What are the benefits of doing a CEMS Master in International Management? What makes CEMS special?
Graduates of the Master's Program in International Management/CEMS are extremely well-qualified for a professional career in a culturally diverse environment. After completion of this program, they should have the necessary skills to become business leaders in a global environment. What makes our program unique is the joint offer of our MSc in International Management (WU) along with CEMS MIM into one two year program. Thus, students do not only benefit from our local expertise but also have the opportunity to study a term abroad at one of our CEMS partner schools, obtain business experience through an international internship, skill seminars with corporate partners and a business project. They also have a chance to engage in a global student/alumni community that will last for a life time. It remains to be said that you of course, also obtain two degrees - the WU MSc and the CEMS MIM – in one program, which is count as an extra asset for the job market.
Does a CEMS-MIM graduate have better chances on the job market than other WU students and in which industries/branches do CEMS graduates work?
As the MSc degrees are new in Austria, only time will tell. However, given that the CEMS MIM component of our new program already runs for two decades with great success, I am confident that our new MSc /MIM students will have a strong edge on the job market. This feedback is also echoed from our CEMS corporate partners. Of last year's student cohort 85,5% were employed already at the time of their graduation while 75% have turned down at least one other job offer. CEMS students work in many industries. According to recent alumni surveys the majority works in Consulting, Finance, and Consumer Goods and Marketing. What they all have in common is a vested interest in global business. 81% are working internationally (interacting daily) in various functions in management consulting, industry, audit, banking and consumer good, among others and close to 40% live outside their home country.
Which qualities should a student possess to be accepted?
We are looking for excellence, both with regards to academic achievements during your bachelor degree, as well as well developed language and social skills.
How does the application process work?
Your formal application (Grades or GMAT, TOEFL, etc.) needs to be handed in by January 25th 2009. Qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. These interviews will take place in March. As there is little flexibility as when the interviews will take place, I would advise all applicants to already now block the potential interview dates. Final decisions will be released after Easter. The University will then give you a two-week period to accept or decline the offer to join the program. If an offer is declined by an applicant the next candidate from the waiting list will be accepted into the program.
Can someone apply who is going to finish his/her bachelor's degree in June?
Yes. You will have to show proof of your titles (bachelor degree) by the time you start the program in fall.
As the program is international, why should students choose WU instead of any other CEMS University to study at?
I think you shouldn't. If your dream always was to study in Singapore, or France, than you should definitely go there. After all CEMS is an alliance of excellence, thus there is really nothing bad to say about any of our partners. What you should keep in mind is that what we try to offer is a top-end education in international management, which of course, includes an internship abroad as well as a term aboard at one of our elite partner universities. Thus, it would be a mistake to equate an exchange term with the objectives of our integrated alliance master. Our goals go far beyond exchange. What WU is concerned, I am confident that our offerings and outreach into the business community make us an attractive choice among the CEMS partner schools. This not only reflected in our recent jump into the Financial Times top 20, but also by increasing popularity of WU among CEMS students from other places.
CEMS has become a global programme after the successful integration of new universities worldwide. How do the CEMS students profit from this enlargement?
Globalization will affect the CEMS MIM in many ways. In addition to an even more international cohort of students, the most visible change will be the option for Vienna Students to select one of the new partner-schools for their term abroad.
Mr. Björn Ambos was interviewed by Moni Prosch and Daniel Wolf
(published at the WU Aktuell 01/2009)
