Karlshochschule International University

In 1903, the university was founded as the Merkur Akademie and in 1978 was transformed into the Merkur Akademie M.A.I. gGmbH. In 1992, a bachelor's programme was launched in cooperation with foreign universities. In 2004 the MAI Privathochschulen gGmbH Karlsruhe was founded. This was accredited by the Science Council in 2005 and officially recognised by the state. 

We act on the assumption of the educational ideal of an educated young person with multifaceted interests, who 

• is willing to assume responsibility, believes that leadership is an opportunity to serve others and society,
• is capable of changing his/her point of view and questioning his/her own construction of reality, on the basis of sound know-how and a broad academic education,
• is able to look "behind the scenes" of what seems to be self-evident,
• is willing to cross inner and outer borders and open to new and foreign experiences and,
• •thus, in the spirit of life-long learning, has acquired the ability of independently developing his/her personality.

Karlshochschule academic profile is characterized by pluralistic oriented research interests in economic and entrepreneurial acting and activities in organizational life-worlds and their socio-cultural, societal embedment. We act on the assumption that economic and organizational realities are constructed and staged (performed) by agents and agencies through attributions, interpretations and negotiations of senses and sense-making. Karlshochschule International University understands itself as a business and management school that is "coined" by the studies of culture while it aspires to supplement or overcome traditional economistic and managerialistic approaches. 

Overall, students graduating from private universities have excellent career prospects in Germany; on average, they find an adequate work position more quickly after graduating from university. Through its connection to local industries (which are often global players) students often find a job in these companies. This is facilitated by the compulsory internships and company projects that are part of the curriculum. The study programs at Karlshochschule are oriented at pursuing a career in globally operating businesses, industries or international organizations.