Entrepreneurship and Corporate Venturing (M. Sc.)

Evidence of the following qualifications has to be provided for admission to the master’s degree program in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Venturing (ECV):

• An economics degree from a German university with at least 210 ECTS credit points and or an equivalent qualification from a university in Germany or abroad. A certificate must be submitted as proof. The Examination Commission decides on equivalence.
• Applicants must pass a selection procedure for the master's degree course in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Venturing (Appendix 2 of the Statutes).
• Proof of sufficient knowledge of the English language (level B2 of the Common European Framework). Find here: Comparison table with the recognised tests.
• Please note: Your admission cannot be reviewed until all application documents have been submitted. It is not possible to make a definitive statement without looking at the certificates first. We cannot provide advance information regarding your chances of admission by e-mail or telephone.

Find general information on the application procedure.

The following link contains information for applicants from abroad concerning the application procedure.

NOTE on 180 ECTS:

Can I apply even if I have obtained less than 210 ECT (normally 180 ECTS) in my previous bachelor’s degree?

It is possible to apply with less than 210 ECTS; however, proof of compensation of the missing 30 ECTS has to be provided no later than the end of the application period by means of:

• proof of practical experience outside the degree course which corresponds to the practical semester of a bachelor’s degree in economics or engineering in terms of content and scope
  or
• proof of practical or theoretical study and examinations passed at a German or foreign university in addition to the student’s first degree which corresponds in content and scope to the demands of a bachelor's degree in economics or engineering.

Please see the Study and Examination Regulations for details.

Dubious Application Agencies

Currently, THI is receiving an increasing amount of information regarding fraudulent activities in connection with student applications to THI. Therefore, it is important for you to know the following:

1. THI does not work with agencies. Please apply directly to THI via the Primuss application portal.
2. THI never asks for money via agencies for application purposes.
3. THI only sends emails from @thi.de.
4. THI never asks for money before you receive your admission letter. If you need a VPD from uni-assist, you will have to pay a processing fee to uni-assist. However, uni-assist only checks certain documents and does not grant admission to THI.
5. The application process is conducted in the THI Primuss portal. Only there will you be able to access your application progress.

The dual studies programme enables a combination of practical training elements in a company with the theoretical education provided by the university. There is a choice of either the joint model (academic study + vocational training) or the degree course with vocational experience (academic study + intense practical phases). There is an obvious advantage to students here: practically oriented academic study generally enables a particularly smooth transition from university to the world of work. What is more, the student usually receives financial remuneration from the company concerned.

In the joint model, students may start working at the company several months before the start of the first semester, depending on the company concerned. At the start of the course there is an alternation between theory (during the semester) and practical experience (between semesters and during the practical semesters). In order to embark on a dual studies programme, students have to apply to both a company and to THI (be sure to take note of company application deadlines!).

More info on our dual studies-pages, or check dual cooperation partner companies. Even if no partner company is currently active in this degree programme, you are welcome to contact us.

Own venture and startup ecosystem:

• Own startup
• Incubator or accelerator programs
• Venture capital (analyst)
• Research and technology (spin-off) startups (MINT)

Excellent career and future opportunities in established companies, incl. SMEs, e.g.:

• Executive level & project management in terms of (Digital) Business Development, Disruption and Transformation.
• Business models and applications in mobility, UXD, AI, IoT, IT security.
• Digital Business, Retail & eCommerce
• IoT and Industry 4.0
• Technology transfer, innovation management, consulting, advisory services

The program has a decidedly international orientation. The lectures are offered in English. Furthermore, there are regular opportunities for exchange and experience with international practical experts and guest lecturers, both virtually and on site. A stay abroad, preferably in the third semester, is supported and promoted by the degree program director.

• On this course you will graduate with a Master of Science degree. You can even take selected modules from other THI faculties.
• The consecutive master's degree program is suitable for graduates of bachelor's degree programs in economics or related fields.
• In contrast to comparable master's degree programs at universities, with a standard period of study of four semesters, the program at THI Business School can be completed in just three semesters.

• The elective compulsory module offers students the opportunity to structure their studies according to their personal interests and needs, to deepen their knowledge for their own start-up projects, and for the possible crediting of modules completed abroad.
• There is a choice of English and German language modules from neighbouring master's programmes at THI Business School and other THI faculties.

As of winter semester 2024/25, THI charges service fees of 500 euros per semester for students from third countries. If you have any questions, please contact incomings@thi.de.

Entrepreneurial Methods & Venture Projects, Lean Analytics, AI & Smart Data Science, Digital Business Technologies, Corporate Venturing & Innovation, Entrepreneurial Finance & Growth, Technology Commercialization & Intellectual Property Management, Global Entrepreneurship & Intercultural Leadership, Elective

“Corporate ventures are internally launched ideas or projects that are developed into separate units, divisions or companies with a dedicated team, positioning (brand, logo etc.) and a distinct offering from the companies core products and services.” (see Pioneers.io)

“Corporate venture building is focused on established companies launching separate ventures from scratch. To seize unexplored opportunities beyond the current business, a novel brand, team, revenue stream, or P&L (profit-and-loss) structure is established, focusing on untapped areas such as emerging customer segments, technologies, or capabilities.”” (see WhatAVenture)

"Corporate venture building is an increasingly significant strategic approach in which established companies create startups or launch new business units to tap into a range of benefits. Venture building can help accelerate growth by embracing a more entrepreneurial mindset and exploring new business models. A new venture can also deliver greater agility and maximize the freedom to explore innovative solutions.“ (see Roland Berger)

You do not necessarily have to found a start-up at the end of this course. However, the program’s pedagogical approach will guide you to work through the necessary challenges of starting your own venture during the course of your studies.

Usually we strive to give a prompt confirmation. If your complete application was submitted more than a month ago, please check your application in Primuss to see if any documents were requested. If this is not the case, please contact us.

It is possible to work during the semester. The mandatory lectures mainly take place on three fixed weekdays, but block lectures and excursions take place on additional days. The elective course can also take place on any day of the week. Therefore, ensure you have enough flexibility with your employer. Also, bear in mind the high workload during studies.

Admission requirement is proof of successful completion of a degree at a German university with at least 210 ECTS credits or equivalent volume of study in the field of economics or related areas, or an equivalent successful domestic or foreign degree.

The aptitude procedure is not a test that needs to be prepared for. Please fill out the Excel "Curricular Analysis" truthfully and possibly with explanations and upload it with your application documents in the Primuss applicant portal. The information for the aptitude procedure is taken from the curricular analysis and your other application documents. Please refer to Annex 2 of the Study and Examination Regulations for the criteria.

You can apply for the winter semester 2025/26 from 2 May 2025.

Currently, there is no cooperation for a dual degree . However, you can spend a period abroad (e.g., semester breaks, internship/working student stays, master's thesis) at one of the numerous partner universities abroad and even take courses there.

The lectures are held in English.

A previous English-language study is sufficient. Please upload appropriate evidence in the application portal, which shows the lectures were in English. Here you can find an overview of the accepted language certificates: Link

You need to prove at least B2 language level for English. Proof of this is mandatory for matriculation, so it is due within four weeks of the semester start. Here you can find an overview of the accepted language certificates: Link

You do not need any knowledge of German for this course. If you do not yet have any knowledge of German, we naturally recommend that you acquire it during the course of your studies. German courses at our Language Center, for example, are available for this purpose.

Optionally, a German-language lecture can be attended for the compulsory elective subject. However, this is only possible if you have sufficient knowledge of the language. Compulsory elective modules are allocated in consultation with the head of degree program.