Written by Molly Ellison and Darren Joe. Photo courtesy of Matthias Ripp via Flickr.

Looking for the best full-time MBA programs in Germany? Here’s your ultimate guide! Compare Germany’s top MBA programs head-to-head and get application tips from Admissions Directors from Germany’s best MBA programs.

last updated February 2023

Why Germany for your MBA?

4 Reasons to Get Your MBA in Germany

1. German business schools are affordable, offer 1-year MBA programs, and have impressive return on investment (ROI), especially among global rankings. The average tuition for the three programs surveyed in this guide is €44,833, while the average starting salary for MBA graduates hovers near €100,000. The top business schools hold impressive international accreditations and have entrepreneurial spirits. German MBA programs are relatively young but have broken into international rankings and are gaining recognition in the global marketplace.

2. Earning your MBA in Germany gives you a high probability of ending up in the country post-graduation, even if you’re an international student. Upwards of 70 percent of MBA graduates stay and work in the country post-graduation. Recent graduates are also eligible to apply for a residence permit, which allows them to stay in the country for 18 months to look for a job.

3. Germany boasts a high standard of living with a low cost, especially in comparison to other Western European nations. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research estimates that students spend an average of about €867 per month on living expenses.

4. Germany has the largest economy in Europe (comprising 25 percent of European GDP), is Europe’s prime logistics hub, and is one of the world’s leading countries for foreign direct investment. At the end of 2022, Germany’s unemployment rate was only 3 percent. Germany is responsible for 8 percent of the world’s exports, and is also known for its strong engineering, technology and manufacturing industries.

Top Full-Time MBA Programs in Germany

Click on school name to get a full writeup and in-depth podcast interview exploring what makes each program unique

European School of Management and Technology Berlin (ESMT)

• ESMT was founded in 2002 by a conglomerate of 25 German companies to provide practical, quality management education to the country’s future business leaders. These founding companies represent diverse industries and include KPMG, BMW, and Lufthansa.
• The school calls Berlin, Germany’s most populous city and its capital, home. The city is a business and cultural hub for Europe, too, as well as being much more affordable than other major cities on the continent. Startup Heatmap ranked Berlin the #1 startup hub in Europe.
• ESMT students can specialize in Strategic Leadership, Managerial Analytics or Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• ESMT is an entrepreneurially minded program with many graduates pursuing careers in the tech industry. Twenty six percent of the Class of 2021 found roles in the technology industry, 20 percent in consulting, and 18 percent in e-commerce
• ESMT’s Responsible Leaders Fellowship gives students the opportunity to extend their studies by up to six months to complete a social impact project in a developing country; ESMT pays a stipend, covers travel, and can help students find a fellowship.

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (WHU)

• WHU is located in Dusseldorf, a creative center and start-up hub in Germany. More than 400 advertising agencies call the city home, as well as hundreds more startups. The tech industry has a heavy presence in the city.
• WHU’s program is comprised of three modules, including one that focuses on personal leadership, and culminates in a “Final MBA Project,” which can either be research-based and developed while taking elective courses, or can be centered around an internship.
• The program’s leadership module offers intensive training – both in and out of the classroom – aimed at helping students develop critical soft skills necessary to be effective managers.
• MBA candidates are required to participate in short-term study periods in the U.S., India and China. During the trips, students take courses at partner universities, visit local companies and nonprofit organizations, and analyze the cross-cultural business challenges they observe. Partner universities include Kellogg, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and CEIBS/Fudan.
• The program offers two potential start dates – either March or September – and an intensive, four-week German language course that candidates can choose to participate in before starting the MBA program.

Mannheim Business School (MBS)

• Mannheim is ranked the #1 MBA in Germany by the Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek and Forbes; QS Global MBA also ranks the Mannheim as the #1 ROI MBA Program in the world
• The Wirtschaftswoche University Ranking, based on recommendations of German Human Resource managers, ranked Mannheim #1 in Business Administration for 14 times in a row (2002 – 2014) as well as in 2016 and 2018 – 2021
• Students at MBS have impressive access to major companies, while enjoying the lifestyle and cost-of-living of a mid-sized city. Fifty percent of the major German companies are located within a 250-kilometer radius of Mannheim, a major business hub. Many multinationals, including Unilever, Siemens, and IBM, all have offices in the city.
• In addition to taking 10 core courses, students participate in a Social Sustainability Project and Business Master Project. The Social Sustainability Project challenges candidates to use a business mindset to tackle a societal issue. Students can also extend their studies for 3 months to earn a Certificate in Management Analytics.
• More than one third of graduates work in consulting and more than 80 percent work in Germany. MBS students can take advantage of the country’s strong industrial sector and the major companies neighboring the school.

Insider Interviews with German MBA Admissions Directors

Listen to our in-depth interviews about what makes each MBA program unique and what you can do to give yourself the best chance of getting in:

Application Tips from MBA Admissions Directors

“I like people who think a little bit differently, who are unafraid to challenge the status quo, who are authentic, reflective and are able to verbalize why the ESMT Berlin MBA is the right fit for them and why Germany.” – Rebecca Loades, Director of MBA Programs, ESMT Berlin

“Students need to be team players because WHU is a collaborative MBA… we do a lot of group work so this is an integral part of candidate fit, in my opinion. And also be open to be learning about themselves… this is one of the most difficult parts, to see your blindspots and work on your weaknesses in front of others… and this is something students need to be open to.” – Sabine Noe, Director of Recruitment & Admissions, MBA Programs, WHU 

“We look at more than 20 different criteria… we are looking at a comprehensive profile. We are looking for people who are collaborative, as we want to have in-depth learning in the classroom. We’re looking for people who are great in teamwork, who can teach other people but at the same time are also able to listen. Every one of our candidates should bring value to the rest of the classmates.” – Kai Stenzel, Chief Market Officer, Mannheim Business School (MBS)

Touch MBA’s Advice for Applying to Top German Business Schools

• Apply early, as Mannheim, WHU and ESMT offer substantial tuition discounts (more than 10%!) to admitted students who apply in earlier rounds
• Upwards of 70% of MBA graduates from Germany’s top MBA programs work in Germany after graduation; demonstrating interest in the region and German language skills would be a plus
• Take advantage of the fact that top German business schools are willing to meet and guide you before you apply

What’s Next?

Interested in seeing how you stack-up against applicants to the Mannheim, WHU or ESMT MBA programs? Submit your profile to get an early indication of fit.

Contact our team to get free b-school selection help.

Post-MBA Career Opportunities in Germany

• Visa – Germany is perennially ranked as one of the top European countries for international students and student visas are simple to arrange once admitted to a program. Upon graduation, students can apply for a residence permit and are allowed to stay in the country for up to 18 months to look for a job. Graduates of German universities are also able to stay in the country as either self-employed or to set up a business, particularly if their venture is related to their studies. If your business is successful, this can lead to permanent residency in the country.
• Taxes – Income tax rates in Germany are adjusted according to one’s income and range from 0 to 45 percent
• Geography – Situated in the heart of Western Europe, Germany is an ideal location for traveling around the continent and beyond. Domestic and international transportation systems – ranging from buses, to trains, to planes, to cars, to bicycles – are abundant and efficient. Germany is also in the Schengen Zone, allowing for ease of travel between many neighboring countries.
• Industry – Germany boasts the largest economy in Europe (comprising 25 percent of European GDP) and the fourth largest economy in the world. It’s well-known for its manufacturing industry, particularly related to cars and mechanical engineering. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen were all founded in the country. In 2020, services made up 70 percent of Germany’s GDP and industry made up 23 percent of GDP. Sixty percent of Germany’s workforce was employed by “Mittlestand” – small (<500 employees), family-owned companies. For those with a more entrepreneurial mindset, Startup Heatmap ranked Berlin as the top startup hub in Europe.
  
• Return on Investment – In 2022, Financial Times ranked top German MBA programs as follows for value for money (worldwide): Mannheim, #20; ESMT, #23; MBS, #33.

Head to Head – ESMT MBA vs. WHU MBA vs. MANNHEIM MBA

Want a comprehensive picture of Germany’s leading MBA programs? Read below for a head-to-head comparison of schools with detailed info on admissions, curricula, job placements and more.

Comparison table best viewed on bigger screen. Last updated February 2023

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