Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Hamburg School of Business Administration · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration is designed for experienced professionals who want to strengthen their business and management expertise in English. The programme leads to the internationally recognised degree Master of Business Administration (MBA).
The MBA programme starts on 1 October and lasts 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time. Teaching is entirely in English, with the structure combining attendance days, full-time weeks, and learning activities including language training and company-related components.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Science and Management Essentials builds tools for scientific work, presentation skills, and project management methods.
- Strategy and Value-Based Leadership develops strategic decision-making aligned with corporate values.
- AI and Advanced Analytics plus Modern Corporate Finance strengthen data-driven and financial management foundations.
- Sales and Digital Marketing and Agile Organisations and Operations develop go-to-market thinking and operating-model skills.
- Global Business and Economics and Sustainability and Social Impact focus on global perspectives and sustainable business thinking.
- Innovation Lab provides the elective option (Innovation Lab).
- Master Thesis and Colloquium conclude the programme with an academic final paper and an oral defence.
- Science and Management Essentials (English-taught) introduces scientific work and classic/agile project management.
- Strategy and Value-Based Leadership supports leadership decision-making with value-based perspectives.
- AI and Advanced Analytics develops core analytical capabilities for business decisions.
- Modern Corporate Finance builds financial management foundations.
- Sales and Digital Marketing develops digital marketing and sales strategy competencies.
- Agile Organisations and Operations focuses on operating models and agile ways of working.
- Global Business and Economics addresses international business and economic contexts for managers.
- Sustainability and Social Impact strengthens sustainable and socially responsible management approaches.
- Innovation Lab provides the elective module option to align with your interests and career goals.
- Master Thesis applies your learning to a topic of choice and is assessed together with the Colloquium.
Curriculum
60 ECTS MBA programme at HSBA: 8 ECTS core modules plus an elective, with the Master's thesis and colloquium. Full-time structure allocates 30 ECTS in Semester 1 and 30 ECTS in Semester 2 (modules 45 ECTS total; thesis and colloquium 15 ECTS).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Modules (part of the 45 CP module total) | Science and Management Essentials | ||
| Strategy and Value-Based Leadership | ||||
| AI and Advanced Analytics | ||||
| Modern Corporate Finance | ||||
| Sales and Digital Marketing | ||||
| Agile Organisations and Operations | ||||
| Global Business and Economics | ||||
| Sustainability and Social Impact | ||||
| Semester 2 | Elective module plus additional module component, then Master’s thesis and colloquium | Innovation Lab | ||
| Master’s thesis and colloquium (Thesis + Colloquium) | ||||
| Total | All modules plus the Master’s thesis and colloquium | 60 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with management and leadership skills designed to help you take on responsibility in industry settings in Germany and internationally.
- The programme’s strong focus on strategy, value-based leadership, and global business helps you qualify for roles that require executive-level decision-making.
- You gain practical business capabilities in AI and advanced analytics, finance, and digital marketing that employers use for modern management and transformation projects.
- Your elective option (Innovation Lab) helps you shape a qualification profile aligned with your interests and career direction.
- The Master Thesis and Colloquium strengthen your ability to research, structure, and defend a management topic, supporting your progression toward senior specialism or leadership roles.
Employability rate
HSBA MBA graduates typically have an employability rate of around 88% and an unemployment rate of about 12% in Germany, reflecting ongoing demand for qualified business managers.
Together, these figures point to a generally stable career outlook, especially for candidates who can demonstrate relevant professional experience alongside their master’s qualification.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree (240 ECTS first degree) + professional experience | International applicants need a completed first university degree totalling at least 240 ECTS with an above-average grade. HSBA also requires at least one year of relevant professional experience. Up to 60 ECTS can be replaced by relevant professional experience or further academic training (as stated by HSBA). |
| Eligibility check for foreign credentials (documents review) | If you are unsure whether your first degree and studies meet the required business and methods content for this MBA, HSBA offers a pre-check of your documents (free document check). You can submit your transcript of records and module descriptions for review. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | Direct match | The MBA is designed to teach business administration skills to graduates; HSBA evaluates whether your first degree covers the required business and methods content via document review and the selection process. |
Language requirements
The MBA programme at HSBA is taught entirely in English. For admission, non-EU applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at least at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 1650 / per month | MBA Master of Business Administration (full-time): 1,650 €/month (total cost: 19,800 €). Tuition fees include learning materials, examination fees, Microsoft Office 365, access to the library, and supervision and assessment of your thesis; only extra costs are for the study trip. |
Proof of financial resources
For visa and residence purposes in Germany, international applicants generally need to show sufficient funds for living costs. The specific amount and the documentation format depend on your German residence permit process, so you should follow the official guidance for proof of funds for students.
- Blocked account or equivalent official proof of available funds for living costs (amount and format follow official German guidance for student residence permits)
- Bank statements or other supporting documents only if requested during your visa or residence process
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 | This programme is a postgraduate MBA in business administration and may align with DAAD EPOS eligibility if the course is listed and you meet EPOS general requirements for eligible developing countries and disciplines. |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your documents and confirm eligibility
Review the HSBA MBA admission requirements for international applicants (first degree totalling at least 240 ECTS, plus at least one year of relevant professional experience, and English proficiency at B2 level). If you are unsure about document equivalence and content coverage, use HSBA’s free document check by submitting your transcript and module descriptions. Also prepare your application materials in English (HSBA requests a single PDF document containing your application documents).
Submit the online application and upload one PDF
Complete the application in HSBA’s official application portal during the admissions period. Upload all required documents together as one PDF, including your English motivation letter (maximum one DIN A4 page), CV (preferred in English), degree documents, work experience letter, and recommendation letter. Include an English certificate showing at least B2 CEFR (for example TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS, PTE, DAAD, or proof of study abroad/schooling in English, if accepted by HSBA).
Selection process and individual interview
After document review, applicants who meet the formal admission requirements are invited to an individual interview with the academic head of the MBA programme. The interview checks your personal and academic suitability and can be conducted virtually or in person. For applicants, the interview is conducted in English for the MBA.
Offer of a study place, contract, and proof of financing
If the admissions committee provides a positive decision, HSBA offers you a study place and sends your study contract and further information. You must countersign the contract and provide proof of financing before starting your studies. HSBA states that studies start on 1 October of each year.