Master of Compliance and Integrity Management
The study programme
The postgraduate Master of Compliance and Integrity Management (MACIM) study course is a unique feature of Viadrina in the German university landscape, characterised by a strong interdisciplinary and practice-oriented approach to Integrity and Compliance Management.
The program will be conducted entirely in English in 2026/27!
MACIM at a glance:
- Postgraduate education leading to a professional qualification
- Part-time study programme possible
- Two semesters including master's thesis
- Fee-based
- Small groups
- Interdisciplinary approach with a focus on integrity and compliance
- Consideration of current developments
- Distinguished lecturers from research and practice
If you have any further questions, you can also contact our team directly.
For detailed information about the study programme, please refer to our MACIM flyer.
About the study course
The MACIM is a postgraduate and fee-based study course that leads to the academic degree of Master of Compliance and Integrity Management (MACIM) and can be completed on a part-time basis.The study course is linked to the Viadrina Compliance Center, an interdisciplinary unit of the European University Viadrina, which has been successfully dealing holistically with the research fields of ethics, compliance and integrity in organisations since 2010 and has thus made a name for itself in Germany and worldwide.
Through the postgraduate Master's programme, students will acquire in-depth knowledge in the field of Compliance and Integrity Management as well as the ability to apply this knowledge in professional practice and research. In the course of their studies, students will acquire the skills and abilities to develop, implement, test and continuously improve the Compliance and Integrity Management System in any type of organisation, taking into account current developments in the areas of digitalisation, environmental protection, sustainability, governance and social aspects.
These goals are achieved through the three-stage teaching approach:
1.LEARN: The curriculum consists of specialised modules in which all theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required for the implementation and operation of effective and efficient Compliance and Integrity Management (CIM) are learned along a practical management cycle.
2.APPLY: As part of a presentation, students develop new models and methods based on what they have learnt, which have a strong practical relevance. This takes place as part of an in-depth module with distance learning lecturers.
3.PROVE: As part of the master's thesis, students demonstrate the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills they have learnt and provide proof of qualification for a management position.
The programme lasts two semesters and is divided into five modules, four of which are designed as compulsory basic modules and one as a compulsory elective module with distance learning reading and a specialist presentation. The combination of face-to-face and online teaching, which is always offered on Fridays and Saturdays, enables working people to take part in the programme. The programme concludes with the completion of a Master's thesis. This enables students to complete a Master's degree in just two semesters!
The degree programme is not only characterised by its innovative curriculum and strong practical focus. The programme also teaches soft skills that are highly relevant to compliance and integrity management. The entire Integrity and Compliance Management cycle has been integrated into the degree programme and distributed across the existing modules.
The programme thus covers the practical design, implementation, testing and improvement of such a system. This is complemented by specialisation options and insights into various industries, including the public sector.
We were able to attract more than 50 highly qualified lecturers from research and practice for the varied teaching format, enabling us to effectively implement the concept of the degree programme. While the sound theoretical foundations are taught by professors, renowned experts take over the modules on practical implementation and specific management tools. The teaching is rounded off by further guest lectures from well-known personalities. The small group of a maximum of 20 people enables excellent networking with each other and with the lecturers.
The degree programme lasts two semesters and is divided into five modules, four of which are designed as compulsory basic modules and one as a compulsory elective module with distance learning lectures and a specialist presentation. The combination of classroom and online teaching, which is always offered on Fridays and Saturdays, makes it possible for professionals to participate. The programme concludes with the completion of a master's thesis. This enables a continuing education master's degree in just two subject semesters! Shape and course
The study course is not only characterised by its innovative curriculum and strong practical orientation. The programme also teaches soft skills that are highly relevant to Compliance and Integrity Management. The entire Compliance and Integrity Management cycle has been integrated into the programme and distributed across the existing modules.
The programme thus covers the practical design, implementation, testing and improvement of such a system. This is supplemented by specialisation options and insights into various industries, including the public sector.
We were able to attract over 50 highly qualified lecturers from research and practice for the varied teaching format in order to effectively implement the concept of the study course. While the well-founded theoretical foundations are taught by professors, renowned experts take on the modules on practical implementation and specific management tools. The teaching is rounded off with further guest lectures by well-known personalities. The small group of a maximum of 20 people enables excellent networking with each other and with the lecturers.
Learn more
The study course is aimed both at university graduates from all disciplines who wish to pursue the profession of a compliance/integrity manager in companies and other organisations or who are or will be working in a consulting environment;or who are or would like to become active in a consulting environment, as well as compliance/integrity managers who are already in employment and would like to refresh, deepen, systematise and professionalise their knowledge and skills.
The course content is designed in such a way that the study programme is also ideally suited for representatives of the public sector who deal with compliance-related issues (for example in the area of combating white-collar crime or as anti-corruption officers).
Application, admission and entrance examination
After three successful editions, the MACIM programme may be resumed in the winter semester of 2026/2027. What is more, for the first time, it will be conducted entirely in English. There are 20 places available in the fourth edition; the decisive factor is receiving applications from people who meet the recruitment requirements.
The application deadlines for the winter semester 2026/2027: 1 April to 30 June 2026
Please submit the documents in PDF copies by email only. These should include:
- Letter of motivation for the study course
- Current curriculum vitae
- Certificates (bachelor's degree, diploma, state examination, university entrance qualification if applicable, etc.)
- Proof of professional experience
The Master's degree programme in Compliance and Integrity Management is designed as a part-time and continuing education study course. Admission to the MACIM Master's programme generally requires (1) a first professionally qualifying degree (e.g. Bachelor's, Diplom, state examination) with at least 240 ECTS points
and (2) at least one year of professional experience. If the first professionally qualifying degree is missing or has fewer than 240 ECTS points, admission can be granted upon passing the entrance examination.
Admission and admission are otherwise governed by the Framework Regulations for Admission and Admission to Studies at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder).
The number of students in each edition of the programme is limited to 20 in order to ensure the appropriate quality of teaching in a small group.
The entrance examination is required if either the first professionally qualifying degree is missing or if it has fewer than 240 ECTS points. Depending on the requirements, it can consist of a written, an oral or both parts (see overview below). The written entrance examination takes the form of an essay of 18,000 characters. The topics are assigned by the examination board, the deadline is 2 weeks. The oral part of the entrance examination lasts 30 minutes and is based on the essay or on previously determined topics.
The following overview provides an overview of whether and which entrance examination is required:
The tuition fee is 13,000 EUR; plus semester contribution (approx. 140 EUR;). In exceptional cases, payment in instalments can be agreed. If financing is to be provided by a company, please contact us before applying to discuss the arrangements. Further details can be found in the fee regulations.
Graduation ceremony
A look back at our graduation ceremony!
On 28 November 2024, we celebrated an unforgettable evening with our graduates from the first year of MACIM. It was a special moment to celebrate the successful graduation and look back on the past year together.
Congratulations once again to our graduates - you have made it and can look back on your achievements with pride! We are very proud of you and your impressive development.
Voices of graduates
MACIM is a must for compliance officers! I was particularly impressed by the practice-orientated teaching of the content, top lecturers, numerous case discussions, the wide range of topics and the valuable exchange of ideas. For me, MACIM is an excellent study course for all compliance officers in the DACH region.
Maike Scholz
Maike Scholz
It was very special to be taught so many different areas of compliance at first hand by a large number of renowned lecturers and to learn how compliance & integrity is practised in the various organisations.
Madeline Bäker
Madeline Bäker
MACIM is an absolute gem among continuing education compliance study courses! The design of the programme manages the balancing act between legally sound fundamentals and practice-oriented approaches. All in all, it's an experience I wouldn't want to miss.
Sven Kistner
fotWitoldCholewa
The interdisciplinary concept of MACIM and the insight into compliance & integrity in the various sectors are important to me. The practice-orientated exchange with the lecturers and students is also absolutely valuable.
Claudia Stübler
fotWitoldCholewa
Study documents
To the documents
Heide Fest/Viadrina
FAQ
... for potential students
Yes! We start with the first lectures in October, finish with the submission of the master's thesis in July / August and award the certificates at the handover ceremony in October!
Yes, the study course is primarily aimed at professionals and is designed for this group, i.e. courses only take place on Fridays and Saturdays, on a total of 31 days a year, of which only 10 days are in attendance at the university.
All students are welcome at the Viadrina. We realise that living and working locations are very different. The course locations have therefore been mixed – some in presence, some online. According to the programme schedule, the face-to-face courses take place in Frankfurt (Oder). This applies to three weekends in the winter semester and two in the summer semester. The remaining courses take place online.
The examination load is limited. There are four written final module examinations, a presentation followed by a discussion and the master's thesis! These examinations are spread over the whole year.
Yes, you can find the detailed plan for 2025/2026 on our homepage.
No. We take a universal approach, i.e. MACIM graduates are able to carry out Compliance and Integrity Management in all types of organisations.
No, MACIM is designed to meet the specific knowledge and skills requirements of compliance officers, which is why disciplines such as law, communication sciences, business administration, psychology, ethics and others are brought together in a well thought-out curriculum. MACIM is thus typically interdisciplinary in nature, which is why students with different backgrounds can also be admitted.
The answer is quite simple! As long as there are still places available, anyone with a first professionally qualifying degree (e.g. Bachelor) and at least one year of relevant professional experience will be admitted.
If you don't have both, it will be difficult. If you do not have a first professionally qualifying degree, but do have many years of relevant professional experience, this may be recognised. The same applies to missing or non-relevant professional experience; exceptions are also possible here.
In principle, yes, a compliance-related PhD with the aim of obtaining a doctorate is possible. Details are regulated by the doctoral degree regulations of the respective faculties.
The MACIM study course is a university degree awarded by the European University Viadrina.
The tuition fee is 13,000 euros plus semester contribution (approx. 140 euros).
Payment of the study fees can be made in instalments.
The MACIM programme can be taught in German or English. Depending on the year group selected, the language of instruction will therefore be German or English. In the 2026/27 academic year, all classes will be held in English.
Yes, this is possible. Please note directly in your application that the fee is paid by the employer and provide the full details of your employer. Please make sure that the person who receives the fee notice is informed accordingly and that the payment is made on time, as the possibility of your enrolment depends on this. As an option, the fee notice can also be issued to you, with the result that you can have the fee reimbursed internally by your employer. Please clarify internally which of the two solutions is best for your specific case.
The MACIM is a fully-fledged university Master's degree that is identical to an LL.M. or MBA. The designation of the Master's degree depends on the predominant study content. For example, if legal content predominates, an LL.M. is awarded, whereas an MBA is awarded if business content predominates. In the case of Compliance and Integrity Management, in addition to legal and business management skills and knowledge must also be mastered, for example in communication science, psychology, ethics and other areas. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the programme content, an original Master's degree is therefore awarded.
Further links
Viadrina Compliance Centre
- European University Viadrina, Große Scharrnstr. 59, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)
- +49 (0) 1512 0044744
- +49 (0) 335-5534-16-6785
- macim@europa-uni.de
Head of degree programme
Prof. Dr Bartosz Makowicz