Frequently asked questions about the Master's programme
What are the benefits of studying part-time? Am i entitled to pursue doctoral studies with this degree? We answer these and many more questions in our FAQ.What are the advantages of a MSc programme at HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration?
A business administration master's degree at HSBA in Hamburg combines a challenging business degree programme with a parallel professional activity in the company. You can immediately put the content learned at the university into practice and thus set the course for your professional future. In addition, you will already receive a salary during your studies.
What are the advantages of a MBA programme at HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration?
Would you like to develop and expand your management expertise? Then our MBA programme at HSBA is just right for you if you are looking for a modern programme in English. The programme is aimed at students with initial professional experience and a first academic degree, which does not necessarily have to be in the field of business administration. Our approach is to form our MBA students in small study groups into responsible and cosmopolitan people with strong professional and methodological expertise as well as distinctive soft skills.
What is the difference between an MSc and an MBA?
The consecutive MSc builds on and deepens the specialist and methodological knowledge acquired in the first degree programme in economics.
An MBA is aimed at graduates from other disciplines (engineers, lawyers, doctors, etc.) who have taken on management tasks as part of their professional career or are planning to do so and would like to acquire the business expertise to do so. An MBA can also be of interest to professionals with a commercial background who are looking for application-orientated further training after a long period of professional activity.
Which Master's programmes can I study at HSBA in Hamburg?
At HSBA you can study three Master's programmes: The Master of Science (Msc) Innovation Management and the Master of Science (MSc) Digital Transformation & Stustainability as part-time programmes with a business management focus, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA), which you can study part-time or full-time.
Is it possible to study the courses part-time or full-time?
The MSc programmes are part-time - so you study while working. The MBA can be studied part-time or full-time. Depending on the Master's programme, courses are held on individual weekdays or extended weekends and in individual full-time weeks in Hamburg.
What is the difference between a part-time and a dual Master's programme?
With a part-time master's degree programme, you study alongside your job. You can already have a job or apply for one through our JOB & MASTER offer. With dual studies, you apply directly to the company for a dual study place. Our Bachelor's programmes are dual, our Master's programmes are part-time.
Do I already need an employer to study a master's degree at HSBA?
No, you do not need an employer to study at our university. If you are still looking for a job, our JOB & MASTER offer is a good option to find a suitable partner company in Hamburg or the metropolitan region.
What degree does one receive with a Master's degree at HSBA?
The business master's programmes Innovation Management and Digital Transformation & Sustainability both lead to the degree Master of Science (MSc). The MBA programme leads to the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA). The degrees are internationally recognised and entitle you to take up doctoral studies after graduation.
Application and Admission
What are the admission requirements for the master's programmes at HSBA?
The admission requirements for a Master's programme at HSBA are:
- Master of Science (MSc):
A completed third-level degree in economics or business with 180 ECTS, 60 ECTS of which must be in economics subjects. Of the 60 ECTS, 15 ECTS can be gained in scientific or quantitative methods and 30 ECTS per year of relevant professional experience. For the MSc Innovation Management, you should have completed your first university degree with a grade of at least ‘good’ (2.5). We will be happy to check whether your first university degree covers the required content. - Master of Business Administration (MBA):
A completed first university degree totalling 240 ECTS with an above-average grade (of which 60 ECTS can be proven through professional practice or further academic training) and at least one year of relevant professional experience - MSc und MBA:
- Ability to study in English (minimum level: B2 of the European Framework of Reference) and additionally for the Master's programme Digital Transformation & Sustainability: Ability to study in German (minimum level: B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
- Letter of recommendation from a current or recent employer or an academic reference
- Successfully completed HSBA selection process (online application, individual interview)
What exactly is a first degree in economics?
A degree in economics is, for example, a bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, (international) management, business administration or similar. You are eligible for admission if at least 50 percent of the ECTS of your degree program consists of business administration and methods modules. Business studies and methods modules are, for example:
- Business Administration
- Human Resources
- Operations Management
- Cost-Performance Analysis
- Economics (Micro, Macro)
- Financial Accounting
- Business Law
- Business English
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Corporate Taxation
- Marketing Management
- Investing and Financing
- Strategic Management
- Projekt Management
- Quantitative Methods
- Operations Research
- Controlling
- Business Informatics
Particularly important is previous knowledge in the following areas:
- Economics (Micro, Macro)
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human Resources
If you are unsure if you can be admitted please send us your transcript of records and module descriptions for review.
What do I have to consider if I have an international university degree without ECTS?
In this case, please send us your certificates. We will then check in accordance with the KMK requirements whether you can be admitted to our university and study with us. If your degree is recognized, you will usually be credited with 60 ECTS per academic year of full-time study.
Is it possible to study at HSBA without a university degree?
Our programmes are Master of Science (MSc) degree programmes in Business Administration. Admission requirements are a first university degree in an economic subject (Business Administration, Economics, (International) Management or similar). Therefore, unfortunately, you cannot study at our university if you do not have a first university degree.
Is it possible to study at HSBA without a first degree in economics?
Yes, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme is designed to teach business administration skills to graduates without a first degree in economics. Admission requirements for the Master of Science in Business Administration (MSc) programmes, on the other hand, are a first degree in business administration (e.g. Business Administration, Economics, Business Administration, (International) Management or similar). These programmes cannot be studied at HSBA without a first degree in economics.
Can you apply even if you are still studying?
Of course, you can already apply if you are still studying. In this case, please enclose a current transcript of records with your application. You can then submit all other transcripts after you have completed your bachelor's degree.
Is it possible to apply even if the grade in the Bachelor's programme is worse than 2.5?
Yes, you can also apply if you did not achieve an average of 2.5 or better in your Bachelor's degree. For this, it is important that you have sufficient qualified professional practice. For each proven year of qualified work experience, 0.2 can be credited to your existing bachelor's grade. The professional experience does not necessarily have to have been gained after graduation.
When can I apply for a Master's programme at HSBA?
Applications are possible at any time. However, since HSBA only has limited study places and funding programmes are sometimes awarded after receipt of the application, and visa processes can take a long time, we recommend an early application for your Master's programme. If you want to apply for the JOB & MASTER offer at the same time, we recommend an early application to our university due to the longer procedure.
How does the application process work?
In the first step, please submit your written application for the Master MSc Innovation Management, the Master MSc Digital Transformation & Sustainability or the MBA Master of Business Administration to us here. Please also upload all required documents there:
- Curriculum vitae, preferred in English
- Work Experience Letter
- Letter of recommendation (covering the academic and/or personal aptitude for the programme, preferably written by a current or former employer or former academic teacher with an official letterhead)
- Degree Certificate / Transcript of Records / official grading scale and/or explanatory notes
- English Certificate min. B2 CEFR (e.g. TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS, PTE, DAAD, study abroad certificate in an English speaking country)
- For the MBA programme only: Proof of at least one year of relevant professional experience
If you meet the admission requirements of our university, you will be invited to an individual interview with the Academic heads of the Master's programme in Business Development or Digital Transformation & Sustainability. This can take place virtually or in person at HSBA in Hamburg. During the interview, we will assess your personal and academic suitability. After a successful interview and a positive vote by the admissions committee for the corresponding programme, you will be offered a place at our university and sent your study contract as well as all further information (e.g. on the JOB & MASTER offer). After countersigning the contract and providing proof of financing, we look forward to welcoming you to HSBA.
How to prove the ability to study in English?
The minimum level of English should be B2 level of the European Framework of Reference or comparable to a score of 90 on the TOEFL. We accept common tests such as TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS, PTE and DAAD. Proof of study abroad in an English-speaking country will also be considered.
Organisation of the Study Programmes
When do the courses in the Master's programmes take place?
In the Master's programme Innovation Management (MSc), the courses take place on extended weekends and in individual full-time weeks at the HSBA in Hamburg. In the Master's programme Digital Transformation & Sustainability (MSc), the courses take place on two attendance days and in two full-time weeks at the HSBA in Hamburg. On the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, courses take place on two attendance days and in two full-time weeks. The other days are reserved for company visits, language courses and an accompanying cultural programme (Hamburg and the surrounding area).
When does the part-time Master's programmes at HSBA start and how long does they take?
Both MSc programmes at HSBA last 5 semesters (30 months) and begin on October 1 of each year.
When does the MBA programme at HSBA start and how long does it take?
The MBA programme starts on 1 October and lasts 12 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time).
Where do the courses in the Master take place?
All courses in our Master's programmes take place at our campus in the heart of Hamburg, directly at the Rödingsmarkt subway station.
On what language are the master's programmes taught?
The Innovation Management master's programme and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme are taught entirely in English. The Master's programme Digital Transformation & Sustainability is taught in German.
Is it possible to complete a semester abroad at an international university during the part-time Master's programme?
Yes, you can complete a semester or summer school abroad. The planning takes place in consultation with your own employer. Crediting of completed and passed courses is possible in principle and will be clarified in cooperation with the International Office of HSBA before the start of the stay abroad. You can find more information about the options for a semester abroad or a summer school here.
Where can I find more information about the Master's programmes at HSBA?
For more information on the Innovation Management master's programme, click here. For more information about the master's programme in Digital Transformation & Sustainability, click here. For more information about the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, click here.
Who can I contact if I have further questions?
If you have any questions about applying for a part-time Master's programmes at HSBA, please feel free to contact our Admissions Office (info(at)hsba.de) at any time.