MBA Students Share Insights on Their HHL Experience

by Ellen Schönfelder | July 24, 2025

What makes an MBA at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management unique? It’s not just the top-ranked programs or strong career prospects—it’s the transformative student experience. Discover firsthand insights from HHL students about their academic journey, personal growth, and career opportunities—and see why HHL is the right place to launch your future.

This article was originally published by Paula Werdnik via mbagradschools.com on February 5, 2025.

Learn what it’s like to study in Leipzig and attend one of the unique MBA programs at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. The HHL MBAs prioritize flexibility, practical learning, and career support. HHL stands out for its hands-on learning approach and highly employable graduates, particularly in the German job market.

What makes HHL unique?

First founded in 1898, and re-established in 1992, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management (HHL) is one of the oldest private business schools in Germany. Located in Leipzig, HHL places a strong focus on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It is an excellent environment for creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking students.

HHL is a school worth noting for international students hoping to study in Germany or Europe. On top of of accreditations by AACSB and ACQUIN, and more than 140 partner universities worldwide, HHL also boasts excellent MBA programs.

The school is well known for its global outlook, hands-on approach, and lifelong alumni support, thoroughly preparing students for the job market. HHL ranked #12 in the QS Global MBA Ranking 2025 for Return on Investment (ROI) scoring 97.9 out of 100. The school also has an Employment Rate score of 81.8 out of 100. HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management graduates have strong career outcomes, with most MBA graduates receiving a job offer within three months of graduation.

If you are striving for long-term success, or the right launchpad for your entrepreneurial dreams, an MBA degree at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management may be your next step.

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What are the HHL MBA programs on offer?

HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management offers three different MBA programs. This includes the Full-time MBA, the Full-time MBA in Finance, and the Part-time MBA. The Part-time MBA program is suitable for candidates already living and working full-time in Germany or other European countries within commuting distance of Leipzig.

The Full-time MBA program at HHL is an English-taught program that takes place in person in Leipzig. Students can participate in the Fast Track (15 months) or the Advanced Track (up to 21 months), depending on their career goals and schedule. The Fast Track is ideal for those who don’t want to pause their careers for too long. The Advanced Track is ideal for students who are looking to take on a wider range of electives and practical components such as an internship.

The program offers exceptional flexibility, enabling students to shape their learning journey according to their individual goals and career aspirations. With seven different elective modules to choose from, plus the option to mix and match, students can create a program that aligns with their interests. Additionally, they can enhance their experience by incorporating practical elements such as a consulting project, an internship, or a term abroad.

Doing an MBA is also a meaningful step for those who want to switch roles, industries, or move to a new location – or all three, also known as a triple jump. The program is ideal for those looking to enter the German workforce – as 95% of students launch their career in Germany post-MBA, and around 90% of students find a job within 3-6 months.

The program has a hands-on, practical approach and students gain valuable experience through an internship or consulting project. The option to partake in German language courses further boosts employability in Germany.

Cultivating the HHL entrepreneurial spirit

The famous “HHL spirit” is at the heart of an HHL education. MBA student, Maxine Kobinski, elaborates, “The HHL spirit is very entrepreneurial. People are very creative and driven, even if it’s not starting their own business. A lot of that spirit is built in the classroom and amongst each other. We’re really pushing each other to do better.”

HHL is one of the top business schools in Europe for entrepreneurs. The school prioritizes networking opportunities, hands-on education, industry connections, mentorship, and coaching programs to nurture new talent. Students gain both the knowledge and practical skills to build their entrepreneurial ideas from the ground up.

HHL offers start-up incubator and accelerator programs, the opportunity to do consulting projects for existing companies, a Startup Careers Fair, and the HHL SpinLab Investors Day. There are plenty of opportunities to explore entrepreneurship at HHL and to network with industry leaders.

Over 530 startups have been created by HHL alumni, and more than 30,000 jobs have been created by HHL alumni. These statistics are a testament to the lasting impact that the entrepreneurial mindset has on HHL graduates.

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Stepping outside your comfort zone

HHL offers a supportive study environment that is home to a large international student community and is defined by a vibrant campus life. There are numerous extracurricular activities to participate in and an atmosphere of peer learning.

Shubham Saklani is an MBA student at HHL and the co-founder of the HHL Consulting Club, an HHL Student Ambassador, and the Head of Initiative of the HHL Negotiation Club.

Shubham’s experience is a testament to the supportive environment at HHL that encourages HHL students to step out of their comfort zone, expand their network, and truly make the most of their time in Leipzig.

I categorize myself as an introvert, but coming to HHL, participating in different initiatives… It really allowed me to come out of my comfort zone and to experiment on a lot of things that I was previously trying to avoid.

Shubham Saklani, MBA student, co-founder of the HHL Consulting Club, HHL Student Ambassador, & Head of Initiative of the HHL Negotiation Club

Experiencing German Culture and European Lifestyle

Leipzig is a dynamic and creative city with a growing startup scene, a rich history, a large international student population, and a youthful energy. Leipzig is within close range of larger cities, such as Berlin, while having a significantly lower cost of living. Home to global companies such as BMW, Amazon, and DHL, as well as many start-ups – there are plenty of opportunities to follow corporate career paths for recent graduates.

HHL MBA graduate, Dhika Martifauzi, says, “Leipzig is actually in the middle of Europe, [and] of everything.”

As Dhika highlights, Leipzig is an excellent starting point for your career journey in Europe, whether you want to stay in Germany or live elsewhere. There are plenty of employment opportunities in Leipzig, and many larger cities nearby, making it easy to work and visit other cities

Career opportunities and alumni success at HHL

HHL has a strong alumni network of over 4,000 graduates across the globe. The engaged alumni network is another example of the HHL spirit that connects the HHL community, across cohorts and industries. The school places great importance on offering lifelong learning resources and alumni events.

Maxine Kobinski, an HHL MBA student, reflects, “What really drew me to HHL was: they have really active alumni, and in my experience, a university that has really active alumni who want to pay it forward to the students coming after them, really shows the quality of the university.”

Ultimately, an MBA degree from Leipzig offers a unique and personalized learning experience, an entryway into the German job market, and a management education that is hands-on and up-to-date on industry trends. These essential elements secure outstanding career opportunities and significant professional growth for HHL MBA graduates.

Author

Ellen Schönfelder

Hello there, I'm Ellen and international education and student mobility is my thing! I did my first language course in the UK at the age of 14 and I have been an exchange student in Denmark at university. I have lived in Malta and Ireland for 15 years to work with international students and support them on their individual and exciting journeys to improve their education. I joined the HHL community in 2021 as a program consultant for the full-time MBA program and I am very much looking forward to accompanying you on your next steps of this life-changing journey. Any questions about the full-time MBA program? Let's have a chat!