Frequently Asked Questions

A successfully completed undergraduate degree is one basic requirement on all the MA / MBA programmes at the IMB. The degree can be from a university or college, a college of applied sciences, a commercial or technical college, or a private institution, providing the qualification obtained in tertiary level study is recognised as the equivalent of a degree.

The IMB at the Berlin School of Economics and Law is a publicly funded college and the MA / MBA programmes offered here are authorised and recognised by the Berlin Senate. This recognition places the college under the Berlin Hochschulgesetz (Berlin University Law - BerlHG ) which specifically requires a first degree as an admission criteria to post-graduate programmes. This basic requirement has to be met and cannot be waived for any other possible equivalent (e.g., a number of years of work experience).

Given that the MBA programme is based on expanding the knowledge and skills acquired at work, there is little sense in starting this course of studies without the requisite work experience. MBA courses stress the link between theory and practice and reflection on one's own experience at work is an integral part of the learning process.

Fees on our Master programmes and MBA programme can be paid in three instalments.

Are the fees tax deductible?

Normally, the fees are fully tax deductible since our Master programme / MBA programme qualify as programmes of additional or further training as defined in Paras. 25 and 26 of the Berlin Hochschulgesetz (Berlin University Law - BerlHG ).

The degrees awarded by the IMB Institute of Management Berlin at the Berlin School of Economics and Law to students who successfully complete an Master or MBA programme entitles them to use the internationally recognised degree of "Master of Arts" (MA) or "Master of Business Administration" (MBA). This qualification also enables the holder to apply for senior civil service posts.

Our longstanding Master Programmes and MBA programmes have been successfully accredited; our students at the IMB can therefore be sure their degree programme meets international quality standards determind by recognised accrediting institutions.

Our Master programmes and MBA programmes are structured around required attendance. Regular attendance and active involvement in seminar-style courses forms an essential element on a Master programme or MBA programme, with learning in and with the group and the direct exchange of experience between students as one central pillar.

Our Master programmes and MBA programmes are designed around required attendance where learning in and with the group and the direct exchange of experience between students plays a key role in the learning process and, for this reason, they are not offered as distance-learning modules. On part-time MBA programmes, the lectures and seminars are blocked in required attendance phases at times that also allow students from outside Berlin to attend.

Our Full-time MBA and Part-time MBA programme have a Study Visit phase built into the curriculum. The Study Visits are to an English-speaking country and are a required part of the course of studies.

On our part-time MBA programmes, the average age of students is 33; on the full-time MBA programmes, the average age is 29 years old.

On the full-time MBA programme, the proportion of international students is around 70%; on the part-time MBA programme the percentage of international students is not as high - around 15%.

Students are not only expected to actively contribute during required attendance phases but to prepare thoroughly for the courses. On the part-time courses, experience has shown that the time required for coursework prior to and after a particular course usually equals the total number of hours for that course (i.e., if the course is 40 hours in total, the workload outside the classroom might well be another 40 hours). On the full-time courses, the workload outside the classroom usually amounts to roughly 15 hours a week. Clearly, an MBA programme requires a considerable time investment.

Full-time MBA students are entitled to apply for rooms in a student hall of residence (one room en-suite apartments or single rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom). Applications are to be made through the Berlin School of Economics and Law.

Although a good GMAT score may help support your application, it is not a requirement.

The programmes always begin at the start of the winter semester. The foundation courses start in September.

A letter of motivation is designed to offer you the chance to explain, briefly and succinctly, your vocational goals and show how these relate to the MBA qualification. It should not be longer than one standard A4 page and can be either in English or German.