One-year cohort-based program that prepares you to lead with confidence
This program is designed to develop a new generation of business leaders capable of managing the complex challenges that business and society faces right now. We attract a wide range of talent from around the world, both students and faculty. We are accredited in both the US and Switzerland. Our curriculum and leadership program was developed after extensive research on the skills today’s managers say are most valuable to their employees. We emphasize leadership to guide you in identifying your individual strengths and give you practice using them.
You will participate in a series of shared experiences that develop practical and cross-cultural skills that you will take forward into your career and your life. We extend management education to include courses that prepare you to effectively employ digital strategies in your organization. We emphasize e-Business in the fashion industry due to our strategic location and partnerships. You gain the benefits of a high-quality education in Switzerland combined with Franklin's pragmatic approach that focuses on applying skills while learning in an international business context.
The Director of Graduate Studies is committed to creating a collaborative relationship among faculty, students, and industry experts. Throughout the masters in international management program, you engage directly with experienced professionals both in the classroom and in real work situations, learning current best practices and putting them to use. You also benefit from Academic Travel, visiting organizations that you study in international locations, and Practical Experience, bridging the gap between coursework and career.
Graduate Student Profile
Our Master of Science in International Management is designed for people:
- from many different educational and professional backgrounds who have a commitment to being responsible, strategic, entrepreneurial and innovative leaders and want a small cohort program with a strong leadership development and mentoring component.
- with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline who want to acquire management skills and business acumen to excel in the information economy and gain experience in a multicultural, interdisciplinary learning environment.
- who want a progressive approach to management education in a short-term intensive program.
Curriculum
Our one-year MSIM course of study is taught using a cohort model: each cohort progresses through the entire one-year program together. This model facilitates collaborative learning and encourages the class to act as a team, similar to the dynamic you find in the workplace.
The program is conducted over two semesters and the summer. Each semester is 16 weeks, divided into two core sessions of seven weeks, with a mid-term period of two weeks.
The fall mid-term session is dedicated to seminar courses on current topics and the spring mid-term is when the cohort goes on Academic Travel. You begin with a professional week that introduces you to the program, the cohort, the faculty and the university while getting a pulse on the backgrounds and skills that you bring to the cohort.
The second week focuses on leadership development skills. We follow a semester system with a one-month break from mid-December to mid-January.
The Leadership Program and preparation for your Practical Experience run over the entire year. Over the summer, you conduct the Practical Experience.
Program of Study (45 Credits)
| Strategic Decision-Making |
| MGT500 Leadership Development through Action Learning I MGT510 International Management MGT540 International and Legal Environment EBC510 e-BC Data & Models EBC511 Digital Communication Strategies EBC516 Global Innovation Ecosystems I MGT509 Quantitative Methods in Economics and Finance MGT600 Career Strategies |
| Responsible Decision-Making |
| MGT520 The Role of Ethics in the Modern Corporation MGT525 Project Management MGT530 Challenges in the New Global Marketplace MGT545 Financial Management MGT555 Seminar in Individual and Social Responsibility |
| Innovative Decision-Making |
| MGT501 Leadership Development through Action Learning II EBC517 Global Innovation Ecosystems II MGT601 Practical Experience Planning MGT550 Innovation Management MGT565 Cross-Cultural Negotiations EBC512 Digital Advertising |
| Academic Travel |
| MGT580 Academic Travel |
| Entrepreneurial Decision-Making |
| MGT560 Global Entrepreneurship MGT535 International Business Economics EBC513 Technology and Business Processes MGT585 Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs |
| Practical Experience |
| MGT602 Practical Experience |
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the Master of Science in International Management is paid in Swiss Francs only.
As a graduate student you should expect the following average direct and indirect annual costs:
- Tuition: CHF 29,500
- Housing (if living on campus): CHF 11,020
- Health Insurance: CHF 1,590**
- Meal plan (optional): CHF 3,200
- Other expenses (travel, books, meals out, entertainment, personal items - estimate): CHF 7,500
**CHF1,930 if born on or before 31.12.1990. Rates for non-Swiss citizens. Different rates apply for Swiss citizens (including dual nationality).
Scholarships & Financial Aid
At Franklin, we see financing your education as an investment and partnership among you, your family, and the University. About 70 percent of Franklin students receive financial aid in a variety of forms, such as need- and merit-based scholarships, government and private aid and engagement incentives.
Franklin offers scholarships, financial aid, and other initiatives, and various external programs are available based on citizenship and need assessment. Together we will create your financial aid package and carefully guide you through your financing options.
Need-based Aid
Students of all nationalities are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Information about how and when to apply, various aid programs available and eligibility is available in our dedicated section on Financial Aid.
Scholarships and Merit Awards
Merit scholarships are given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement and are renewed each year, for four years. These scholarships are automatically awarded at the time of admission and are not based on need or family income. Priority is given to students applying for admission by the December 1st, 2017 deadline. After December 1, we may continue to award merit scholarships, if funds are still available. For more information, students are advised to contact our office in Lugano.
Below is a range of awards available for the incoming class of Fall Semester 2018.
| Merit Award Amounts for US Students (US dollars) |
Merit Award Amounts for Students outside of the US (Swiss francs) |
| $22,000 | CHF 28,500 |
| $18,000 | CHF 24,500 |
| $16,000 | CHF 22,500 |
| $12,000 | CHF 18,500 |
| Up to $5000 | Up to CHF 5000 |
Swiss Matura Initiative
Specific financial incentives are available for students holding a Swiss national high school diploma (Matura).
Life-long Learning Scholarship Program
The Life-Long Learning Scholarship Program (LLLS) supports students by preparing them to be career-ready upon graduation from Franklin, not only with regard to academic foundations in their respective disciplines, but also by providing them with skills that are essential in public and private sector employment in a wide variety of settings. By participating in the Life-Long Learning Scholarship program, students will experience a strong sense of engagement with the University, develop leadership skills, and have the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills in a number of fields and areas.
LLLS Program Eligibility for Students
- All undergraduate students enrolled at Franklin University Switzerland with full-time status (a minimum of four semester courses) may apply for an LLLS position.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher is required to be eligible for the LLLS program.
- All applicants MUST have an account in good standing with the University in order to be eligible for the LLLS program.
- Resident Assistants are eligible for LLLS positions for a maximum of 5 hours per week and only with permission from their supervisors.
LLLS Position Levels
The LLLS positions are classified into various levels. First-year students start with simpler, service-oriented positions and progress to more challenging positions with greater responsibility and increased complexity during their upper-class years.
- Tier I: Task oriented. Entry-level students learn basic career skills and experienced students have proven to be dependable. Students may have time to study while conducting projects after their assigned tasks have been completed.
- Tier II: Students learn project management and more advanced career skills. Experienced students have the capacity to train and supervise beginner level students. Students do not have time to study during their assigned projects.
- Research Assistant or other Academic Assistant Position: Students perform basic to advanced academic research and complete academic projects. Students do not have time to study during their assigned projects.
The LLLS program allows students to experience a strong sense of engagement with the University, develop leadership skills, and have the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills in a number of fields and areas. Students are expected to maintain communication with their supervisor about the schedule, tasks, and deadlines. Supervisors are expected to provide training for LLLS students to fully acclimate the student to the new role.
LLLS Administration
At the beginning of each semester, information about open LLLS positions and the application process is sent to students' Franklin email accounts. The LLLS Program is coordinated by the Dean of Student Life and Engagement in collaboration with the Vice President for Finance and Administration and the Franklin Bursar.
Program taught in:
Annual tuition fee