Who this dual B.Sc. in Logistics Management is for – and what you need to get in
This co-operative degree suits you if you want to study in English in Hamburg while gaining paid work experience in a partner company. Typical profiles include: recent international school-leavers aiming to start a career in Europe’s logistics hub; applicants with first exposure to supply chains (family business, internships) who want a structured business + logistics education; or career starters switching into logistics via a dual role in procurement, warehousing or transport operations.
Admission requirements
Entry combines academic eligibility with an employment contract for the practical phases. In brief, you need a recognised higher-education entrance qualification, English proficiency and a training/employment agreement with a partner company in or around Hamburg.
- Higher education entrance qualification for bachelor study: a German Abitur or an internationally comparable school-leaving certificate (e.g. secondary/high-school diploma, A-Levels, IB). International certificates are assessed for equivalence; certified translations may be required.
- Admission with foreign qualifications: international applicants can be admitted if their diploma grants university access in Germany; equivalence is reviewed case by case. If documents are not in English or German, submit official translations.
- Teaching language: English. You must provide proof of adequate English proficiency as specified by HSBA. Requirements and acceptable certificates are published by the university for each intake.
- Company contract: a binding training/employment contract with an HSBA partner company is mandatory before enrolment. You apply directly to companies; once selected, the company registers you with HSBA.
- Programme framework: 3 years (180 ECTS), dual format in Hamburg with alternating phases (on average 32 weeks/year at HSBA and 20 weeks/year in the company). The programme is institutionally accredited until 30 September 2030.
Personal requirements
The dual model is demanding: you switch between academic blocks and real work projects. You will succeed if you bring strong self-organisation, reliable communication and the ability to prioritise under time pressure. Expect full study weeks on campus and busy periods in the company; plan for assignments alongside your job tasks and keep buffers for exam preparation.
- Consistency beats intensity: set a weekly routine for readings, quantitative exercises and project work.
- Comfort with numbers and data helps in subjects like statistics, operations and supply chain analytics.
- Clear, professional English is essential for classes, reports and teamwork; basic German will ease everyday life and collaboration in the company.
- Curiosity for how goods flows work, from port to last-mile, and the willingness to learn new digital tools.
- Resilience: during practical phases you will encounter real deadlines and stakeholders—treat this as a learning lab.
If you are motivated to combine paid industry experience with an English-taught business degree in one of Europe’s leading logistics locations, this programme aligns well with your goals.
What will you study in the Logistics Management (BSc) at Hamburg School of Business Administration?
The programme is taught entirely in English and combines a solid business foundation with a clear focus on logistics and global supply chains. Over three years (180 ECTS), you alternate between theory at HSBA and practice in a partner company, finishing with a Bachelor’s thesis that often tackles a real business problem.
Business fundamentals and methods: You build core business skills in accounting and finance, marketing management and microeconomics, supported by quantitative training in business mathematics, business statistics and quantitative methods. These tools underpin analysis and decision-making in later logistics modules.
Logistics and supply chain expertise: From Introduction to Logistics and Supply Chain Management to Warehousing & Inventory Management and Transport Logistics, you learn to design and optimise end-to-end value chains. Operations Management and Operations Research deepen your understanding of planning, capacity, and process efficiency.
Digitalisation and AI in logistics: Logistics is data-driven. You will work with IT Applications & AI in Logistics and Fundamentals of Digital Systems & Artificial Intelligence. Project Management and Strategy & Innovation round out your ability to steer technology-enabled change across supply networks.
Law, sustainability and leadership: Transportation Law and International Business Law clarify the legal environment of cross-border flows. Sustainability addresses resilient, low-carbon supply chains. People & Leadership and Organisation & Organisational Behaviour build team and change capabilities for operational settings.
Electives and minors: In year three, you specialise through a minor (18 ECTS across the 5th and 6th semesters). Options include Advanced Studies in Logistics Management, Digital Business, Shipping, Sustainable Leadership & Innovation, Finance and others. Offerings may vary by intake.
Practice and integrative elements: Across all semesters, learning is applied in your company phases and on campus through case studies, a management game, cross-disciplinary electives and study excursions. HSBA awards 180 ECTS under the Bologna framework, facilitating international recognition of your Bachelor of Science.
How does studying in the Logistics Management (BSc) work?
This is a dual (co-operative) degree: you study on campus in Hamburg and work in a partner company throughout all three years. HSBA organises the academic phases; your employer structures your practical training across departments such as procurement, warehousing or transport planning.
Teaching language: English throughout
All core modules in Logistics Management are delivered in English. This makes the programme accessible if you want to study and work in Germany without German as a study language. German is helpful for daily life and company work, but instruction, materials and exams are offered in English.
Study model and where you will study
The programme is full time over three years. Each year averages 32 weeks on campus at HSBA and 20 weeks in your partner company. The campus sits in central Hamburg (Willy-Brandt-Straße), close to the Port of Hamburg—one of Europe’s leading logistics hubs with direct exposure to maritime, retail and manufacturing networks.
Learning format and personal support
Teaching is seminar-based with case work, simulations and project assignments. You study business and logistics topics in integrated blocks, apply them during your company phases and reflect on them back on campus. Expect close contact with lecturers and structured skills development, including modules on AI and data use in logistics.
How you will be assessed
Assessment typically combines written exams with case studies, presentations, project and group work. Capstone elements include a management game, a cross-disciplinary elective, study excursions and the Bachelor’s thesis, frequently linked to your employer’s logistics projects.
What “dual” means for enrolment
Admission to this co-operative degree includes a training agreement with a partner company. You alternate between HSBA and your employer across all six semesters, gaining continuous professional experience in parallel with your studies.
What does the Logistics Management (BSc) cost?
In HSBA’s co-operative model, tuition fees are usually covered by the partner company, and students typically receive a monthly salary for the practical phases. Over the standard duration of three years, this significantly reduces your out-of-pocket study costs and provides steady income while you learn.
Scholarships and other financing options exist at HSBA, which can complement the employer-funded model if needed. If your company funds tuition, there is normally no need to arrange international fee transfers yourself; you should still budget for personal expenses such as learning materials or optional activities.
Living costs in Hamburg depend on lifestyle and district. As a guide, students commonly budget for rent (shared flat or student housing), public transport, health insurance, food and personal expenses. Your salary from the co-operative employment can offset a substantial share of these costs while you study.
What careers and recognition does the Logistics Management (BSc) offer?
The degree awards 180 ECTS under the Bologna system, supporting international portability for work and further study in Europe and beyond. The programme is accredited to 30 September 2030 through HSBA’s internal accreditation system in line with the German Accreditation Council. This signals quality assurance and curriculum standards that employers and universities recognise.
Career-wise, the co-operative model pays off quickly: HSBA reports that 98% of graduates receive a job offer from their partner company before or shortly after graduation. Typical roles span operational and analytical tracks in Germany’s and Europe’s logistics ecosystems, including:
- Supply Chain Analyst or Coordinator in retail, automotive, aerospace or manufacturing
- Procurement, materials planning and supplier management
- Transport, distribution and warehousing operations, including network design
- Digital process and data roles in logistics IT, AI-enabled planning and automation
- Consulting in logistics, shipping and sustainability of supply chains
The Hamburg location—gateway to Northern Europe—adds strong maritime and international exposure (e.g., shipping, forwarding, contract logistics). Graduates can progress into leadership tracks or pursue Master’s degrees in logistics, supply chain, operations, data analytics or related business fields.
Who is the Logistics Management (BSc) right for – and who not?
This programme suits you if you want a practice-oriented business degree taught in English and to build a career in the logistics and supply chain sector while already working in the field during your studies.
- You want an English-taught Bachelor’s in Germany with 180 ECTS and strong employer recognition.
- You value a dual model: alternating academic blocks with paid, structured company phases.
- You are interested in supply chains, operations and how digitalisation and AI reshape logistics.
- You prefer applied learning—case studies, projects, simulations and a thesis rooted in real problems.
- You are keen to study in Hamburg, a leading European logistics hub with wide industry networks.
It will be a poor fit if your expectations differ from what a co-operative degree demands. Consider alternatives if any of the following applies.
- You do not want to combine study with continuous employment in a partner company across all six semesters.
- You prefer a purely academic, research-only campus experience with long semesters free of work commitments.
- You are not able or willing to relocate to Hamburg for on-campus phases and company assignments.
- You are looking for a German-taught programme or need access to a regulated profession outside business/logistics.
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