
Copenhagen MIM at CBS: Program Overview, Student Life & Career Impact
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Copenhagen MIM Overview
The Copenhagen MIM is a one-year, practice-focused programme offered during the second year of MSc studies. Delivered jointly by 33 top global business schools, including CBS, and supported by 70 corporate and 8 social partners, it awards both a CBS MSc and a CEMS MIM degree. The programme combines academic theory with real-world business experience in a highly international setting.
1 year
duration
11th
rank QS Masters in Management Rankings 2024
Tuition fees
not charged for CEMS MIM
Copenhagen MIM Program Structure
The Copenhagen MIM is a one-year programme taken alongside your CBS MSc, during the third and fourth semesters. It offers flexible course options, allowing students to tailor their academic and career focus. The programme enhances academic knowledge, soft skills, and practical experience. Notably, it unites schools, companies, students, and alumni, making it one of the most globally integrated management programmes. The CEMS MIM is an additional qualification earned alongside the CBS Master’s degree.

Copenhagen MIM Admissions
In order to apply for the CEMS MIM, you must be currently enrolled at CBS in the first semester in one of the following degree programmes:
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Accounting, Strategy and Control (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Finance and Investments (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Finance and Strategic Management (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Finansiering og Regnskab (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in General Management and Analytics (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Management of Innovation and Business Development (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in People and Business Development (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Sales Management (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Strategy, Organisation and Leadership (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Supply Chain Management (cand.merc.)
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Økonomisk Markedsføring (cand.merc.)
MSc in Business, Language and Culture - Business and Development Studies
MSc in Business, Language and Culture - Diversity and Change Management
MSc in Economics and Finance - Applied Economics and Finance (cand.oecon.)
NB: Students enrolled at CBS in any of the other remaining CBS Master’s programmes may not apply to the CEMS MIM.
Copenhagen MIM GPA requirement
Applicants must have a minimum final GPA (gennemsnit) at the bachelor level of 7.0 on the Danish scale.
Copenhagen MIM English language requirement
All applications must include documentation of proficiency in English by way of one of the following:
TOEFL iBT:minimum 100 points. TOEFL "MyBestScores" is not accepted.
IELTS Academic/IELTS Indicator: 7 or higher
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: grade B or higher
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: grade C or higher
Cambridge BEC Higher: grade B or higher
CBS bachelor's degree entirely taught in English.
Bachelor's degree entirely taught in English obtained in an English speaking country or if from a CEMS or EQUIS/AACSB accredited institution. Language of instruction must be declared on the diploma or confirmed by the university.
CEMS Mother Tongue declaration (if applicable)
Copenhagen MIM Language 2 requirement
Documentation of mother tongue through the CEMS Mother Tongue declaration. This form will be available on my.cbs.dk.
If your mother tongue is English, you must submit proof of proficiency in one additional language at minimum CEFR-level B1 (oral and written) through a CEMS-approved test or course, or through proof of secondary education or university degree completed entirely in the target language. See the list of commercial language tests and cultural institutes offering approved language courses on cems.org. Contact cems@cbs.dk for further details.
Application deadline: November 6, 2024 at 12:00 noon. All requested information must be submitted using the application portal (see link below) in English or in the original language with an accompanying English translation. Further details provided on the application portal.
Motivational Essay. Maximum 2 pages.
CV/resume
Copy of entire Bachelor’s degree transcript. If the diploma is from an institution outside of Denmark and/or does not have a GPA calculation, you must include an official explanation of the grading system, as well as the grade conversion of your degree, using the guidelines from the CBS International Office.
Personality survey. Form will be provided on my.cbs.dk.
Your study plan, where you plan out your combined 2nd year of MSc. studies & CEMS MIM requirements. Form will be provided on my.cbs.dk.
Prioritization and motivation of 10 CEMS exchange partner schools for your mandatory semester abroad.
English proficiency documentation, see above.
Language 2 documentation, see above.
1 letter of recommendation/reference.
Follow the link to the online application, found on my.cbs.dk. For CBS students only.

Copenhagen MIM Selection
The applicants will be evaluated and ranked based on an assessment of:
Academic performance (Grade Point Average) (70%)
Work experience (15%)
Volunteer work (15%)
The top 75 applicants will be invited to an interview on either November 21 or 22, in either the morning or the afternoon. The interview will be conducted in English, usually by a combination of CBS representatives, including the CBS CEMS Academic Director, the CEMS Programme Manager as well as CEMS corporate partner representatives and alumni. The interview will include an individual presentation by the student.
The CEMS selection criteria are:
Intellectual Potential and Knowledge
Intellectual Potential
Academic Excellence
Prior Knowledge in the Business Field
Attitude and Soft Skills
Desire to Achieve
Interpersonal Competencies
Integrity
Critical Thinking
Motivation for the MIM Programme
Global Orientation
Language Skills
International Openness and Cross-Cultural Aptitudes
Students final selection will be selected based on an overall evaluation of the application.
Please note that students may apply to the CEMS programme at CBS only once. If you are not accepted into the programme based on your written application or your overall application and performance during the assessment center it is not possible to apply again. The decision made by the assessment center panel is final
Copenhagen MIM Mandatory semester abroad
All CBS CEMS students spend one semester abroad at a CEMS partner school. Due to the nature of the CEMS MIM program, the CEMS administration reserves the right to select students for a specific term (either Term 1 or Term 2) regardless of the student’s indicated priority.
NB: Regarding a “regular” exchange semester abroad
If you are interested in applying for a regular exchange semester abroad, in the event you are not accepted to CEMS, you must submit a separate application for regular exchange.
Acceptance to the CEMS MIM program will automatically cancel your regular exchange application.
If you are accepted to CEMS, but decline this opportunity, your application for regular exchange will be canceled.
Copenhagen MIM Fees
CBS does not charge tuition for participation in the CEMS MIM.
However, the tuition fee for students enrolling in any full-time, two-year graduate programme is EURO 8,000 per semester (16,000 per year) or 60,000 DKK per semester (DKK 120,000 per year).
It is compulsory to pay the tuition fees for graduate programs as being enrolled in one of the graduate programs is a prerequisite to apply for CEMS MIM program.
Copenhagen MIM Career
The CEMS MIM programme combines academic learning with practical training in international management. Through its various components, students gain soft skills, earn two Master’s degrees, and engage with alumni and corporate partners across diverse countries and cultures.
Over time, the CEMS MIM has gained strong recognition as a prestigious qualification, representing globally trained, highly qualified graduates and young professionals.
CEMS graduates have different educational profiles when they graduate, since CEMS at CBS is an add-on to an MSc study programme at CBS.According to a recent survey of graduates from the class of 2023, CEMS graduates have taken on jobs within the following sectors:
Consulting
Technology
Financial Services
Consumer Goods
Health/Pharma
Copenhagen MIM Student Life
Copenhagen MIM Study Environement
CEMS MIM students experience at least two study environments: one at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) and one at a partner university abroad. The program is highly international, with students and faculty from diverse cultural backgrounds.
At CBS, the small cohort of around 50 CEMS students fosters a close-knit, interactive academic and social environment. Students also become part of the wider global CEMS network, which includes 1,300 new students annually, over 20,000 alumni, corporate partners, and experienced faculty.
The program offers strong opportunities for networking and collaboration with peers from various academic backgrounds. CEMS students are typically ambitious, open-minded, and driven, creating a dynamic yet supportive—and occasionally competitive—study atmosphere.
What to Consider?
CEMS students typically thrive in multicultural, academically rigorous environments. They are ambitious, value close connections with corporate partners, and actively seek networking opportunities. The program’s international nature requires adaptability to different teaching and working styles, along with a mandatory semester abroad.
An 8-week international internship is a core requirement, and students are responsible for securing it. While proactive effort is essential, the CEMS network—through alumni and corporate partners—offers strong support and frequent internship opportunities.
Applicants are encouraged to develop proficiency in two foreign languages besides English, as multilingual skills are a valuable asset. CBS does not offer language courses, except for Danish for exchange students.
Copenhagen MIM Teaching
CEMS courses are designed in close collaboration with corporate partners, making the program highly practice-oriented and focused on bridging theory with real-world application.
The program offers a variety of learning formats, including interactive lectures, case discussions, simulations, and small-group skills seminars. Since students choose from a range of CEMS courses and spend a semester abroad, teaching styles may differ across institutions. However, CEMS classes are generally interactive and encourage active participation.
The program’s intimate setting also fosters strong engagement between students, faculty, and program administrators.
Copenhagen MIM Exams
At CBS, each course concludes with an examination, typically held in October, December/January, April, or May/June, depending on the course schedule.
As with teaching styles, exam formats in the CEMS program vary based on elective choices and the semester abroad, reflecting the program’s diverse and international structure.
Copenhagen MIM Work/Life/Study Balance
The CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) program at CBS is intensive and academically ambitious. Many students take part in extracurricular activities, including roles in the CEMS Club, where they organize professional and social events, or they opt for additional skill seminars. A number of students also manage part-time jobs alongside their studies. These added commitments typically lead to a greater workload compared to a standard MSc program.
Copenhagen MIM Studying in English
The entire CEMS MIM program at CBS is conducted in English—this includes lectures, reading materials, exams, projects, and group assignments. While many students may be familiar with conversational English, academic English poses different challenges. Understanding complex materials and articulating thoughts effectively in both spoken and written English is crucial for academic success. Non-native speakers may initially find it difficult to express themselves confidently, particularly in larger groups or when interacting with native English speakers.
Copenhagen MIM Community and Network
The CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) at CBS is built on a strong network of communities that support students both socially and professionally. Key pillars of this network include the CEMS student organization, the alumni network, and a broad range of corporate partners.
CEMS Club Copenhagen (CCC)
CEMS MIM students at CBS are members of the CEMS Club Copenhagen, which organizes numerous social and professional events throughout the year, including a humanitarian project. Students benefit from exclusive networking opportunities like the annual Career Forum, featuring CEMS Corporate Partners, and the Nordic Forum, a 3-day event combining skills seminars with social activities. Additional regional events are also held regularly.
CEMS Alumni Network
The CEMS Alumni community plays an active role in supporting the program. With over 20,000 alumni from 100+ nationalities across 70+ countries, they often contribute to seminars, business projects, and events. Many alumni maintain close ties to the program through their work with CEMS Corporate Partners, providing current students with valuable industry connections.
CEMS Corporate and Social Partners
CEMS Corporate and Social Partners form a diverse network of companies and organizations that value the global mindset of CEMS students. These partners contribute to the program by participating in coursework, hosting events, and supporting key initiatives. Their involvement offers students a unique bridge to future career opportunities.
Student Associations at CBS
In addition to CEMS-specific groups, CBS hosts a variety of student associations and organizations, offering further opportunities for involvement, networking, and personal development.