What should you know about getting an MBA in Germany?
Germany is one of the world’s most popular destinations for postgraduate education in subjects such as business management, administration and engineering. The high quality of education, low tuition fees and diversity in student populations at German universities attracts many international students to the country to complete their MBA.
Contact us to know more
Contact us to know more
Apart from these salient features, Germany is also one of the world’s wealthiest economies with some of the largest businesses, like Volkswagen and Adidas, based in this country. You additionally get access to the high-profile European job market as a German graduate, which can potentially lead to permanent residency in Europe.
What can I gain with an MBA from a German Business School?
It’s a common misconception that international students need to be proficient in the German language to pursue graduate-level studies in the country. Many German universities offer MBA courses where the language of instruction is English.
German business schools also rank very highly in comparison to other European countries. Many hold accreditations including GISMA Business School which has been AMBA (Association of MBAs) accredited since 2011, an accolade that only six other business schools in Germany and 2% of business schools worldwide hold. As such, all of GISMA’s MBA programmes are AMBA accredited.
International students are also drawn to Germany because of the ability to work up to 120 full days per year on a student visa. This is far less restrictive compared to other countries offering MBAs in English, such as the USA or Canada.
An MBA in Germany can also allow you to experience the rich cultural heritage of the country. German cities like Berlin, Potsdam and Hamburg are renowned for their cultural festivals and events all year round. You can also check out the beautiful landscapes in and around these cities if you are a nature enthusiast.
What kind of life quality can I expect in Germany?
As an international student, you can expect a good quality life with an affordable cost of living in Germany. Berlin is one of Europe’s most economical capital cities and is much cheaper for students than other capitals such as London or Paris. The city also has an affordable yet extensive transportation system, with discounts available for Students.
The living expenses in Berlin or any other major German city range from €1,200 to €1,800 as per DAAD data. This will include your rent, food and utilities, and health insurance.
Am I eligible for a German MBA?
The eligibility requirements for MBA programmes largely depend on the university offering the courses. For instance, some German universities may require you to pass the GMAT with an acceptable score. In contrast, others might waive the requirement if you have adequate work experience.
You may have to produce proof of English language proficiency such as an IELTS score as most MBA programmes are taught in English. The admissions requirements can also differ depending on the MBA specialisation you have chosen.
GISMA Business School has flexible entry criteria for its Grenoble MBA and Global MBA programmes. The following are the standard entry criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject with good grades
- Three years of full-time relevant experience
- English proficiency
How do I apply for an MBA in Germany?
Each university may have a different list of mandatory documents that you need to submit with the application form. For instance, GISMA requires the following documents along with your application form for the Grenoble MBA programme.
- Internationally accepted passport-sized photographs
- Scanned copies of original passport
- Front and back copies of university transcripts of your undergraduate degree
- An updated resume
- Scanned copies of the most recent diploma or degree certificates
- Relevant documents of work experience
- Three essays associated with your professional experience, your reasons for joining the Grenoble MBA and your intercultural sensitivity
- Contact details of two professional referees
What are my career prospects after I complete my MBA in Germany?
As an MBA graduate, you can choose from a diverse range of careers with good starting salaries. 69% of graduates from the GEM MBA earn an annual salary (with a bonus) of €62,000 per annum.
The job opportunities after studying an MBA include roles such as finance manager, project manager, managing director, or an administrative supervisor in any domain. Alternatively, you can also explore a range of other careers in Germany as per your professional interests and aspirations.
Discover more about our students’ experiences on this course by reading what alumnus Matthew Mattathu had to say here. You can also click here to find out more about studying an MBA in Germany at GISMA Business School.
– This article is written by Sweha Hazari.