Innovation Management: Finance (MSc)
Hamburg School of Business Administration · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Innovation Management: Finance (MSc) is a part-time Master of Science at HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration in Hamburg, taught entirely in English. The programme combines innovation management with a finance specialisation and focuses on business planning, corporate management, and applying theory to real projects.
To complete the MSc, you must collect 120 ECTS. The programme starts on 1 October each year, and you can specialise in Finance from the second semester onwards through modules that cover start-up and VC financing, sustainable finance, and digital finance, followed by the Master’s thesis.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Work through core business administration modules such as Innovation Management and Strategic Business Development.
- Build your quantitative and analytical basis with modules including Data Analysis and Scientific Methods & Competences.
- Develop finance-focused competence through the Finance specialisation modules introduced in the early study phase.
- Use project-based teaching approaches such as Design Thinking, Kanban, Agile and Scrum within the programme structure.
- Deepen your finance and innovation skillset through the continued Finance specialisation pathway (including Modern Corporate Finance and Sustainable Finance).
- Strengthen digital, data, and econometric foundations with modules such as Digital Economics and Applied Econometrics.
- Apply negotiation and research techniques through modules focused on research methods and scientific competences.
- Continue through project and consulting-style modules that apply theory to real-life business problems.
- Engage in further project modules that connect innovation management theory with business practice.
- Focus on building solutions and evaluating innovative financial approaches within programme projects and collaborations.
- Continue development of digital finance and innovation-ready competencies as part of the structured study programme.
- Prepare your Master’s Thesis in the Finance focus area by integrating your programme learning outcomes into an academic project.
- The programme concludes with the thesis after completing the required ECTS.
- Continue programme learning through the final study phase and thesis work.
Curriculum
120 CP master's with compulsory core modules, Finance specialization modules, and a Master's thesis.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core modules | Academic Writing, Persuasive Communication, and Strategic Negotiations | ||
| Data Analysis | ||||
| Econometrics | ||||
| Innovation Management | ||||
| Entrepreneurial Finance | ||||
| Project Management and Leadership | ||||
| Semester 2 | Project and core modules | Consulting Project | ||
| Case Studies in Innovation | ||||
| Consulting Project (S3) | ||||
| Negotiations and Deal Making | ||||
| Sustainable Innovation Camp | ||||
| Future of Work & Human Resources (HR) Trends | ||||
| Semester 3 | Finance specialization and research methods | Start-Ups & Fintech Finance | ||
| Research Seminar Scientific Methods | ||||
| Sustainable Finance | ||||
| Digital Finance | ||||
| Innovation Camp | ||||
| Master Study Trip | ||||
| Semester 4 | Thesis preparation and thesis | Master’s Thesis (S5) | ||
| Total | Core modules, specialization modules (Finance), and Master’s thesis | |||
Career outcomes
- You will graduate with management-ready skills to develop, evaluate and implement innovative financial solutions in a rapidly changing environment.
- You can pursue roles across the financial sector, including banks and financial service providers, fintech companies and public institutions.
- With your Finance specialisation, you gain a practical foundation to design business models and financial products for digital transformation of the financial sector.
- Project-based learning and real-life collaborations help you build applied decision-making and consulting-style experience that employers value.
- You develop the ability to connect finance, innovation management, digitalisation, entrepreneurship and sustainability in one professional profile.
- A globally recognised Master of Science (MSc) qualification positions you for management-track career development in finance-related positions.
Employability rate
Graduates of finance- and innovation-management focused master programmes in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 86% and an unemployment rate of about 14%, reflecting ongoing demand for analytically trained professionals in the financial sector.
Together, these figures point to a generally steady career outlook, especially for applicants who combine finance expertise with innovation and digital skills.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with ECTS and subject balance | International applicants must have a completed third-level degree with at least 180 ECTS, including at least 60 ECTS in economics-related subjects. HSBA also states that 15 ECTS in scientific or quantitative methods can be substituted for part of the economics-related ECTS, and up to 30 ECTS can be substituted by one year of relevant professional experience. |
| Minimum degree grade | For the MSc Innovation Management, HSBA requires that your first university degree is completed with a grade of at least ‘Good’ (2.5). If your grade is not at 2.5, HSBA notes that additional relevant professional experience must be provided. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | Direct match | HSBA’s admissions requirements specify a third-level degree with economics-related subjects and mathematics/statistics knowledge. If your prior study includes economics-related ECTS and quantitative methods, you typically meet the content focus described by HSBA. |
| Engineering & Technology | Relevant match (subject to economics and quantitative content) | HSBA requires economics-related subjects (at least 60 ECTS) plus knowledge of mathematics and statistics. If your engineering/technology degree includes sufficient economics-related ECTS and the required quantitative content, HSBA states it can check whether your first degree covers the required content. |
Language requirements
To study the MSc Innovation Management: Finance at HSBA, you must demonstrate English proficiency at least at B2 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). HSBA accepts common international tests including TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS, PTE, and DAAD, and also considers proof of study abroad in an English-speaking country.
TOEFL iBT
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 22500 / total program | HSBA states tuition fees are 22,500 euros for the entire Master’s programme; the total cost is also shown as 750 €/month (regular track) or 937.50 €/month (fast track). |
| Tuition (discount for early application) | EUR 0 / one time | If you apply before 31 May, you receive a 10% discount on tuition fees (HSBA alumni may receive an even higher discount where applicable). |
Proof of financial resources
Before the start of your studies, you must provide proof of financing for the tuition fees. Plan your budget early because HSBA notes that study places and funding programmes can be limited, and visa processes can take time.
- Proof of financing required by HSBA after a successful interview and study place offer (as part of the onboarding/contract process).
- HSBA recommends early application because visa processes can take a long time.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
🎓 Scholarship
| Provider | Scheme name | Coverage | Eligibility notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD | EPOS — Development-Related Postgraduate Courses | Tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel allowance, health insurance | DAAD EPOS supports participants from developing countries for selected development-related postgraduate courses at German universities. As a Master’s programme (MSc) at a German university, this type of programme is eligible to be considered under EPOS if the course is listed in the DAAD scholarship database for the relevant funding call year. |
📝 How to Apply
Submit your online application and documents
Submit your written application using HSBA’s official application portal. Upload the required documents including a motivational letter in English, CV, work experience letter, and a letter of recommendation. Also include your degree certificate and transcripts (or current transcript of records if you are still studying), plus proof of English proficiency at least B2 level. HSBA notes that if you meet the admission requirements, you will be invited to an individual interview.
Undergo the selection process (interview)
After your documents are reviewed, HSBA invites shortlisted applicants to an individual interview with the academic heads of the Master programme. The interview can take place virtually or in person in Hamburg. HSBA explains that the interview assesses your personal and academic suitability to complete the programme successfully. Respond promptly to the invitation so you do not miss the interview scheduling window.
Receive the offer and complete study contract steps
If you succeed in the selection process and the admissions committee votes positively, HSBA offers you a place in the programme. HSBA states that you will receive a study contract and further information after the offer. HSBA also indicates that after countersigning the contract and providing proof of financing, it looks forward to welcoming you to HSBA. Plan your financing documents early because HSBA specifically warns that visa processes can take time.