SOP for MBA in Germany: Guidelines and Requirements for Top German Institutions

In Germany, most universities demand a 'Letter of Motivation' that serves the same purpose as a Statement of Purpose (SOP). As per one’s understanding, an SOP is an essay asked by universities as a part of the application package. In simple words, your statement of purpose is a university’s chance for you to convince them about your suitability for the applied program.

A Statement of Purpose or Letter of Motivation is not a mandatory requirement at all German universities. However, there are some universities which require applicants to write an SOP for programs like MBA, MS Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, etc. Talking about SOP for MBA in Germany specifically, applicants are expected to talk about their goals expertise, and abilities, and how they relate to the program and the institution rather than who the applicant is. It is said that in Germany, the Letter of Motivation is the third most significant document after the applicant's degrees and grades respectively.

What are the guidelines of SOP for MBA in Germany?

First of all, like any SOP for Germany, your MBA admission essay should be written in simple English and should be devoid of exaggerated vocabulary.

• Letter of Motivation and Essays are often required in place of SOPs in Germany for MBAs
• Although the Letter of Motivation does play a relevant role in the admission decision in Germany, most schools offering MBAs don't pay much regard to the Letter of Motivation as they do tests records and interviews
• Details and information scripted in the essay and Letter of Motivation are often discussed mainly in the interview process
• On the admission committee’s side, there is much focus on the applicant’s academic and professional achievements, research skills, and practical exposure.
• German universities’ MBA Letter of Motivation questions and requirements always have a more limited view than general SOPs. They are mostly centered on why the applicant is interested in the program and how the program will help the applicant to further his/her career goals. This is opposed to MBA SOPs in other countries where information on who the applicant is is mostly required.

Guidelines for Writing SOP for MBA at Top German Universities

In Germany, each university may demand a different structure, format, or ask different questions for MBA SOPs. Below are listed universities in Germany that offer MBA programs and their requirements

Mannheim Business School

Mannheim Business requires an MBA SOP that is contained within one page and must be approximately 500 words that talk about the applicant's professional and personal reasons for opting to participate in the Mannheim MBA program. These reasons could include:

• Current and future aspirations
• Course curriculum or reputation of the business school
• How the school's values align with the applicant's goals
• How the Mannheim Business School will benefit from the applicant’s enrolment and presence at the institution

Other than that, the Business School does not have any other already-made questions, therefore, applicants at the liberty and discretion of drafting a suitable SOP for their MBA applications.

ESMT Berlin

ESMT Berlin requires applicants to complete an essay where questions will be asked. These questions are usually about the applicant’s career goals and aspirations and are most likely to be discussed during the interview process.

More so, when applicants are drafting SOPs for the ESMT Berlin MBA program, there are some things applicants should bear in mind. These are things that the school looks out for in applicants and they include:

• Global leadership potential
• Good qualitative and quantitative analytical abilities
• Good team worker and able to work in stressful conditions
• Willingness to learn
• An international outlook, intercultural competence, and a responsible approach to business

HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management

HHL requires MBA SOPs to be one A4 page written in English. There is no word limit but it should all be contained in one A4 paper-sized document. Information required in the letter of motivation includes:

• Applicant’s personality and why it is perfect for the program
• Aspirations
• Motivations

Munich Business School, University of Applied Sciences

Munich Business School requires a Letter of Motivation that is one or two pages long. However, while there are no specified requirements or questions in the letter of motivation, there are some qualities that the school requires in applicants and they are:

• Management and leadership potential
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• High level of motivation and maturity
• Ability to prove that the MBA will be of value to the applicant’s career
• Ability to contribute and add value to the learning environment at Munich Business School

TUM School of Management, Technical University of Munich

For an application for the Executive MBA (EMBA) program at TUM School of Management, it is required that the Letter of Motivation be in English and also two to three pages long (for the EMBA Business and IT and General Management tracks). There are three tracks in the Executive MBA program and each of them has slight differences in their Letter of Motivation requirements and questions.

• What is the motivation behind your application to this program?
• Why do you think you are a perfect fit for this program?
• What do you aim to achieve at the end of the program>
• How will your fellow students benefit from the presence in the school if admitted?
• What qualifications, extra-curricular activities, achievements, knowledge, and project experiences do you possess?
• How you plan on being an entrepreneurial leader in your locality, organization, country, or society?
• What are your future and business goals and aspirations?

Essay

• What entrepreneurial job have you done in the past?
• Discuss a challenging situation in your career, how you scaled through, and the lessons you learned from it

Applicants should endeavor to write about things they can talk about because, during the personal or web-based interview, the admission committee is more likely to discuss what the applicant wrote about in the Letter of Motivation. Moreover, applicants should endeavor to answer these questions genuinely as that will make it easier for the admission committee to understand them and aspirations as well as the value they would add to the program.