Study Logistics & Supply Chain Management in Germany: No NC, from €250/Month

What Will You Study?

Logistics programmes combine business administration with industry-specific expertise. The content varies significantly depending on the specialisation:

Bachelor: Typical Modules

• Foundations (semesters 1–2): Business administration, economics, mathematics, statistics, business law, accounting
• Logistics core (semesters 3–4): Procurement logistics, production logistics, distribution logistics, warehouse management, transport and freight forwarding
• Specialisation (semesters 5–6): Supply chain management, ERP systems (SAP), logistics controlling, project management, international logistics

Logistics vs. Supply Chain Management: What’s the Difference?

The terms are often used interchangeably – but in academic programmes, there are clear differences:

Combined programmes such as “Logistics and Supply Chain Management” at Euro-FH or RFH Cologne cover both logistics and SCM. The Fresenius Master “E-Commerce & Logistics” is one of the few programmes with an explicit e-commerce focus.

Practical tip – SAP as a career booster: SAP is by far the most widely used ERP system in logistics. Programmes at Euro-FH and KLU integrate SAP modules directly into the curriculum. At other providers (IU, HFH), SAP is not mandatory – consider an additional SAP certification. Recruiters in logistics actively seek SAP SCM/MM/PP skills – this boosts starting salaries by 10–15%.

Master: Specialisations

• SCM & Strategy: IU Supply Chain Management (M.Sc., 2 sem.), KLU Global Logistics and SCM (M.A., 4 sem.) – highly analytical and strategic
• Digitalisation & Sustainability: Euro-FH “Digitalization and Sustainability in Logistics” (M.A., 4 sem.) – supply chain legislation, green logistics, Industry 4.0
• MBA Programmes: KLU Leadership & SCM (3 sem.), DIU Logistics Management – International (3 sem.) – for experienced professionals with leadership ambitions
• E-Commerce: Fresenius E-Commerce & Logistics (M.A., 4 sem.) – intersection of online retail and logistics

Study Formats Available

Private universities offer logistics in three main formats:

* German-taught programmes. All other entries include English-taught options.

Hamburg as a logistics hub: Five of the eleven universities in this category are based in Hamburg – Germany’s most important logistics centre. KLU is one of the few universities worldwide dedicated exclusively to logistics and SCM. For dual students, HSBA offers direct access to Hamburg’s logistics companies.

Admission Requirements

Private universities in Germany have no NC (numerus clausus) – admission is based on the university’s own selection process.

• Bachelor’s: A-levels or equivalent school-leaving certificate. Vocational qualifications in logistics or freight forwarding can also qualify you for admission without traditional A-levels.
• Master’s: A first degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), typically in business, logistics, engineering or a related field. KLU and Constructor expect GMAT/GRE scores and professional experience.
• MBA: At least 2–3 years of professional experience, often with leadership responsibility.
• Visa: Non-EU students need a student visa. After graduation, you receive an 18-month job-seeking visa – and Germany’s logistics industry is actively hiring international talent.

Private vs. Public Universities

• Specialisation depth: Private universities like KLU offer a level of logistics specialisation rarely found at public institutions. The combination of logistics + e-commerce (Fresenius) or logistics + sustainability (Euro-FH) are unique offerings.
• Language: KLU, Constructor, ISM and DIU offer fully English-taught programmes – a rarity at public German universities for logistics specifically.
• Industry network: Private universities cooperate directly with companies like Kühne+Nagel, DHL, DB Schenker and Hapag-Lloyd. KLU’s connection to the Kühne Foundation provides unparalleled access to the global logistics industry.
• Flexibility: Several programmes are available as distance learning – almost non-existent at public institutions in the logistics field.

Honest assessment: Tuition fees (€250–880/month, premium Master’s up to €40,000) are the obvious downside. Public universities charge only the semester fee (~€300). The investment is worthwhile if you need English-taught programmes, want to study alongside work, or are targeting the premium segment (KLU, Constructor) for a C-level career in international logistics.

Salary Expectations After Graduation

Logistics and supply chain management are among the better-paid business fields – significantly above average compared to many other specialisations. Germany’s skills shortage in the sector further strengthens graduates’ negotiating positions.

Sources: Stepstone Salary Report 2025, BVL Salary Study 2024, gehalt.de 2025. All figures gross. Significant differences by region, company size and industry.

Salary boost through specialisation: Professionals specialising in SAP SCM, demand planning or data analytics in the supply chain earn 10–15% above the industry average. The automotive and pharmaceutical logistics sectors pay even higher than traditional freight forwarding.

KLU and Constructor graduates report entry salaries of €50,000–60,000/year – the high tuition fees pay for themselves accordingly.

What Do These Roles Actually Look Like?

• SCM analyst at an automotive company: You analyse supply chains from raw materials to final assembly, identify bottlenecks and optimise order cycles. Tools: SAP S/4HANA, Tableau, Python. Typical day: supplier performance meetings, data analysis, forecast adjustments when deliveries are delayed.
• Fulfilment manager in e-commerce: You manage the flow of goods from warehouse to doorstep – same-day delivery, returns, seasonal peaks (Black Friday, Christmas). Environment: highly automated fulfilment centres processing 10,000+ parcels per day. Key skill: process optimisation under time pressure.
• Logistics controller at a freight forwarder: You evaluate KPIs such as freight cost per shipment, vehicle utilisation and throughput times, build dashboards for senior management and identify cost savings. Tools: Excel, Power BI, TMS systems.

Trends: Why Study Logistics Now?

The logistics industry is undergoing fundamental change – and needs academically qualified professionals to drive the transformation:

• Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG): Since 2023, companies must audit their supply chains for human rights and environmental standards. From 2026, the EU directive (CSDDD) applies. This creates enormous demand for SCM professionals with compliance expertise.
• E-commerce logistics: Online retail continues to grow – and with it the demands for same-day delivery, returns management and sustainable packaging. Fulfilment experts are in high demand.
• Digitalisation & AI: Autonomous warehouses, AI-powered route optimisation, digital twins of supply chains – the industry is investing heavily in technology. Graduates with data analytics and IT skills have a clear competitive advantage.
• Skills shortage: The BVL (German Logistics Association) has been reporting rising vacancies in academic logistics roles for years. Most sought-after: SCM managers, logistics controllers and sustainability experts for supply chains.

Germany is Europe’s largest logistics market with over €300 billion in annual revenue and more than 3 million employees. The industry is the country’s third-largest economic sector – after automotive and retail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Study Programmes

Logistics and supply chain management overlaps with several other fields:

• Business Administration (BA) – broader foundation with the option to specialise in logistics
• International Management – for international supply chains and global sourcing
• Industrial Engineering – combining technology and logistics, especially for production logistics
• Computer Science – for logistics IT, ERP systems and data analytics in the supply chain
• Sustainable Management – for sustainable supply chains, supply chain legislation and green logistics