International School of Management in Dortmund

What International School of Management in Dortmund does

International School of Management (ISM) is a private, non-profit German higher education institution (Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft / gGmbH) headquartered in Dortmund and operating under the ESO Education Group. Founded in 1990, ISM is structured as a multi-campus business school with seven physical locations across Germany — Dortmund, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Berlin — plus a dedicated distance learning / online campus. The institution offers AACSB-accredited Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs delivered in four study formats: full-time (Vollzeit), part-time (berufsbegleitend), dual study, and distance learning (Fernstudium), with adjacent executive education, university certificates, and a Business Coach Training program.

The technology backbone is conventional higher-ed infrastructure: a Moodle-based learning management system (moodleISM) for course delivery and self-paced study materials; a MyISM student web portal integrating scripts, news, service team contacts, and personal study data; and Zoom for synchronous online lectures and webinars. Marketing operations rely on HubSpot CRM and Forms for prospect nurturing, CleverReach for newsletter distribution, Usercentrics for GDPR-compliant consent management, OptinMonster and Google Optimize for on-site conversion optimization, and a performance-based Studyportals partnership for international lead generation. Merchandise is sold via a co-branded ISM Shop operated by UNICUM Merchandising.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tuition fees across the four study formats at Bachelor, Master, and MBA levels, supplemented by non-degree revenue from executive education, university certificates (e.g., Data Driven Marketing, Sustainability Management), and the Kienbaum-partnered Business Coach certification program. Customer segments are predominantly individuals — bachelor students, master students, MBA candidates, and working professionals — augmented by corporate partners participating in dual study programs and recruitment pipelines.

Name

International School of Management in Dortmund

Legal name

ISM International School of Management GmbH – Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft

Website

https://ism.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ISM Dortmund is a private, AACSB-accredited German business school operating seven campuses across Germany plus online, delivering Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs in full-time, part-time, dual, and distance learning formats to individual students and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Business School

NAICS

Business and Secretarial Schools (611410), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialized Master’s in Management (MiM) & Business Analytics (EDAHAHAC)

Keywords

• Business school education
• Management degree programs
• Private higher education
• MBA executive education
• Distance learning university

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Bachelor Programs: Private university tuition fees for undergraduate degree programs in various formats (full-time, part-time, dual, distance learning). Fees vary by program format and study model.
2. Tuition Fees - Master Programs: Graduate degree program tuition fees for Master degrees in full-time, part-time, and distance learning formats.
3. MBA Program Fees: Executive education tuition fees for MBA programs in both full-time and part-time formats.
4. University Certificates: Fees for specialized university certificate programs in topics like Data Driven Marketing and Sustainability Management, offered at discounted rates for ISM students.
5. Business Coach Training: Professional coaching certification program in partnership with Kienbaum Institute, with ISM student discounts available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

International School of Management (ISM) is a private, non-profit German business school offering state-recognized Bachelor, Master, and MBA degree programs in management and business disciplines. Programs are delivered in full-time (Vollzeit), part-time (berufsbegleitend), dual, and distance learning (Fernstudium) formats across seven German campuses (Dortmund, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Berlin) plus an online campus. Supplementary offerings include executive education, university certificates, business coach training, and a Moodle-based eLearning infrastructure.

Product overview

The International School of Management (ISM) in Dortmund operates a multi-format higher education portfolio consisting of Bachelor, Master, and MBA programmes offered in four delivery modes: full-time (Vollzeit), part-time (berufsbegleitend), dual, and distance learning (Fernstudium). The institution is organized across multiple German campuses (Dortmund, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Berlin) plus an Online Campus. Core academic programmes are supported by supplementary offerings including ISM Study Plus (voluntary courses in languages, software, and academic skills), M.Sc. Bridge Courses for prerequisite fulfillment, University Certificates in specialized topics, and Business Coach Training. Technology infrastructure includes MyISM (student portal), moodleISM (LMS), and a dedicated eLearning platform for distance learners. The ISM Shop, operated by UNICUM Merchandising, sells branded merchandise. ISM holds AACSB accreditation and participates in rankings including CHE and Universum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Programme (Vollzeit) Full-time bachelor's degree programmes in business administration and management, available across multiple campuses in Germany for high school graduates seeking undergraduate management education.
• Bachelor Programme (berufsbegleitend) Part-time bachelor's degree programmes designed for working students who wish to study alongside their employment.
• Bachelor Programme (dual) Dual study programme combining academic study with practical work experience at partner companies.
• Bachelor Programme (Fernstudium) Distance learning bachelor's degree programme offering flexible online study options with intelligent tools and personal support.
• Master Programme (Vollzeit) Full-time master's degree programmes for graduates seeking advanced business education and specialization.
• Master Programme (berufsbegleitend) Part-time master's degree programmes for working professionals seeking career advancement.
• Master Programme (Fernstudium) Distance learning master's degree programme offering flexible online study options with dedicated study coaches and eLearning platform.
• MBA Programme (Vollzeit) Full-time MBA programme providing advanced management education and leadership development for executives and aspiring managers.
• MBA Programme (berufsbegleitend) Part-time MBA programme for working executives seeking to enhance their business credentials while continuing employment.
• Executive Education Continuing education programmes for executives and professionals seeking specialized knowledge and skills beyond degree programs.
• ISM Study Plus Voluntary additional courses offered across campuses in online evening format, covering language courses, software programs (Excel, VBA, SPSS), and academic writing skills for student development beyond regular curriculum.
• Hochschulzertifikate (University Certificates) Practice-oriented certificate courses in specialized topics such as Data Driven Marketing and Sustainability Management, offered at 20% discount for ISM students.
• Business Coach Training Professional coaching certification programme delivered in partnership with Kienbaum Institute, teaching activation of client strengths and resources, with 10% discount available for ISM students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60%+ of ISM students start their careers before graduation

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration22 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Motel OnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic cooperation between ISM and Motel One hotel group for student projects, hospitality management education, and potential recruitment pipeline. Daniel Müller, Co-CEO at Motel One, involved in partnership development with Daisuke Motoki, VP Corporate Relations at ISM.
• Iserlohn Young RoostersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISM becomes exclusive university partner of Iserlohn Young Roosters (ice hockey club), providing educational partnerships and student involvement opportunities.
• StudyportalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Studyportals for international student recruitment and referral. Performance-based billing for successful student placements. Integration of tracking code in application forms for analytics.
• FitXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFitness studio partnership offering ISM students and staff 5 EUR monthly discount on membership plus waived signup fees. Students contact [email protected] for discount codes.
• WeRoadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel partner offering ISM students discounts on group travel experiences. Discount codes available: ISMSUMMERWEROADERS15 (15% summer), ISMWEROADERS13 (13% year-round).
• ESO Education GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization of ISM International School of Management. Operates education network across Germany. ISM is part of this educational group.
• TU Dortmund (AHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with TU Dortmund's General University Sports (AHS) allowing ISM students to participate in sports programs for 10 EUR per semester.
• Kienbaum InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Business Coach training certification program, offering ISM students 10% discount on coaching certification courses.
• BARMERminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth insurance partnership providing Campus Coach program with meditation, recipes, and fitness exercises for ISM students. Students select NRW as federal state for registration.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• FOM Hochschule: Germany's largest private Hochschule with 30+ campuses focused on berufsbegleitend and dual programs for working professionals. Comparable to ISM in private-Hochschule status, German-wide campus footprint, and dual/part-time program emphasis.
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Large private German Hochschule with Bachelor, Master, MBA, and distance-learning programs across multiple campuses under SRH Holding. Comparable to ISM in private status, multi-format (full-time, part-time, dual, online) delivery, and target student segments.
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: Private German business school with Bachelor, Master, MBA, and executive programs plus strong finance specialization. Comparable to ISM in private-Hochschule status, multi-format delivery, German campus footprint, and AACSB/equiscred accreditations.
• Hochschule Macromedia: Private German Hochschule with campuses across Germany offering Bachelor and Master programs in management, business, and creative fields. Comparable to ISM in multi-campus private-Hochschule model and applied, practice-oriented curriculum emphasis.
• BSP Business and Law School: Private Berlin-based Hochschule offering Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs in business and law across multiple study formats. Comparable to ISM in private status, multi-format (full-time, part-time, dual) delivery, and target student segments.
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management: Germany's leading private business school offering Bachelor, Master, MBA, and executive education. Closely comparable to ISM in mission (private German business school, AACSB-accredited, English-taught programs, strong international focus) and target market.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Private German Hochschule group with multiple campuses offering Bachelor, Master, MBA, and certificate programs in business and adjacent fields. Comparable to ISM in private status, multi-campus distribution, and broad program portfolio targeting similar student segments.
• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht: Private German university offering Bachelor, Master, MBA, and law programs with campuses in Oestrich-Winkel and Berlin. Closely comparable to ISM in private-Hochschule positioning, multi-format delivery, and business-school curriculum focus.

Regional players

• GISMA Business School: Germany-based private business school (Potsdam/Berlin) offering English-taught Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs with a strong international student focus. Comparable to ISM in private German-Hochschule model and international positioning, though smaller and more internationally focused.

Others

• International School of Management (ISM) sister institutions under ESO Education Group: Other private Hochschulen within ESO Education Group share the parent organization and likely benefit from shared services and cross-institutional pathways. They are comparable to ISM as ecosystem peers rather than direct competitors, but represent potential cross-sell and partnership opportunities within the same group.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ISM_Hochschule
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ISMHochschule
• Facebookfacebook.com/ism.hochschule
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/intrnational-school-of-management
• Instagraminstagram.com/ism_hochschule
• TikToktiktok.com/@ismhochschule

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International School of Management in Dortmund