MBA in Germany

Why Study MBA in Germany?

As its full form suggests, an M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) is a master’s degree. MBA curriculum in Germany includes a wide range of business-related topics, including finance, management, statistics, or entrepreneurship.

If you are wondering what makes MBA programs in Germany unique, the answer would be the diversity of experience, excellent quality of higher education system, lecturers with outstanding qualifications, high-ranking universities, and most importantly, more than affordable tuition fees.

Best Universities for MBA in Germany

Here are some universities with the best MBA programs in Germany:

1. ESMT Berlin
2. Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
3. Mannheim Business School (MBS)
4. WHU - Otto Beisheim Graduate School of Management
5. HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
6. Hochschule Pforzheim
7. TUM Technische Universitat Munchen
8. University of Cologne Business School
9. ESCP Europe - Berlin Campus
10. GISMA Business School

MBA in Germany Program Types

MBA programs in Germany usually take one to two years to complete. German universities offer a wide range of MBA programs and specializations. Universities in Germany also offer Executive MBA programs (EMBA) — which are designed for students with considerable work experience in their field of expertise.

Top MBA Specializations in Germany

Some of the most common MBA specializations in Germany are:

• MBA in Finance
• MBA in Human Resources
• MBA in Management
• MBA in Marketing
• MBA in Innovation
• MBA in Entrepreneurship

MBA in Germany Eligibility

It is not easy to secure a seat at a German university, but it is possible for as long as you meet the requirements. To be eligible for an MBA program, you should meet the minimum requirements set by your chosen university, which may differ from one university to another. Despite admission requirements differences between universities, some general requirements that make you eligible for admission in an MBA program in Germany include the following:

Academic Requirements

To be considered for admission for an MBA program in Germany, you must have obtained a bachelor’s degree that is equivalent to a German bachelor’s degree. With your bachelor’s degree, you must also submit a copy of your transcripts (minimum GPA depends on your university), letters of recommendation, and CV.

Language Proficiency

To pursue an MBA in Germany, you must possess fluency of English or German language (depending on the language of instruction of your chosen university). If you are going to study in English, you can submit scores of IELTS or TOEFL. If you are going to study in German, you can submit your DSH II or III certificate, TestDaF, Goethe-Zertifikat C2, etc. Note that your university may state which test scores they would prefer to receive.

Standardized Tests

Standardized tests such as GMAT and GRE are most important in an MBA application. Although there are universities that accept students without GMAT or GRE scores, most German universities list them as requirements. Same as for language proficiency tests, universities also list their preferred scores regarding GMAT or GRE tests.

Visa

Some international students may be required to obtain a student visa to study in Germany. Students who do not need a visa to study in Germany are students who come from an EU/ EEA country or Switzerland. It is advisable to start the visa application process as soon as you receive your admissions letter. You can do so by visiting the German embassy or the consulate that has jurisdiction over your home country.

Financial Requirements

To pursue an MBA in Germany, you must also meet the financial requirement. Based on this requirement, you will need to prove you can afford the cost of studying in Germany. As of January 2021, to be eligible for admission and a visa, you must demonstrate that you have around €11,208 ($12,098) per year or €934 ($1,008) per month to cover your living expenses.

MBA in Germany Cost

In many countries of the world, tuition fees for MBA programs are among the highest. However, Germany is known for offering excellent education at quite affordable rates. This factor makes it easier for international students to receive quality education with budget-friendly fees.

Tuition Fees

In Germany, MBA tuition fees are significantly lower when compared to other developed countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. In general, the average tuition fees for MBA programs in Germany range from €3,400 ($3,860) to €44,000 ($49,990) per year. If you enroll at a public university, you will only have to pay a semester fee of €250 ($280) to €500 ($570) despite being an international student.

The vast majority of universities in Germany are state-owned, so you can pursue an MBA with quite low costs. Tuition fees for MBA programs at private universities in Germany are higher and vary between universities. There are a few factors that have an impact on tuition costs for an MBA and may also include the city in which your university is located.

Living Costs

To cover your living expenses as a student in Germany, you will need an average of €934 ($1,008) per month. This amount will help you cover living costs such as rent, food, books, health insurance, etc. Note that the cost of living in Germany also depends on where you choose to reside. Living in larger cities is usually more expensive.

Compared to many European countries, the cost of living in Germany is not excessively expensive. The largest expense you will have is accommodation. You may have to pay around €550 ($630) for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center and around €730 ($830) for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. Know that sharing a flat with a roommate is cheaper.

Besides accommodation, the cost of food and drinks will be your second largest expense — from €150 ($170) to €200 ($227) per month. School supplies can cost you around €20 ($22) - €30 ($34) per month. The cost of entertainment is around €60 per month, and health insurance costs can reach the amount of €110 ($125) per month.

MBA in Germany Careers

Germany has entered the list of the top countries in terms of MBA salaries, and it has opened up its economy and continues to provide opportunities for expats to settle down. Whatsmore, the country has some of the best universities in the world and obtaining an MBA degree from one of these universities would positively impact the future of your career.

Some of the jobs you can take after finishing your MBA in Germany are:

• Finance Manager
• Business Manager
• MIS Executive
• Project Manager
• Product Manager
• Analytics Manager
• Human Resources Manager
• Consultant/IT Manager

Some of the industries that offer jobs for MBA graduates in Germany are Siemens, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, Bayer, Bosch, etc. These are some of the highest-paying recruiters for MBA jobs in Germany.

If you consider settling in Germany, know that professionals with German language skills are highly valued in the business world. German will be the first language at your workplace, and you will be in daily contact with German speakers, so it is best you invest some time in learning the language, rather than let your lack of German language skills slow down your career growth.

Average Salary in Germany for MBA

Many studies show that the salary of MBA recipients in Germany does not disappoint. There are quite a few elements that impact the salary potential for MBA recipients. These elements might include your MBA specialization and work experience. Usually, graduates that have more work experience earn higher salaries.

Among other elements that will shape your earning potential after graduation is the location in which you will choose to work. In some countries, the business school from which you graduated plays a role in your salary, but in Germany, the skills you possess have a higher impact on your income.

Salaries for MBA graduates in Germany vary. Depending on your specialization you can earn from €48,000 ($54,646) to €260,000 ($296,010) per year.

Careers for MBA graduates in Germany include:

Can I Study MBA in Germany Without GMAT?

A large number of the world’s top colleges have GMAT scores as their main requirement. In Germany, there are plenty of universities that rank high in terms of offering excellent MBA programs, and some of them accept applicants without GMAT scores. These universities have a reputation for offering excellent MBA programs.

Some universities that accept applications without GMAT scores are:

• Technical University of Munich
• Offenburg University of Applied Sciences
• Reutlingen University
• Witten/Herdecke University
• HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
• The University of Stuttgart, etc.

Keep in mind that universities that do not require GMAT scores tend to shift their focus on other MBA aspirants’ application elements. These elements usually include your GPA, years of work experience, English/German language proficiency, or letters of recommendation. So, if you decide to apply for an MBA program without GMAT scores, make sure you build your profile based on these elements.

Read more about studying MBA in Germany without GMAT here.

Can I Study MBA in Germany Without Work Experience?

In many countries, work experience is one of the main requirements for students who wish to pursue an MBA. This is not the case for German universities, which allow you to study an MBA without work experience. Additionally, since German universities offer excellent MBA courses, you will receive the best preparation for your business career.

MBA programs aim to refine your skills instead of developing them from point zero. This is one of the reasons why work experience, in most cases, is one of the main requirements. Luckily, German universities have professional lecturers who will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in the business world (despite your lack of work experience).

One way to increase your chances of admission to German universities without having work experience is by having a high GMAT score and high English proficiency exam scores. You will also need to impress the admissions committee with your academics. Building your profile in terms of the elements mentioned above will make your MBA admissions process easier.

Can I Study for an MBA in Germany in English?

If you are interested in pursuing an MBA in Germany in English, know that there will be no language barriers for you. Plenty of universities and colleges in Germany teach MBA courses in English. However, like most universities in Europe that offer English-taught Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), they are private universities.

If you wish to complete your MBA studies in English, you must make sure you possess fluency of the language. You must also submit proof of English language proficiency together with your application. Depending on your institution's preference, you can either submit scores of TOEFL or IELTS.

Some of the universities that offer English-taught MBA courses in Germany are:

• Catholic University in Eichstát - Ingolstadt
• University of Applied Sciences of Economics and Management (FOM)
• ESCP European School of Management in Berlin
• Munich University of Technology
• EBS University of Business and Law
• WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management - Dússeldorf
• Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg
• Kúhne Logistics University - University for Logistics and Company Management
• Touro College Berlin