Study MBA in Germany 2025
Change currency
Basic monthly living cost
Rent in a shared flat
507Share of utilities
91Internet subscription
43Local transportation
60
Sample lifestyle cost
Fast food combo
9Cinema ticket
12Pint of local beer
4
About Germany
Germany is home to more than 80 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in the European Union. It is a historic leader, a culturally important city, and one with a strong economic influence on the region. For those who wish to study in Germany, business studies are one of the most commonly selected options. International students are often welcomed here, too.
Where to Study Business in Germany ?
For those students who wish to pursue a business degree in Germany, a variety of schools are available. Business schools offer programs that are much like those found in other European countries.
What Type of Business Degree Is Available?
Students enter business study in Germany as an undergraduate and work to achieve their bachelor's degree. Many students go into vocational programs rather than advancing their degree. However, an MBA is available. The process tends to take between two and four years. Applicants for study tend to begin in July of the year prior. The cost of enrollment in business school in Germany differs from one school to the next. The costs tend to be competitive to other schools in Europe. Most students will be enrolled in school 9 to 10 months per year.
What Business Degree Options Are Available for International Students?
International students can enroll in any of the business schools, pending approval of their application by the university. Areas of focus in business include management, international studies, economics, and business law, though various other options are available as well. International students will need to apply to the school as a first step. Then, the school will help the international student to obtain the required documentation to be legally allowed in the country. This process can take several months, which is why early application is encouraged.
What Happens After Graduating from International Students?
Germany is a large and growing country. As a world power and an important economic and financial sector in the European Union, it is very possible for students graduating from MBA schools in Germany to find jobs there. Competition for well-qualified, successful students graduating from German's schools tends to be high. For those who wish to enroll as an international student, the opportunities here are numerous and often well worth an investment for those who are passionate about Germany.
Visa Requirements
- Language Course Visa (Visa for Language Learning) – the perfect option for those that want to learn the German language in Germany.
- Student Applicant Visa (Visum Zur Studienbewerbung) – if you want to study in Germany, but are still trying to find the right program or you still haven’t got the confirmation letter from your University.
- Student Visa (Visum Zu Studienzwecken) – if you have already been accepted to a German university.
What type of Visa do you need?
Visa name
Language Course Visa; Student Applicant Visa; Student Visa
Price and currency
EUR 60
You should expect to pay €60 (~US$74) for your student visa to Germany.
Who can apply for the visa?
For citizens from the EU or from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein, it is only necessary to have an identity card to enter Germany. It is not necessary to have a visa.
Citizens from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and the USA can apply for their visa even after they arrived in Germany.
For citizens from other countries, it is necessary to apply for a visa before coming to Germany.
If staying less than 90 days in Germany, there are even more regulations. Citizens from certain countries can enter Germany for this time without a visa. These are Venezuela, Vatican City, Uruguay, Singapore, Seychelles, Paraguay, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Mauritius, Malaysia, Macau, Croatia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Chile, Brunei, Brazil, Bolivia, Bermuda, Barbados, Bahamas, and Argentina.
Visit the website of the German Federal Foreign Office for the latest visa requirements for all countries: Visa information - Federal Foreign Office (auswaertiges-amt.de).
Where can you make the application?
German embassy or consulate
You’ll need to apply for a visa from the German embassy or consulate in your home country.
How to make the application?
First, you need to schedule an appointment for a visa interview. On the day of the interview, you should offer your visa application documents.
The documents you typically need are:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Two photographs
- Letter showing you’ve been accepted by a German university
- Transcript of academic record
- Certificate of German language proficiency or proof that you intend on attending a language course in Germany (if studying in German)
- Proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while living in Germany (€8,700 per year, which is roughly ~US$9,390)
- Certificate showing you’ve purchased health insurance
- Declaration of the authenticity of documents submitted
Dependent on the embassy, you may also need to show proof that you don’t have a criminal record.
Everyone needs to register with the local registration authorities (Einwohnermeldeamt) in the first week of arriving in Germany. You’ll need to take your passport/national ID (and visa if appropriate), proof of your address in Germany (eg. a rental agreement from your landlord) and possibly the registration certificate from your course. You’ll be given a confirmation of registration.
When should you apply?
Examination of the visa application usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks for a language course. However, if the language course is longer than three months, the time taken for processing the application can extend up to 8 to 10 weeks. And during peak travel season, applications can be sent under the waiting period. Thus, students requiring a student visa for Germany should submit their applications well ahead of time before the commencement of the course. You should apply as soon as possible, and at least three months before your move to the country.
Study visas are valid only for the length of the course or program. The resident permits are usually issued for a year but may be extended.
Processing time
8 Weeks
Work opportunities
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can work freely in Germany but for no more than 20 hours a week during term time.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens (now including Croats as of July 2015) are permitted to work up to 120 full or 240 half days a year (including voluntary work) without permits. You can work more hours if employed by the university as a student or graduate assistant; for other types of employment you will need permission from the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and the Aliens' Authority to exceed the 120/240 limit. Studienkolleg and language students need permission from these authorities in order to take on any work. Students can’t be freelancers or self-employed.
Hours per week
20
Why do you need this type of visa?
These are the main reasons why your visa application for a German student visa may be rejected:
- Poor financial status
- Poor academic profile
- Lack of preparation for your interview
- Insufficient language level (German or English)
- Inconsistency with your choice of study program
Institutions
- IREBS Executive Education
- Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
- Steinbeis School Of International Business And Entrepreneurship (SIBE)
- Renewables Academy AG (RENAC)
- Henley Business school Germany
- University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen am Rhein
- Coburg University (Bavaria)
- Saarland University, European Institute for Advanced Behavioural Management (EIABM)