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Studying management at a private university in Germany gives you NC-free access to one of the broadest career-building disciplines available – from general management and project management to digital leadership and elite MBA programmes. Over 30 universities offer around 60 programmes: as distance learning from €247/month, full-time on campus, part-time alongside work, or at elite business schools such as WHU, EBS, HHL, Frankfurt School, ESMT and ESCP.
Most management programmes in this category are taught in German. However, several elite business schools (WHU, EBS, HHL, ESMT, ESCP, Frankfurt School, Zeppelin University) offer fully English-taught Master and MBA programmes. We highlight English-taught options below.
The price range is remarkable: from €7,182 (IU distance learning) to €54,480 (EBS Bachelor) – meaning there is a programme for every budget and career stage. Whether you are looking for your first degree, a specialised Master or an MBA career boost, this page gives you the full overview.
- Overview of all Courses
- How much does a management degree in Germany cost – and how can you fund it?
- English-taught programmes
- Visa, EU Blue Card and the path to permanent residency
- Living costs by city
- What do you need to apply for a management programme in Germany?
- Frequently asked questions
- Related fields of study
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 64 courses in the field of General Management. The first 20 top courses are displayed. Use the filter function or our search to discover more courses in the field.
General Management
IU International University of Applied Sciences · M.A. · 4 Semester
General Management
PFH Private University of Applied Sciences · B.Sc. · 6 Semester
Management
University of Applied Management · B.A. · 7 Semester
Management, Philosophy and Economics
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management · B.Sc. · 7 Semester
Change Management and Decision Making
Fresenius University of Applied Sciences · M.A. · 4 Semester
Bachelor in Management
ESCP Business School · B.Sc. · 6 Semester
Business Management
Macromedia University of Applied Sciences · M.A. · 4 Semester
Project Management
IU International University of Applied Sciences · M.A. · 2 Semester
Business Management
Steinbeis University · M.Sc. · 5 Semester
Management
IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 8 Semester
Management
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Master in Management
ESCP Business School · M.A. · 4 Semester
General Management
PFH Private University of Applied Sciences · M.Sc. · 3 Semester
Safety Management
DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester
Management
Macromedia University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester
Management
IU International University of Applied Sciences · M.A. · 2 Semester
Advanced Management
PFH Private University of Applied Sciences · M.A. · 3 Semester
Corporate Management
University of Europe for Applied Sciences · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Master in Management
EBS University for Business and Law · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Business Management
Touro University Berlin · B.Sc. · 8 Semester
How much does a management degree in Germany cost – and how can you fund it?
Management programme costs in Germany vary enormously depending on format and institution. Here is the full overview sorted by study format.
Distance learning
Distance learning is the most affordable path into management studies. Prices range from €247/month (DIPLOMA Safety Management) to €590/month (Allensbach). IU offers multiple specialisations from €259/month.
Full-time on campus
Full-time campus programmes range from solid mid-tier options (from €425/month) to Germany’s most prestigious – and most expensive – business school programmes. The spread reflects the full spectrum of private higher education in Germany.
Dual programmes
Dual study programmes combining theory with in-company practice are less common in management than in traditional business administration.
| Course | University | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Management, Master of Arts Dual studies | PFH Private University of Applied Sciences | from 8694 € total from 483 € monthly | |
| Digital Transformation Management, Master of Arts Dual studies | IST University of Management | from 12450 € total from 415 € monthly |
Part-time
Part-time management programmes are designed for working professionals who want to earn an academic qualification alongside their career. Evening and weekend formats make this possible without a career break.
Funding options
International students have several funding options for management studies in Germany:
- DAAD scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service offers scholarships for international Master and MBA students
- University scholarships: Elite schools (WHU, EBS, HHL, ESMT) offer merit-based scholarships covering 10–50% of tuition
- Erasmus+: EU students can receive Erasmus+ grants when studying at German partner universities
- KfW student loan: Available to EU citizens, up to €650/month regardless of parental income
- Part-time work: International students may work up to 20 hours/week during term and full-time during breaks (120 full days or 240 half days per year)
- Tax deduction: Second degrees and part-time programmes are fully tax-deductible as professional development expenses
English-taught programmes
Several elite business schools offer management programmes fully in English, making them accessible to international students:
- WHU Otto Beisheim: Master in Management (M.Sc., €37,200) – FT MiM Ranking: Top 10 in Europe. Strongest alumni network in German-speaking consulting and finance.
- EBS University: Master in Management (M.Sc., €33,780), Master in Business Analytics (M.Sc., €33,780), Bachelor in Business Studies (B.Sc., €54,480) – triple-crown accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA). Strong finance and real estate connections in the Rhine-Main region.
- HHL Leipzig: Master in Management (M.Sc., €32,000) – FT European ranking: regularly top 40. Germany’s oldest business school (est. 1898). Alumni have founded over 300 companies.
- Frankfurt School: Management (M.Sc., €36,000), Management, Philosophy & Economics (B.Sc., €46,800) – FT European ranking: top 30. Located next to the ECB and major banks – Germany’s strongest finance network.
- ESMT Berlin: Master in Management (M.Sc., €29,500) – FT MiM Ranking: top 30 globally. Founded by 25 corporations (Siemens, Bosch, BMW). Strong in tech, innovation and corporate strategy.
- ESCP Berlin: Master in Management (MiM, €19,000), Bachelor in Management (B.Sc., €15,300) – FT MiM Ranking: top 10 globally. Multi-campus across Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid, Turin – best value among elite European business schools.
- Zeppelin University: General Management (M.A., €23,160) – interdisciplinary approach combining management with culture, politics and communication. Small cohorts with strong mentoring.
Graduate placement
Where do graduates from Germany’s elite business schools actually work? Typical career paths:
- WHU: Around 35% enter management consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain), 25% go into finance and banking, 20% join tech companies or found startups. Median starting salary: approximately €65,000.
- HHL: Strong consulting placement (McKinsey, BCG, Roland Berger) and Germany’s most entrepreneurial business school – HHL alumni run companies like Trivago, HelloFresh and Auto1.
- ESMT: Corporate strategy roles at founding companies (Siemens, Bosch, BMW), tech sector and consulting. International placement rate above 90%.
- Frankfurt School: Investment banking, asset management and central banking (ECB, Bundesbank). Strongest finance placement in Germany.
- EBS & ESCP: Broad placement across consulting, finance, FMCG and tech. ESCP graduates benefit from multi-country alumni networks across five European cities.
Choosing by career goal
- Consulting & Finance: WHU, HHL or Frankfurt School – strongest alumni networks in McKinsey, BCG and investment banking
- Tech & Innovation: ESMT Berlin or EBS Business Analytics – digital focus with startup ecosystem access
- International career: ESCP (five European campuses) or EBS – built-in international exposure
- Best value for elite education: ESCP at €15,300 (Bachelor) / €19,000 (Master) – top-5 European business school at a fraction of competitors
Visa, EU Blue Card and the path to permanent residency
Non-EU students need a student visa to study in Germany. After graduation, you can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa to find employment. Once you secure a qualifying position, the EU Blue Card offers one of Europe’s fastest paths to permanent residency:
- Salary threshold: Approximately €46,000/year for shortage occupations (management and IT roles often qualify)
- Permanent residency: After 21 months with B1 German, or 27 months with A1 German
- Family reunification: Spouse can work immediately without a separate permit
Elite business school graduates are particularly well-positioned: starting salaries at MBB consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) and major corporations typically exceed the Blue Card threshold from day one.
Practical advice on learning German
While English-taught programmes do not require German for admission, learning the language significantly improves your career prospects and daily life. A practical timeline: reach A1–A2 before arriving in Germany (using apps like Duolingo or online courses), aim for B1 during your first year (most universities offer free language courses), and target B2 by graduation. At B2 level, you can apply for the vast majority of management positions – even at international companies that use English internally, German is expected for client-facing roles.
Living costs by city
Monthly living costs vary significantly depending on the city where your university is located:
- Budget-friendly (Göttingen, Elmshorn, Bielefeld): €800–1,000/month
- Mid-range (Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig, Düsseldorf): €1,000–1,200/month
- Expensive (Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart): €1,200–1,500/month
Note: Student dormitory places are limited and highly competitive. Apply as early as possible through the local Studierendenwerk. Private shared flats (WG) are the most common housing option, typically costing €400–700/month depending on the city.
What do you need to apply for a management programme in Germany?
Private universities in Germany are admission-free – there is no Numerus Clausus. Instead, most universities use an interview or motivation letter for their selection process.
- Bachelor: Secondary school leaving certificate equivalent to German Abitur. Some universities also accept international qualifications with additional entrance exams.
- Master: First degree (usually in business, economics or a related field). MBA programmes additionally require professional experience (typically one to three years minimum).
- Language: German-taught programmes require B2–C1 German (TestDaF or DSH). English-taught programmes require TOEFL (80+), IELTS (6.5+) or Cambridge Certificate.
- GMAT/GRE: Recommended or required at elite schools (WHU, EBS, HHL, ESMT, ESCP) for Master and MBA programmes. Typical minimum: 600+ GMAT points.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Several elite business schools offer fully English-taught management programmes: WHU, EBS, HHL, Frankfurt School, ESMT, ESCP and Zeppelin University. These programmes attract international cohorts with students from over 50 countries. Prices range from €15,300 (ESCP Bachelor) to €54,480 (EBS Bachelor).
Financially, yes. Graduates from WHU, EBS, HHL, Frankfurt School and ESMT earn 30–50% more than graduates from comparable programmes at other universities. The key advantage is the network: alumni connections open doors to top consulting firms, investment banks and executive positions. The investment (€19,000–54,000) typically pays for itself within three to five years of graduating.
The M.A. (Master of Arts) is more practice-oriented with a focus on leadership and communication. The M.Sc. (Master of Science) is more quantitative and research-oriented – often the better choice for consulting, finance or analytics roles. Both are equally recognised by employers in Germany.
Yes. International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during semester breaks (120 full days or 240 half days per year). Distance learning and part-time programmes offer even more flexibility. Many management students work as Werkstudenten (working students) at companies, earning €13–18/hour while gaining practical experience.
For most programmes at private universities, no. Elite business schools (WHU, EBS, HHL, ESMT, ESCP) recommend or require a GMAT (600+ points) or GRE for their Master and MBA programmes. A strong score strengthens your application but is rarely the sole deciding factor – work experience, motivation and references also count significantly.
Management graduates enter consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Roland Berger), business development, project management, startup founding or corporate management tracks. Starting salaries range from €38,000 (general management) to €75,000 (elite school graduates entering consulting). With an EU Blue Card, international graduates can stay in Germany and build long-term careers with a path to permanent residency.
Related fields of study
- Business Administration – broad business foundation
- International Management – global markets and cross-cultural leadership
- MBA – management education for experienced professionals
- Marketing – brand management and digital marketing
- Entrepreneurship – founding and innovation
- Sustainable Management – sustainability and responsible business
About the Author Christian Wolf
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