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Master's programme

MSc in Business Administration University of Hamburg

Duration
4 semesters
Language of instruction
English
Tuition fees
No tuition fees
Next application deadline
31 March 2027 (winter semester)
Language level required
English: C1
German: None

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First impressions

Our voices

Pursuing my Master’s in Business Administration at the Universität Hamburg has greatly contributed to my academic and personal development. By specialising in Marketing and Management, I gained practical insights and refined my focus. Throughout my studies, I benefited from strong support, especially from the Academic Office and the Career Centre.

Eliko Tkabladze
© UHH/Longe

Eliko Tkabladze

MSc in Business Administration Student

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Programme overview

Quick facts

Degree
MSc
Duration
4 semesters
Full-time / part-time
Full-time
Intake
Winter semester
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No

Language of instruction

English

Students complete two specialisations.

English track: Students choose from:

  • Business Analytics
  • Finance, Banking and Insurance
  • Marketing
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management

General track (German): Students choose from the above and/or:

  • Auditing and Taxation
  • Health Care Management
  • Management

Programme description

The MSc in Business Administration is one of the most highly regarded programmes for business administration in Germany. It is a general rather than a niche programme for a simple yet powerful reason – managers need to understand all aspects of business.

The programme provides students with the theoretical foundations, understanding and modern management skills needed to become business, academic and public-sector leaders in a data-driven world. Its focus is on quantitative and empirical research-based education.

The programme offers a great deal of flexibility, allowing students to develop a strong, broad foundation while also following their own interests. Students develop a unique profile through their choice of methodology courses, specialisations, elective courses, and thesis. During their studies, most students further strengthen this profile by working in business or completing internships.

Graduates are in high demand. In business, they find work quickly, earn above average starting salaries, and enjoy positions with a high level of responsibility. Others choose to further their academic career and go on to a doctoral degree.

Programme structure

Specialisations

This is a broad Master's programme. Regardless of track, students complete two specialisations.

English track (in English): Students choose from the following specialisations:

  • Business Analytics
  • Finance, Banking and Insurance
  • Marketing
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management

General track (in German): Students choose from the specialisations above, plus the following:

  • Auditing and Taxation
  • Health Care Management
  • Management

Structure

The programme offers a great deal of flexibility, allowing students to pursue their interests and to develop their own, unique profile. The regular study period is four semesters. To be awarded the degree, students must successfully complete a total of 120 ECTS credits:

  • methods (18 ECTS credits)
  • two specialisations (24 ECTS credits in each)
  • elective courses (24 ECTS credits) and
  • a thesis (30 ECTS credits)

Students complete the methods, specialisations, and elective courses within the regular period of study (four semesters).

Double-degree programme with Kyoto University

Once enrolled in Business Administration, students can apply for the double degree programme with the Kyoto University.

Upon successful completion of the six-semester double degree programme, students are awarded an MSc in Business Administration from Universität Hamburg and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Kyoto University.

Double-degree programme with the Universidad Austral, Argentina

Over the course of four or five semesters, students can earn a Master of Science (MSc) from the Universität Hamburg and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the IAE Business School at the Universidad Austral in Buenos Aires.

Double degree programme with the Audencia Business School, France

Over the course of five semesters, students can earn a Master of Science (MSc) from the Universität Hamburg and a Master in Management (Grande École) from Audencia in Nantes.

The IAE Business School at the Universidad Austral and the Audencia Business School have been awarded “Triple Crown” accreditation (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA) and are renowned for academic excellence and their global network.

Mode of study

  • Fully on-site

International elements in the curriculum

The curriculum of this study programme includes international elements that support global perspectives and cross-cultural learning:

  • International guest lecturers
  • Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)

    Students can complete one or two semesters abroad at partners in Europe and beyond.

  • Specialist literature in other languages
  • International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
  • Content-related regional focus

International content, themes and perspectives are common in the courses.

Students choose their own Master's thesis topics (with support from their supervisor). Topics are often international.

Students can participate in international short courses (e.g. summer schools) in Hamburg and abroad.

Integrated internships

Internships or work are not part of the programme. Nevertheless, most students do paid internships and/or work at (international) firms in professional "working student" roles in Hamburg during their Master's. The school provides information about finding student jobs and internships, and offers a mentoring programme with mentors from the business world.

Application and admission

Application period(s)

Winter semester

Applicants from Applications begin Application deadline
All countries
15 February 2027
31 March 2027
Information on application periods

Academic admissions requirements

1. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a state-recognised university or university of applied sciences in:

  • business administration
  • economics
  • business mathematics
  • business informatics
  • industrial engineering & management
  • or a related field

Applicants who completed an interdisciplinary Bachelor's programme must have completed at least 90 ECTS credits in business administration subjects.

2. Applicants must have completed a total of at least 24 ECTS credits in mathematics, statistics, and/or micro-economics.

3. Applicants must prove proficiency either in English or German.

Further details are listed on the programme website.

Language requirements

Please check all requirements directly with the respective higher education institution. Exceptions may apply. See our website for further details.

German language requirements

German: None

English language requirements

English: C1

Accepted certificates include
Certificates Minimum result
UNIcert® English
Total: UNIcert® III
IELTS Academic
Total: 7 / 9
Cambridge English Qualifications
Total: C1 Advanced

How to apply?

Website

Please check this website.

Click here

Costs and funding

Tuition fees per semester

No tuition fees

Semester contribution

There is a semester fee of around 390 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area and throughout Germany (the "Deutschland-Ticket").

Cost of living

Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:

  • housing: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
  • living expenses: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month

Part-time employment

Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.

Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.

Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for more information.

There are several job opportunities at Universität Hamburg. Many are offered exclusively to students. Check out departmental bulletin boards, websites, Stellenwerk, or ask directly in your department.

Scholarships and financing information

International full-time students may apply for merit scholarships or exam grants granted by Universität Hamburg. For more information, please use the provided link. We also recommend contacting our colleagues in the Department of International Affairs for further guidance.

Living & services

Support for international students

  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme

The school and the university provide an extensive range of services for all students.

The school's Academic Office helps students with all course-related administration.

The school's International Office offers exchanges with partner universities, as does the university's International Office. Students can also organise their own semester(s) abroad (directly or through an agency).

The university offers language courses, study and writing support, counselling, and an office to support students with disabilities, amongst others.

Support for specific needs

Career advisory services

The Business School offers a mentoring programme for Master's students. Mentors typically come from the world of practice.

The school offers career information on its website and its own job board. Professors hold events with companies interested in recruiting students and graduates.

The university also offers support (see "Possibility of finding part-time employment" above).

Accommodation

Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.

Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.

For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.

About us

Students on campus© UHH/MCC-RRZ/Mentz

University of Hamburg

Universität Hamburg is the largest institution for research and education in northern Germany. As one of the country’s largest universities, we offer a diverse range of degree programmes and excellent research opportunities. The university boasts numerous interdisciplinary projects in a broad range of fields and an extensive partner network of leading regional, national, and international higher education and research institutions. Universität Hamburg is committed to sustainability.

All our faculties have taken great strides towards sustainability in both research and teaching.

Excellent research

As part of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments, Universität Hamburg has been granted clusters of excellence for four core research areas: Advanced Imaging of Matter (photon and nanosciences), Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) (climate research), Understanding Written Artefacts (manuscript research) and Quantum Universe (mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology).

An equally important core research area is Infection Research, in which researchers investigate the structure, dynamics, and mechanisms of infection processes to promote the development of new treatment methods and therapies.

Excellent University

Furthermore, alongside ten universities and one university alliance, Universität Hamburg was named a University of Excellence and was deemed a "flagship university."

Outstanding variety: 180 degree programmes

Universität Hamburg offers more than 180 degree programmes within its eight faculties:

Universität Hamburg is also home to several museums and collections, such as the Herbarium Hamburgense, the Geological-Paleontological Museum, the Loki Schmidt Garden, and the Hamburg Observatory.

History

Universität Hamburg was founded in 1919 by local citizens. Important founding figures include Senator Werner von Melle and the merchant Edmund Siemers. Nobel Prize winners such as the physicists Otto Stern, Wolfgang Pauli, and Isidor Rabi taught and researched at the university. Many other distinguished scholars also worked here, such as Ernst Cassirer, Erwin Panofsky, Aby Warburg, William Stern, Agathe Lasch, Magdalene Schoch, Emil Artin, Ralf Dahrendorf, and Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker.

Location

With 1.8 million citizens, Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany and is also one of Germany's 16 federal states. Due to its location on the Elbe River linked to the North Sea, it has had a long tradition as the cultural and commercial centre of northern Germany. Commercially, the Free and Hanseatic City is known as the media capital of Germany. It is a leader in the shipping and transportation industries. Culturally, the city is home to, among other things, the leading ballet company in Germany, an opera house, numerous musicals, and annual film festivals. As far as action and fun are concerned, Hamburg is the place to be. The Reeperbahn, known not only to sailors worldwide as the "Mile of Sin", has numerous bars, cafés, and clubs as well as many other interesting sites not to be seen elsewhere. The "Kiez", as the natives call it, even gave the Beatles their start in the early 1960s. Fortunately, Hamburg's many parks and green areas provide the opportunity to relax and recover from the city's active side. Moreover, the city's innumerable canals invite you to spend some time sailing, rowing or kayaking. For more information on the city, please see: https://www.hamburg-travel.com/.

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Contact

Main contact

Business School

Address
Moorweidenstraße 18, 20148 Hamburg
Email
E-mail

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Always know what comes next

Study Guide gives you a personal to-do list tailored to your background, qualifications and interests, so you always know what to do next.