MBA in Leadership & Management (MBA)
DIPLOMA Hochschule Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Leadership & Management at DIPLOMA Hochschule is offered as part-time distance learning with online seminars and supported study organization. It is designed to prepare you for leadership and management responsibilities by combining business expertise with practical leadership methods.
The program is available with two ECTS study models and includes a selection of specialist focus areas as elective modules. You complete the degree with the required final thesis and related colloquium elements.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Build management and business fundamentals through content focused on business administration and decision-making
- Develop leadership and organization skills through modules covering communication, personnel and organizational management
- Start applying strategy and transformation concepts through management-oriented tasks and case examples
- Use practice-oriented exercises such as management planning simulation and real work-related scenarios
- Deepen strategic management and digital transformation with modules focused on innovation and knowledge management
- Strengthen risk management and quality assurance strategies within the business context
- Continue leadership and organization development with applied scenarios and presentations
- Complete the additional advanced management modules included in the 90 ECTS model
- Choose and complete a specialization track as a structured elective focus during the program
- Finalize the program with Master Thesis and the concluding academic work
Curriculum
The MBA is offered in two official study models. The 60 ECTS model includes management, leadership, a management simulation, one elective specialisation, and the master's thesis with colloquium. The 90 ECTS model adds strategic decision-making, innovation and knowledge management, quality assurance, and digital transformation.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 ECTS model: Management and specialisation modules | 4 modules, including 1 elective specialisation | Digitales Personal- und Organisationsmanagement: Personalmanagement klassisch – digital; Organisationsverhalten und Corporate Responsibility | 10 | 40 ECTS |
| Kommunikation und Leadership: Kommunikation und Rhetorik; Leitungs- und Teamfähigkeit | 10 | |||
| Planspiel Management: Begleitung des Planspiels; Planspiel Management | 6 | |||
| Wahlpflichtmodul, choose 1 of 4: Marketingmanagement; Sicherheitsmanagement; Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement; Unternehmensbewertung | 14 | |||
| 90 ECTS model: Additional and final modules | 4 modules | Strategische Entscheidungen: Strategisches Management; Entscheidungs- und Strategietraining; Risikomanagement und Risikohandbuch | 12 | 50 ECTS |
| Innovations- und Wissensmanagement: Wissensmanagement; Innovationsmanagement | 8 | |||
| Qualitätssicherungsstrategien und Digitale Transformation: Qualitätssicherungssysteme; Digitale Transformation als Herausforderung unternehmerischen Handelns | 10 | |||
| Master-Thesis und Kolloquium | 20 | |||
| 60 ECTS model: Management and specialisation modules | 4 modules, including 1 elective specialisation | Digitales Personal- und Organisationsmanagement: Personalmanagement klassisch – digital; Organisationsverhalten und Corporate Responsibility | 10 | 40 ECTS |
| Kommunikation und Leadership: Kommunikation und Rhetorik; Leitungs- und Teamfähigkeit | 10 | |||
| Planspiel Management: Begleitung des Planspiels; Planspiel Management | 6 | |||
| Wahlpflichtmodul, choose 1 of 4: Marketingmanagement; Sicherheitsmanagement; Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement; Unternehmensbewertung | 14 | |||
| 60 ECTS model: Final module | 1 module | Master-Thesis und Kolloquium | 20 | 20 ECTS |
| Total | Two alternative study models with one elective specialisation | 60 or 90 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You prepare for leadership and management roles by combining management, leadership, and business decision-making skills in a structured MBA format.
- You gain practical competence for management tasks through case examples, a management planning simulation, and applied learning aligned with real workplace situations.
- You build leadership and organizational capabilities that support you in supervising teams, managing processes, and driving organizational development.
- You strengthen strategic thinking with modules on strategic management, digital transformation, innovation and knowledge management, and quality assurance strategies.
- You can specialize through the program’s elective specializations (Marketingmanagement, Sicherheitsmanagement, Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement, or Unternehmensbewertung) to align your learning with your career direction.
- You graduate with a globally recognized MBA degree that supports career progression toward senior, specialist, and leadership responsibilities over time.
Employability rate
Graduates of business and management study programmes in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 86% and an unemployment rate of about 14%, reflecting steady hiring demand for qualified managers and business professionals.
Together, these figures point to a reliable career outlook for you, especially when you combine the MBA with relevant work experience.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| First higher-education qualification plus relevant experience (60 or 90 ECTS model) | For the 60 ECTS model, international applicants typically need a first higher-education degree with 240 ECTS, at least two years of relevant professional experience, initial leadership or management experience, economic/ business knowledge, and qualified English language skills. For the 90 ECTS model, international applicants typically need a first higher-education degree with 210 ECTS, at least 12 months of relevant qualified professional experience, economic/ business knowledge, and qualified English language skills. Foreign degrees are assessed for admission in line with the Lisbon Convention. |
| Alternative entry without a Bachelor (admission via aptitude assessment) | International applicants can enter the MBA without a Bachelor after passing an aptitude assessment (Eignungsprüfung). This route requires a completed vocational qualification, subject-related professional experience, a higher-education entrance qualification, and qualified English language skills. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | Direct match | Applicants are expected to have economic or business prerequisites (wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Vorkenntnisse) for the MBA admission requirements. |
Language requirements
For the MBA in Leadership & Management at DIPLOMA Hochschule Hamburg, international applicants need qualified English language skills. The program page specifies that you must have qualified Englishkenntnisse, and the university reviews your admission requirements individually.
Exam / assessment
| Component | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aptitude interview / aptitude assessment | conditional | The program uses an Eignungsprüfung / selection assessment concept for admissions, and English competence may be demonstrated via certificates or an aptitude interview. |
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 0 / per year | The official program page provides monthly study fee options (for example starting at 310 EUR/month) for the part-time MBA models, and also shows an examination fee of 985 EUR paid once. |
| Admin fee | EUR 985 / one time | The program page states a one-time examination fee of 985 EUR. |
Proof of financial resources
International students must plan for study and living costs while applying for and studying in Germany. DIPLOMA provides published tuition and one-time examination fee information for the MBA, and applicants should also consider the standard financial requirements for a German student visa.
- Published MBA tuition payment model (monthly instalments depending on model) and one-time examination fee as stated by DIPLOMA
- Proof of sufficient funds for living costs in Germany is required for student visa purposes; applicants should follow the official German immigration guidance for the specific amount and documentation needed
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 | April 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Review admission requirements for international applicants
Check whether you meet the MBA requirements for the 60 ECTS or 90 ECTS model, including your first higher-education qualification, professional experience, leadership/management experience (for the 60 ECTS model), and economic/business prerequisites. If you do not have a Bachelor degree, review the alternative entry route via the aptitude assessment (Eignungsprüfung) as published by DIPLOMA. If your foreign qualifications do not clearly match the ECTS profile, note that the university conducts an individual review for admission and missing ECTS can be addressed via competency evidence or bridging courses when applicable.
Submit your application and choose the study start timing
DIPLOMA states that the MBA Fernstudium starts twice a year on 01 April (summer semester) and 01 October (winter semester). The program page also states that you can apply at any time and the study start may be arranged after an individual review, with assignment to the current semester. Ensure your application includes the required information so the university can check your admission eligibility and the selected model.
Complete any aptitude assessment if applying without a Bachelor
If you want to apply via the entry without a Bachelor option, you must pass the aptitude assessment (Eignungsprüfung). The program page states that the aptitude assessment includes written and oral components and a thesis-style coursework component (Hausarbeit), and that the exam submission and assessment dates are agreed individually with DIPLOMA. Plan your documents and availability according to the individually agreed dates so you can start the MBA at your desired semester.