Study Business in Germany

Best Business Master's Degrees in Germany

Some of the top business programs in Germany include:

• Masters in Business & Management in Germany
• Masters of Business Administration in Germany
• Masters in Accounting and Finance in Germany
• Masters in Entrepreneurship in Germany
• Masters in Human Resources in Germany
• Masters in Marketing in Germany
• Masters in Economics in Germany

Requirements To Study Business in Germany

From academic requirements to financial and visa requirements, studying business in Germany comes with certain demands. Find some of them below.

Academic Requirements

Generally, the admission requirements and selection criteria vary according to the degree program and university. Some of the academic requirements to study business in Germany include:

• University Entrance Certificate (e.g., Abitur, high school diploma, or equivalent).
• Two-semester preparatory course (Studienkolleg) for students whose school leaving certificate is not recognized in Germany (non-EU/EEA students).
• Proof of German language proficiency (DSH, TestDaF, Goethe Certificate B2).
• Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Exam).
• Preliminary documentation, known as Vorprüfungsdokumentation, from uni-assist (for international students).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Practical experience (optional)
• Extracurricular activities (optional)

Financial and Visa Requirements

Prospective business students should make sure to meet the financial requirements when studying abroad. Germany is a comparatively affordable country to pursue students because most public universities are tuition-free. If you plan on studying your business degree at a private university in Germany, you should prepare to spend up to €20,000 (~$24,000) in tuition fees per year. When it comes to living costs, an international student is expected to have around €850 (~$1,000) per month to cover their living expenses.

When it comes to the visa requirements, non-EU students (who need a student visa to study in Germany) should meet additional requirements, including:

• Proof of Financial Resources (e.g., a German blocked account containing €11,208 for annual living expenses).
• Proof of Health Insurance (covering the period from the departure date to university enrolment date, approximately three months).

Application Process

Depending on where you come from, you can submit your university application in three different ways, including University Application Service for International Students (Uni-Assist), Foundation for University Admission (Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung - SfH), or directly to the university of choice. Generally, international students whose university entrance qualification is not from Germany have to apply through Uni-Assist.

Uni-Assist processes all higher education entrance qualifications and decides whether the applicant is eligible to apply for university studies in Germany. Basically, international students usually have their documents verified by Uni-Assist first and then proceed to submit their application (including the verification document) to the university of their choice before the application deadline.

Degree Duration: How Long Does It Take to Study Business in Germany?

Bachelor programs in business disciplines in Germany typically take three to four years of full-time study to complete. Part-time business studies are also available at German higher education institutions, but they usually take more than four years to complete. For example, a bachelor’s program in Business Administration usually takes six semesters (three academic years) to complete.

A master’s degree in business in Germany takes one to two years of full-time study to complete and it's the same for an MBA degree. The exact duration, however, depends on the specific program and university.

Tuition Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Study Business in Germany?

Tuition fees generally depend on the university and the specific degree program. Most public universities in Germany offer tuition-free education. Studying business at one of Germany’s public universities will cost you only up to €200 ($243) in administrative fees per semester. This is the case for both national and international students in Germany, at most public universities.

The only exception is the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, which reintroduced tuition fees in 2017. For example, at the University of Mannheim, located in the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration will cost €1,500 ($1,825) per semester for non-EU/EEA students.

On the other hand, a bachelor’s degree at a private university can cost up to €20,000 (~$24,000) in tuition fees per year.

Business Careers in Germany

Since Germany is an outstanding business hub, job opportunities are abundant for business graduates. Plenty of successful companies in Germany hire business professionals, including companies like Siemens, BMW, Bosch, Volkswagen, Mercedes, etc., in roles like consultants, finance managers, operations managers, project managers, business managers, and human resources managers, to name a few.

Salaries are pretty lucrative for individuals with a business degree in Germany. The exact salary depends on the job position, education level, professional experience, and the company. For example, MBA graduates in Berlin earn an average salary of around €53,600 per year. Non-EU/EEA business graduates can apply to stay in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation to seek employment.