WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management is producing tomorrow’s business leaders

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management is producing tomorrow’s business leaders

How can a business degree make a difference? WHU—Otto Beisheim School of Management has a few answers. Established in 1984, WHU is a business school synonymous with “Excellence in Management Education.” Recognised nationally and globally, WHU holds multiple accreditations from AACSB, EQUIS, and FIBAA.

Here, a wide range of bachelor's and master's programmes broaden perspectives, hone analytical skills, and provide crucial industry experience. For working professionals who wish to ascend the corporate ladder or pivot, the school also offers a range of flexible MBA programmes.

Standout programmes are the Master in Management, a first-of-its-kind Master in Entrepreneurship, the Master in International Business, and the WHU Global Online MBA, all tailored to deliver the latest research, real-world business knowledge, and an international perspective. Whichever programme you join, you’ll be inspired by the “WHU spirit,” underpinned by the core values of excellence, community, cosmopoliteness, and entrepreneurship.

Compelling graduate outcomes

An education at WHU will take you far. Courses are tailored to suit evolving business needs, preparing students to become the next leaders in a new business world. This flexible curriculum is broadened with a semester abroad, an internship, insights into the professional world, or the option of completing a double degree.

With all of this in hand, WHU’s dedicated Career Centre sets forth to connect students to their dream careers. It has a great track record in this aspect – over 92% of students receive job offers within three months of graduating. Alumni have founded and operated over 2,400 companies to date, on both a local and international scale. All this and more have led to graduates reporting high satisfaction levels; WHU scores 9.53/10 in several career and satisfaction-relevant categories.

Sports, society, and business as a force for good

Charmaine Mtizira-Nondo, a soon-to-be WHU Global Online MBA graduate, is passionate about improve society through sports. She decided to pursue an MBA after attending the Sports Bootcamp in Germany, a joint event held by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), WHU, and the Bundesliga, the professional football league in Germany.

But she was conflicted. On the one hand, she wanted a course that would provide her with the professional exposure and business acumen she needed to advance her career and make a real impact. At the same time, she wished to continue working as a programme manager in the social investment office of South African financial services group FirstRand simultaneously, which meant she needed a course that’ll work around her schedule. The answer was simple: WHU’s online MBA.

“I also noticed that the challenges many non-governmental organisations face are similar to those in the sports federations. I’m a qualified netball coach, but I saw that I couldn’t make big changes at the level I was at. I want to make systematic changes, which can only be made at the board level. That is where I want to be.”

The internationally accredited MBA allows students to customise their learning journey, built around their own schedule and needs. It’s a great fit for professionals aspiring to launch their own business, transition into new roles, or climb the corporate ladder; it was also the perfect jumpstart for Mtizira-Nondo to move from the netball court to the boardroom.

“One of the main reasons I decided to study an MBA was the decision I made that I wanted to serve on boards. We have a lot of interactions with boards in my role, which helped me understand governance, compliance, risks, and ethics. I want to be relevant in any boardroom, and an MBA will give me the knowledge and frameworks to do that,” she says.

“The online MBA enables you to study anywhere you want while enabling you to network with different cultures and perspectives,” she says. “Most importantly, it allowed me to be close to my family as a support structure. I can advance professionally but still have a life outside the MBA.”

Becoming worldlier and more well-rounded while giving back to the community

Sometimes, the best things in life come to you unexpectedly. For Paula Grau, it was her decision to pursue a Bachelor in International Business Administration at WHU.

“I was looking at many different options at the time,” she says. “I learned about business administration a month before the deadline, and the potential job opportunities were interesting. I hadn’t even considered a private university until that point. But I looked on the website, and I got this strong sense of community and internationality, and I knew it was the right choice for me.”

By prioritising prevention, encouraging open communication, and offering targeted support, the IFS Counselling Centre plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of all students - ultimately empowering them to reach their full potential.

That sense of community drove Grau to go all out at WHU. She secured internships in financial services and consulting, and is an active participant of the WHU student club WHUSH, which organises and participates in charitable projects. Her work includes helping disadvantaged children worldwide access quality education. Outside of volunteering, she also holds special tutoring sessions with students and young adults at a local clinic, calling it a “rewarding” experience.

Her next big plan is a trip to Singapore, as the programme includes a semester abroad. “The business world is becoming increasingly international, so it’s unavoidable. But on a personal level, I think it also enriches you,” she said.

“Meeting people from other countries and stepping outside your comfort zone and bubble is important. It helps you become more well-rounded when considering things from different perspectives and getting a more nuanced view of the world.”