One of the most popular courses is without a doubt the Master of Business Administration, or MBA for short. The title of MBA is recognized worldwide and has become a separate master’s degree. The characteristics of the MBA course include the strong connection between professional practice and theoretical specialist knowledge. In the meantime, there are different ways to achieve the degree in Germany. A full-time course takes around 12 to 24 months to complete. It always depends on the program offered, the federal state and the corresponding university.
However, it is also possible to achieve the Master of Business Administration in a part-time course. In this way, the profession can be pursued further and the end of the course can be successfully achieved in evening or weekend seminars. However, studying in evening or weekend seminars extends the study time considerably. If you want to work while studying, you can consider another option to achieve your degree. Here the variant of the Executive MBA comes into question. The course is coordinated hand in hand with the employer and partly financed. Executives in particular can benefit significantly from the Executive MBA.
Another way to go through the MBA is distance learning. Here the degree is completed from home. However, this requires a high degree of self-discipline. All documents required for the course can be found on the Internet. The focus here is on more flexible learning and the pursuit of a part-time job. The master’s thesis of the MBA course can also be done from home and has become very interesting for many students. More and more students are choosing distance learning to complete their studies.
Requirements for the course
As with all other master’s programs, a prerequisite for an MBA is a university degree, a diploma or a bachelor’s degree. If there is sufficient practical experience, it is sufficient to start the MBA course in some subjects even without a university degree. Compared to ordinary master’s courses taught at a university, the MBA’s course takes place at a business school.
Differences of an MBA course compared to normal master courses
In terms of self-motivation and independence, an MBA degree is in no way inferior to a normal master’s degree. In addition, graduates of an MBA must strive for further training in important thematic aspects. This often results in better career opportunities. As a rule, the MBA is only completed after years of practical work. The MBA degree is highly recognized in all management professions and opens up good career prospects.
However, the degree is now so widespread that a successful degree is no longer sufficient for a top position in management. The knowledge acquired must rather be applied and used in a targeted manner.
The MBA degree is very similar to a normal master’s degree. Because here, too, a thesis and an oral final exam are necessary to successfully complete the course.
MBA programs in Germany under the magnifying glass
MBA programs are very widespread in Germany today and have been in increasing demand in recent years. Due to the high demand, the quality of some MBA programs has also lost a lot. Because not all providers of an MBA course can offer equally good communication of content. In most cases, MBA students can cover their studies with tuition fees alone. However, the tuition fees for this are usually very high. On average, an MBA course in Germany costs around 75,000 euros. The demand for MBA programs that relate purely to an online offer or distance learning is increasing. The low presence phases and the lower costs attract more and more potential customers.
About the admission requirements for an MBA or master’s degree
Those who are interested in an MBA or master’s degree usually have different admission requirements. In general, these differ in the acquisition of a consecutive and a non-consecutive master’s degree.
Consecutive master degrees
A consecutive master’s degree is the direct continuation of a special bachelor’s degree (mostly a regular university course, also called an undergraduate degree). This serves to deepen existing knowledge in the theoretical and research-oriented area.
Non-consecutive master degrees
These do not follow a specialist training, but mostly serve to further train the students in a foreign subject (e.g. manager training for technicians). They require any university degree (bachelor, diploma, etc.). In practice, “equivalent qualifications” (usually professional experience) are often recognized. Non-consecutive master’s courses are mostly offered by business schools.
Since the “non-consecutive” master’s program is not a continuation of an existing course of study and there is usually no existing relationship between the business school and the candidate, extensive requirements are often placed on the applicants. Below you will find important information on the admission requirements for postgraduate studies at business schools or universities.
The study requirements in detail
The applicable conditions vary from institution to institution. In some cases, they are even seen as a quality feature of the programs. The most common requirements for applicants are:
- Academic degree or equivalent qualification (e.g. relevant professional experience).
- Work experience: All MBA programs require at least 2 to 5 years of work experience. This is usually also the case with master’s degrees.
- Admission tests: GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination): The GRE test is required in particular for all postgraduate courses in the USA or UK and other English-speaking countries.
- Language test: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Testing System)
- Essays
- credentials
- resume
- interview
- Self-presentation
- Bank information
- Leumund
- Visa (if required)
The “overall impression” of an applicant is usually assessed on the basis of the documents and the self-presentation. However, GMAT or GRE tests, which allow the only objective statements about a candidate, are also becoming increasingly important. If the result is too bad, an application is often given no further attention. GMAT and GRE are a basic requirement in almost all US schools.
In Europe there is a tendency to establish the GMAT as a compulsory examination. In most cases, however, only about 10% of all German-speaking business schools require this test to be taken. However, achieving the requested number of points or a brilliant result are not a guarantee of a place in the course. It is usually the combination of the specified requirements and requirements that make up the result of the application. Factors such as previous academic success, professional experience and special and relevant activities outside of your studies are also included in the application evaluation. It is the overall impression that makes a good application.
An important part of the application are personal statements – such as essays or interviews. These enable the admissions office to get an additional impression of the person and how they communicate. The requirements for an MBA or master’s degree differ from provider to provider. Apart from the measurable requirements, there are purely personal issues and circumstances that a prospect should clarify or reconsider before making a decision. Time availability and spatial flexibility play an important role here.
Try to stand out!
One of the most important factors during the admission process is to be noticed positively and to emphasize your uniqueness again and again. With this in mind, you should show your strengths and differences from other students. Many business schools and universities try to bring together students of different nationalities and cultures in order to enrich the programs with a certain diversity and internationality.
Don’t forget: The person who reads your letter of motivation and your application documents will also see a thousand other applications. It is therefore important that you know what distinguishes you from other applicants and that you highlight these special features in your application documents.
