IPBS Double Degree Programme

ESB Business School, Reutlingen University – Reutlingen, Germany 
Qualification: MSc in Global Management and Digital Competencies
20 places available

DCU – Dublin City University – Dublin, Ireland 
Qualification: MSc in Global Management (Digital Disruption)
20 places available
 

In order to be selected, applying students must fulfil the requirements indicated by the partner universities.

ESB

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree grade of 90/110 (corresponding to 2.5 in the German grading scale)
• All candidates will have had to complete a total of 6 months (need not be consecutive months) of work experience prior to departure for their semester abroad. This can be in the form of internships, work experience, part-time jobs, etc. Students can combine different work experiences for a total of 6 months. No work experience prior to the beginning of the Bachelor's Degree will be considered.  

DCU

Minimum average grade of 24/30 for the following set of exams:

• Managerial Economics. Module II: Advanced Economic Scenario Analysis
• Sustainability Management
• Strategy and International Business. Module I: Corporate Strategy
• Mergers and Acquisitions (Advanced International Business)
• Intercultural Marketing. Module I: International Marketing & Customer Experience Management
• Global Challenges and Impacts
   

Students intending to apply for the Double Degree programme must have a minimum English language proficiency of B2 level, obtained through an international certification not earlier than May 1st, 2024. Below is the list of accepted certifications:

• TOEFL iBT (Home Edition also accepted): overall score 88, with a minimum score of 21 in Speaking and Writing;
• IELTS: overall score 6.5, with a minimum score of 6 in each sub-section;
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): overall score 60, with a minimum score of 50 in each sub-section;
• Cambridge First Exam – Cambridge Advanced – Cambridge Proficiency: minimum overall score 175.

Applicants are exempt from presenting one of the stated English language tests if they have completed their entire studies in English or at least 50% of their Bachelor’s Degree in an English-speaking country. Proof must be provided.

Students will be able to indicate their preference for one of the two available destinations.
For selection purposes, a ranking will be compiled based on the following:

• 40% weighted average or results of exams passed
• 40% total credits accumulated
• 20% language skills 

In the event of a tie in scores, additional qualifications will be assessed according to the following priority order:

1. Bachelor’s Degree grade (if available for both candidates)
2. High School Diploma grade
3. Date of birth (the oldest candidate wins)
    

Once selected, students will have to enroll in the Master’s Degree at the partner university. The programme selection phase and procedures regarding the validation of application documentation will be managed by the IPBS Network. The final decision regarding the students’ acceptance into the programme will be made by the receiving institution (DCU or ESB).

Note that students applying for ESB need to submit all documents (including their language certificate) except for their final degree Transcript of Records by the closing date of June 15th, 2026. Students applying for DCU need to submit all documents by the end of July 2026.
 

Students have to pass all the exams of the first year of Global Business Management by September 2026 and all the exams of the first semester of the second year of Global Business Management by December 2026.

Please note: the partner universities require that all preparatory exams for the departure for the Double Degree programme be held at UCSC.
 

Please note that all students taking part in the Degree program are required, in accordance with Cattolica regulations, to take the Theology exams present in their course plan.

1st year, Master’s in Global Business Management – to be completed at Cattolica

First semester of 2nd year, Master’s in Global Business Management – to be completed at Cattolica

Second semester of 2nd year, Master’s in Global Management (Digital Disruption) – to be completed at Dublin City University

Second semester of 2nd year, Master’s in Global Management and Digital Competencies – to be completed at ESB – Reutlingen University

Selected students will write and discuss their final thesis with a supervisor from the host institution. Anyway, students will have to follow the Cattolica procedures to register for a Cattolica official Graduation day (i.e. in terms of steps, deadlines and fees).

The following tuition fee can be subject to change as it refers to the current academic year:

• Cattolica application fee: €35
• Host institution application fee: €50
• Host institution tuition fee for EU citizens: €7.375
• Additional fee for non-EU citizens: €4.500 (to be added to the €7.375 tuition fee)

Students selected for the program will be responsible for the costs of their stay abroad (travel, accommodation, food and costs of materials). Students selected for the program must also be officially enrolled at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore while they are abroad (keeping the deadlines for university fees, study plans, requests for graduation, etc.).
 

Students involved in the IPBS Double Degree Programme may benefit from the standard Erasmus Exchange scholarships for the period they spend abroad. Scholarships and the availability of funds will be confirmed during the month of July 2026. 

The following documents could be requested:

• ISEE Universitario
• Receipts of payment (e.g. accommodation, transport, flights, etc.)
• Online Learning Agreement, duly filled in with courses attended
• Period of Study Statement, duly filled in (instructions will be provided)
   

Selected students will benefit from the health insurance provided by AXA in collaboration with Cattolica. In addition, the “Student Safety Package” will be activated, and the students will be able to download the Safety Check Students app for geolocation and instant communications in case of emergency. More information about the activation procedure will be provided to the selected students.

AXA insurance policy activation is compulsory for all Cattolica students doing an international experience.