MBA in Germany Admissions: Deadlines- Round 1, 2, 3, Interviews, Decisions, Requirements

Offering budget education to those looking forward to studying in Europe, Germany is a top choice for overseas students. Owing to its high-class education alongside its technology courses, MBA in Germany has also made a strong grounding among the international population wishing to pursue higher education in the country.

For Admission to MBA programs in Germany, overseas students must have an average score of B+ in their undergrads, GMAT score of 600 and a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent. Unlike the US and Canada, you need not have a four year bachelor’s degree to pursue MBA in Germany.

MBA in Germany Admissions Timeline

Applying for an MBA in Germany is quite a time-consuming process and students must prepare carefully for the same. The preparations for admission to the MBA program should ideally begin around 1.5 years to 2 years before the scheduled admission year. This will give candidates ample time to gather all the essential documents, take all the necessary standardised exams and spruce up their scores if necessary. A short sketch of MBA Admissions Timeline have been given below:

MBA in Germany Admission Deadlines

MBA programs in Germany generally commence during the Fall semester and business Schools start inviting applications for admission six to eight months prior to the program start date. Admissions are offered in several stages known as Early Bird Rounds. Some business schools also offer a deduction between 2,000 to 6,000 Euros on tuition fees to candidates who apply by the first or second early bird deadline. The Round 1 deadlines for some of the top business schools have been mentioned here:

MBA in Germany Admission Round 2 and 3

Round 2 and 3 Admission deadlines for MBA programs at some business schools in Germany are as follows

MBA in Germany Admission Round 4

Round Four admission deadlines for MBA programs in Germany are as follows

*The college offers up to 11 rounds of admission with the 5th round taking place on February 4, 2021 - 11 February 2021 and the 11th round on July 5, 2021 - July 15, 2021.

MBA in Germany Admission: Entrance Exams

Standardised test scores like GMAT or GRE is a necessary prerequisite for admission to MBA programs in Germany. 600 is the average GMAT score asked by business schools in Germany. The result of GMAT or GRE should be delivered directly to the concerned business school by the institution where the candidates sat for their test.

Candidates should try to maintain a GMAT score of 650 and above or equivalent GRE scores as admission to MBA programs in Germany can be quite competitive. Some Business schools also offer financial grants to candidates who have secured excellent GMAT scores to acknowledge their performance. The financial grant is usually offered in the form of a reduction in tuition fees.

MBA in Germany Admissions: Entrance Exam Schedule

There are no specific dates for GMAT as the exam is conducted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Candidates who have opted for GMAT online test can schedule an exam appointment 24 hours before an available testing slot.

However, candidates appearing for GMAT at any official test centre must book an exam appointment in advance as they provide only a few specific dates in a month. Applicants can follow the steps below to schedule their GMAT Exam slot -

Check GMAT Exam Dates, here!

1. Step 1: Candidates planning to appear for the GMAT Online test should create an account on MBA.com.
2. Step 2: Select the ‘Register for GMAT Online Exam’ button, click on GMAT online exam, select your preferred appointment date and time to finalise the registration process.
3. Step 3: Applicants can also call the GMAT Customer service in their region to locate test centres near them and book an exam slot.
4. Step 4: Pay the GMAT exam fees through credit card, debit card, cashier’s cheques, money orders and personal cheques

Students can also check out: GMAT Syllabus

MBA in Germany Admissions Eligibility Requirements

Aspiring candidates planning to study MBA in Germany must meet a few eligibility requirements before applying for admission. These requirements are standard for all international applicants. They have been listed below -

• Minimum B+ average or 75% or above in an internationally recognised Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
• Competitive GMAT/GRE Scores
• Fluency in English
• Minimum two to three years of professional work experience
• Leadership potential
• Knowing German is not required but is strongly recommended

Supporting documents for MBA Admission in Germany

Besides meeting the above criteria, candidates also need to submit the following documents while applying for admission -

• Educational Certificates/Grade Reports
• Academic Transcripts
• English Proficiency test results
  • A minimum score of 95 in TOEFL
  • Minimum of 7.0 in IELTS or equivalent
• Resume
• Letters of Recommendation
• Bank statements/financial documents
• Statement of Purpose/Motivation letter
• Passport as proof of ID
• Photograph

Candidates should also note whether the University they are applying to has a separate format for letters of recommendation. If there are no specified formats. Recommenders can write a general letter of reference. In that case, they can check out letters of recommendation format and samples.

MBA in Germany Admission Process

The MBA Admission Process followed by each university in Germany is different. Hence prospective candidates should visit the official website of the university concerned to know in detail about the admission process. However, there are a few common steps that all applicants need to complete. These have been mentioned below:

1. Step 1: Check if there are any specific admission criteria for international students mentioned by the University and make sure to meet all the requirements.
2. Step 2: Fill in the online application form with all the necessary information.
3. Step 3: Verify the information entered and submit the form along with all the required supporting documents, academic transcripts, grade certificates etc.
4. Step 4: Admissions Committee will invite a candidate for a first selection interview based on their application form and other documents. The interview is usually conducted in person but can also be conducted through telephone or skype for candidates who will be unable to attend physically.
5. Step 5: While most Universities in Germany conduct only one interview before making a decision regarding admission, some universities like Mannheim Business School conduct a second and final round of interviews before finalising a candidate. Candidates may also be given a case study work at home before the second round of interviews.

MBA in Germany Admission: Interviews

The interview round is the final and the most important stage in the MBA admission process in Germany wherein the interviewee tries to gain an understanding of who the candidate is as a person. Hence, candidates should be well-prepared for this round.

Generally, the interview is held in person, however, owing to the pandemic business schools are conducting this round over skype or telephone.

The common questions that are asked during the interview round are as follows -

• Reasons behind opting for MBA
• Reasons for opting for an MBA program at a particular university
• Career goals and aspirations
• Previous work experience
• Candidate’s strength and weaknesses
• According to the candidate, what role will they play in a group setting in a particular University?
• What will the candidate contribute to the program

Candidates should go through their academic records, resume, and motivation letter carefully before appearing for the interview to ensure that there are no inconsistencies in their statements.

Check: Sample SOP for MBA in Germany

MBA in Germany Admission Decision

After the interview round, Business Schools generally take up to two weeks to evaluate and then make an admission decision. While evaluating, the school takes into consideration all aspects of a candidate’s application. Academic performance, standardised test scores and English language proficiency still remain important factors based on which admission decisions are made. However, more focus is also being given on work experience, motivation letter, letter of recommendation as well as candidate’s performance in the interview.

Some of the chief qualities that the Admissions Committee look for in applicants based on which selections are made are as follows -

• Willingness to learn
• Excellent analytical skills - qualitative and quantitative
• Leadership qualities
• International outlook
• Responsible approach to business
• Teamwork skills in highly stressful situations

MBA in Germany Admission: Tips and Tricks

Good Academic Records and confidence is the key to cracking any MBA admission process. However, there are a few tips and tricks that candidates can follow to better their chances of getting into the Business school of their choice. These have been mentioned below -

• First and foremost, get done with the GMAT or GRE as well as English Proficiency tests. Do not wait till the last minute to appear for these examinations.
• Make sure to follow the word limit for the motivation letter as specified by the University.
• The motivation letter should also be crisp and relevant.
• Dress smartly for the interview round even if it is being conducted online.
• Be honest about your achievements and work experiences in your resume
• Ensure that you have a sound internet connection and that you will not be interrupted during the course of the interview
• Pay attention to every small detail in your MBA application. This includes punctuation, grammar and spelling and any small errors.
• Do not miss any questions on the application form, essay or motivation letter.

Finally, just focus on putting together a strong, well-rounded MBA application that highlights who you are as a person.