of Management and leads to 60 ECTS in the 2nd year of Master's degree in Marketing and Sales with 3 possible courses: Marketing and Development of Hotel Services, Marketing and Product Development and Digital Marketing.
Who is this double degree for?
This course is aimed at French and German students with a Bac+3 level degree in management sciences, economics, applied foreign languages or foreign and regional languages, literature and civilisations. The course is open to other students from other disciplines wiling to move into business management and marketing. In addition to the fact that the candidate must have an interest in the German language and culture as well as in marketing, a minimum language level B2 is required in German, French and English to be able to join the programme.
How does the training between IAE Metz School of Management and University of Passau work?
This double degree in a 2-year course with one year at each site. The first year of the Master's degree takes place at the University of Passau with the aim of acquiring a solid foundation in business management and marketing. The second year of the Master's degree takes place at the IAE Metz School of Management, University of Lorraine, with the objective that students specialise in a marketing speciality, i.e. Digital Marketing, Marketing and Product Development or Marketing and Development of Hotel Services. In France and Germany, students in the double degree programme are integrated with other students in regular programmes. In 2nd year, students have the choice of following the training in the basic cycle or in a sandwich course contract in a company throughout the year. Students in the basic cycle complete a 4-6 month internship in the partner country. Thus, the German students of the programme carry out an internship in France and the French students carry out an internship in Germany. The course ends with the submission of a dissertation written in English or in the language of the partner country.
French and German students in the double degree programme are supervised over the two years by a German and a French educational manager, and the two managers cooperate throughout the programme, from the recruitment of candidates to the jury for the awarding of diplomas and the monitoring of the proper running of courses.
Why is doing a double degree interesting for students?
Students completing this course will be awarded two university degrees: the Master of Business Administration of University of Passau's degree and the Master in Marketing and Sales' degree. Not only are the courses taught in French and German, but also in English, which makes it a course that can even be described as trilingual.
As the feedback from French and German double degree students attests, the use of three languages during the course and the immersion in the culture of the neighbouring country increases the employability of graduates on the labour market, particularly with a view to working in a multinational company where contacts with foreign partners are regular.
In addition to the quality of education at the University of Passau, the city is located at the gates of the Czech and Austrian borders, making it a real multicultural area, not unlike the assets of Metz, which is not far from the German, Luxembourgish and Belgian borders.
What is the Franco-German University and how is its support for education an opportunity for future students?
The Franco-German University (UFA) aims to improve Franco-German cooperation in higher education. Its mission is to promote relations and exchange between French and German educational institutions by supporting bi-national projects in the field of teaching, research and training of future researchers.
The double degree Master of Business Administration and Marketing of the IAE Metz School of Management and the University of Passau obtained in April 2021 the support of the Franco-German University (UFA) for a period of 4 years.
This support from the UFA is a real opportunity for the students of the course, particularly in two aspects: assistance in improving the language of the partner country and the payment of a mobility scholarship.
The UFA offers free on-line language courses to all its German and French students, enabling them to improve their language skills in the partner country (minimum level required: B1). In the form of units to be worked on individually, students can acquire vocabulary specific to their field of study, consolidate grammar or, thanks to the units on everyday life or university life, actively prepare their stay in the partner country. They receive personalised support from DUO tutors and can interact with other participants through the forums.
The UFA also provides financial support to students of the double degree. It pays a mobility scholarship of 300 euros per month to students staying in the partner country. For example, a French student will benefit from the scholarship during his stay in Germany, in 1st year of Master's degree. The same will happen for a German student doing a 2nd year of Master's degree in France.
Further information on Franco-German University: https://www.dfh-ufa.org/fr/
What are the job openings?
The course offers excellent prospects for international careers. Graduates of the course can work as executives in international companies, in management and marketing professions (marketing and communication manager, product manager, marketing strategy manager, manager in hotel structures).
What is the language level required to be able to enter this Master?
A good level in French, English and German is required. A minimum language level of B2 is expected in German and English, as courses can also be held in English at the University of Passau and at the IAE Metz School of Management. However, the higher the candidate's level, the easier it would be to follow the course. Each application is studied on a case-by-case basis, depending in particular on the applicant's academic and extracurricular background and his/her motivation to join the programme. Language courses (English, German, French) may be recommended depending on the candidate's level.
If I want to apply, what should I do?
Selection is by application file and interview. Applications from French students can be submitted from now until June 21th 2021 on the e-candidat platform (https://ecandidat.univ-lorraine.fr/). The purpose of the selection interview is to determine the candidate's motivation to join the course and to determine his or her language level in German and English. Admission results will be published in early July 2021.
German students apply at the University of Passau.
You will find further information on our training course catalogue
