best business schools in germany

Last Updated on August 28, 2023

Behind the cacophony, of complicated pronunciations, is a country that is full of ideas and opportunities. Germany is a pioneer in technology, research, and uses innovation to empower its industries. Its economy is the largest in Europe and 4th in the world, according to the World Bank. It is far more stable than the American economy, which though the biggest, suffers from temperamental issues of highs and lows.

Its economic prowess aside, it is also home to some of the best institutes in the world, three of which are in the top 100 and twelve in the top 200 universities in the entire globe, as per QS world university rankings in 2021 (Read Top education systems in the world).

The cheery cherry on the top is that tuition is virtually free in German public universities (Read Cheapest countries to study abroad). And they welcome international students to join their system, as seen in the consistent rise in their numbers. In 2019/2020, the ICEF Monitor counted a total of over 320,000 international students, constituting well over 10% of the total student body.

Given the trend, the expected number of foreign studentsis going to increase with 74% prospective students in 70 countries ssaying they would “very likely” choose Germany as a study destination, despite the global pandemic (Source). Clearly, it is an attractive destination for knowledge seekers in search for new Möglichkeiten – thats German for “possibilities” and not a word describing some sort of Germanic kittens!

Where does a German MBA feature in this all rounded greatness? Well, even though Germany is not the name you may usually hear amongst the more famous business schools in Spain, France and the UK, it is still a highly valued brand. Germany’s Mannheim Business School, ESMT, and WHU Otto Beisheim, feature among the top 100 business schools in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings, in 2021.

The rest of the institutes are also highly regarded as among the top 250 business schools of the world. But there are other clear advantages of getting a business training in Germany. Before we enquire into the individual business schools, their rankings, program types, their details, tuition and alumni salaries, let us explore some of the reasons that make Germany a student friendly place to be in.

Business schools in Germany are known for being some of the most prestigious in the world.

Germany has recently revolutionized its education system, getting up-to-date with the newest and most innovative teaching methods and techniques, hiring well-known professors from all around the world to teach their field of expertise.

Getting a business degree in Germany could be one of the smartest decisions you will ever make in your life and career.

Here are the best business schools in Germany for 2022:

GISMA Business School

GISMA Business School or the German International Graduate School of Management and Administration was established in 1999 with the initiative of the then-chancellor Gerhard Schroder. Ever since its foundation, this amazing school has lived up to its goal of becoming a highly ranked business school and a major hub for the brightest minds.

Based on many relevant rankings which measure a set of different education qualities, GISMA ranks among the best business schools in Germany. Due to top academic results, their reputation has made a great leap in recent years to go beyond national borders. Today GISMA hosts a large number of foreign students who have chosen this school over other popular study destination in the international market.

Study programs taught at GISMA Business School cover a wide range of business topics and they’re designed to help you identify your intellectual strengths and develop them further. Moreover, these programs are always under revision to make sure they reflect top-quality education standards and meet demands in the job market.

The content of your course is fully optimized and teaching is delivered with professionalism to make it easier for you to easily follow study material and comprehend everything is expected from you to do. On top of that, the amount of practical training often among senior business executives will have a lasting effect on your business career.

Course name: Full-time MBA.

Entry requirements:

  • Bachelor degree.
  • At least 3 years of relevant work experience.
  • English proficiency (TOEFL 94 or IELTS 6.5)
  • GMAT.

Program start: September.

Application Deadlines: No deadlines.

Tuition fees: €33,000.

Berlin School of Business and Innovation

Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI)

Located in the heart of Berlin, the Berlin School of Business and Innovation is one of the most reputable business schools in Germany for many international students.

The business programs at BSBI are based on the concepts of enterprise, leadership, and success. All these concepts are implemented in the programs to help students hone the skills of the 21st century.

What sets this school apart from many others is the hands-on method of teaching and focus on the practice instead of just theory, not to mention the career help that offers students guidance and help to land a great job opportunity.

Course name: Global MBA.

Entry requirements:

  • Undergraduate degree.
  • At least 3 years of relevant of management work experience.
  • English proficiency (IELTS 6.0).

Program start: October.

Application deadlines: No deadlines.

Tuition fees: €6,500 (German/EU students) and €12,500 (non-EU students).

WHU Vallendar

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (or WHU Vallendar) is a German business school. The privately financed school was founded in 1984 by the Koblenz chamber of commerce and is located in Vallendar near Koblenz. WHU maintains a network of over 190 partner universities worldwide.

The Selection Process for undergraduate studies consists of two separate parts. Students are preselected according to their academic achievements or personal achievements and are offered a chance to compete for one of the roughly 200 seats per year on the final selection day.

During that day, candidates have to display their intellectual skills by holding presentations, talking to representatives of the private business sector and going through mathematical tests. The top 50% of the applicants are then offered a place in the Bachelor of Science program. Out of the roughly 1000 applicants, 200 are offered a place, making for an acceptance rate of 20%.

Course name: MBA Full-Time

Requirements:

  • A recognized Bachelor degree.
  • At least two years of work experience.
  • GMAT Score (600 points at the minimum).
  • English Proficiency.
  • Recommendation Letter.

Program start: September (but there’s also a student intake in April.

Application Deadlines: Applications are opened throughout the year.

Annual Fees: €39,000

HH Leipzig

HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, formerly known as Handelshochschule Leipzig, is a private business school in the German state of Saxony. Established in 1898, it is one of the world’s oldest business schools.

HHL is not only Germany’s oldest business school; it also remains one of the country’s leading management institutions. International competence is essential for the success of a business leader. Global partnerships are therefore one of HHL’s key assets. HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management maintains exchange relations to more than 100 partner universities reaching from Australia to Uruguay.

HHL’s faculty offers a wide range of expertise and provides state-of-the-art management education on a very high level. The distinguished full-time faculty is supported by international guest professors who give our students practical insight into current best practices and upcoming trends. Our faculty’s research aims at supplementing teaching and is regularly cited in prestigious economic journals and newspapers.

Course name: Full-Time MBA.

Entry Requirements:

  • A recognized Bachelor degree in a related field.
  • Work Experience.
  • GMAT.
  • English Proficiency.

Program start: September.

Application Deadlines: May 30 (non-EU students), June 30 (EU students).

Annual Fees: €35,000.

The Business School of the University of Mannheim

The Business School of the University of Mannheim was founded in 1969 and traces its beginnings back to the Department of Economic and Social Sciences which was part of Mannheim’s College of Trade.

Today, with 34 fully ordained professors, 3 junior professors, more than 150 additional faculty members, and about 4000 students, the Business School of the University of Mannheim is one of the largest and most renowned business faculties in Europe.

Research and Teaching at the highest international level, consistent quality management, international focus and distinctive practical orientation constitute the focal points of the “Mannheim Philosophy.” The School’s high esteem is reflected in the annual number of applications as well as in the number of students enrolled in the programs of the Business School.

Course name: MBA Full-time.

Entry Requirements:

  • A recognized Bachelor degree.
  • At least 3 years of work experience.
  • English proficiency.

Program start: September.

Application Deadlines: Applications are opened throughout the year.

Annual fees: €39,500 euro

ESCP Europe Berlin

In Germany, the ESCP Europe Business School Berlin is recognized as an independent institution of higher education by the state.

What makes these European Business School so special?, under the name of ESCP Europe, the originally École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris was, but now exists as an independent brand, once something differently spelled out and interpreted, in order to show what the world’s oldest business school today is – in Germany, in Europe and in the world.

There are around 4,000 students on this degree programs, representing 90 different nationalities. In total, 125 research-active professors from over 20 countries teach at ESCP Europe, which helps the students to easily communicate with other nationalities and learn about many diverse cultural habits.

This rich experience allows them to deal and cooperate with counterparts and colleagues from other countries throughout the world. Moreover, as their education is multilingual in nature, they acquire important qualifications to help them compete in the global (economic) market.

Course name: MBA in International Management.

Entry Requirements:

  • A recognized Bachelor degree.
  • At least 3 years of work experience.
  • English proficiency.

Program start: September.

Application deadlines: Applications are opened throughout the year.

Annual fees: €36,000.

Frankfurt School

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management is a research-led business school, covering every aspect of business, management, banking, and finance. An impressive portfolio of services – ranging from degree courses to Executive Education programs, from research projects to consultancy – means that Frankfurt School acts as adviser, catalyst and educational partner to companies and organizations, to individuals embarking on new careers, and to experienced executives.

As a centre of intellectual and practical activity, the business school formulates forward-thinking solutions for the worlds of business, finance, and management, where agendas and issues are constantly changing.

The scientists and experts engaged in research and consultancy at Frankfurt School are exploring the most critical economic issues of our time: how to finance ambitious climate-change programs, achieve a level playing field in international commerce, provide universal healthcare, rebuild confidence in the financial industry, give struggling individuals in developing and emerging economies access to financial services.

Frankfurt School is actively involved in devising and optimizing the interfaces and channels of communication that sustain business, society, government and research.

Course name: MBA Full-Time.

Entry Requirements:

  • A recognized Bachelor degree or equivalent.
  • 3 years of postgraduate work experience.
  • English Proficiency.

Program Start: 4 October.

Application deadlines: 31 July.

Annual Fees: €37,000.


Methodology and additional information about business schools in Germany

In a recent survey, Germany business school graduates rated the extent to which the development of problem-solving and analytical skills was supported in the course.

Promotion of research competence is on call for teaching students how to conduct research independently during and after their studies.

Students assessed amongst other things the breadth of content, the international orientation and the interdisciplinary relevance within the teaching.

In addition to this, there are also subject-specific criteria e.g. language training and the courses offered in the target language in the areas of English Studies/American Studies and Romance Studies, the program of field trips for history students and the quality of methodology training for psychology students

Graduates rated overall how well prepared they felt they were for their working lives with the qualifications they received from the university.

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