Institutes / Universities
International School of Management
Established in
1990Famous For
Luxury Management, Finance
Fees
£10,800 - £12,000
- Overview
- Services
- Rankings
- Accommodation
- Location
- Courses
- Scholarships
Overview
The International School of Management (ISM) Dortmund serves as the flagship and largest campus of this prestigious private German business school. Founded in 1990, the Dortmund campus is situated within Technology Park, acting as a bridge between academic theory and the practical demands of the modern economy. With approximately 900 students, the institution offers a more intimate, personalised learning environment compared to larger public universities, maintaining a strong focus on internationality and career readiness.
ISM is highly regarded for its global outlook, often integrating a mandatory semester abroad and offering double degree options for various programmes. The curriculum is designed to be practice-oriented, featuring lecturers from the business world and strong links to industry partners. Key study areas include International Management, Applied Data Science, and Finance.
Services
ISM provides comprehensive support through its International Office and dedicated study coaches. New students benefit from an intensive three-week German language course held before the semester begins, or opt for "German as a Foreign Language" modules during the term to reach A1+ proficiency. The "StudyPlus" programme further offers free evening courses in both soft skills and languages to accommodate busy schedules.
The Career Centre is a vital resource, facilitating over 1,300 internships annually and hosting around 21 campus events to connect students with potential employers. Beyond academics, international students are encouraged to join the German Language Café, which meets fortnightly at the IBZ to help learners of all levels practice their conversational skills in a relaxed setting.
Rankings
ISM consistently performs well in both domestic and international assessments.
In the CHE University Ranking 2025/2026, the Dortmund campus received top marks for its Business Administration and Business Psychology programmes. Internationally, the school’s MBA programmes have been featured in the QS World University Rankings, where they have previously scored above the global mean for diversity and employability.
Additionally, the European Economic Committee recently ranked ISM's DBA programme at #18 in Europe for 2024, acknowledging the institution's excellence in management education and impactful research contributions.
Accommodation
While ISM does not own its own dormitories, international students have access to publicly-funded housing through the Studierendenwerk Dortmund. Popular residence options near the campus include the Ostenbergstraße 97-101 complex, which offers 244 places in single apartments or shared flats, and the Vogelpothsweg residences located just 450 metres from the university.
Other notable halls include:
- Am Gardenkamp: Features shared and single flats roughly 850 metres from campus.
- Emil-Figge-Straße: Provides over 400 places in various flat-share configurations.
- Meitnerweg: Offers shared housing for up to four people near the local technology centre.
ISM’s International Office provides an accommodation guide to assist students in navigating both student halls and the private rental market in the city centre.
Location
The ISM Dortmund campus is located in the Technology Park, just 15 minutes from the city centre by public transport. Dortmund has evolved from a coal and steel hub into a vibrant technology and service city, serving as the capital of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region. This location offers students proximity to major innovative companies and the Signal Iduna Park, home to the famous Borussia Dortmund football team.
Transport links are excellent; the campus is easily reachable via the S1 suburban train line (Dortmund Universität station) and bus 462. For international travel, Dortmund Airport is approximately 20 kilometres away, while the larger Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is roughly 60 kilometres away and directly accessible by train, providing global connections for students and visiting family.
Courses offered at International School of Management
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