University profile

WHU was founded in 1984 as one of the first private business schools in Germany growing to become a leader in management research and education in an international arena. As expressed in the claim "Excellence in Management Education", WHU pursues excellence in everything it does: Its programs are characterized by innovative curricula, outstanding research, first-class international partnerships with more than 160 leading universities and 150 partner companies worldwide.Not surprisingly, the school is consistently ranked by notable publications as one of the top business schools in the German-speaking area.

WHU offers high-level academic programs with the degrees Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Science (MSc), full-time and part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Law and Business (MLB) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), a doctoral program and tailor-made company programs.

University environment

Vallendar (where WHU is located) is situated in the heart of the famous Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are excellent opportunities for you to explore the beautiful surroundings of WHU – take a boat trip through the Rhine gorge with its castle-topped cliffs, or cycle through the Moselle valley, home to some of Germany’s best vineyards. A huge selection of outdoor activities is available throughout the region. Nearby are Frankfurt, Germany’s financial hub, as well as Cologne and Trier, whose roots date back to the days of the Roman Empire.

Partner organisations

Our students have access to a unique partnership network of more than 170 partner universities around the globe. No other German university-level institution offers so many active and notable partnerships. We place particular emphasis on quality when selecting our partner universities. As a result, we have established mostly exclusive co-operative arrangements with half of the 25 top business schools in the USA. 

The double degree programs are a special feature at WHU.  You can earn the full degree of the partner university in addition to the MSc degree from WHU after completing only one additional semester abroad at a selected partner university (e.g. University of San Diego - USA, York University - Canada, University of Western Australia, Peking University - China, EM Lyon - France). The International Relations Office provides assistance to make your time abroad a unique experience. For further information, please visit WHU's International Relations website.

Ranking

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management is repeatedly ranked as one of the leading institutions in the relevant national and international business school rankings. Here are just a few examples:

• Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2011: MSc Program is ranked No. 1 in Germany and No. 6 globally
• Financial Times European Business School Ranking 2010: WHU is ranked as best German business school
• Zeit/CHE-Hochschulranking 2011/2012: WHU ranks in the top tier on the main indicators. The overall study situation, study organization, international orientation, and research funding are rated as outstanding
• Trendence Graduate Barometer 2011: WHU once again receives the best possible rating “Top Performance” in all categories
• Wirtschaftswoche Uni-Ranking 2011: WHU is top rated by HR managers. The school ranks 5th in the field of business administration

Career opportunities

As a result of their enhanced analytical abilities, graduates of the Master of Science in Management Program have access to the best international career prospects, in both the business and academic worlds.

On average, WHU graduates have several job offers. A large number of former WHU students reach positions of leadership in a relatively short period. Equally, an above average number of them become top earners.

The range of sectors in which WHU graduates are working today is broad. The focus is on banking and finance, consulting, engineering/ consumer goods industry, as well as media and publishing. A fair share of a year's intake of students set up their own business.

Career services

The university’s own Career Service is the point of contact between companies, WHU and its students. The Career Service offerings include the following activities:

• Career counseling and career orientation
• Company presentations: About 50 companies are active at WHU campus each year through corporate presentations
• Career events:  Two recruiting fairs take place each year (“Master Your Career” in February and the “Career Day” in October)
• Weekly newsletters provide students with info and news about our companies, alumni and current internship and job offers
• Workshops and training for professional qualification
• WHU Résumé books/On Campus Recruiting: The résumé books of our graduates are sent to WHU sponsors and are often the basis for on campus recruiting or interview invitations directly to the respective company
• Alumni network: The Career Service maintains close relationships to the alumni who significantly support on-campus activities and also help finding national and international job/internship positions

Besides we are convinced that an optimum care is possible only by personal contact. With our "Open Door Policy" we offer our students an easy and direct opportunity to get in touch with us.

Alumni network

WHU is unique, and so are its alumni. Founded by the first diploma class in 1988, WHU's alumni association In Praxi is regarded among the best alumni associations in Germany. Since its foundation, the association has more than 2.300 members. Yearly, more than 90% of all graduates become members of In Praxi.

Approximately 20% of all members live outside Germany. As regular In Praxi meetings take place all over Germany, Europe and abroad, these so-called regional chapters help keeping the community alive and establish a global network of friends and business partners.