English 
Deutsch Who this English-taught HR & Leadership BA in Berlin is for
You want to study business in the heart of Berlin and specialise in people, culture and leadership. Typical profiles include: recent secondary-school graduates aiming for junior HR/people operations roles in international companies; early-career employees from retail, hospitality or administration who seek a recognised BA to move into talent management or team leadership; and international applicants who prefer an English-medium business degree in the EU with clear progression to careers in Germany.
Admission requirements
This is a state-recognised Bachelor of Arts (180 ECTS) taught entirely in English on campus in Berlin (Charlottenburg). Your application should demonstrate that you meet the formal entry criteria:
- A recognised higher education entrance qualification that allows university study, equivalent to the German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (12–13 years of schooling leading to university eligibility).
- Admission with international school-leaving certificates is possible; foreign qualifications are assessed for equivalence. Depending on your profile, you may be offered a direct start into the BA or a pathway via a foundation programme.
- Proof of English proficiency is required because teaching, assessments and academic support are in English. You must be able to follow lectures, participate in seminars and write academic assignments in English.
- On-campus study in Berlin: regular attendance for lectures, seminars and assessments is expected.
- Admission without a recognised higher education entrance qualification is not offered for this programme.
- Accreditation and recognition: the university is state-recognised in Germany; degree programmes are accredited by ACQUIN.
If you need additional preparation, the university offers an English Preparatory Year and an International Year One as structured pathways into degree study.
Personal requirements
Success in this programme requires strong self-organisation, steady effort and clear communication. Expect a full-time workload of roughly 35–40 hours per week during teaching periods, combining classes, group work and independent study. You should be comfortable reading academic texts, writing reports and presenting in English, and willing to practise evidence-based decision-making in HR contexts (data, policies, employment law basics).
- Time management to balance lectures, projects, exam prep and, if applicable, a part-time job.
- Interpersonal skills: openness to diverse perspectives, collaboration in small international teams, and constructive feedback.
- Perseverance for multi-week projects and case studies in leadership, organisational behaviour and people analytics.
- Digital literacy for standard business software and online collaboration tools.
- Willingness to build basic German for everyday life in Berlin; German language support is available alongside your degree.
If you thrive in an international classroom, enjoy working with people and can plan your week realistically, you will be well placed to complete the degree on time and step into HR and leadership-focused roles after graduation.
What will you study in the Business Administration | Human Resource Management & Leadership at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences?
You study a full Business Administration degree (180 ECTS over six semesters) with a focus on people, organisations and leadership. The programme is offered by a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) and is state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) in Germany. All courses are taught in English in Berlin.
Business foundations build your quantitative and managerial toolkit for HR roles. Typical areas include financial and managerial accounting, micro- and macroeconomics, and principles of management and marketing that underpin evidence-based people decisions.
People and organisations centre on how individuals and teams perform. You work with themes such as organisational behaviour, introduction to human resource management, and employment relations to understand motivation, culture and collaboration at work.
Strategic HR and leadership focuses on aligning people strategy with business goals. Topics commonly include leadership and team dynamics, change management, and strategic HR planning, preparing you to translate company strategy into actionable people practices.
Talent and performance addresses talent acquisition and development across the employee lifecycle. Areas typically include recruitment and selection, performance management, and learning and development to help you build modern, data-aware HR processes.
Electives allow you to deepen interests within business or adjacent fields, for example in digital business, marketing, or data-informed decision-making that complements HR practice. Learning is practice-oriented, with small groups and applied projects connected to Berlin’s business environment.
How does studying in the Business Administration | Human Resource Management & Leadership work?
All teaching is in English from day one
The programme is taught entirely in English. This is a clear advantage if you want to start your degree without first completing German language training. The university provides German language support alongside your studies to help you settle in Berlin and expand your career options locally. If you need to evidence English proficiency, the university specifies accepted proofs during admissions.
On-campus study in Berlin-Charlottenburg
You study on campus in Berlin at Salzufer 6, 10587 — in Charlottenburg, close to the Landwehr Canal, Tiergarten and the City West business and retail district. Berlin is a major European tech and start-up hub with strong HR, consulting and creative sectors. Classroom teaching, studios and project work take place at the campus with easy public transport access.
Small groups and hands-on learning
Teaching follows an applied approach typical of a university of applied sciences: small groups, close contact with lecturers, and practice-focused tasks. You work on real-world briefs and projects that connect theory to professional practice, supported by an internationally experienced faculty.
Assessments aligned with European standards
The degree awards 180 ECTS credits in line with the Bologna framework. Learning outcomes are assessed across modules in a way that values applied understanding and the ability to communicate solutions clearly in an international setting.
What does the Business Administration | Human Resource Management & Leadership cost?
Tuition is €675 per month, which corresponds to €4,050 per semester and €24,300 in total over the regular 6-semester duration. Plan for possible one-time or administrative fees where applicable and check how international transfers or card payments from abroad are handled by your bank to avoid extra charges.
Living costs in Berlin vary by lifestyle and housing. As a guide for students, a modest monthly budget that covers a room in a shared flat, food, health insurance, public transport and incidentals may range from roughly €1,000 to €1,300. Charlottenburg offers many student-friendly options, but popular areas can be competitive; start your housing search early.
The university highlights scholarships and partnerships as part of its opportunities for students. If you are applying from abroad, prepare a realistic financial plan that combines tuition and living expenses for the full length of your studies.
What careers and recognition does the Business Administration | Human Resource Management & Leadership offer?
The university is state-recognised in Germany and its degrees are accredited by ACQUIN. Accreditation confirms that the programme meets quality standards for curriculum, staffing and processes. With 180 ECTS credits and Bologna compliance, your bachelor’s degree is structured for international comparability and mobility within Europe and beyond.
Career paths span HR and people-focused roles in companies, consultancies and start-ups in Germany, the EU and internationally. Examples include:
- HR generalist or people operations specialist in multinational firms and SMEs
- Talent acquisition or employer branding in tech, consulting or creative sectors
- Learning and development or training coordination in corporate academies
- Organisational development or change support roles in transformation projects
- People analytics support roles in data-aware HR teams
Berlin’s international labour market and English-language work environments increase entry opportunities for graduates, while German language skills strengthen access to a wider range of employers and leadership tracks over time.
Who is the Business Administration | Human Resource Management & Leadership right for - and who not?
This programme suits applicants aiming for a career at the intersection of business and people, with a clear interest in how organisations lead, motivate and develop teams. You want an English-taught, practice-oriented business degree in Berlin with an HR and leadership focus.
- You want to study entirely in English at a state-recognised university of applied sciences in Germany.
- You are interested in business fundamentals and how they translate into modern HR and leadership practice.
- You value small-group teaching, close feedback and applied projects connected to industry.
- You plan to start a career in people operations, talent acquisition, L&D or organisational development in Germany or internationally.
- You prefer a cosmopolitan city with strong start-up and tech ecosystems for internships and part-time jobs.
It will not be the right choice for everyone. Consider these points before you apply.
- You are looking for a German-taught bachelor’s programme — this degree is taught in English.
- You cannot or do not want to relocate to Berlin for on-campus study; the programme is not offered as distance learning.
- Your priority is paying the very low tuition of a German public university; a private university charges higher fees in return for small groups and close support.
- You seek a pathway into a regulated profession (e.g. medicine, law, teacher training) — this business degree does not grant such licensure.
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