Master of Science in Business Administration Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

The Master of Science in Business Administration programme aims to provide students with the necessary business management knowledge and skills to work successfully in an international and constantly changing economic environment. 

The faculty places great value on ensuring that the offered programmes can be completed within the standard period of study and regularly evaluates the courses.

We strongly believe that the following skills are essential to this:

• General knowledge: If you are interested in pursuing a Master's degree, you are faced with the decision to either specialise in one area or cover a broad range of topics. Business requirements are subject to constant development. For that reason, we believe that being overly specialised in an ever-changing environment is not advisable. That is why we offer a general Master's programme in business administration similar to those offered at the majority of internationally renowned universities.

• Special knowledge: That said, in-depth knowledge is indispensable. With that in mind, you can specialise in the subject areas offered as part of your degree programme.

• Research skills: In recent years, business administration has evolved into a discipline driven by analytics and empirical research. As a result, for students ready to shape the future of business and research, a firm grounding in quantitative methods is an indispensable asset. Only those who are able to understand and evaluate scientific results will be able to put them to profitable use. That's why the research-focused teaching approach does not only correspond to the Humboldtian ideal. It is also an essential tool for your future success in an often radically changing environment.

• Internationality: Humboldt is an international ideal, business is an international affair, and Berlin is an international metropolis. We have a large number of international students. Humboldt-Universität maintains relationships with partner universities the world over, while both promoting and eagerly anticipating international student exchanges. All courses are offered in English.

• Social skills: Professional skills will only lead to success if they go hand in hand with social skills. Social behaviour cannot be learned from books; it is something that is practised in daily interaction. That's why we teach students using seminars and smaller groups.

• Self-initiative: Freedom of research and teaching also means freedom for students to choose their fields of study. In this respect, our Master's degree programme offers students a great deal of flexibility. However, this freedom requires a proactive approach. 

Core module (20 CP): Master's thesis 

Catalogue of specialised elective courses (total 90 CP): From the catalogue of specialised elective courses, 70 CP of the highest-graded modules are included in the overall grade.

Catalogue of specialised electives A, General Management (18 CP): In this catalogue, we offer courses that cover central and current topics in business administration.

• Marketing Management (6 CP)
• Financial Accounting and Analysis (6 CP)
• Principles of Taxation (6 CP)
• Finance Theory (6 CP)
• Organisation and Management (6 CP)
• Business Analytics and Data Science (6 CP)
• Economics of Entrepreneurship (6 CP)

Catalogue of specialised electives B, Economics and Methodology (18 CP): This catalogue gives students the necessary "tools" for scientific work. The students will be able to understand current findings in modern business administration. In addition, they will be able to independently contribute to the scientific development of this discipline with their subsequent Master's thesis and in their subsequent professional activity. 

• Applied Econometrics (6 CP)
• Econometric Methods (12 CP)
• Multivariate Statistical Analysis (6 CP)
• Introduction to Advanced Microeconomic Analysis or Advanced Microeconomic Theory I (PhD) (6 CP)
• Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis or Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis I (PhD) (6 CP)
• Game Theory (6 CP)
• Competition Policy (6 CP)

Catalogue of specialised electives C, Business Administration (30 CP): Current research-related specialist knowledge is taught in the various fields of business administration (e.g. Accounting, Financial Economics, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Management, Information Systems).

Catalogue of specialised electives D, Business and Economics (24 CP): Furthermore, 24 CP are to be selected from the modules offered by the School of Business and Economics (Economics, Business Administration, Quantitative Methods). 

Catalogue of interdisciplinary electives (ÜWP – "Überfachlicher Wahlpflichtbereich" in German, 10 CP – ungraded): The catalogue of interdisciplinary electives has a workload of 10 CP.

You can find the ideal plan here (in German, suggestion, not mandatory): https://www.wiwi.hu-berlin.de/de/studium/studiengaenge-1/ma-betriebswirtschaftslehre/studienverlaufsplan-ma-bwl.pdf.

Internships are not compulsory, but they are encouraged. An internship can be recognised in the interdisciplinary elective area with up to 10 ECTS.

Usually from 1 May to 31 May
For details, see: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/before-your-studies/apply/deadlines#c3635 (under “For Master of Arts/Science programmes with admission restrictions”)

Applicants must have a professional qualification from a university degree programme in Business Administration, Economics, or a related degree with at least 100 ECTS credits in economic subjects and in economically relevant areas of law (excluding methodological subject areas and the Bachelor's thesis).

If the degree is still outstanding at the time of application, proof must be provided that no more than 30 ECTS credits are yet to be acquired.

At least 24 ECTS credits must have been earned in the methodological fields in mathematics, statistics, econometrics, and microeconomics. Macroeconomics is not included in this field.

In addition to meeting the formal access and eligibility criteria, we also expect you to have an interest in economic subjects, enjoy scientific research, and possess strong quantitative and analytical skills. Additionally, it is important to have sufficient computer skills, possess the ability to organise yourself effectively, and demonstrate commitment to the programme.

https://www.wiwi.hu-berlin.de/en/study/bewerbung/standardseite

Official admission rules (in German): https://www.hu-berlin.de/fileadmin/Dokumentenpool/Studium/202504_WiSe2025-26_zzr/2.2.3.03.-2025-Betriebswirtschaftslehre.pdf

Approx. 355 EUR per semester

Composition of fees and contributions:

Semester contribution: 50 EUR
Student body fee: 12 EUR
Student union fee: 85 EUR
Germany semester ticket: 208.80 EUR
Solidarity contribution to the semester ticket: 0 EUR

Total amount: 355.80 EUR

Approx. 900 to 1,200 EUR
(Living costs mainly depend on personal requirements and habits.)

The Career Service sends e-mails listing current student jobs and internship opportunities to all students. The university offers various student assistant positions.

"Stellenticket" of the HU: https://hu-berlin.stellenticket.de/en/offers/

For financing options for students and doctoral candidates, see: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/before-your-studies/financing-your-studies.

Students are also eligible to apply for a "Deutschlandstipendium": https://deutschlandstipendium.hu-berlin.de/en/receive-funding.

Career Centre of HU: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/hu-en/career-centre-scientific-further-education/career-centre/career-centre

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is trying to assist as many students as possible in finding accommodation by allocating them to student dormitories in Berlin.
https://www.international.hu-berlin.de/en/coming-to-humboldt-universitat/services-informations/accommodation

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in student accommodation: exchange-students@hu-berlin.de.