Full-time MBA
Full-time MBA at HHL: Launch your career in Germany and beyond!
Are you looking to improve your management skills and to prepare for the diverse challenges of the digital age? Do you want to fast-track your career in a leading economy like Germany´s? Do you want to not only systematically expand your management know-how, but also target your personal growth? The MBA program at HHL is the career booster that will launch your career towards brand new horizons. Here you will receive a world-class education and a degree from one of the most renowned business schools in Europe. The MBA program will prepare you to be more innovative, more responsible, and more successful as a future leader. It will equip you with the necessary tools to navigate and excel in the fast-changing, increasingly digital and ever more globalized world of the future. Graduating from HHL with an MBA means doors are open for a rapid entry into prominent German and international companies; from A for Accenture to Z for Zalando! We welcome you to join our exclusive, tight-knit, international community distinguished by an innovative, success-driven and entrepreneurial mindset!
Program Overview
Program Start
- September (Application: June 30)
Program Length
- Fast Track: 12 months courses on campus
+ 3 months master thesis - Advanced Track: Up to 21 months including an optional term abroad or a professional internship
Language of Instruction
- 100% English
Class Profile
- 50-60 students per class
- Average age: 30
- 90% international students
International Perspectives
- Over 135 partner universities
- Term abroad and double degree option
Career Prospects
- 95% employment rate 3 months after graduation
- 80% of recent MBA graduates working in Germany
- 60% salary increase upon graduation
Full-time MBA: Your benefits at a glance
- Rapid entry into management positions at renowned German and international companies
- Opens the door to Germany’s leading economy
- Lifelong professional and individual career counselling
- Access to an active network with valuable contacts in Germany and the world
- An international community with a strong team spirit
- Study program distinguished by collaborative work and support from professors, mentors, coaches and the HHL team
- Student experience in Leipzig: high quality of life and a safe environment at affordable prices
- German classes before and during the study program, facilitating entrance into the German market
Open new doors for your career!
The MBA program at HHL unleashes your potential for a promising career in Germany and beyond. Let the numbers speak for themselves: 95 per cent of our students have a job offer within three months of graduating, over 80% of our international students start their careers in Germany. The MBA allows you to quickly settle into an upward career path in the German job market. Many of HHL’s MBA graduates have launched successful careers at established world-class companies – Volkswagen, Roland Berger, E.ON and ThyssenKrupp to name a few – and in renowned tech companies such as Amazon, check24, Mister Spex and Zalando. Our full-time MBA program not only gives you better chances in the job market but also has an exceptional Return on Investment; our graduates find that their investment pays off in just three years. We call that low risk, high reward!
New horizons for your career
We offer you the opportunity to get a foot in the door of the German job market with the optional internship you can complete as part of your degree – this provides you with valuable contacts, networking opportunities and the chance to showcase your skills. Furthermore, you gain first-hand consulting experience and support renowned companies in finding solutions to real-life challenges with our student consulting project. In addition to these practical experiences, you can also benefit from the numerous recruiting events on the HHL campus
Our MBA program will also give your profile an edge by equipping you with the latest insights into current trends, be it agile working methods, Big Data and databases, Blockchain, robotics, Artificial Intelligence or Industry 4.0. Our German courses, tailored to our international students, will also help your profile stand out among German employers. And there are even further benefits in pursuing an MBA at HHL! The HHL Network and our exceptional Career Development Team will even further facilitate access to the German and international job markets.
Tailored support for your career!
HHL’s Career Development ranks in the top five worldwide! This is no coincidence, as our exceptionally qualified and highly committed team of experts support your career strategy from day one. We will help you identify your strengths, develop your skills and systematically focus on reaching your professional goals through individual coaching, workshops and seminars. From admission through graduation and beyond, we pave the way for your success. We will check your CV, prepare you for interviews, recruiting processes and salary negotiations, and put you in touch with alumni in the business sector you aspire to enter. We also strengthen your capacities and share effective methods to make the job market work for you. We provide access to job postings and exclusive recruiting events on campus with leading companies. With passion and commitment, and our famous personal touch, we will guide you to the job you have always dreamed of! And our Career Development and your access to our network will serve you for the rest of your life!
Contacts are everything!
Having an extensive network is invaluable in today’s world. Whether it acts as a support system or opens the door for your next step on the ladder of your career – knowing the right people is the key to success. For this reason, HHL not only offers a degree from one of Germany’s best business schools but also provides access to a world-class network of successful entrepreneurs, leading international managers, important actors in the world of startups and pioneering experts. And there’s more; the friendships and contacts established during your studies will be there for you for the rest of your life!
HHL Alumni: Friends for life!
Graduating from HHL not only gives you a degree from one of Germany’s best business schools, but it also means lifelong access to a first-class network of successful entrepreneurs, leading international managers, key players in the startup scene and top-class experts. Friendships and contacts established at HHL will last long after your studies are done. HHL alumni are active in over 70 countries, they are well connected, and they support each other and future graduates in a multitude of ways. They become part of your learning experience as guest lecturers, are available to answer career-related questions, and support the new HHL generation with their know-how, experience, and insider tips for the job search. Many alumni become mentors to HHL students. They make it possible for students to visit their companies, provide opportunities for gaining valuable practical insights, and establish connections to important contacts and decisionmakers. And there’s more: many of our over 2,500 alumni frequently return to campus to recruit students from their alma mater!
Alumni Association: Be a part from the start!
Do you want to take advantage of the many important and international contacts of our HHL network from the beginning of your studies? Then take this opportunity to join our Alumni Association for free! Read more here
HHL Success Stories
Our students unleash the potential for their personal success stories during their studies at HHL. Have a look at these examples of what possibilities await you after your MBA at HHL:
The MBA program was a great opportunity to switch careers and I am very happy to work in the Supply Chain Management sector. I realized that a good job is not related to the salary, level or any other tangible standards. It should be a place where your personality and ability can be combined well, where you feel cheerful and can keep yourself learning and growing. I am grateful for HHL’s support to make this career progress.
After seeing Bertelsmann’s on-campus presentation at HHL and learning how interested they are in international profiles, I approached the company representative at the get-together afterwards to learn about internship opportunities in HR. One thing leads to another, and I ended up landing an internship in Talent Management at Bertelsmann’s corporate headquarters. This internship turned into a job offer. My first day of work was actually coming to HHL to do a company presentation – talk about full circle! Several years later I’m now Director, Employer Branding & Talent Acquisition, and still visiting HHL once a year to get to know the latest generation of students.
The full-time MBA program at HHL had more in store than I expected. My objective was to get the best business education. As historian, I wanted to learn about marketing, finance, organizational development, and strategy frameworks. HHL was a turning point in my career. It did not only help me to reach my professional goals but taught me the meaning of responsible business leaders within a globalized world.
HHL differentiates in the sense that it makes you a leader. Rather than being trained to be the best employee, we are trained each day to be the best employer. Motivation is not to be the employee of the month but rather to be the one who decides who shall be the employee of the month. This difference is subtle but astoundingly deep. HHL explores the leadership sides of you and it is complete because you are not coached to spill out jargons like ‘Achieve’, ‘Impress’, or ‘Leverage’ but rather how to make informed decisions in Finance, Strategy, Marketing etc.
I particularly enjoyed entrepreneurial disciplines, not only in theory but also by testing the practical worth of new ideas we developed. The combination of this high-class academic program, the international experience and the practical knowledge I had before the studies are the foundation of my professional development.
I am excited to take advantage of the flexible schedule the classes provide to pursue other career benefiting opportunities such as TEDxHHL and European Ivy League. Having time in our schedule set aside for internships also allows me to work during the MBA program and gain important skills that are pertinent to the degree.
The MBA program for your success in the management of the future!
Business is changing at an increasing rate, and with change come new challenges. Management and leadership in times of digital transformation demand new approaches. If you want to lead a company to success in a volatile and unpredictable world, you require brand new management competencies and skills. Your studies at HHL will equip you with all the tools to become a responsible leader and effective manager – be it in an international company, a reputable consultancy, or an innovative startup.
In addition to leading you to a deepened understanding of state-of-the-art business management concepts, our MBA program will also strengthen the skills that will ensure your success in management in the digital and fast-paced future. Digital skills, creativity, problem-solving skills, perseverance, leadership and intercultural management; these are just a few of the skills that empower HHL graduates to drive innovation and to take the risks necessary to manage successfully in the rapidly changing business landscape. At HHL your personal growth is at the centre because we believe this is fundamental for professional advancement. You will be challenged on all levels to reach your true potential.
An internationally acclaimed faculty empowers you to build, restructure and guide companies through the processes of transformation. The MBA program at HHL is divided into three segments: the Welcome Weeks, the General Management Essentials and the General Management Deep Dives.
1. The Welcome Weeks: Where your HHL adventure begins!
The Welcome Weeks offer a plunge into the HHL spirit. Through a range of intercultural team-building activities, you will embark on your unforgettable HHL adventure. You will get to know classmates from all of our programs and from all corners of the world and lay the foundation for a powerful network of contacts that will support you not only through your studies but far beyond. Refresher courses on business management fundamentals will also ease you into the program, and an initial introduction to the Leipzig Leadership Model will begin your transformation into the future leader of your aspirations.
Discover the program structure
Trained by leading experts and selected practitioners
Throughout the MBA program, you will be supported by our exceptional HHL professors. Here you are never just a number; our professors are always approachable and have your personal growth at heart. All HHL professors are respected experts in their fields and rely on practice-oriented and interactive teaching. At HHL you will also benefit from the knowledge and expertise of our visiting professors from around the world – be it Canada, France, Ireland, Belgium, UK, Switzerland or India. They enrich your learning experience through their comprehensive international exposure. In addition, many of our successful alumni return to the campus as guest lecturers, to share their invaluable practical experience with the next HHL generation and to advise them with insider tips for their professional careers.
To ensure the bridge to practice in the full-time MBA Program, leading practitioners with a wide range of professional expertise actively contribute to your learning experience. High-profile personalities from the business and social spheres regularly teach MBA classes as visiting lecturers, including successful entrepreneurs, leading consultants, experienced executives or innovators from the startup world.
Our full-time MBA program offers an innovative and flexible program structure which covers all functional areas of modern business. This ensures a learning environment that combines state-of-the-art courses with practical experience to prepare you best for your leadership challenges ahead.
Student Consulting Project: Take on the role of a consultant!
If you select the Advanced Track, you can already start applying your new knowledge during the study program. In the Student Consulting Project, you take on the role of a consultant and lead companies to actionable solutions addressing real-life strategic challenges. This includes working in a variety of intercultural teams and presenting your results to executives and managing directors – situations we prepare you for in the program. Collaborating closely with both company representatives and HHL faculty, you will experience first-hand what it means to effect change in a company like Allianz, Bosch, CocaCola, Henkel or Porsche.
Internship: Get your foot in the door!
An exceptional highlight awaits those MBA students who opt for the Advanced Track: an internship at a renowned company, an Entrepreneur in Residence program at an innovative startup or a Social Impact Project at a nonprofit. You choose where you want to complete your internship, but perhaps our past students’ choices can offer you inspiration: Allianz, Bayer, Continental, Deutsche Telekom, Hugo Boss, KPMG, Lufthansa, Procter & Gamble, Puma, Robert Bosch, Volkswagen and many, many more. This is your opportunity to explore new sectors and to establish vital contacts for your career in Germany or abroad. And it pays off, as many of our students successfully parlay an internship into a job offer!
Your advantages at a glance:
- Foot in the door of the German or international job market
- Full-time and typically paid
- Permitted with your student visa
- We assist you in the selection and organization of your internship!
German language: Key skill for your career in Germany
Are you an international student looking to launch your career in Germany after your MBA studies? Then German skills will give you a large advantage! HHL, therefore, offers you the possibility to learn German throughout the program with our tailored language courses offered for all levels. For those particularly committed students among you, we also offer an intensive beginner’s German course in August, prior to the start of the MBA program. For further questions and German course registration, please send an e-mail to germancourse@hhl.de.
In vogue: Living and learning in Leipzig!
Leipzig is open, international and vibrant. Located at the crossroads of historic European trade routes, Leipzig prides itself on its 1,000-year tradition of commercial vitality and its reputation as a meeting place for science and the arts. Beyond its modern infrastructure, what makes Germany’s fastest growing city so popular and dynamic is its rapidly expanding economy, housing world-famous brands such as Porsche, BMW, DHL and Amazon. HHL, the first “Handelshochschule” in German-speaking Europe, was established back in 1898 and therefore laid the foundation for Leipzig’s profound management education early on.
Parks, cafés, bars, clubs and lakes invite you to enjoy a welcome break from your studies. Plus, Berlin, and all that it has to offer, is just one hour away. And the best of it all? Living expenses in Leipzig are affordable for students!
The Campus: In the heart of Leipzig!
The HHL campus is centrally located and, at the same time, surrounded by idyllic parks and rivers. You will experience an inspiring multicultural atmosphere and real campus flair. You also get to take advantage of the adjacent sports department of the University of Leipzig; as an HHL student, you are eligible to use all of their sports facilities and to sign up for sports courses offered by the Leipzig University. And to accommodate a flexible study schedule, we grant our students access to HHL’s premises 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can use the library, the study areas and meeting rooms, the lounge and the Student Club any time you want! Intrigued? Please contact us – we would be delighted to show you around our campus in person! We look forward to meeting you!
Affordable and student-friendly living
Leipzig offers students a very high quality of life for extremely affordable prices. In contrast to many other student cities in Germany, Leipzig still has affordable student accommodation. The approximate living costs per month including accommodation in Leipzig are around 700 Euro, while the average living costs in Germany are estimated at 735 Euro.
Why Leipzig? Why HHL?
Leipzig and HHL are very popular amongst our students, which is why we have been ranked Germany’s favourite business school for years now. Want to know why and hear about the experiences our students from around the world have had here in Leipzig? See for yourself!
I chose HHL mostly because of the international diversity of the class and the flexibility of the MBA program. I believe HHL provides students with an ideal mix of theory, practice and networking. I am very delighted by how smooth the processes run and by how supportive the university is to the international students.
HHL provides a cultural diverse working environment. Furthermore, the different professional backgrounds of the students ensure different problem solving approaches. Methods learned in theory during class will be applied during the group assignments. Due to the cultural diversity of the classes, these case studies will get you directly in touch with different working styles. In short: Studying at HHL means challenging yourself on many levels!
For a person who wants to do an MBA program in Germany, at a prestige international business school, in a highly diversified class and in a thriving but charming city such as Leipzig, HHL is the perfect choice. After finishing studies I’ve successfully shifted my career to the business consulting field, where I am still active.
International, open, diverse!
Our MBA program is made up of students from about 20 countries, with backgrounds ranging from engineering and medicine to music. They bring with them experiences from a diversity of cultures, languages, sectors and companies. This international and diverse setting perfectly prepares our students for their careers in international and intercultural teams and companies. Small classes and interactive group projects strengthen your intercultural competencies and reinforce the team spirit. Our students, therefore, establish a strong network of friendships and valuable global contacts, which unlocks many a door in their management careers.
Current MBA students come from across the globe, see for yourself:
Class Profile
- Class size: 50-60 students per class
- International students: 90%
- Average number of countries represented: 20
- Female students: 40%
- Average age: 30
- Age range: 25-40
- Average work experience: 6.5 years
This program offers a higher ROI compared to others, as well as a broad business network in the industry I am aspiring to join after graduation. At the selection phase, it was also important for me that the program offers a wide diversity of participants’ geographical and industry backgrounds. Now, after I have joined the program, HHL means to me new opportunities, such as to start my own project and participate in student initiatives.
The first year at HHL was such a fruitful journey: full of fun, full of challenge and full of memory. As most of the classmates, I was looking for a new start of career through this MBA study and I am positive that I made the right choice by becoming an HHLler. The elite professors, highly international environment and closely bonded alumni network have all became accelerators through my way pursuing a higher goal. In HHL community, everyone is willing to help and to share, which makes it unique and powerful.
Doing my MBA at HHL has been one of the best choices in my life, not just because it is one of the most prestigious programs in Europe and has an excellent and well-structured program highly focused on entrepreneurship, but also because of the multiple opportunities they provide to expand our network either through its networking events, student initiatives or just thanks to the diversity of cultures and backgrounds of your classmates. Moreover, you will find in Leipzig a city that has everything you need, with a very vibrant and diverse ambient.
The world is your oyster at HHL!
International competencies are essential for successful managers, consultants, entrepreneurs and executives in an increasingly globalized world. This is why HHL prioritizes maintaining global partnerships. Whether it’s New York, Paris, Moscow, Stockholm, Singapore, Hong Kong or Sydney; a term abroad at one of our 135 global partner universities will give you an exciting change of perspective. The HHL team will guide you before, during and after your term abroad. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore new countries and new cultures and to expand your own international network.
One more option for you: An additional degree from one of HHL’s partner universities! Aside from your term abroad, you have the option of receiving an additional degree from one of our global network of partner universities. Don’t worry, there’s no need to decide on your international options just yet! You can take your time until the end of the first term at HHL to choose if you wish to go abroad for a term or for an additional degree. And of course, your HHL team is here to support you!
The initiative also pays off!
Conferences, workshops, sporting events and social engagement – HHL students have a range of student initiatives to supplement their studies with. This strengthens the HHL spirit, creates room for new ideas and inspiration, and provides access to valuable contacts. Want to join?
We are here for you!
At HHL you are never just a number. We support every single student personally and individually. For many of our students, pursuing an MBA in Germany is a huge step that requires moving far from their homes and families and starting a brand-new chapter of their lives. Thanks to our long-standing experience and close collaboration with numerous local agencies, we make sure that your arrival in Germany and at HHL go as smoothly as possible.
HHL: The Startup Mill
With Trivago, About You, Delivery Hero and Auto1Group as examples, HHL is THE breeding ground for startups amongst business schools, setting an example for all of Europe. Four of Germany’s Unicorns (startups valued at over 1 billion US dollars) were founded by HHL alumni. The Founder’s Association for German Science Start-up Radar ranked HHL as number one for entrepreneurship in Germany. More than 280 startups were established by HHL alumni, generating more than 100,000 jobs. This is no coincidence, given HHL’s core focus on leadership and entrepreneurship in times of digital transformation.
Full support for founders and entrepreneurs!
Our success inspires us to support and expand all things startup. We actively encourage our students to develop their ideas even during their studies. The “HHL SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator” offers a modern co-working space in the middle of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei, Leipzig’s creative heart. It provides aspiring entrepreneurs with resources, partners and support to develop their ideas. Successful entrepreneurs, potential investors, highly engaged coaches and experienced mentors supplement the know-how provided during the program by advising, supporting and establishing the right contacts for your startup dream to take off.
The student initiative Accelerate@HHL regularly organizes company visits at startups, while HHL hosts the annual International Investors Day. Even within the study program students have the opportunity to experience the startup scene in real life, for instance through the Entrepreneur in Residence internship option. You bring the idea, we help you find the tools and contacts to turn it into reality.
Through connections that were established due to HHL’s strong Entrepreneurship program and the alumni network, I am now working at trivago GmbH, a leading international travel platform.
Apply now to fast-track your management career!
A diverse student body that brings a broad palette of cultures, nationalities, personal interests and professional backgrounds to the HHL community is very important to us. We, therefore, adhere to a careful and personal selection process. We do not just take into account the hard facts like grades, work experience and GMAT, but also your personality, your motivation and your aspirations.
Is HHL right for you? Are you right for us? Let’s find out together! We look forward to receiving your application. Within two weeks of receiving your completed application, we will inform you if you have been selected for an interview with one of our professors. Following this Skype or in-person interview, the admissions committee will inform you of their decision as soon as possible.
Our advice: the HHL MBA program is very competitive and fills up quickly. The sooner you apply, the higher your chances of admission, and the faster you can start planning your next steps!
Want to be part of the next MBA class?
Admission Criteria
Application Deadlines
The deadline for applications from non-EU countries has passed. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible if you want to apply for the program starting this Fall.
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Your MBA at HHL: Education that pays off!
Investing in your MBA degree at HHL will pay off quickly. The latest QS ranking shows that our MBA graduates enjoy an exceptionally high return on investment, allowing them to pay off their studies within just three years! Why? Our students quickly settle into managerial positions at prominent companies and enjoy an average salary increase of 60 percent. An MBA degree from HHL therefore is not only a fantastic career booster, but also pays off in no time!
The best part? We support the financing of your studies. We offer a range of financing options, as well as a number of scholarship programs for exceptionally driven candidates. How to receive a scholarship? Convince us not only of your outstanding academic and professional records but also of your personality and your ambition.
About our tuition fees
The tuition fees for the MBA program amount to EUR 35,000 for the Fast Track and EUR 38,000 for the Advanced Track. If you apply before January 31, you are eligible for a EUR 3,000 early-bird tuition fee reduction. This fee covers all tuition and examination costs and includes the tuition fees for the term abroad at one of our partner universities.
Thanks to HHL’s Women in Business Scholarship, I had more flexibility with my studying and living budget. That took some weight off my shoulders and allowed me to focus on learning everything. Furthermore, this scholarship is a step towards equality between men and women. This scholarship is both inspiration and peace of mind for women like myself to be just as ambitious and determined as the men learning alongside me in HHL’s MBA program.
Pay your tuition fees in instalments!
Of course, the tuition fees at HHL do not have to be paid in one lump sum. After having been admitted to HHL, you are required to make a down payment of EUR 2,000. The remaining fees will be paid as follows:
1. Payment of EUR 2,000: 3 weeks after admission (down payment)
2. Payment of EUR 11,000: October 1 of the first study year.
3. Payment of EUR 10,000: March 1 of the second study year.
4. Payment of EUR 12,000 (Fast Track) or EUR 15,000 (Advanced Track): September 1 of the second study year.
Have more questions? Get in touch with the HHL community!
Ask our alumni
Rapid entry into the German and international job markets, top positions at leading companies and a sizeable salary upgrade; our MBA program is an engine that will help you unleash your potential and launch your career to new levels. But don’t take our word for it! Ask our alumni about their individual experiences of their careers taking off after completing their MBA studies.
I am working as a Business Analysis Expert with IDT Biologika GmbH, a biotechnology company located at Sachsen-Anhalt. My responsibilities among others include valuation, such as M&A, licensing, business expansion, outsourcing etc., annual budgets and management reporting. Increasing the efficiency of internal processes related to finance & accounts is also an important part of my work. In whole, the work is challenging, at the same time satisfying, both in terms of technical requirement and also in terms of building and maintaining interpersonal relationship and communication.
After I finished my MBA I have spent time working as an internal consultant for renowned digital firms in the Fintech and Online Retailing sector where I´m still currently active. The learnings and insights I took from HHL have also allowed me to further develop my own entrepreneurial initiatives in the digital world.
I am sales manager for China market at Deutsche Hospitality.
With finishing the MBA program, I decided to adjust my career path a bit and moved into consulting. I am currently working for AlixPartners, a global leader for turnaround, restructuring and transformational projects, focusing my work on operations improvement.
I am working as a Lead Consultant in Financial services industry in the area of digitalization. I help my clients bridge the gap between business and technology.
After my MBA at HHL, I moved to Frankfurt and started working in the banking sector. Due to the quality and good reputation of the MBA program at HHL, I was able to interview with various companies. First, I did an MBA internship at Commerzbank in the area of merger & acquisitions for the Commerzbank Group. Afterwards, I moved to a German asset management company and after four years I switched to my current job as consultant advising large banks on a myriad of topics related to financial services.
Ask our students
Do you have any questions specifically related to the student experience at HHL? Our students are also happy to tell you about life in Leipzig and at HHL. Get in touch with us and we will connect you with one of our current MBA students.
Ask the HHL team
Do you want to get to know the HHL team, our campus and the city of Leipzig better? Are you curious about experiencing HHL for yourself? You are welcome to visit us on campus. Don’t miss the opportunity to talk to our students, experience our professors in a lecture, or have your first contact with our Career Development team. You live abroad and can’t make the visit to Leipzig? Then schedule an individual Skype or phone consultation. Please feel free to contact us at any time, we look forward to hearing from you!
