International Programmes 2024/2025

Esslingen MBA in International Industrial Management Esslingen MBA in International Industrial Management

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences • Esslingen am Neckar

Degree
Master of Business Administration
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

The Esslingen MBA is entirely taught in English, but as knowledge of German is important for your Master's thesis work, German language courses are given before the academic programme begins.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
3 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study

Annually, before students commence the MBA programme in October, a preparatory programme is offered in September. It includes German language courses, cultural lectures and trips. The Esslingen MBA is taught entirely in English, but as knowledge of German is important for your thesis work, German language courses are offered before the academic programme begins.

Application deadline

31 March for the following winter semester

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
1,750 EUR
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

THE ESSLINGEN MBA: FOCUSING ON THE INDUSTRY

Esslingen University is one of the leading universities in Germany for applied sciences, with core areas in engineering and management as well as applied research.

Esslingen University has developed a focused and effective approach to its specialised MBA by dividing the key learning areas into three majors:

  • General Management: Focusing on entrepreneurial thinking and industrial management – Students learn to master key managerial and entrepreneurial skills and how to handle the multifaceted challenges faced by multinational companies.
  • Sustainable Production & Technology: Centred around sustainable management concepts – Students learn how to effectively assess sustainable activities, and about the tools and methods used to establish a sustainable supply chain.
  • Digital Transformation: Examines the impact of integrated technology and smart manufacturing on company structures and procedures – Students learn how to manage these digitalisation strategies in relation to company goals and expectations.

This unique structure of the MBA in International Industrial Management, coupled with its unique positioning in Germany, combines these internal strengths with an incomparable mix of access to world-leading global companies and a stunning European city experience. The Esslingen MBA is highly competitive, internationally recognised, and ranked among the top European MBA programmes in industrial management.

THE ESSLINGEN MBA: MORE THAN A TYPICAL MBA PROGRAMME

  • Designed for Bachelor's graduates from STEM fields with management ambitions
  • Located in one of Europe's most innovative and advanced industrial regions, a one-of-a-kind business cluster
  • Strong links to global players, hidden champions, and family companies, such as Bosch, Daimler, EY, Festo, Kärcher, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Porsche, and Siemens
  • Takes students out of the classroom and places them in real-life situations in the industry through company visits, case studies, and team projects with companies
  • Specialisation in an industrial management field during the mandatory corporate project and Master's thesis in the industry
  • Optimal learning environment with a high professor-to-student ratio
  • Internationally ranked among the top European MBA programmes in industrial management
  • An attractive lifestyle outside of studies full of access to quintessential European cultural experiences
  • Strong career prospects with nearly 30% of graduates gaining employment in a German company (in Germany & abroad) within one month of completing their studies and 60% within 12 months (90% when factoring in international companies)
  • An active international alumni network all over the globe – generations of Esslingen MBA graduates build an international network to promote mutually beneficial interaction and professional development
  • Strong diversity with over 90% of MBA students being international and, on average, representing 12 or more countries in a class of 25

Pursuing the MBA in Esslingen is more than just an education. It is an experience that widens your horizons and puts you in an ideal position gain industry employment.

Course organisation

THE ESSLINGEN MBA: THE COMBINED STRENGTH OF THEORY AND PRACTICE

The Esslingen MBA equips our students with a wide range of managerial and cross-disciplinary knowledge, such as:

  • Industrial management, entrepreneurship & innovation as well as marketing & business strategies on a global scale
  • Sustainable management concepts, sustainable activity assessment and sustainable supply-chain establishment
  • Technology driven digitalisation concepts, integrated technology & smart manufacturing examination and digitalisation strategy management

These fields are rounded out with topics on organisational behaviour, leadership and financial & business planning while being supplemented with discussions regarding state-of-the-art topics in the developments of business, science, and society.

During the first two semesters, students complete courses at the university. This includes practical, hands-on learning via project work and company visits. In the third semester, students complete their theses in the industry.

The Esslingen MBA is organised as follows:
(a detailed course description can be found here)

September

  • Orientation week – Get to know your new peers and new home.
  • German language course – Further your grasp on the German language with specialised classes.
  • Cultural programme – Explore the local culture by participating in cultural events and excursions.

First Semester

  • Finance
  • Organisational Behaviour and Strategy
  • Operations
  • Data Analytics and Information Management
  • Marketing, Sales & Economics

Second Semester

  • Entrepreneurial Management
  • International Management

Specialisations

  • Digital Transformation
  • General Management
  • Sustainable Production & Technology

Third Semester

Master's Thesis – This is the final module of the programme. The student should now be able to analyse complex problems in business situations and develop feasible solutions. The usage of appropriate scientific methods and tools must be demonstrated.

  • Master's thesis
  • corporate report

Students will be responsible for seeking their own thesis placement among the wide range of relevant corporations in the area. Students will build their networks through company visits and take preparatory courses before selecting and commencing their placement.

Additionally, the following accompanying courses are offered:
German language courses: improve employability (corporate report and Master’s thesis)
Personal coaching seminars: hone business etiquette

A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Language training provided
  • Training in intercultural skills
  • Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
Integrated internships

The third semester is a practical semester. Students complete a corporate report and a thesis preferably in industry under the supervision of a professor and a partner manager. By doing so, they will be able to transform theory into practice and develop crucial contacts for future employment.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
Yes
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
1,750 EUR
Semester contribution

170 EUR per semester

Costs of living

In addition to the study fees and in order to cover personal expenses during the study programme in Esslingen, we recommend that participants budget around 934 EUR per month for accommodation (320- 420 EUR), health insurance, books, excursions, and other expenses. For a residence permit, the amount of 934 EUR per month (16,812 EUR for 18 months) is required.

Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Deutschlandstipendium and company scholarships:

The Deutschlandstipendium supports a limited number of new or advanced students of excellent academic and professional promise. For more information, see https://www.hs-esslingen.de/en/study/advice-support/praxis-beruf-karriere/job-search-contacts-to-companies/deutschlandstipendium-german-scholarships

Company scholarships are also a possibility, and interested students should contact the respective company directly for further information.

Academic admission requirements

The prerequisite for participation in the MBA programme is either a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent academic qualification, preferably in a STEM subject.

All applicants must take either the GMAT (our code: TJ2-P4-65) or the GRE (our code: 7004) to prove that they are sufficiently qualified for this course of study.

Applicants must demonstrate proof of at least two years of work experience after their first academic degree.

The APS certificate is required for applicants whose first degree is from PR China, India or Vietnam.

Language requirements

Knowledge of English as proven by TOEFL (our code: 1680) or a comparable assessment is required. Minimum TOEFL score: 550 (paper-based), 215 (computer-based), 80 (Internet-based); IELTS of at least 6.5; or Cambridge Certificate (CAE or CPE).

Native English speakers as well as applicants who have completed their first degree in English are exempt from the English language test.

Proficiency in German is very important for students not only to manage everyday life but also to write the Master's thesis and apply for a job in industry for the corporate project. Most companies require fluent or at least intermediate knowledge of German, and finding a position in Germany after graduation is practically impossible without a good command of the language. Therefore, all students are required to have at least basic knowledge (CEFR level A1) of German at the beginning of the programme in September. To meet this prerequisite, beginners must take German language courses in their home country. By the end of the second semester, students must be able to prove that they are at a CEFR level A2.

Application deadline

31 March for the following winter semester

Submit application to

Apply here

Esslingen Graduate School
University of Applied Sciences
Flandernstr. 101
73732 Esslingen
Germany

Possibility of finding part-time employment

Opportunity to work at the university or off campus during the semester holidays

Accommodation

Most of our students live in modern single apartments with a bathroom/toilet and modern facilities located in student residences. There are student dormitories in the immediate vicinity of the City Campus or the Hilltop Campus in Esslingen. A room in the dormitory is guaranteed for one year. The cost is between 320 EUR and 420 EUR per month.

For more information: https://www.hs-esslingen.de/en/international/coming-to-esslingen-uas/international-masters-programmes-graduate-school/general-information-about-studying-and-living-in-esslingen

Career advisory service

In addition to the workshop "How to Apply in Germany", professors assist students in finding a thesis placement in a company.

Career services are available at the university:

https://www.hs-esslingen.de/en/study/advice-support/praxis-beruf-karriere/careers-orientation

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme
  • Specialist counselling
  • Visa matters
  • Cultural and linguistic preparation

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

Content Bild
Hilltop campus of the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences © Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

ESSLINGEN – AN IDEAL LOCATION TO STUDY

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences focuses on engineering studies, business studies, and social sciences.

Currently, more than 6,000 students are enrolled in the university's six faculties and are divided between three campuses: the city centre campus lies in the heart of Esslingen; the hilltop campus is located on a hill overlooking the city; and the Goeppingen campus is situated 32 km away from Esslingen.

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences is continually adapting to meet current demands in all its fields of work. Our business studies and industry-oriented degree programmes foster intensive contact with many important companies in Germany. They are part of a network that has been growing continually over the past 50 years.

The central philosophy of Esslingen University of Applied Sciences is to offer degree programmes that are not only practice oriented but also state of the art. Small classes enable intensive cooperation between staff and students. Practice semesters, project work, group work, and a thesis in the industry all contribute to successfully preparing students for an academically sound professional career.

Its excellent reputation and the quality of the scientifically and professionally grounded training have ensured that the University of Applied Sciences Esslingen is regularly placed among the top universities in various university ranking schemes.

A PIONEER IN GRADUATE EDUCATION

In 1998, reacting to the demands of industry, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences started the Esslingen MBA, an international English-language MBA in International Industrial Management. This programme was the first of its kind in Germany.

In 1999, the Esslingen Graduate School was founded to run the university's English-language Master's programmes. The Esslingen Graduate School is responsible for coordinating the MBA and two MEng programmes. These are all challenging, dynamic, and career-building Master's programmes. The Graduate School guarantees a comprehensive service for students from all parts of the world.

University location

ESSLINGEN – AN AMAZING PLACE TO LIVE

The city of Esslingen has a population of over 93,000 inhabitants and lies nestled in the vineyards overlooking the Neckar valley. Stuttgart, the capital city of Baden-Wuerttemberg, is only 20 kilometres away.

Near the university, there are many hiking paths through the vineyards and forests that can be explored on foot or by bicycle or Segway. Within the city, there are many parks, the city castle, waterways, street cafés, and theatres. In the winter, the old city centre lights up with a Christmas market; in the summer, live music, open-air cinemas, and artisan’s markets make Esslingen come to life. Esslingen’s historical city centre, with its half-timbered houses, its cafés, and its diverse cultural life, offers an ideal environment for studying.

Esslingen has a history reaching back over 1,200 years – a history in which tradition and progress have gone hand in hand. Since its industrialisation, Esslingen has been a major centre for engineering education because of this mixture of technical prowess and cultural tradition.

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