Business Administration Finance, Accounting, Controlling and Taxation and business law (FACT)

Degree
Master of Science
Semester fee
71 Euro
Start of the program
Winter and summer semester
Standard length of the program
4 Semester
Place of study
Ingolstadt
Part-time studies possible
No

The study specialization FACT comprises the subject areas Finance, Accounting, Controlling and Taxation in connection with business law. The aim of our study program is to impart scientific knowledge and methods that are needed in financial practice today – and in particular also in the future.

The objective of our business administration specialization FACT (MSc) is to impart scientific knowledge and methods that are closely connected to the practice. The range of our courses covers all relevant skills and interlinks them in a meaningful way in order to ensure good study feasibility. Through numerous seminars and options for choice, students still have the opportunity to specialize in certain fields and design their studies in line with their individual interests. There are also excellent possibilities for integrating a semester abroad into the study plan.

The program in detail

Contents

A total of 120 ECTS credits must be earned during the course of study. These are divided into required, required elective and elective modules as well as the Master's thesis. The modules can be assigned to the methodological area or respective subject area.

Six required modules in the program impart knowledge on interdisciplinary basics. This also includes a required module in Ethics. In addition, students have to complete further required elective modules worth 35 ECTS credits from the subject areas of the specialization Finance, Accounting, Controlling, Taxation and Business Law. They can combine their modules freely. In addition, elective modules worth 25 ECTS credits can also be chosen freely from all WFI Master's specializations.

Structure

30 ECTS credits: required modules

The six required modules in the program impart knowledge on interdisciplinary basics. These will lay the foundation for a substantiated quantitative training in business administration, irrespective of the chosen specializations. In addition to the five modules on quantitative foundations, students also complete a module in Ethics.

  • Accounting Law
  • Capital Market Oriented Accounting
  • Cost Management
  • Risk Management or International Company Taxation
  • Corporate Tax Law or Empirical Finance
  • Ethics

35 ECTS credits: required elective modules

Student must obtain a total of 35 ECTS credits in the required elective area. The courses can either have a methodological character or provide students with the possibility to apply learned methods in a specific field. You can view a selection of the courses that can be taken for credit in the program here, subdivided into the main areas of Finance, Accounting, Controlling, Taxation and Business Law.

25 ECTS credits: elective modules

Students have to complete a total of 25 ECTS credits in elective modules. They can choose freely from the entire range of modules of the specialization FACT, or from the module offer of all other specializations of the WFI Master’s program in Business Administration. Upon request, students also have the possibility to integrate further modules (that they have completed abroad or modules from the entire range offered at the KU) into their degree program. The elective area also gives students the possibility to approach a subject in business administration, economics, business languages or law in-depth. They also have the possibility to dedicate themselves to general scientific questions.

30 ECTS credits: Master’s thesis

The Master's thesis (30 ECTS credits) has to be completed at a Chair that regularly offers courses in a special field of study in the specialization "Finance, Accounting, Controlling, Taxation and Business Law". Students also have the possibility to write their Master’s thesis at a Chair that is not involved in their specialization. In this case, however, the prerequisite is that they write their thesis in collaboration with a FACT Chair.

We explicitly encourage that students write their Master's thesis in cooperation with companies.

Conceptual design

In addition to the structure of the program and the examination law requirements in terms of the distribution of ECTS credits, the conceptual structure of the degree program is also important. The study program imparts methods and knowledge in the respective subject areas, which can be assigned to the five sub-areas of the specialization. The study program is completed by the application of the acquired knowledge through internships, stays abroad, various student organizations and finally during the Master's thesis.

Subject areas

In the different subject areas, students approach specific business management problems and acquire scientific methods. You can focus on a single or on several fields of subject areas.

Finance

The Finance specialization primarily focuses on financial models for the description and corresponding methods for the solution of problems that typically occur in practice in banks or financial service providers.

Accounting

The aim of the modules of the Accounting area is imparting in-depth knowledge of (international) accounting. Students learn to apply the acquired strategic and analytical skills in the context of far-reaching corporate decisions.

Controlling

Controlling is the central management function that deals with the planning and control of companies. In all companies, controlling is adapted to the respective needs. The courses offered impart the necessary skills so that students are able to take the appropriate creative action in their later professional career.

Taxation

The modules of the Taxation specialization approach topics of taxation from a multidisciplinary perspective. The program focuses on specific knowledge on the individual tax types, tax effects, tax policy-making and relevant research methodology in this field. Furthermore, students have the possibility to apply their gained knowledge in case study courses so that they can learn to develop solutions to tax problems independently.

Business Law

In the modules of this specialization, legal ways of thinking, working and argumentation are combined with in-depth business administration aspects. Students acquire knowledge that is needed in the context of company takeovers, expanding business abroad or when filing a patent application.

Documents about the course of studies for all Master BWL

Module Catalogue

Module Catalogue

Module Catalogue for the Master's Program in Business Administration for the Summer Semester 2024

Module Catalogue for the Master's Program in Business Administration for the Winter Semester 2023/2024

Module Catalogue for the Master's Program in Business Administration for the Summer Semester 2023

Module Catalogue for the Master's Program in Business Administration for the Winter Semester 2022/2023

Module Catalogue for the Master's Program in Business Administration for the Winter Semester 2021/2022

All module descriptions can also be accessed directly via KU.Campus. Please choose the navigation points "Information portal --> Degree programs". Enter your degree program and the relevant semester in the search mask. In the list of results, the module handbook will appear in the upper right-hand corner for downloading as a pdf or Word file.

The module descriptions published in KU.Campus are legally binding.

Degree program description

Degree program description for the Master's Program in Business Administration

Mandatory Electives

Mandatory Electives in the Master’s program Business Administration M.Sc., SoSe 2024

Mandatory Electives in the Master’s program Business Administration M.Sc., SoSe 2023 and WiSe 2023/34

The program in awards and rankings for WFI

The degree programs offered by the Ingolstadt School of Management (WFI) regularly score top positions in popular university rankings.

  • Top positions in Trendence Graduate Baromenter 2017
  • CHE Ranking: WFI was awarded top ranking in categories “teaching offer”, “completion of programs within reasonable time period” and “students overall”
  • Top rankings in 'Logistik Masters' 2016, 2017

Rankings and assessments

StudyCheck2024

KU students and alumni have voted for their University to be Germany's most popular university in the 2024 ranking of the online portal StudyCheck. This is the third time in a row, as KU was also voted the most popular university in 2021 and 2022. The ranking was based on over 78,000 evaluations for more than 500 higher education institutions and universities. 97 percent of students questioned for the ranking would recommend studying at the KU to others. 

"There is no better praise for a university than almost 100 percent of students and alumni agreeing: I can only recommend studying at the KU! That is why we are very pleased with the ranking’s outcome, because it expresses the high level of satisfaction of our students," says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.

More ranking results

Studying abroad

Our students are at home in Ingolstadt and in the world: Multilingual degree programs and a unique network of more than 90 partner universities worldwide make the WFI a global campus with an international study atmosphere. It is with great enthusiasm that the vast majority of our students (approx. 90%) spend one or even several semesters at one of our renowned international partner universities. Irrespective of where you would like to spend your semester abroad: North America or Asia, Australia, South America or Europe – we have the perfect program for you. We promote and supplement the study abroad with a required business language, English-language courses and additional offers from international guest lecturers.

Experience reports from semesters abroad programs at the Ingolstadt School of Management

Semester abroad in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy

Rolf Kleylein-Feuerstein

Where did you stay: Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy

Would you recommend a stay in Bolzano to other students:

Definitely yes! If you are looking for a very modern, trilingual university, in one of the most beautiful places in Europe, Bolzano is just the right place. And please don't let the proximity to Germany scare you off. The mentality there is completely different, as are the climatic conditions. Sometimes you can't believe that it's "only" four hours by car to Ingolstadt.

Bozen
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Bozen
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Stay abroad in Portugal

Anja Mutter

Where did you stay: in Portugal at Universidade do Porto

Tell us about your daily university life there:

A usual day at university there started with a relaxed breakfast with my roommates in our shared flat or at the Douro river. Afterwards I went to the lectures at university; I spent my free time between the courses with my friends on the university meadow or in a cafe. After I finished my tasks for the group work alone or together with the group in the library, I went to the gym, which is right next to the university. In the evening, I cooked and ate with my roommates and afterwards I spent the night in small bars or clubs.

Portugal
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Portugal
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Portugal
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Stay abroad in Angers, France

Maurice Stoerk

Where did you stay: I spent my semester abroad in Angers, at the ESSCA School of Management. The partner university of WFI is one of the Grandes Ecoles in France and is Triple Crown accredited.

Tell us about your daily university life there:

Lectures were held in small classes (no larger than 20 students) and were characterized by a high proportion of group work, presentation and oral participation. I liked the concept very much, as it encouraged personal initiative.

Leisure time

Angers is a nice student town and offers numerous bars, restaurants but also nice spots like the Esplanade Coeur de Maine, which is inviting for ending the week and welcoming the weekend together with fellow students. In addition, it is a good opportunity to visit cities such as Paris, Nantes or Rennes, all of which are less than two hours away by TGV.

Frankreich
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Frankreich
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Stay abroad in Finland

Jacqueline Heibel

Where did you stay? 

I spent my semester abroad at the University of Vaasa in Finland. Vaasa is a small town, but it has its charm and the campus of my host university is super beautiful, right on the waterfront.

What did you like best? 

My absolute highlight was the trip to Lapland. Shortly before Christmas we traveled far north with a group, visited Santa Claus and spent cozy days deep in the forest in cozy wooden cabins surrounded by snow. The typical Finnish ice swimming after a sauna session was a must.

Finnland
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Finnland
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Semester abroad in the USA

Manuel Scheerer

Where did you stay?

University of California at Davis, USA

Tell us about your daily university life there? How did you spend your leisure time? 

Since we attended a total of 5 courses, we were on campus almost every day. Nevertheless, there was still more than enough time for leisure activities, and the offer at the University of California in Davis is extremely extensive. The Recreational Center offers courses for all kinds of sports. We also participated in the Intramural Soccer League. Davis is definitely a student town where there is always something going on in the evening. 

USA
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USA
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Stay abroad in Mexico

Anna-Maria Contino

Where did you stay?

Guadalajara, Mexico

Tell us about your daily university life there? How did you spend your leisure time?

I had Spanish four times a week in addition to normal courses. In general, I liked being at the university very much, because the campus is very nice and green. There is also a gym and several canteens / cafés.

What did you like best?

Actually, "everything” – I made many friends there whom I would like to visit again soon. I also find the culture very open and warm-hearted. In addition, Guadalajara has a lot to offer and you can also travel very well from there.

Mexiko
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Mexiko
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Practical connection

Students at the WFI have many opportunities to put what they have learned into practice. Thanks to collaborations with leading companies and organizations in many different fields, the KU is able to offer excellent prospects when it comes to finding internships and starting a career in Germany or abroad. Networking opportunities are provided by our University’s career fair “Company Day” and many other recruiting events, as well as presentations by companies and various workshops.

Studying at the WFI is more than ‘just’ learning. Most students are active in different student organizations. Like this, they continuously hone their soft skills and can exchange views with students from other disciplines. The “WFI spirit” means outstanding commitment.

Career possibilities and professional fields

Career prospects

The specialization focuses on quantitative and information-processing approaches to solving current and complex business administration problems in the industry trade and service companies. In addition to these classic industries, our graduates are also predestined to enter high-level management consulting firms or to continue their research work as part of a doctoral program.

Tax advisor

You are ideally prepared, both professionally and personally, to join the large international auditing and tax consulting firms as a specialist or generalist.

Accounting expert

Accounting experts are specialists in financial and tax law matters concerning companies. They typically work for a bank, an auditing firm or in the accounting department of a company. In the FACT Master’s program, you will learn all necessary methods and skills to start and prosper as an accounting expert.

Consultant

With the acquired methodical knowledge and analytical approaches, graduates of the degree program are ideally equipped for starting a career as a generalist at major strategy consultancies. By focusing on one specific subject area, students are also suitable for embarking on a career as a specialist with strong topic-oriented knowledge in niche consultancies.

Academic career

The specialization provides all the necessary foundations for further research work and ensures that graduates have all ideal prerequisites for successful consecutive doctoral studies in one of the subject areas covered.

Alumni testimonials

"Small seminars, high motivation of the students and professional depth are combined in the WFI's degree program FACT. If you also want to get involved in a community to really make a difference, Ingolstadt is the right place for you.”

"Small seminars, high motivation of the students and professional depth are combined in the WFI's degree program FACT. If you also want to get involved in a community to really make a difference, Ingolstadt is the right place for you.”

- Viktoria Klaus(agile risk auditing, Commerzbank)

"I chose the FACT-Master at the WFI because it combines three things that were very important to me for my Master's degree: A wide range of subjects, excellent supervision and the possibility of integrating a stay abroad.”

"I chose the FACT-Master at the WFI because it combines three things that were very important to me for my Master's degree: A wide range of subjects, excellent supervision and the possibility of integrating a stay abroad.”

- Maike Jungblut(product controller, Produktcontrolling Daimler AG)

What students say about the program

Dear prospective students,

as the coordinator of the Business Administration program FACT, it is very important to me and my colleagues to give our graduates the best possible and sustainable knowledge advantage over their future competitors in the financial industry and to ideally prepare them for a career in the…

Dear prospective students,

as the coordinator of the Business Administration program FACT, it is very important to me and my colleagues to give our graduates the best possible and sustainable knowledge advantage over their future competitors in the financial industry and to ideally prepare them for a career in the financial industry. We are constantly making every effort for keeping our Master's degree program up-to-date and ensure study feasibility.

I look forward to welcoming you to our Faculty in Ingolstadt for the next summer or winter semester.

- Prof. Dr. Mählmann(degree program coordinator FACT)

"The FACT Master’s program at the WFI enables me to prepare for a career in the financial sector in a target-oriented manner. The range of courses offered is convincing, as is the quality of the teaching and the numerous opportunities for study abroad at partner universities on all continents".

"The FACT Master’s program at the WFI enables me to prepare for a career in the financial sector in a target-oriented manner. The range of courses offered is convincing, as is the quality of the teaching and the numerous opportunities for study abroad at partner universities on all continents".

- Ingo Geburtig(student)
Foto Isabel_Scheucher

"A connection between theory and practice is established through challenging course contents with problems that are relevant in a practical context and interesting guest lectures from leading business enterprises. The FACT Master’s program at the WFI thus gives me the opportunity to place the business administration…

"A connection between theory and practice is established through challenging course contents with problems that are relevant in a practical context and interesting guest lectures from leading business enterprises. The FACT Master’s program at the WFI thus gives me the opportunity to place the business administration knowledge that I acquired in my Bachelor's degree on an even more solid foundation. In addition, the WFI creates a friendly atmosphere with direct contact to the professors and lecturers and exciting events on campus".

- Isabel Scheucher(student)
Foto Felix_Fooke

"The WFI convinced me in particular with its good relationship to the professors and the contents thus conveyed. Also, the large selection of different modules allows me to comprehensively prepare for my future professional life. In addition, Ingolstadt is a great student city, which I have grown very fond of."

"The WFI convinced me in particular with its good relationship to the professors and the contents thus conveyed. Also, the large selection of different modules allows me to comprehensively prepare for my future professional life. In addition, Ingolstadt is a great student city, which I have grown very fond of."

- Felix Fooke(student)
Foto Anne_Bunkenburg

"The FACT Master’s program at the WFI enables me to deepen my knowledge that I acquired during my Bachelor's degree further. The course contents of the FACT program are perfectly coordinated and combine classical courses with numerous workshops and practical lectures. This ensures that we will have the best possible start into our later careers."

"The FACT Master’s program at the WFI enables me to deepen my knowledge that I acquired during my Bachelor's degree further. The course contents of the FACT program are perfectly coordinated and combine classical courses with numerous workshops and practical lectures. This ensures that we will have the best possible start into our later careers."

- Anne Bunkenburg(student)

The KU

Ingolstadt campus

Short distances on campus at the KU save time and avoid stress. The campus in Ingolstadt, home to the Ingolstadt School of Management (WFI), consists of the Main Building and the New Building, separated by a peaceful courtyard. The ample green spaces on the Ingolstadt campus invite students to enjoy their surroundings outside during lecture breaks and meet fellow students. If you prefer to spend your breaks in town running errands, Ingolstadt’s city center is just a few minutes’ walk away. Other faculty buildings are the Studierendenhaus and the Hohe Schule that was home to the first Bavarian state university in the 15th century.

What sets the KU apart - in IN

[Translate to Englisch:] Studierende Ingolstadt

Studying at the KU is more than just acquiring specialist knowledge. We broaden our horizons together and take on responsibility in and beyond the individual degree programs. The KU has a particular focus on topics such as personal development, sustainability, social skills and social commitment.

It offers its students the possibility to study and work in a welcoming atmosphere and benefit from outstanding support and comprehensive service offers, a well-stocked library, a broad range of sports and leisure activities and a large global network with over 260 partner universities.

Do I have to be Catholic in order to study at the KU? Do I have to deal with Catholic contents during my studies?

No, the KU is open to students of all faiths and beliefs.

At the KU, just as at all state universities, there is freedom of research and teaching. This means that our degree programs focus on the subjects for which you have enrolled – free from external influences.

As a student at our University, you will notice what our understanding of being a Catholic University means for us in one thing in particular: The University’s focus is on the individual person. The talents and potential of all those who teach, study, work and carry out research at the KU form our most important foundation – regardless of their religion or beliefs, nationality, ethical, cultural or social background, disabilities, gender, sexual orientation or age.

This is why we promote your best possible academic education through personal support and an ideal staff-to-student ratio. At the same time, the KU is more than just a place for earning your degree: We attach particular importance to imparting social skills and advancing our students’ sense and value orientation in addition to providing them with a high level of academic and methodical qualification.

Our aspiration for our University is to build bridges between science and society and to make knowledge available for society as well as to integrate impulses from outside the University into our research and teaching practice. We aim to make a valuable contribution to social coexistence, to the free democratic basic order and to preserving creation. 

Is Ingolstadt a real university town?

Strictly speaking, Ingolstadt is even THE university town in Bavaria - because the first Bavarian university was located here! However, the Bavarian State University, founded in 1472, moved to Landshut in 1802 and has been located in Munich since 1810 as Ludwig Maximilian University. The history as a university town continued 188 years later: In 1989/90, the Faculty of Economics of the Catholic University opened in Ingolstadt.

With about 135,000 inhabitants, Ingolstadt is a lively and dynamic large city. The theater, the AUDI summer concerts, the jazz days and the Museum of Concrete Art are just a few of the cultural highlights. In a historical setting, a large number of restaurants, clubs and pubs invite you to unwind after lectures and seminars - often just a few steps away from the campus. The day can also be spent relaxing on the Danube beach or at the lake - with a cocktail in hand and your feet in the sand. And of course there's something else that's not missing in an Upper Bavarian city: beer gardens for a "Brezel" and a beer or two.

The location

Ingolstadt is the second largest city in Upper Bavaria after Munich and is only a 30-minute drive away from the state capital. Located in the heart of the Altmühl valley and the largest hop-growing area in the world - the Hallertau - Ingolstadt has a broad cultural offer.

There are regular classical concerts in the AUDI forum, many different student events, and the Volksfeste, beer festivals that are typical for Bavaria (small Oktoberfest Wiesn festivals). Ingolstadt has many restaurants, bars, beer gardens and clubs that are all located in the historical, picturesque old town and are perfect for enjoying a beer or two with friends after the lectures. Last but not least, Munich with its vast cultural offer is just around the corner.

Together with the district of Eichstätt, the Ingolstadt region has the lowest unemployment rate in Germany. This is partly owing to the fact that many well-known large companies such as EADS, AUDI, EDEKA, Media-Markt Saturn or Hipp have their headquarters in the Ingolstadt region.

More on Ingolstadt as a study location

Advisory Service

Some offers and study conditions are different for international students – our International Office is happy to provide help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team. We are happy to accompany you on your way to the KU and hope that we can welcome you in person soon!

David Guevara
David Guevara
Coordinator Welcome Services and International Campus
Building Domplatz 8  |  Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt

Subject Advisor WFI

Franziska Rast
Franziska Rast
Student Counselling

Application

Requirements
Bachelor
Selection procedure: see examination regulations
Language requirements
DSH 2
Application period winter
Apr 01 - Jun 15
Application period summer
Dec 01 - Jan 15
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
Yes

The application process for international applicants is now completely digital. You can register online in our application portal and carry out and submit your application. After you have carried out the application and uploaded your documents, you do not need to send your documents to us again by post. You do have to submit certified true copies only if you are admitted at the time of enrollment.

Depending on the course of study, you may be asked for information on internships, professional experience, etc. Please upload the relevant documents in the upload area for all the information you provide, even if these are not mandatory fields!

Before you start the application process, please read the additional information on this page, in particular the information on the respective (German) language requirements and university entrance qualifications.

Qualification requirements

If the first qualifying university degree was obtained outside the European Union, students must also provide proof of a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with a minimum score of 550 points or a Graduate Record Examination Test (GRE) with a minimum score of 300 points.