English 
Deutsch Who is the HHL MBA suitable for?
The Master of Business Administration at the HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management is aimed at international professionals from various disciplines who wish to specifically expand their management and leadership skills. It is particularly targeted at candidates with at least two years of professional experience after their first degree, who aspire to transition into leadership positions, change industries, or take the next career step in an international context. The participants usually have an academic background in diverse fields such as business, engineering, natural sciences or humanities and want to complement their previous experience with practical general management know-how. The study environment is international and promotes expertise in multinational teams.
What are the formal requirements for the MBA?
For admission, you need a first academic degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in any discipline. Additionally, at least two years of qualified professional experience after graduation are required. Proof of good English skills is mandatory, as the entire programme is taught in English. For the Fast Track (90 ECTS), at least 210 ECTS from the first degree must be demonstrated; for the Advanced Track (120 ECTS), a Bachelor’s degree is sufficient. A GMAT, GRE or HHL Entry Test may be required, but is not compulsory for all applicants. Your application documents will be evaluated holistically in a personal selection process.
You should have strong communication and teamwork skills, as the MBA requires numerous group projects and intercultural exchange. Analytical thinking and self-motivation are central to managing complex management tasks and learning independently. High goal orientation, flexibility and openness to new perspectives are also important. Practical experience in an international environment and initial leadership responsibility are advantageous but not mandatory. Interest in social responsibility and social innovation is welcomed, as the study programme also includes social impact expeditions and sustainable topics.
Study Content in Detail
In the Master in Business Administration (MBA) at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, you acquire a broad and profound understanding of modern corporate management, management methods, and entrepreneurial thinking. The curriculum focuses both on General Management and on the development of personal leadership skills and innovation capability. The study content is divided into the following key areas:
- Management Fundamentals: Accounting, cost accounting, marketing, logistics, economics & finance, corporate strategy, and organisational behaviour.
- Leadership & Reflection: Success factors in management, problem-solving & communication, negotiation, business ethics, leadership, human resources, public relations & crisis communication.
- Entrepreneurship: Sustainability, entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship as well as international insights through impact expeditions.
- Specialisation Modules (Deep Dives): During your studies, you choose several focuses, such as strategic management, valuations, marketing management, innovation, data analytics, sustainable management, leadership or disruption & circularity. These modules combine theoretical knowledge with practical application in the areas of strategy, M&A, online marketing, corporate entrepreneurship, or change management.
- Customization Modules: Especially in the Advanced Track, you have the opportunity to participate in practical projects (e.g. consulting project, lean startup seminar) or a semester abroad, attend German language courses, and complete an internship or entrepreneurial internship.
- Master’s Thesis: To conclude, you conduct an independent, research-based thesis on a management topic of your choice, demonstrating your ability for scientific reflection and problem-solving in an economic context.
Particularly noteworthy are the high flexibility in individual specialisation, the intercultural orientation, as well as the strong focus on entrepreneurial and sustainable competencies.
Course Schedule
The MBA at HHL is designed as a full-time, on-campus programme and can be completed in the Fast Track (15 months, 90 ECTS) or the Advanced Track (up to 21 months, 120 ECTS). The language of instruction is English. Studies begin each September. An overview of the organisation:
- Welcome Weeks: Introduction and team building, getting to know the international student community.
- General Management Essentials: Conveying basic knowledge and key management skills in various modules.
- General Management Deep Dives: In-depth study in specialised management areas of your choice. In the Fast Track, you choose 3, in the Advanced Track at least 4 focuses.
- Customization Modules: In the Advanced Track, you gain practical experience through internships, consulting projects, international experience or additional elective modules.
- Master’s Thesis: An independent research project with practical relevance as a conclusion to the programme (3 months).
Teaching is conducted interactively in small, international groups. Group projects, case studies and seminar projects are an integral part. By individually selecting modules, you can tailor your MBA studies to your professional goals.
Career Prospects & Employment Opportunities
The MBA at HHL is designed to enable you a smooth entry into leadership positions – both in Germany and internationally. The job prospects are excellent:
- Leadership Positions: Many graduates take on management or executive roles in companies in industry, consulting, banking, IT or the service sector.
- Career in Germany: Over 90% of graduates find a job within 6 months after graduation, mostly in German companies.
- Management Consulting & Strategy: Entry opportunities at international or German consultancies, specialising in strategy, transformation or business development.
- Start-ups and Entrepreneurship: Especially through the networking and start-up environment of HHL, many alumni are active as founders or in innovation areas.
- Industry and Corporate Careers: Positions as project manager, business development manager or executive in global companies and hidden champions.
Your career entry is supported by intensive career development with coaching, individual training, CV checks, recruitment events and an extensive HHL alumni network.
Study Location
The MBA programme is offered on the campus of HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management in Leipzig. The university is located centrally in Leipzig, a dynamic economic region with a strong international focus and a high quality of life. On site you can expect modern learning spaces, digital infrastructure and a lively student life. Leipzig is characterised by moderate living costs (around 800 EUR per month), a growing business landscape and good connections to cities such as Berlin and Dresden. The international environment at HHL promotes close exchange within the class and with students from all over the world.
Costs and Financing
The tuition fees for the full-time MBA programme at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management amount to 42,500 EUR for the entire course. Early bird discounts are offered for applications by certain deadlines:
- Until 30 November: 6,000 EUR discount
- Until 31 January: 4,500 EUR discount
- Until 31 March: 1,500 EUR discount
The tuition fees include the costs for one semester abroad (partner university). After receiving the admission letter, a deposit of 3,500 EUR is payable. The remaining tuition fees are paid in three further instalments at the beginning of the 1st, 3rd and 5th terms.
Various options are available for financing:
- University scholarships for committed and high-performing applicants
- Instalment payment of tuition fees
- Opportunities for study financing and support through external funding programmes
Due to the career network and the high employment rate, the investment in the MBA at HHL often pays off financially for graduates after a short time.
Experiences & Reviews
Also interesting 👇
Source of this course information: Vendor Website
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Master in Business Administration? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management or the editorial team will answer you.