“Our organizational culture is characterized by courage, commitment, innovation, and excellence, but also a commitment to society, what we call the WHU spirit, and you can really feel it on campus.”

Sabine Noe, Director of Recruitment & Admissions for WHU’s MBA Programs, shares what makes the WHU MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

Program Highlights (1:50) | Admissions (14:45) | Financing & Scholarships (27:00) | Careers (32:00)

About Our Guest

Sabine Noe leads the Recruitment & Admissions Teams for MBA Programs at WHU’s Otto Beisheim School of Management, where she has worked for over 5 years. Sabine graduated from FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg with a Masters in Political Science & Sociology.

What is unique about the WHU MBA? What are its key advantages?

• Ranked #1 in Germany and #14 in Europe by the Financial Times (2021)
• Ranked #6 for Entrepreneurship worldwide by Financial Times (2018); WHU alumni have founded 13 unicorns (companies valued over $1 billion USD before IPO)
• Located in Dusseldorf (population 600,000), a creative and start-up hub in Germany. More than 400 advertising agencies call Dusseldorf home, as well as hundreds more startups
• 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. Partner universities include Kellogg, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and CEIBS/Fudan
• The program offers two potential start dates – March or September – and an intensive, four-week German language course that candidates can participate in before starting the MBA

Touch MBA’s WHU MBA Fast Facts

last updated November 2021

Program Highlights (1:50)

• 2 intakes/year in March & September
• Length: 12 months
• ~85 participants/year (~40 per intake)
• 40 nationalities/year; ~85% international; class is ~48% female
• Program structure: First 5 months – 3 Core Modules (Understanding Financial Performance, Exploiting Market Opportunities, Managing the Organization), Second 5 months – 3 Elective Modules (Creating Impact, Sharpening Financial Acumen, Executing Strategy), Integrated Personal Leadership Model during entire year, Final MBA project
• International modules in China (CEIBS/Fudan), India (IIM Bangalore) and USA (Kellogg)
• Rankings: #54 Financial Times 2021
• Accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, FIBAA

Admissions (14:45)

• Rolling deadlines until 2 months before each intake; applicants are encouraged to apply early for tuition discounts, scholarships and visa purposes
• Applicants get decision back within 2 weeks of interview
• Avg GMAT: 678, GMAT or GRE required, 600+ GMAT recommended
• Avg age: 29, Avg work experience: 6, 2 years of work experience required
• 1 recommendation required
• Interviews are typically conducted by 2 people from MBA admissions committee, consisting of admissions managers, recruiters, and directors
• English proficiency requirements: TOEFL (100 iBT), IELTS (7)

Financing & Scholarships (27:00)

• Full-time MBA Tuition: EUR 40,500, which includes all books/materials and accommodation during 3 international trips in the US, India and China
• Get up to EUR 5,000 discount on tuition by applying earlier
• Awards 9 categories of merit and need-based scholarships up to €10,000

Careers (32:00)

• Full-time placement report? Yes
• 60% of graduates employed within 3 months; 75% changed location, 75% changed function
  Average salary is €77,897 (a jump from €46,431 pre-MBA)
• Top Industries: 39% Tech/Start-up, 13% Consumer/FMCG, 13% Financial Services, 7% Consulting, 7% Transportation/Logistics
• Top Functions: 27% Sales/Marketing, 14% Finance, 14% Business Development, 11% Operations/Logistics
• Top Geographies: 75% Germany, 12% Europe outside Germany, 11% USA
• 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.
• Alumni statistics: 5,400+ alumni worldwide

WHU MBA at Otto Beisheim School of Management in Dusseldorf, Germany (credit: WHU)

Show Notes

• WHU MBA

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