List of Top MBA Colleges in Germany

As one of the popular master’s degrees offered in different specializations, MBA aims to equip learners with the requisite managerial skills and knowledge which is detrimental to the smooth running of an organization. By pursuing an MBA from abroad, students get to avail global exposure, and immense networking opportunities as well as learn from the best industry leaders and graduate with an internationally recognized degree. Having nurtured the world’s best minds and emerging as a hub of many prominent inventions, Germany has significantly established itself as a prominent study destination and its public universities offer a wide range of courses at no or affordable tuition fees. Globally acclaimed for pioneering advancements in its education system, Germany must be at the top of your list for studying an MBA abroad. Through this blog, we bring you a comprehensive list of top-ranked MBA colleges in Germany.

MBA Programs in Germany	MBA full-time, Executive MBA, Online MBA
Duration	1-2 Years
Average Tuition Fee	Eur 30,000
Top Universities	— EMST Berlin — Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) — WHU – Otto Beisheim Graduate School of Management — HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration
Eligibility	Bachelors’ Degree + Work Experience
Required Work Experience	1-3 years
Average Salary	Eur 70,000

Why Study MBA in Germany

Along with the most alluring benefit i.e. cost of studying Germany, there are numerous other attractions that make Germany a top study destination for your MBA degree. It is amongst the major countries with the best education systems having a standard grading system and implementing a unique mix of practical and theoretical understanding. Let’s take a look at some of the significant reasons why you should study in Germany and opt for an MBA in Germany:

• Top Global MBA Schools: Around 5 business schools in Germany have featured among the top 100 MBA schools by QS Rankings 2020. Moreover, the country provides EU-accredited MBA degrees along with an exceptional curriculum and intensive industry experience for budding business professionals. 
• Affordable Cost of Studying: Addressing one of the major concerns of the decision to study abroad, higher education in Germany is provided mainly at no cost or at affordable tuition fees. Studying for your MBA in Germany, financial restraints can be less of a concern than the public universities in the country. Further, affordable accommodation and living costs are other advantages of pursuing your master’s degree here. 
• Scholarships: Every year the German Government releases various scholarships for international students. These financial-aid schemes are generally offered to meritorious students as well as those with unprivileged backgrounds. Some of the famous scholarships for which students can opt for an MBA in Germany include DAAD Scholarships, The Deutschland Stipendium, Erasmus+ etc.    
• Exceptional Curriculum: The MBA courses offered at German universities do not monotonously focus on conceptual studies but are designed with interesting parameters that aim to equip them with the industry knowledge of the field of study they are aspiring to specialise in. The institutions also encourage students to take part in research projects and apprenticeships to provide them with a balanced curriculum. 

List of Top MBA Colleges in Germany

The below table presents a detailed list of the top MBA colleges in Germany.

Business School	Duration	Cost(EUR)	Admission Requirements
Mannheim Business School	12-15 months	42,500	Bachelor’s degree (B+ average recommended), 3 years postgraduate work experience, English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 95 or IELTS 7), GMAT recommended (600+). APS is required for certain countries.
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management	1 year	42,000	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, 3 years postgraduate work experience, English proficiency (TOEFL 90 or IELTS 7), GMAT/GRE scores required or in-house Business Test. Two letters of reference needed.
WHU (Otto Beisheim)	1 year	43,000	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, at least 2 years postgraduate work experience, English proficiency (TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7), one letter of recommendation, Excellent Fit Assessment via tests or achievements.
ESMT Berlin	15 months	49,000	Minimum three-year undergraduate degree, 3 years continuous postgraduate work experience, English proficiency (TOEFL 95 or IELTS 7), GMAT/GRE scores required.
HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management	15 months (fast track)	39,500	Recognized bachelor’s degree, 3 years postgraduate work experience, English proficiency (TOEFL 90+, IELTS 7+), competitive GMAT (min. 600) or GRE/HHL Entry Test scores.
LMU Munich School of Management	2 years	46,725	Official transcripts, current resume, two letters of recommendation, English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS), optional GMAT/GRE scores. APS required for certain countries.
TUM School of Management	2 years	39,000	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, at least 3 years full-time postgraduate experience, leadership experience preferred, English proficiency evaluated during the admission process.
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin School of Business and Economics	2 years	315.64 per semester	Relevant bachelor’s degree (120 ECTS), English proficiency (C1 level), minimum B1 level in German, 1800 hours of relevant work experience in the last 3 years.
Berlin School of Business and Innovation	18 months	14,150	Minimum age 21, strong undergraduate degree or 3 years relevant management experience, English proficiency (various accepted tests). Waivers available for certain applicants.
Arden University Berlin	1 year (full-time)	16,500/year	Bachelor’s degree (2.2 or above) or professional qualifications with 2 years relevant work experience; CV required if degree completed over 5 years ago. English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).
GISMA University of Applied Sciences	12 or 24 months	18,000	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, 3 years work experience required, English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent), personal interview, job reference.
IU International University of Applied Sciences	18-36 months	9,522	Bachelor’s degree (min. 180 ECTS), 1 year post-undergraduate work experience, English proficiency (TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6). Exemptions for native speakers and graduates from English-speaking schools.
EU Business School	1 year	7,300	Bachelor’s degree, English proficiency (TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0), GPA of 3.0 or satisfactory GMAT score, or interview with an academic department.

Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Frankfurt 

In terms of employability, the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management leads our list of top MBA colleges in Germany. Frankfurt’s MBA program 12-month long, while the college puts elaborate efforts in planting entrepreneurial skills in students with its specialised one-week program referred to as Capstone Course in Entrepreneurial Management. Moreover, its MBA course incorporates a thesis project with three options to choose from, i.e. Entrepreneurial Business Plan, Research Project or Group Consultancy Project and the school also offers various student-led programs in sports, education and networking. 

WHU- Otto Beisheim School of Management, Dusseldorf

WHU secured 23rd rank in Global QS rankings for top MBA Colleges 2020, indicating the institute’s excellence in providing one of the best MBA programs in Germany. It’s one year MBA comprises three study abroad exchange modules, two in Asia and one in the US. The college provides a host of extra-curricular courses in business strategy, Process management and other managerial practices. They also provide foreign students with basic German language program making the demographic transition a smoother experience.

European School of Management and Technology, Berlin

Located in the capital city of Germany, ESMT leads the charts in QS rankings when it comes to nurturing global business leaders. Founded in 2002 by 25 leading companies and Management groups, the college aims to imbibe leadership skills in its students. The 12-month MBA is followed by various fellowship programs and internships to make a student Industry ready. With a huge majority of international students as foreign, ESMT MBA is defined on four main principles like Strategic Leadership, Leadership & Personal Development, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Managerial Analytics.

HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Leipzig

Established in 1898, HHL is one of the oldest business schools in the world. HHL follows a student-friendly approach with its curriculum, starting off the 18-month program with refresher courses to strengthen the student’s foundation in Business and Management, slowly growing off into fundamentals of modern-day management. By the end of their courses, students select the subjects they are actually interested in to become job-ready for top management positions.

To know more, check out MBA Universities in Germany!

Other Universities in Germany for MBA

Some other universities offering MBA in Germany are mentioned here:

• Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI)
• WHU – Otto Beisheim Graduate School of Management
• HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration
• EBS Business school
• IUBH University of Applied Sciences
• ESCP – Berlin Campus
• TUM Technische Universität München
• EU Business school
• Universität Hamburg – Institut für Weiterbildung e.V.
• TU Bergakademie Freiberg
• Aachen University – RWTH Business School
• HTW Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin
• Hochschule Furtwangen University
• GISMA Business School
• Offenburg University
• TU Berlin
• Hochschule Esslingen · Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
• ESB Reutlingen
• ESMT Berlin
• Hochschule Bremen – International Graduate Center (IGC)
• HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
• University of Cologne Business School
• Steinbeis-Hochschule Berlin
• Dresden International University (DIU)
• Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm – OHM Professional School
• IESE Business School – University of Navarra – Munich Campus
• Hochschule Pforzheim
• Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR)
• Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
• Mannheim Business School (MBS)

Universities in Germany Accredited by AACSB, AMBA, or EQUIS

While a lot of universities in Germany offer MBA but there are only a few that stand out with AACSB, AMBA, or EQUIS accreditation. Here are the universities that have been accredited by one of these accreditation systems.

• Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster – JurGrad gGmbH
• HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
• TUM Technische Universität München
• Hochschule Pfrozheim
• Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR)
• Cologne Business School
• ESB Reutlingen
• ESMT Berlin
• WHU – Otto Beisheim Graduate School of Management
• ESCP – Berlin Campus
• Mannheim Business School (MBS)
• GISMA Business School
• RWTH Business School
• Frankfurt School of Finance and Management

MBA in Germany: Types and Specializations

Universities in Germany provide a diverse selection of MBA specialities. Global Management, Leadership Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship are just a few of the unusual specialities available at Germany’s top business schools. The following are some of the common specialities that international students can study in Germany, as well as the B-schools that offer the program.

Specialization	Institutes Offering the Course
MBA in Entrepreneurship	EU Business School, SRH Hochschule Berlin
MBA in Finance	SIMT, EU Business School
MBA in HR	GISMA Business School, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen
MBA in Innovation	Munich Business School, Berlin School of Business and Innovation
MBA in International Management	Cologne Business School
MBA in Marketing	WHU Otto Beisheim Graduate School, GISMA Business School
MBA in Leadership	HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management

MBA Universities in Germany: Admission Requirements

Now that you are familiar with some of the courses and salient features of different MBA Universities in Germany, let us take a quick look at their respective eligibility criteria and admission requirements.

Business Schools in Germany	Minimum Work Experience	Accepted English Proficiency Tests	Accepted Exams
Mannheim Business School	3 Years	TOEFL or IELTS	GMAT or GRE
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management	3 Years	TOEFL or IELTS	GMAT or GRE
WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management	2 Years	TOEFL or IELTS	GMAT or GRE
ESMT Berlin	3 Years [Postgradute/Professional]	TOEFL or IELTS	GMAT or GRE
HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management	3 Years	TOEFL or IELTS	GMAT or G

MBA in Germany: Entry requirements

Before applying to German colleges that offer MBA programs, aspirants should make sure they meet the qualifying requirements. The following are the essential requirements for obtaining an MBA in Germany:

• To be eligible for an MBA in Germany, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a grade point average of 60 to 80 per cent.
• Aspirants must have passed any admission test such as the GRE or GMAT with a score of 550, as well as a valid score on an English Proficiency Test such as the TOEFL or IELTS with a score of 6.5 to 8.
• Documents such as a letter of recommendation, a VISA, a passport, bank statements, and so on should be available.
• In Germany, MBA programmes may additionally need 2-5 years of work experience in the same industry and choose candidates based on an interview.

MBA in Germany without GMAT

If you have a great profile but do not want to take the GMAT exam, MBA in Germany is a great option for you. There are several universities in Germany that accept alternatives to GMAT or do not require GMAT for the course. Here are the top universities in Germany that do not need GMAT for the course:

• Technical University of Munich
• Offenburg University of Applied Sciences
• Reutlingen University
• HHL Leipzig Graduate School Of Management, Leipzig University
• University Of Kiel
• Ludwig Maximilian University Munich
• Berlin School of Economics and Law

How to Apply for an MBA in Germany?

Colleges and universities in Germany are not regulated by a central body and are either state-funded or private. Every college has its own guidelines and requirements for the admission process, hence the students must go to the official site of the college which they plan on joining. However, there are some standard requirements common for the top colleges in Germany and are as follows: 

• A 3 or 4 year Bachelor’s degree which is recognised and equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Germany
• A valid score in any of the English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc. or German language tests like TestDaf as well as GMAT or GRE. Not all top MBA colleges in Germany require GMAT scores thus students can opt for an MBA without GMAT as well. 
• German Student Visa, a valid passport and other identification proofs. You can also apply for a work permit to explore internships and part-time work opportunities while studying in Germany.

MBA in Germany Fees

The cost of an MBA in Germany can range from 14,000 to 45,000 dollars (INR 8 – 35 Lakhs). The following is a list of the average yearly tuition prices for the finest MBA programs at German universities: (USD/year).

Cost of Living in Germany

Type of Expenditure	Estimate Monthly Cost(EUR)
Food and Drink	14,000
Learning resources like books	1,700
Rent, electricity, and other utilities	27,000
Travel	7,000
Phone, Internet, Tv	2,000
Entertainment	5,000

MBA in Germany Scholarships

Although the cost of an MBA in Germany is lower than in many other countries, international students will find the entire cost of an MBA in Germany to be very expensive. International students can apply for a variety of scholarships at MBA institutions in Germany, which will help them cover their living and food costs while in Germany. These scholarships are awarded depending on the candidates’ performance and other prerequisites.

HHL Young Leader Scholarships in Germany	The scholarship covers at least 25% of the tuition costs for qualifying students of all nationalities.
Women in Business Scholarship	Various colleges provide this scholarship to female applicants in order to encourage female participation in business degrees. The amount of money available for this scholarship varies by university.
DAAD Scholarships:	International students studying in Germany at various degree levels can apply for government-funded scholarships.
Erasmus+ Scholarships:	These are the most well-known scholarship organizations that support overseas students studying in Europe at various levels.

MBA in Germany Jobs

The following are some of the most common positions in Germany for MBA graduates, along with their average yearly pay and job description:

Job Profiles	Salary (EUR/year)
Business Development Manager	191,000
Consultant	158,000
Strategist	218,000
Product & Project Manager	147,000
General Manager	183,000
Marketing Manager	130,000
Operations Manager	143,000

MBA in Germany vs Other Country: Comparison

When opting to study abroad, there are many decisions to be made, such as which institutions to attend, which courses to take, and which nation is the best fit for them in terms of expenses, education, and scholarships. For your convenience, the following section compares MBA programs in Germany with those in internationally recognized nations such as the United States and Canada.

MBA in Germany vs USA

Germany and the United States are well-known for their high-quality education and are home to some of the world’s greatest colleges.

• In terms of universities, the United States is an excellent choice because there are more top 100 institutions in the United States than in Germany.
• Although an MBA from the United States is the finest because of its world-class education and a great return on investment, Indian students choose Germany and Canada because of their lower costs. Germany also has an edge over public universities in that education is provided free of charge.
• International students will not have any language barriers in any country because the majority of courses are taught in English. In contrast to the United States, Germany will provide the possibility to study a whole other language.
• In comparison to the United States, which solely provides merit-based scholarships, Germany’s top MBA programs give a large number of scholarships to overseas students.

MBA in Germany vs Canada

MBA programs in Germany and Canada are nearly identical in both countries. However, the cost of living and tuition in Canada is significantly greater than in Germany, where most institutions provide free education.

• Over ten are located in Germany, whereas around 50 are located in Canada, according to the QS World Ranking 2022.
• Because most of the best MBA universities in Germany provide free education and a large number of scholarships, an MBA in Germany is significantly less expensive than an MBA in Canada.
• MBA programs in Germany and Canada are both taught in English, but German institutes additionally provide students with the opportunity to acquire the German language and culture.
• Germany offers far more career prospects and placement chances than Canada. Aside from that, obtaining a Germany Work VISA is rather simple.

Work Experience to Study MBA in Germany

You need work experience to study MBA in Germany. However, unlike other top countries, you only need 1 year of minimum experience. However, most universities recommend at least 2 years of experience. There are also many universities in Germany that require no work experience. Here are the top universities and their required work experience. 

0-year experience	1-year experience	2-year experience	3-year experience
Technical University of Munich	Cologne Business School	WHU-Otto Beisheim Graduate School of Management	ESMT MBA
University of Tubingen	Bremen City University of Applied Sciences	Munich Business School	Mannheim Business School (MBS)
University of Kiel	Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg) CSR & NGO Management	Business School Pforzheim	Berlin MBA
Ludwig Maximilian University Munich	GIMS German-Indian Management Studies	Hochschule Coburg MBA	ESCP – Berlin Campus
University of Ulm		Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

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FAQs

Thus, we hope that this blog assisted you in exploring top MBA colleges in Germany and their prospective programs on offer. If you are still wondering about which course and college combination to opt for, we at Leverage Edu are here to help you out.