Top business schools for an MBA in Germany

The latest QS Global MBA Rankings for 2024 have unveiled the top business schools worldwide, offering the best global MBA programmes. The rankings are also split up into regions: Asia, Europe, Canada, Oceania, Latin America, and the US.  

These MBA programmes were ranked based on five indicators: employability, entrepreneurship and alumni outcomes, return on investment, thought leadership, and diversity. You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here. 

Only six business schools in Germany were featured in this year’s rankings. Read on to find out the top five schools who made the cut. 

5. EU Business School 

• Tuition: US$23,350 

• Students in class: N/A 

• Percentage of female students: 54 percent 

• Percentage of international students: 92 percent 

The MBA programmes being offered by EU Business School focuses on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and a global perspective in all MBA students. All programmes are conducted in English, and students have the flexibility to choose their preferred campus location, whether in Munich, Barcelona, Geneva, or fully remote. 

The school offers seven specialised MBA programmes, each designed to provide students with essential skills and knowledge. These programmes can be completed full-time over one year with three terms or part-time over two years with six terms. Specialisations offered at the Munich campus include: 

• International business 

• International marketing 

• Global banking & finance 

• Digital business 

• Sports management  

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) 

• MBA (project management)  

• MBA (cloud computing)  

• MBA (information systems) 

Furthermore, EU Business School has claimed the top spot in Germany for diversity, which is evident from its high percentage of international students per intake. 

 4. HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management 

• Tuition: US$42,066 

• Students in class: 30-40 

• Percentage of female students: 40 percent 

• Percentage of international students: 97 percent 

The full-time MBA programme at HHL offers two completion options: a fast-track programme spanning 15 months or an advanced track programme lasting 21 months. This MBA begins with welcome weeks during which refresher courses on business management fundamentals are offered to the students and the programme concludes with the submission of a master’s thesis. 

Following the completion of essential modules in general management, students get the opportunity to choose elective modules (deep dives) in their area of interest. Fast-track students have the option to choose two electives, while advanced track students can also select a minimum of three. Additionally, advanced track students can opt for customisation modules to gain practical and international experience. 

Participants can take German classes before and during the programme, facilitating an easier entry into the German job market. 

3. WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management 

• Tuition: US$50,590 

• Students in class: 40 

• Percentage of female students: 38 percent 

• Percentage of international students: 90 percent 

The full-time MBA programme at Otto Beisheim spans 12 months and is conducted entirely in English. It kicks off with the ‘Future Leaders Fundraising Challenge’, fostering fellowship among students while honing essential skills and contributing to a meaningful cause. 

Initially, students engage in three core modules, followed by the opportunity to choose three elective modules from specialised areas such as strategy and organisation, marketing and sales, entrepreneurship and innovation, and advanced finance. 

Additionally, the curriculum features three international modules, each containing one week studying abroad at partner schools like the Kellogg School of Management and Columbia University. Extracurricular offerings include management practice workshops in strategy consulting, change management, design thinking, and process management, as well as participation in various MBA clubs and societies. 

2. Mannheim Business School 

• Tuition: US$45,280 

• Students in class: 60 

• Percentage of female students: 37 percent 

• Percentage of international students: 84 percent 

Students on the Mannheim MBA usually complete the programme in 12 months, with the option to extend it by three additional months for internships, exchanges, or language skill development. 

The ‘Social Class Project’ is an integral part of the MBA curriculum. Every class independently plans and implements its own group project together with your class towards a common goal, organising everything and directly applying management skills to the task. In addition to this project, students will also get a chance to take on a business master project and take part in a study trip. 

Mannheim scored a perfect score for return on investment and it’s clear to see why. Student salaries pre-MBA were US$38,305 on average, but with a whopping boost to US$105,308 following graduation, attending Manheim is a no brainer. It also achieved the highest rank in Germany for thought leadership. 

Promoting networking opportunities, Mannheim offers six distinct clubs: women in business, consulting, marketing & sales, technology & it, financials, and startup. 

1. Frankfurt School of Finance and Management 

Image credit: Marine de Castelnau

• Tuition: US$44,775  

• Students in class: 34 

• Percentage of female students: 44 percent 

• Percentage of international students: 90 percent 

The full-time MBA programme spans 12 months and encompasses core modules, including one abroad in Italy, a variety of electives, and a thesis period. 

For the MBA thesis, students have three options to showcase their analytical and research prowess: a group consultancy project, an entrepreneurial business plan, or a research project. 

With the programme boasting the highest employability score in Germany, it's no surprise that 84 percent of MBA graduates secure employment within three months of graduation. Additionally, optional skills courses are made available to students to develop their transferrable management skills in areas like leadership in crisis situations, project management and design thinking making them highly employable. 

Beyond academics, Frankfurt School also offers nearly 40 student initiatives in sports, arts and culture, social engagement, and personal and professional development.