English 
Deutsch Who this BSc suits and what you need to get in
This on-campus degree in Hamburg suits you if you aim for an international business career and prefer studying in English with a diverse cohort. Typical profiles include: (1) school leavers planning a first degree and an exchange semester abroad; (2) career starters interested in supply chains, sustainability or digital business who want internships built into their studies; (3) internationally mobile students seeking a recognised European BSc and a base in Germany’s major logistics hub.
Admission requirements
To join the Bachelor in Business Administration (BSc), you need a university entrance qualification and proof of English. An interview forms part of selection. Key points at a glance:
- School leaving certificate/high school diploma that qualifies you for admission to German universities (general higher education entrance).
- If your secondary school curriculum does not grant direct access, you may first complete the 1-year Business Foundations Program (Studienkolleg) before starting the BSc.
- English language proficiency at least CEFR B2 (proof required).
- Admissions interview with the university’s team and faculty.
- Applying before you receive your final certificate is possible: submit your latest transcript now and your final document later.
- Additional country-specific requirements may apply depending on your educational system.
- Non-EU applicants: apply early so you have enough time for visa processing after admission.
Teaching language: English. Campus location: Hamburg (Germany). Study tracks: Standard track 180 ECTS; Intensive track 210 ECTS with additional practical components.
Personal requirements
Success in this programme requires solid self-management and comfort studying in English. Expect around 35–40 hours per week in the standard track (approx. 15–20 contact hours plus 20 hours self-study); the intensive track typically adds 5–8 hours due to extra coursework and practicals. You should be ready for quantitative modules (basic maths, statistics), team projects, case work and academic writing in English.
From abroad, plan realistically for the exchange semester and internship(s): budget time for company applications, accommodation searches and any residence formalities. You will benefit if you are proactive in contacting Career Services, disciplined with deadlines, and able to communicate clearly across cultures. Curiosity about how firms operate, persistence in tackling multi-step assignments, and steady progress week by week matter more than prior business experience. Strong interpersonal skills and reliability in group work are essential, as many assessments are collaborative.
What will you study in the Bachelor in Business Administration at Kühne Logistics University?
You study a full-time, English-taught BSc that builds solid foundations in management, economics and data-driven decision-making, then lets you specialise. The programme runs for 3 years with a standard track (180 ECTS) or an intensive track (210 ECTS). Both include an exchange semester and a bachelor’s thesis; internships are integrated (two on the intensive track).
Management and markets: You cover core areas such as Principles of Management, Micro- and Macroeconomics, and Marketing. Courses in Strategy and International Business connect firm-level decisions with global markets.
Finance, accounting and analytics: You learn Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance and Controlling alongside Quantitative Methods and Data Analytics. This mix helps you read financial statements, plan investments and use data for better business decisions.
Operations and supply chains: KLU is known for its operations mindset. Modules in Operations Management and Logistics lay out how products and services move efficiently from suppliers to customers, and how to design resilient value chains.
People, projects and personal skills: You build capabilities in Organisational Behaviour, Project Management and Communication. A dedicated Career Skills course and industry guest lectures strengthen your professional profile.
Electives and specialisations: You tailor your degree by choosing one of four profiles: Digital Management & Innovation, International Management, Supply Chain Management, or Sustainable Management. Electives within these tracks let you deepen technical or cross-functional interests.
Practice, semester abroad, thesis: A three-month internship is integrated on all tracks; the intensive track adds extended practical training and a second internship. You also spend a semester abroad at one of KLU’s 100+ partner universities. You complete with a bachelor’s thesis (around 3 months).
How does studying in the Bachelor in Business Administration work?
You study on campus in Hamburg in small cohorts with close contact to faculty, an integrated internship and a semester abroad. Teaching is in English, with B2 proficiency required. Assessment combines coursework and examinations across modules. Non-EU students should apply early due to visa lead times.
Teaching language and proof of English
The programme is taught entirely in English. You need English proficiency at B2 level. The university specifies accepted forms of proof; submit them with your application.
Study model and where you will study
This is a full-time, on-campus bachelor’s in Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city and a major logistics hub. The campus sits in a vibrant urban environment with cultural venues, waterways and green spaces nearby. You start each September and choose between the 180-ECTS standard track or the 210-ECTS intensive track.
Learning format, support and international exposure
Teaching blends lectures with case work, group projects and applied assignments. You benefit from Career Services and coaching, industry guest talks and access to an active alumni network. A semester abroad at one of 100+ partner universities is part of the curriculum, strengthening your intercultural skills.
Exams and performance assessment
Your progress is assessed across the study programme through a mix of examinations and graded coursework, including presentations, reports, projects and the bachelor’s thesis.
What enrolment means for non-EU students
KLU recommends that non-EU applicants apply early. After admission, visa processing can take up to two months, so plan ahead for your arrival in Hamburg.
What does the Bachelor in Business Administration cost?
Tuition is charged per semester. For the standard track (180 ECTS), fees are €7,300 per semester, totalling €43,800 over 6 semesters. For the intensive track (210 ECTS), fees are €8,150 per semester, totalling €48,900. An application fee of €50 applies to all applicants.
Funding options include merit- and need-based scholarships as well as the Brain Capital income-based model, which allows you to defer part or all of your tuition until after graduation. The university also lists loan schemes that can help with living expenses.
Hamburg offers many housing options, from student residences to flat shares. As a large, desirable city, living costs are higher than in many other German regions, so plan a realistic budget for accommodation, health insurance, food and public transport across the six semesters.
What careers and recognition does the Bachelor in Business Administration offer?
You graduate with a European bachelor’s degree granting 180 or 210 ECTS credits, in line with the Bologna framework used across the EU. The degree structure supports international recognition for master’s admission and global job mobility. The curriculum’s exchange semester, internships and career coaching further strengthen your profile.
Typical roles include:
- Business Analyst or Operations Analyst
- Marketing or Sales Manager
- Supply Chain Specialist or Logistics Coordinator
- Project Manager or Junior Consultant
- Entrepreneur or Sustainability Officer
Graduates take up positions in multinational companies, consulting, manufacturing, tech and logistics. Hamburg’s status as a logistics and trade hub provides strong internship and entry-level opportunities, and Germany allows graduates to stay and seek work for up to 18 months after completion.
Who is the Bachelor in Business Administration right for – and who not?
This programme fits you if you want a compact, international business degree taught in English with strong links to operations, data and global markets. The option to specialise and the built-in semester abroad help you shape a profile for careers in Germany, the EU and beyond.
- You want an English-taught BSc in Germany with international exposure (exchange semester and internships).
- You aim to specialise in Digital Innovation, International Management, Supply Chains or Sustainability.
- You value career coaching, industry speakers and an active alumni network for internships and graduate roles.
- You plan a career start in Germany or the EU and appreciate a Bologna-compliant 180/210-ECTS degree.
It is not the right choice for everyone. Consider these points before you apply:
- You are seeking a low- or no-tuition option at a public university in Germany; private-university fees here are significantly higher.
- You need a fully online or distance bachelor’s; this programme is on campus in Hamburg and requires relocation.
- Your English is below B2 level and you cannot provide suitable proof of proficiency.
- You want direct access to a regulated profession (e.g. medicine, law); this is a generalist business degree aimed at management and commercial roles.
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