Free MBA in Germany for International Students

Did you know that you can pursue a free MBA in Germany? You would be pleased to know that most publicly funded German universities do not charge any tuition fee. However, you need to pay an administration fee at the beginning of every academic year.

With its strong focus on technology, research, and innovation, Germany is a great study abroad destination for international students to pursue an MBA. If you are seeking an affordable yet high-quality MBA program, read through this article to find out how you can pursue a free MBA in Germany.

Table of Contents

• Top Public Universities in Germany for MBA
• Eligibility Criteria for Studying MBA in Germany
• How to Apply for an MBA in Germany?
• Why Study MBA in Germany?
• Best MBA Colleges in Germany without Work Experience
• MBA in Germany Fees for Indian Students
• Cost of Living in Germany
• Scholarships for MBA in Germany
• What after MBA?

Top Public Universities in Germany for MBA

We know that German public universities do not charge a tuition fee, but students should be clear that they are entitled to charge other fees like application fee, registration fee, semester fee, student pass, etc. In Germany, the duration of a semester is around 5-6 months. The semester fee can be calculated based on the length of the course. Given below are some of the best tuition free universities in Germany for MBA, along with the details of semester fees charged by each of these universities:

Technical University of Munich

The Technical University of Munich is one of the best universities in Germany and ranks 53rd globally. It enrolls approximately 5000 international students each year. Throughout the years, it has been regarded as one of the top German universities due to its high educational standards. Additionally, the Technical University of Munich belongs to the highly respected TU9 group of German research institutes. Alumni of this university have repeatedly been recognized for their achievements in their fields.

Read More: Technical University Munich

University of Cologne

Among the free MBA universities in Germany, the University of Cologne is a popular choice among international students. It is one of the most renowned institutions in the country. In recent years, it has been recognized as one of the largest universities in Germany, with over 50,000 students. In 2020, the University of Cologne was ranked 157th in the world, according to Times Higher Education. Therefore, if you are looking to pursue a free MBA in Germany, the University of Cologne is a great option!

Read More: University of Cologne

University of Kiel

The University of Kiel is located in Schleswig-Holstein and is one of the oldest institutions in the country. It has been a member of the German Universities Excellence Initiative since 2006. According to the CWUR World University Rankings, the university ranked 233 globally and 19 nationally. There is an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio at the University of Kiel, and it emphasizes research-driven teaching and learning.

Read More: University of Kiel

Ludwig Maximilian University Munich

LMU Munich is another top German university to pursue free MBA in Germany. With a history dating back to 1472, LMU is Germany's second-highest-ranked university. In addition, LMU is consistently ranked among the world's top 100 universities. There are over 40 Nobel laureates on the alumni list of Ludwig Maximillian University Munich. Moroever, it is also one of the largest universities in terms of the student body and offers free education to over 50,000 students.

RWTH Aachen University

One of Germany's most prestigious technical universities, RWTH University, enrolls over 40,000 students. Over 140 courses are offered at the university. Even though it is primarily a technology-oriented university, it also offers a variety of arts, business, medicine, and humanities courses. Since 2011, students are studying at this university for free since tuition fees were abolished.

Eligibility Criteria for Studying MBA in Germany

Germany allows students to pursue an MBA without any prior work experience. While each university has its own eligibility criteria, the general criteria for studying an MBA in Germany are as follows:

• A UG degree equivalent to a German Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline ( A 4-year degree/ A 3-year degree plus 1-year master’s degree). There are few German universities that accept a 3-year bachelor's degree to study MBA.
• A valid GMAT/GRE/IELTS/TOEFL score. In Germany, applying for an MBA without GMAT is possible since most universities only consider a valid TOEFL score.
• You should have a basic understanding of the German language. The majority of German universities offer MBA programs in English; however a few demand German language proficiency to be eligible for admission.
• A good academic record with at least 60% marks
• Some universities might require candidates to take an entrance exam in order to be considered for admission.

How to Apply for an MBA in Germany?

To apply for an MBA in Germany, you need to select the institute that you wish to apply for. After selecting your school, determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements. German MBA programs usually require the following documents to be submitted as part of the application process:

• GMAT/ Other test scores
• English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS)
• Mark-sheets/ Scorecard of bachelor’s degree
• Copy of valid passport
• Letter of Recommendation (at least two)
• Statement of Purpose/Letter of Motivation/Essay
• Updated CV/Resume

Why Study MBA in Germany?

Germany offers a wide array of MBA programs and excellent career opportunities. In Germany, MBA courses and curriculum are constantly reviewed, revised, and updated to meet the changing demands of the job market. To enhance the students' decision-making skills, the programs combine practical sessions with industrial exposure. Additionally, it is possible for students to select from a large pool of universities that offer affordable MBA courses with no prior work experience or GMAT scores. Students are also allowed to work part-time during their program and benefit from a number of scholarships.

In Germany, MBA degrees are available in various modes. Students can choose to go for a full-time MBA program which takes about 12 to 24 months to complete. Another option is a half-time study program. For candidates pursuing MBA in Germany, it is possible to get an MBA degree via different modes. Students can opt for the MBA full-time study program, which would take between 12 to 24 months to complete. They can also choose a part-time study program, where they would work for an organization and study in the evenings or during weekends.

Students who wish to continue working during their MBA program can also take up an Executive MBA program. Under this program, there is an agreement between students and employers. Employers provide financial assistance to students as they pursue their degrees. and are also financed by them. Lastly, students have the option of pursuing their MBA remotely via distance learning, which allows them to study from home.

Best MBA Colleges in Germany without Work Experience

Prior experience is an advantage for pursuing an MBA in Germany, as discussed in the eligibility section. Nevertheless, there are few MBA colleges in Germany that will accept students with no previous work experience. The following are the top five universities in Germany that offer an MBA to international students that do not have professional work experience:

• Technical University of Munich
• Ludwig Maximilian University Munich
• University of Kiel
• University of Tubingen
• University of Ulm

MBA in Germany Fees for Indian Students

German MBAs are cheaper than those in other countries. It is extremely affordable for Indian students to study MBA in Germany due to the gracious education system and the opportunity to work while studying. Students can also apply for scholarships in the country that provide funding to study MBA, which will further reduce their costs. 

In Germany, private universities charge specific tuition fees for MBA courses. This fee generally ranges between INR 1,21,000- INR 28,30,000 and can vary from university to university. There is no tuition fee for students attending public universities, so they only need to pay a semester fee of approximately 250 to 500 Euros every semester.

Cost of Living in Germany

Students from India can expect to pay around 10,200-12,000 EUR per year for living expenses in Germany. Living expenses will also vary depending on the university's location. Cities like Berlin and Munich, for instance, are slightly more expensive than other parts of Germany. The table below provides a breakdown of different living expenses in Germany:

Scholarships for MBA in Germany

International students can also benefit from the various scholarship programs listed on the official website of universities or at www.daad.de. The following table outlines the top scholarships for studying free MBA in Germany, along with the amount offered by each of them:

What after MBA?

Following the successful completion of an MBA, students can apply for an 18-month Residence Permit to look for a job related to their specialization. However, students should know that the possibility of obtaining a residence permit to work in Germany completely depends on their qualifications and the field of work.

In addition, Germany has introduced EU Blue Cards that will be issued to citizens of non-EU- countries as proof of their legal stay and employment in the country. EU Blue Cards are only available to candidates who hold a college or university degree and have proof of a signed contract with a German organization that pays a certain fixed salary.