English 
Deutsch Who this MBA suits – and what you need to bring
This part-time, 60-ECTS MBA is designed for working professionals who want to step into leadership without a prior business degree. You study fully in English through interactive online webinars, self-study and four in-person workshops in Bad Homburg (Rhein-Main region). Expect an international cohort and teaching that connects strategy, marketing, finance and leadership to your day-to-day work.
Typical profiles include: experienced engineers or IT specialists aiming to move from expert to manager; healthcare or life sciences professionals preparing for leadership in pharma, hospitals or medtech; and graduates of the humanities or social sciences who now manage projects or teams and need solid business foundations. If you have at least two years of professional experience and want to accelerate your progression into management, this programme fits.
Admission requirements
To qualify, you need a first academic degree and post-graduate experience. As a working-professional format, the study model also requires you to join scheduled live sessions.
- First degree: Bachelor or equivalent from a recognised university in any discipline (a non-business background is explicitly welcome).
- Professional experience: a minimum of two years of qualified, post-degree work experience.
- Language of instruction: English throughout. Proof of sufficient English proficiency is required; acceptable evidence and thresholds are set by the university during the application process.
- International degrees: applications with foreign qualifications are admitted if the Bachelor’s degree is comparable to a German first degree. Transcripts and certificates should be in English or German; otherwise provide certified translations.
- Admission without Abitur: a German Abitur is not required for an MBA; the decisive criterion is your completed first degree plus work experience.
- Participation requirements: ability to attend four two-day workshops on campus in Bad Homburg and to take part in live online webinars on selected Thursdays and Fridays.
Personal requirements
Success in this part-time MBA depends on disciplined self-management and realistic planning. You should be comfortable studying advanced materials in English, contributing to discussions, and applying concepts at work. Plan for a steady weekly effort: outside webinar weeks, reserve 8–12 hours for readings, cases and assignments; during webinar weeks, keep two weekdays (Thursday and Friday) largely free for live sessions. Build in extra time around assessments and during the six-month Master’s thesis phase. Reliable internet, a quiet study setup and the flexibility to travel to Bad Homburg for workshops are essential. Perseverance, openness to feedback and the ability to balance job, study and personal life will make the difference in a blended, career-integrated programme like this.
What will you study in the Management and Leadership MBA at accadis University of Applied Sciences?
The MBA builds a solid, practice-oriented management foundation for graduates from non-business backgrounds. You cover core areas such as strategy, marketing and finance, and develop leadership and communication skills for international settings. The programme comprises 60 ECTS and concludes with a six-month Master’s thesis that demonstrates your ability to solve complex management questions systematically.
Strategy and business foundations: You start by strengthening the essentials for managerial decision-making. Typical topics include Strategy and Business Fundamentals, Managerial Economics and the analysis of global markets with case studies that connect theory with real business contexts.
Market insight and digital performance: You explore Contemporary Marketing with a strong digital lens. Expect work on SEO and paid search, social media strategy and KPI monitoring, plus hands-on optimisation of campaigns to link marketing spend to measurable outcomes.
Finance for global decisions: Applied Global Finance introduces international capital markets, exchange-rate mechanisms, corporate financing across borders and risk management. You also touch on current innovations such as blockchain-based financing, crowdfunding and decentralised finance to understand opportunities and limits in practice.
Leading across cultures: In International Leadership you examine leadership models, conflict management, motivation and decision-making in multinational environments. The leadership skills series sharpens your Business Ethics as well as your Leadership and Communication Skills for day-to-day management.
Electives and specialisations: You take two specialisation modules with a focus on the megatrends Digital Transformation Strategy and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. These can be replaced by alternative electives, allowing you to tailor the MBA to your sector or role ambitions.
Institutional context: accadis is a private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences). Degrees from a university of applied sciences are application-oriented and widely recognised in Germany. The institution is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised), placing it on a par with public universities for the legal validity of degrees.
How does studying in the Management and Leadership MBA work?
The MBA is delivered in English and designed for working professionals. You study in an agile blend of interactive webinars, structured self-study and four on-site workshops in Bad Homburg. The standard duration is around 1.5 years, with a January start.
The teaching language is English throughout
All modules are taught exclusively in English. This is a clear advantage if you aim for an international career or work in global companies. Proof of English proficiency is typically required for admission; the exact benchmarks are defined by the university’s admissions policy.
Study model: part-time with on-site workshops in Bad Homburg
The programme is part-time. You attend four in-person workshops of two days each (Thursday and Friday) on the accadis campus in Bad Homburg, complemented by 28 days of interactive webinars and 36 structured self-learning units. Bad Homburg is a well-connected town just north of Frankfurt am Main, known for its parks and historic spa quarter; the campus benefits from the wider Rhine-Main business region and its employers.
Learning format, group sizes and personal support
You study in small, interactive groups with close contact to teaching staff. The didactic mix includes pre-reading to accelerate in-class depth, case study discussions, webinar debates and on-site workshops to apply tools directly. This format creates regular peer exchange while keeping a predictable rhythm for professionals.
How you will be assessed
Assessment types reflect practical application: case-based assignments, quizzes within self-study units, presentations and written coursework. The programme culminates in a Master’s thesis with a six-month writing phase, often aligned with a real business question from your industry.
What enrolment means for international students
As a blended part-time programme with limited on-site days in Germany, many students combine study with ongoing employment. If you plan to travel to Germany for the four workshops, factor in time and costs for each visit. Entry, residence and work permissions depend on your personal situation and nationality; the university provides the academic framework, while legal and visa matters follow German and EU regulations.
What does the Management and Leadership MBA cost?
Tuition is €980 per month over 18 instalments, which totals €17,640 for the full 1.5-year programme. The fee covers the entire curriculum including on-site workshops, webinars, self-study units and supervision of your Master’s thesis. Any one-off administrative charges or materials not included are communicated by the university directly.
Paying from abroad is common for international participants; plan for standard international transfer fees if applicable. As this is a professional MBA with limited on-campus days, most students do not relocate. However, you should budget for travel and accommodation in Bad Homburg during the four two-day workshops.
Living costs for short stays in the Frankfurt/Bad Homburg area can be higher than the German average. As an orientation for workshop visits: mid-range hotels typically add a few hundred euros per trip, plus local transport and meals. If you choose to stay longer for networking, adjust your budget accordingly.
What careers and recognition does the Management and Leadership MBA offer?
The MBA is internationally comparable through the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and follows the Bologna framework, which facilitates recognition across Europe. accadis University of Applied Sciences is state-recognised, so its degrees are legally equivalent to those from public universities in Germany. The Management and Leadership MBA is formally accredited until 30 September 2031; the university operates an internal, quality-assured accreditation system.
Career paths span leadership roles in Germany, the EU and globally, especially for professionals transitioning from specialist to management positions. Typical next steps include:
- General or Operations Manager in medium-sized or international companies
- Product, Brand or Marketing Manager with a performance and digital focus
- Finance Business Partner, Commercial Manager or Business Controller
- Project or Programme Manager leading cross-functional teams
- Consultant or internal strategist focusing on transformation and growth
The leadership skills series, the international teaching environment and lecturers with industry backgrounds add practical traction to your CV. Networking in the Rhine-Main area further connects you to employers across consulting, manufacturing, tech and services.
Who is the Management and Leadership MBA right for – and who not?
This MBA fits professionals without a prior business degree who want to move into management, lead teams and work confidently in international contexts. The format suits those who need a predictable rhythm alongside a job and can commit to focused Thursday/Friday study blocks.
- You have a non-business academic background and want a compact, 60-ECTS management qualification.
- You value an English-taught, internationally oriented MBA with small classes.
- You prefer a part-time model with clear structure: webinars, self-study and four on-site workshops.
- You want specialisations in Digital Transformation and/or Sustainability, with the option to choose alternatives.
- You appreciate applied learning, case work and a thesis that can align with your industry role.
At the same time, there are situations where another programme might be a better fit. Consider the following honest limitations before you decide.
- You seek a German-taught programme; this MBA is conducted entirely in English.
- You cannot travel to Germany four times for the two-day workshops in Bad Homburg.
- You want a full-time, on-campus student life with daily presence; the model is designed for working professionals.
- Your priority is the lowest possible tuition at a German public university; this is a private, state-recognised programme with higher fees.
- You aim for a regulated profession (e.g. clinical psychology, law); an MBA does not grant access to regulated licensure tracks.
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