• Opinion and Features

01 June 2022

The complete guide to getting an MBA in Germany

Pursuing an MBA in Berlin or another major German city can be a wise career move, especially if you want a flourishing business career.

Although an MBA needs no introduction due to its popularity, you might still want to learn more about the course before considering it.

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Getting the Global MBA from GISMA Business School can give you a kickstart to the career that you’re looking for. But let’s delve into that later.

First, let’s look at a comprehensive view of doing an MBA in Germany and what kind of career advantages it can provide.

What is an MBA?

MBA is an acronym for a Master’s in Business Administration programme. It is a postgraduate degree that provides you with a wide range of management and administrative skills required for a business career.

Why should you pursue an MBA in Germany?

Although you can pursue your MBA in any country, doing it in Germany can provide you with distinct advantages that you wouldn’t get elsewhere. Here are some of the prime advantages of pursuing an MBA in Germany.

• Germans have an excellent education system: The German higher education system is renowned throughout the world for its high standards and academic excellence. Enrolling in a German MBA can ensure you get access to high-quality course materials and educators.
• Post-graduate education in Germany is relatively affordable: Studying your master’s abroad can be expensive, even if you are financially comfortable. Most German business schools offer subsidised tuition rates that make an international education much more affordable.
• The German economy is quite stable and can offer a good sense of job security: Germany is one of the economic superpowers of the world and is bustling with global and domestic business organisations. Thus, you can rest assured of your career prospects in the country after your MBA.
• Berlin, Potsdam and other German cities are international business hubs: Germany has many business hubs like Berlin and Potsdam, which host the European headquarters of some of the biggest businesses in the world. Therefore, studying in these cities can be quite lucrative in terms of industry exposure and career opportunities.
• There are plenty of business schools offering MBAs in English: It is a common myth that you need to be fluent in the German language to pursue a degree in Germany. On the contrary, many business schools in Germany, including GISMA, use English as the language of instruction which can be beneficial for international students.

What kind of career prospects can you expect after an MBA in Germany?

Ever wondered, “What jobs can I apply for after an MBA in Germany?” You can rest assured you will find something that suits you!

Here are some of the most exciting career roles available to MBA graduates in Germany.

• Finance consultant: average salary €69,000
• Finance manager: average salary €118,000
• Operations manager: average salary €87,456
• Business manager: average salary €88,000
• Brand manager: average salary €140,000
• Customer relations manager: average salary €95,000
• Human resource manager: average salary €110,000
• Project manager: average salary €76,000

Owing to the presence of multiple business cities, Germany is a country that offers a lot of opportunities. This translates into a steady inflow of business roles for MBA graduates in Germany.

According to a DAAD report, most MBA graduates find suitable employment within three months of their course completion. QS also ranks Germany among the top 10 nations for high MBA salaries.

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What can you expect to learn from an MBA in Germany?

An MBA from a good German university prepares you for the challenges of a business management career. You learn business terminology and develop the necessary technical and soft skills to understand and run business operations efficiently.

Most MBA programmes have a core set of modules that introduce you to the basics of business management and administration, irrespective of your specialisation. The course can have additional subjects pertaining to your chosen specialisation to give you an in-depth knowledge of the subject.

What kind of MBA programmes are available in Germany?

Today, there’s no shortage of MBA formats and models that you can choose depending on the flexibility you need and your career aspirations. Here are the most popular types of MBA courses in Germany:

• Conventional MBA: This MBA restricts itself to the conventional set-up of a postgraduate degree and usually lasts for two years. The classes are held in a typical classroom set-up within a college campus.
• Global MBA: A Global MBA can adhere to a conventional MBA format, be fully online or even have a hybrid combination of in-person and online classes. The main point of difference between a regular and a global MBA is that the global MBA is designed for students interested in working abroad.
• Online MBA: As the name suggests, online MBAs can organise all the lectures online or require the students to come in just for practical classes. Online MBAs are great for students who want to pursue their courses in their own time.
• Part-time MBA: In a part-time MBA, the classes happen either on weekends or in the evenings to accommodate students who are usually working professionals. However, it might take you longer to finish a part-time MBA than a regular MBA.
• Executive MBA: An executive MBA is a type of part-time MBA that usually lasts for a year. Most companies sponsor their employees to pursue this MBA format in an industry-relevant specialisation.
• Mini-MBA: Mini-MBAs are very short management programmes that usually last for a few weeks. This programme can be thought of as a precursor to an MBA and gives you a basic introduction to business management concepts.

Which is the best specialisation in MBA in Germany for you?

Here is a short MBA specialisations list offered by German universities:

• General management
• Marketing management
• Financial management
• Entrepreneurship
• Strategic management
• Management consulting
• Product management
• Project management

An MBA specialisation is a specific industry-relevant module that helps you prepare for a managerial career path in that domain.

Some MBA specialisations help you delve into core business management subjects that are already a part of a general MBA curriculum. Some examples include marketing, human resource management, finance and operations management.

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On the other hand, some MBA specialisations depart into completely different topics and subjects and delve into their business management aspects. These MBA specialisations include entrepreneurship, fashion management, IT management and supply chain management.

What are the admission requirements for enrolling in an MBA in Germany?

German business schools and MBA programmes are popular among international students for yet another reason—they provide a higher acceptance rate without reducing the education standards.

The eligibility criteria or the admission requirements for different MBA programmes in Germany are usually college-specific and can vary. Therefore, you should check the eligibility criteria for all MBA programmes and colleges in your preference list.

Here are a few common MBA eligibility criteria in Germany that you might encounter:

• Previous bachelor’s degree: You should have an appropriate bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. You might also have to show a minimum grade or percentage depending upon the eligibility criteria.
• Proficiency in English: If you intend to enrol in an MBA programme that’s taught in English, you’ll have to produce valid proof of proficiency in the language. This can be a suitable IELTS or TOEFL score.
• GMAT score: Many German business schools also ask for a suitable and valid GMAT score to evaluate if you have the relevant aptitude and logical reasoning skills to cope with a rigorous curriculum.
• Work experience: Most MBA courses require you to show at least two-three years of work experience in a relevant industry.
• Letters of recommendations and references: You can also be asked to show suitable letters of recommendations and references that guarantee your integrity and professional honesty.
• A valid student visa in Germany: You need to show that you have a valid German student visa which will allow you to study and stay in the country.

What is the cost of studying an MBA in Germany?

Private universities and business schools charge a nominal tuition fee for their post-graduate courses like an MBA.

Usually, tuition fees for MBA programmes in these private universities range around €15,000 to €50,000 for the entire duration. This might not, however, include Berlin living costs such as your accommodation and living costs.

How can you choose the right MBA programme and business school in Germany?

If you have started searching for suitable MBA programmes or German business schools, you should have a list of programme advantages and career expectations.

Keep these factors in mind before you make the final choice:

• The business school/university should be well-accredited and should have plenty of industry partnerships.
• The programme should have solid placement assistance or career support services and provide networking opportunities.
• The faculty should be well-qualified and experienced in teaching the relevant subjects.
• The college should be able to provide accommodation assistance to international students.

The Global MBA programme from GISMA Business School provides all of these factors and will meet your other expectations. The programme is accredited by AMBA & FIBAA and provides you with a chance to interact with students from more than 55 countries.

You can choose between a full-time and a part-time course format as per your personal commitments and build a strong base for your business career.

Additionally, the GISMA Career Centre provides you with ample placement assistance, from resume writing services to mock interviews.

Click  here to enrol in the Global MBA programme from GISMA today!

Frequently asked questions

Question 1: What kind of career support do MBA students get from GISMA?

Here are some of the career support services you can expect as an MBA student at GISMA:

• Networking events with companies such as GISMA Career Day
• Free access to many employment resources and materials
• Coaching to help you refine your resumes and cover letters
• Industry talks and panel discussions with business leaders and mentors

Question 2: Do I get assistance in finding accommodation as an international MBA student at GISMA?

GISMA has a dedicated accommodation team that can help you find suitable student accommodation in Berlin, Potsdam, or any other city, depending upon the location of the campus. You can forward all your accommodation queries to accommodation@gisma.com.

Question 3: Should I anticipate a major language barrier?

Not really! Many Germans in major cities like Berlin and Potsdam understand and speak English. However, learning the German language can help you explore a new culture and make more friends.

Question 4: Does the global MBA programme at GISMA have any international accreditations?

Yes! The programme is accredited by AMBA and FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation).

 – This article was written by Sweha Hazari.