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The MBA is the world’s most recognised management qualification – and at private universities in Germany, it comes without the GPA requirements (NC) that apply at state universities. Around 40 programmes range from distance learning at €317/month (DIPLOMA) to the Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA at €105,000 (WHU). Most full-time MBA programmes at top business schools are taught entirely in English. For comparison: similar programmes cost $50,000–150,000/year at US business schools – German MBAs offer significantly better value.
Good news for international students: Most full-time MBA programmes at Germany’s top business schools are taught entirely in English: WHU, Frankfurt School, ESMT Berlin, ESCP, HHL Leipzig, EBS, MBS. Distance learning programmes are taught in German.
- Overview of all Courses
- How much does an MBA cost at a private university in Germany?
- Which MBA programmes are taught in English?
- What are the admission requirements for an MBA in Germany?
- Full-Time MBA vs. Executive MBA vs. Online MBA
- How much do MBA graduates earn in Germany?
- Visa and living costs for international MBA students
- Frequently asked questions about studying an MBA in Germany
- Related programmes at private universities
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 39 courses in the field of MBA. The first 20 top courses are displayed. Use the filter function or our search to discover more courses in the field.
Master of Business Administration
- University of Europe for Applied Sciences
- 3 Semester
- Berlin, Hamburg or Iserlohn
- from 958 € monthly
- English
Executive MBA
- Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
- 3 Semester
- Frankfurt
- from 2639 € monthly
- English
Master of Business Administration
- FOM University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- Berlin, Bochum, Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Cologne, Mannheim, Munich, Nürnberg, Stuttgart or Wien
- from 495 € monthly
- 2 Comments & Questions
- German or English
Executive MBA
- ESCP Business School
- 4 Semester
- Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid, Turin
- from 3125 € monthly
- English
General Management
- European Distance Learning University Hamburg
- 4 Semester
- online
- from 376 € monthly
- German
General Management
- Munich Business School
- 2 Semester
- Munich
- from 1333 € monthly
- English
Full-Time MBA
- WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management
- 2 Semester
- Düsseldorf
- English
Master in Business Administration
- HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
- 3 Semester
- Leipzig
- from 2633 € monthly
- English
General Management
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne, Online Campus
- from 545 € monthly
- German
EBS - DBS | Executive MBA
- EBS University for Business and Law
- 3 Semester
- Oestrich-Winkel, Germany and Durham, UK
- English
International Business
- RH Cologne – University of Applied Science
- 4 Semester
- Cologne
- from 599 € monthly
- English
Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA
- WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management
- 4 Semester
- Vallendar
- English
The Frankfurt MBA | Full-Time
- Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
- 2 Semester
- Frankfurt
- English
Executive MBA
- European School of Management and Technology
- 3 Semester
- Berlin
- from 3305 € monthly
- English
Master of Business Administration
- PFH Private University of Applied Sciences
- 3 Semester
- online
- from 448 € monthly
- German
Executive MBA - Integrated Management
- Steinbeis University
- 4 Semester
- Berlin
- German
Master of Business Administration
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 2 Semester
- online
- from 449 € monthly
- German or English
General Mangement
- FHDW University of Applied Sciences
- 3 Semester
- Paderborn
- from 850 € monthly
- German
Communication & Leadership
- Quadriga University Berlin
- 3 Semester
- Berlin
- from 1305 € monthly
- English
How much does an MBA cost at a private university in Germany?
Total programme costs range from €8,400 (accadis, campus) to €105,000 (Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA). For comparison: similar programmes cost $50,000–150,000/year at US business schools, £25,000–50,000 at UK business schools – German private universities offer dramatically better value, especially in the mid-range segment.
Distance learning: from €317/month
Distance learning is the most affordable MBA option. Programmes offer maximum flexibility – ideal for working professionals studying alongside their career. Important: Most distance learning MBAs are taught in German and require C1-level German proficiency. The exception is the WHU Global Online MBA (€36,000), which is fully English-taught.
Full-time on campus: €8,400 to €105,000
Full-time MBAs are the most intensive format: 12–24 months of full immersion in study, networking and career transition. Many programmes are taught entirely in English, making them fully accessible to international students. Germany’s top MBA addresses include WHU (€43,000), Frankfurt School (€42,000), HHL Leipzig (€39,500), ESMT Berlin (€59,500) and ESCP (€75,000). The ultimate premium: the Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA (€105,000) – a joint degree with Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University, USA).
Part-time alongside work: from €460/month
Part-time MBA programmes are designed for professionals who want to continue working while earning their MBA. Classes take place in the evenings, on weekends or in block weeks. Most part-time programmes are taught in German and require at least B2-level German proficiency. The FOM is the largest provider with over 30 locations across Germany.
Funding: scholarships, loans and employer sponsorship
German and EU students are eligible for BAföG (state financial aid). Non-EU students are generally not eligible for BAföG. Other funding options include:
- DAAD scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service funds international students – including MBA candidates
- University scholarships: WHU, HHL, Frankfurt School, ESMT and ESCP offer merit-based scholarships covering 20–100% of tuition
- Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month, available to all students regardless of nationality
- KfW student loans: Up to €650/month, available to EU citizens and some non-EU residents
- Employer sponsorship: For part-time and executive MBA programmes, employers frequently cover tuition partially or fully
Which MBA programmes are taught in English?
The MBA is one of the few degree categories in Germany where most top programmes are taught entirely in English. This makes German MBAs particularly attractive for international students.
Fully English-taught MBA programmes:
- WHU – Full-Time MBA, Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA, Global Online MBA (Vallendar)
- Frankfurt School – The Frankfurt MBA Full-Time, Executive MBA (Frankfurt)
- ESMT Berlin – Executive MBA (Berlin)
- ESCP – Executive MBA (Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid, Turin)
- HHL Leipzig – Master in Business Administration, full-time and part-time (Leipzig)
- EBS – EBS MBA, EBS-DBS Executive MBA (Oestrich-Winkel)
- Munich Business School – MBA General Management (Munich)
- ISM – MBA General Management, full-time and part-time (Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg)
- CBS – MBA International Management, full-time (Cologne)
German-taught only: Most distance learning programmes (DIPLOMA, IU, Euro-FH, PFH) and most part-time programmes (FOM, Fresenius, HS Weserbergland, FHDW).
What are the admission requirements for an MBA in Germany?
Private universities in Germany have no NC (Numerus Clausus). All MBA programmes use their own selection process. The MBA differs from other master’s programmes in one key aspect: most programmes require professional work experience.
For international applicants
Work experience requirements:
- Full-Time MBA: Typically 1–3 years of professional experience
- Executive MBA: Typically 5–10+ years, including management responsibility
- Online/Distance MBA: Some programmes (IU, DIPLOMA) accept candidates without prior experience
Academic requirements: A first degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in any field – the MBA is deliberately open to career changers from engineering, science, medicine, humanities or any other discipline.
Language requirements for English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL 90–100+. Top business schools (WHU, HHL, Frankfurt School, ESMT) typically require GMAT scores of 600–680+ and conduct personal interviews.
International qualifications: German private universities accept a wide range of international degrees. Check anabin.kmk.org for recognition of your specific qualification.
Full-Time MBA vs. Executive MBA vs. Online MBA
| Criterion | Full-Time MBA | Executive MBA | Online/Distance MBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 12–24 months | 18–24 months | 12–48 months |
| Work experience | 1–3 years | 5–10+ years | 0–3 years |
| Format | Full-time on campus | Block weeks + weekends | Flexible, location-independent |
| Cost range | €8,400–43,000 | €23,900–105,000 | €8,593–36,000 |
| Target group | Career changers | Senior executives | Working professionals |
| Language | Mostly English | Mostly English | Mostly German |
How much do MBA graduates earn in Germany?
MBA graduates in Germany earn on average 20–40% more than comparable professionals without an MBA. Starting salaries range from €50,000 to €85,000 depending on the business school and industry. For comparison: UK MBA graduates earn £40,000–60,000 starting, US MBA graduates $70,000–120,000.
| Career path | Entry salary after MBA | With 5–10 years |
|---|---|---|
| Management consulting (MBB, Big Four) | ~€65,000–85,000 | €120,000–200,000+ |
| Corporate (strategy, business development) | ~€55,000–75,000 | €90,000–140,000 |
| Finance & banking | ~€60,000–80,000 | €100,000–180,000 |
| Tech & startups | ~€50,000–70,000 | €80,000–130,000 |
| Average (all MBA careers) | ~€60,000 | ~€100,000 |
University reputation is the biggest salary driver – and international rankings provide orientation: ESMT Berlin, WHU and HHL Leipzig regularly feature in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings, while additional German programmes appear in the QS Global MBA Rankings and the Economist Which MBA?. WHU, HHL and Frankfurt School alumni report starting salaries 25–40% above the market average. An Executive MBA from ESMT or ESCP has a particularly strong impact on salaries in the financial sector. Top business schools also offer professional career services with placement rates above 90% within months of graduation – a critical advantage for career changers.
Visa and living costs for international MBA students
EU/EEA citizens need no visa to study in Germany. Non-EU students need a student visa (Studienvisum), which requires proof of admission, health insurance and a blocked account with approximately €11,904/year (~€992/month). During your studies, you may work 120 full days or 240 half-days per year.
After graduation: An 18-month job-seeker visa allows you to stay and find work. Once employed, the EU Blue Card is the fastest pathway to permanent residence: it requires a recognised degree and a job offer meeting a salary threshold of approximately €46,000/year (lower for shortage occupations). MBA graduates typically qualify easily. The Blue Card leads to permanent residence after just 21 months (with B1 German) or 27 months (with A1 German) – dramatically faster than comparable pathways in the US (H-1B visa lottery + years-long green card queue) or UK (5 years for settlement). This makes Germany one of the most attractive MBA destinations for non-EU professionals seeking long-term career prospects in Europe.
Living costs by city:
- €800–1,000/month in smaller cities (Leipzig, Oestrich-Winkel, Bad Homburg, Vallendar)
- €1,000–1,200/month in Berlin, Hamburg or Cologne
- €1,200–1,500/month in Munich and Frankfurt (Germany’s most expensive cities)
This covers rent (~€400–800), health insurance (~€110), food (~€200–250) and transport (~€50 with the Deutschlandticket).
Frequently asked questions about studying an MBA in Germany
Most MBA programmes require work experience: 1–3 years for full-time MBAs, 5–10+ years for executive MBAs. Some programmes (IU, DIPLOMA, FOM) accept candidates without prior experience. Executive MBAs are designed for senior professionals with management responsibility.
Yes – most full-time MBAs at top business schools are entirely English-taught: WHU, Frankfurt School, ESMT, ESCP, HHL, EBS, MBS, ISM, CBS. Only distance learning and most part-time programmes require German. The WHU Global Online MBA is the only English-taught online MBA option.
From €8,400 (accadis, campus) to €105,000 (Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA). Distance learning: €8,593–36,000. Part-time: €11,880–47,500. Full-time campus: €8,400–75,000. For comparison: US MBA programmes cost ,000–150,000/year, UK programmes £25,000–50,000.
EU/EEA citizens need no visa. Non-EU students need a student visa (Studienvisum), requiring proof of admission, health insurance and a blocked account with ~€11,904/year (~€992/month). During your studies, you may work 120 full days or 240 half-days per year. After graduation, an 18-month job-seeker visa allows you to find work. Once employed, the EU Blue Card offers permanent residence after just 21–27 months – far faster than US or UK alternatives.
Entry salary: ~€60,000/year on average, 20–40% more than without MBA. In consulting: €65,000–85,000, in finance: €60,000–80,000. With 10+ years: €100,000–200,000+. Business school reputation matters significantly: WHU and HHL alumni report 25–40% higher starting salaries.
The three key international MBA accreditations are AACSB (USA), EQUIS (Europe) and AMBA (UK). Schools with two or three of these (“Double/Triple Crown”) are internationally recognised as top business schools. In Germany, WHU, ESMT, Frankfurt School, HHL and ESCP hold multiple international accreditations.
Related programmes at private universities
- General Management – management degree without MBA-typical work experience requirement
- International Management – bachelor/master with international focus
- Business Administration – broader business programme
- Finance – banking, corporate finance and investment
- Entrepreneurship – startup founding and innovation management
- Marketing – digital marketing, brand management and PR
About the Author Christian Wolf
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