- Currently no start of studies -

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Management, Economics & Social Sciences | MES

Designing and Managing Sustainable Change

Designing and Managing Sustainable Change Photo: Ilja Mess | ZU
Designing and Managing Sustainable Change Photo: Ilja Mess | ZU

Designing and Managing Sustainable Change Photo: Ilja Mess | ZU

Our new Bachelor’s degree program Management, Economics & Social Sciences | MES conveys the necessary skills for emerging leaders to shape and manage sustainable business development. Students gain insights into a range of disciplines, from business administration and economics to psychology, sociology, and applied philosophy. In doing so, they acquire a deep understanding of the most pressing issues of our times: the climate crisis, changing demographics, social inequality and digital transformation.


Thanks to a highly diverse course offering, students have the freedom to explore their own interests and specialize in various fields. All coursework is in English. Part of the degree program is spent abroad on an integrated basis and students gain several months of practical professional experienceeither through internships with two different companies or through their own startup project


With this degree, you can start a career in the management of national and international companies,in management consulting, as a founder of your own sustainability-oriented company, but also in public administration or relevant NGOs. Moreover, the program offers access to a wide range of Master programs. 


Let's shape the business world of tomorrow together! Discover your opportunities and become part of a sustainable change!


Facts & figures about the Bachelor's degree program
in Management, Economics & Social Sciences

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Standard period of study: 8 semesters (4 years)

ECTS points: 240

Course language: English

Language skills: English language proficiency of B2 or higher (CEFR)

Start date: Fall (September)

Subject area: Business and Economics

Contents: Interdisciplinarity from management, economics, psychology and other social sciences

Internationality: mandatory study abroad

Practical experience: two internships in Germany and abroad or own start-up project

Semester fee: € 7,200

Interested? Note on the language requirements

As the Bachelor in Management, Economics & Social Sciences is an English-language Master's program, a very good command of English at C1 level is required. German language skills are desirable, but not a mandatory admission requirement. If you wish to take courses from our other Bachelor's programs, you may be offered German teaching formats.


Our selection interviews for the Bachelor in Management, Economics & Social Sciences are held in English  and you will also take an English test, which is why you do not need to submit proof of English with your application.


Apply now


Research Focus & Teaching Content

The Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) in Management, Economics & Social Sciences | MES is located in the field of business administration and economics. The program is designed as a full-time course with intensive classroom teaching in small groups. You will benefit from an outstanding supervision ratio of 1:8 as well as the exchange with other committed and motivated students.


The program combines an entrepreneurial mindset with a high-quality academic education and provides an in-depth understanding of current social challenges such as climate change, social inequality and digital transformation. The wide range of options allow you to follow your personal interests and specialize in different areas thereby creating your own individual profile. During your studies, you will learn how to tackle complex problems, launch your own initiatives and drive sustainable change within and outside of companies. We want to give you the conviction that economic, ecological and social concerns as well as institutional, organizational and individual goals can be combined in such a way that sustainable social development can be achieved.


The Management, Economics & Social Sciences | MES degree program thus offers far more than a traditional management education, in which the term "sustainability" is often understood to mean nothing more than the long-term existence of companies and the achievement of permanently high profits.


Like all degree programs at ZU, the Bachelor's degree program in Management, Economics & Social Sciences | MES is interdisciplinary and research-oriented. Solving complex problems in a fundamentally changing world requires different perspectives. In addition, a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationships and mechanisms is required, which is difficult to develop by simply learning and reproducing specialist content.



Study Program & Course

The Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) in Management, Economics & Social Sciences | MES program consists of a Zeppelin Foundation, a Major phase, a Humboldt year and a Bachelor phase.


The Zeppelin Foundation

  • In the Zeppelin Foundation, you will lay the scientific and methodological foundations for your further studies and put them into practice as part of the Zeppelin Project. Together with other students, you will work on your own research topic and hone important key skills such as creative and critical thinking, complex problem solving, coordination with other people and the ability to engage in lifelong learning.


The Major Phase

  • In the Major Phase, the MES-specific subject content is taught. The courses are divided into the three pillars of sustainability – planet, people, prosperity – and include introductory courses in business psychology, entrepreneurship, accounting and finance, and economics in the first two semesters. The course "Natural Resources, Humanity and Demography" focuses on the complex relationships between the available natural resources and the development of the economy and society. You will learn about various approaches that critically examine the "limits to growth". In the second year of study, further subject content is taught (Economics of Climate Change, Public Policies, Economics of Inequality, Responsible Leadership, Digital Transformation and Change Management, Market-Oriented Management, as well as Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship) and the methodological training is continued with courses in advanced statistics, econometrics and data science. From the fifth semester onwards, you can choose from a variety of courses from the fields of management, economics and social sciences to create your own individual profile.


Humboldt Year

  • In the Humboldt Year, you can dedicate yourself to your own research project before working on your Bachelor's thesis and completing your degree in the Bachelor's phase.

  • Semester 1 | Zeppelin Foundation
    30 ECTS credits
  • Semesters 1-8 | Major Phase
    amounting to 172 ECTS credits
  • Semesters 6-7 | Humboldt Year
    24 ECTS credits
  • Semester 8 | Bachelor Phase
    14 ECTS credits

Practical Orientation, study abroad & Connections

The Bachelor's degree program at Zeppelin University meets the highest academic standards and at the same time has a high practical orientation. For us, theory and practice are not contradictory - on the contrary, we believe that they should be combined as part of a high-quality and effective education. In our courses, theoretical approaches are always combined with practical applications or supplemented by case studies from the field.


To enable students to gain their own practical experience, the Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) in Management, Economics & Social Sciences | MES  includes a compulsory work placement component. Here you can complete two internships in Germany and abroad or dedicate yourself to your own start-up project, either alone or as part of a team. The ZU PioneerPort will support you with your start-up. You can also get involved in one of the many student initiatives at ZU - and put what you have learned directly into practice!


The degree program allows you to develop your individual profile in the three fields of the program's title. This gives you the opportunity to pursue a Master's degree in Management, Economics or another social science.

Internationality

In the MES degree program all seminars are taught in English.


As part of the compulsory study abroad, you can expand your language skills, your cultural horizon and your own international network.


Here is a small selection:


Study Fees & Financing

Tuition fees for the Bachelor of Science in Management, Economics & Social Sciences amount to € 7,200 per semester. There are many individual financing options for your studies at ZU:


We award scholarships not only for exceptional achievements, but also to applicants with a strong commitment to cultural, political or social issues.

No financial obstacles should stand in the way of an excellent education, which is why we offer you individual financing options for your studies at ZU.


Scholarships are not only available for young people who have achieved exceptional results - we also offer scholarships to applicants with experience beyond success or with a strong commitment to cultural, political or social issues.

ZU Student | Photo: ZU, Ilja Mess
ZU Student | Photo: ZU, Ilja Mess

Application & Assessment Center Pioneers Wanted!

There is no numerus clausus for our degree programs. The really interesting question is whether you are right for our university and whether our university is right for you. Can you enrich our university with your curiosity, your questions and your thirst for knowledge and would you like to be part of an inspiring environment during your Bachelor's degree?


You can apply for a place at Zeppelin University with all the necessary documents via the applicant portal. If your application is evaluated positively, you will receive an invitation to one of the upcoming selection days.


To find out whether Zeppelin University and you are a good match, every applicant goes through ZU's own selection process, Pioneers Wanted!, which gives you the opportunity to find out more about our university on the selection day and at the same time gives our university an insight into your fields of interest and ways of thinking.


In order to be able to take part in the selection day if your application is suitable, you select a suitable selection day for you during your online application in the applicant portal. Please note the relevant application deadlines so that we can consider your application documents.


Executive and Academic Program Director

Häcker-Kruck, Isabell
Häcker-Kruck, Isabell Dr
Program Director Corporate Management & Economics | CME
und General Management | GEMA
Phone:+49 7541 6009-1207
Room:FAB 3 | 0.69
Opitz, Christian
Opitz, Christian Prof Dr rer pol
Dean Faculty of Management and Economics |
Academic Program Director | Bachelor MES
Phone:+49 7541 6009-1251
Room:Semi 0.09
Time to decide

This website uses external media, such as maps and videos, as well as external analytics tools – all of which may be used to collect data about your online behavior. Cookies are also stored when you visit our website. You can adjust or revoke your consent to the use of cookies and extensions at any time.

For an explanation of how our privacy settings work and an overview of the analytics/marketing tools and external media we use, please see our privacy policy.