Studying Masters in Business Administration (MBA) provides a great opportunity for gaining valuable skills that pay off later on during the course of one’s professional career.
MBA studies are a significant investment of both money and time, which means one must use the time spent during the degree wisely. Of course, choosing a program is very important, but perhaps a preceding question would be where to study, which, may have quite significant impact, particularly in the post-graduation context.
Taking out time to study for an MBA degree should include consideration of the place of study and whether someone wants to complete their studies at home or relocate abroad. Completing an MBA abroad carries quite a different weight because aside from the knowledge acquisition element, one is able to experience a different culture, open up another job market and thus increase the earning potential. In this post, we will look specifically at MBA in Germany and why it is a good idea to complete your MBA studies in the country considered to be an economic powerhouse of Europe and a leader in many industries and sectors.
Studying MBA in Europe and more specifically in Germany offers great prospects for employment after completion of studies thanks to the competitive education system where candidates are taken care of and prepared to a very high standard. Although in general, education in Germany is almost free, MBA degrees are typically a different kind and regardless whether you wish to study at a public or private institution, an MBA will come at a fee. The good news is, you get your money’s worth with a lot of application of skills, business project work and industry/sector relevant skills. This last aspect is perhaps the most evident when it comes to “Applied Sciences” institutions such as Munich Business School where emphasis shifts from the typical theory-heavy studies into a more balanced and real-world relevant mixture of theory and practical application approach.
The applicability-of-knowledge element is particularly important considering the reputation of Germany for its strong economy and innovation. This makes the country a great destination for MBA students who want to develop their careers abroad. Applied sciences institutions with good reputation can be a foot through the door to a potential job offer, expansion of professional network and interesting projects throughout the studies. Studying at such an institution, in combination with faculty which is continuing to work in the business world, delivers academic excellence with business relevance, combining the best of both worlds. Although in general, MBA programs can come with specialized tracks and concentrations, the MBA should not be treated as a specialization degree as it is a degree that prepares for executive-level positions. As such, the specializations offered with MBA courses in Germany may not provide significant advantage over general degrees that are more balanced.
Is MBA in Germany worth it? Well, considering the opportunities post-graduation, the return on investments can be achieved fairly quickly. German MBA programs are taught in English and the innovative teaching methodologies, case studies and industry collaborations make it a worthwhile experience that puts emphasis on practical skills relevant in the business world. To illustrate the value that can be extracted from a typical MBA degree in case of an engineer, according to ingenieur.de portal, an MBA on top of the engineering degree and experience can usually add around €20.000 per annum in terms of salary increase. This can be substantially higher when it comes to cities like Munich, where the demand for employees in the technical sector outgrows that of any other major city in Germany. This appears to be confirmed by research of Poets and Quants and published in businessinsider.de. Looking at the graph below presenting 2019 data, considering the growing demand in the technological sector (broadly including automotive, IT, services and others) the wages are expected to continue making Germany a very attractive choice for students.
MBA studies in Germany are attractive due to another reason, and that is the international diversity of students who join programs. In a rich multicultural environment, it is only natural that the learning experience is enriched and even if the relocation takes you over to Germany, the diverse cohort fosters a global perspective which in today’s business world has a substantial value regardless of the industry or sector. Typical MBA programs that last 12-months simply do not have sufficient time to offer international exchanges however, initiatives such as EMBA Consortium of which Munich Business School is a partner provide a shorter one-week exchange where students can focus on a topic of their choice i.e., technology, innovation, marketing and luxury management among many others. This way, the networking potential is extended even further, and it gives an additional value to an MBA studied at a German institution.
The next important aspect of MBA studies in Germany is the strength of connections with the industry and career support during your studies. Applied sciences institutions have an advantage in this area by the sheer strength of the faculty, business projects and very often highlight weeks which focus specifically on skills such as leadership through leadership weeks, entrepreneurship within the scope of startup week or business simulations which encompass a broad spectrum of skills to be applied within an extended case study project. These particular weeks feature the Munich Business School MBA program and contribute to the overall experience of international students here in Germany.
In addition, students of the program receive state-of-the-art career support within the remit of the Triple M Career Pathways program which is a successful MBA Career Accelerator that provides a holistic and personalized support in addition to the typical curriculum found in an MBA program. By way of looking at the student’s strengths and weaknesses, support through bespoke career coaching and sessions on resume writing, application tailoring or LinkedIn, student then look at the needs of the market and its requirements. The final goal is matching the person with the right employment opportunity and support them in a seamless transition from campus to career.
MBA in Germany is an exciting prospect from the quality-of-life perspective as well, considering the German way of supporting your wellbeing. The healthcare system is among the best in the world with emphasis on prevention, your studies are tax-deductible so you can write off the MBA costs against your income tax after graduation and the country offers ample opportunities when it comes to developing your interest in just about anything imaginable. Munich being the powerhouse of Germany promotes an active lifestyle and proximity to multiple lakes and mountains means you can hop on the train and within 45 minutes immerse yourself in nature and all the fantastic things it has to offer. If you are thinking of completing your MBA in Munich, there can be no better place to “have it all” with fantastic accessibility to leisure activities, attractive job market and ability to shift between urban life and nature.
MBA studies in Germany have been growing in popularity over the last couple of years and the unique blend of academic rigor, industry relevance and openness of employers to graduates of MBA programs from applied sciences institutions, make Germany a target destination for talent from all over the world. The pinnacle of opportunities, thanks to its powerhouse status, can be found in Munich where particular emphasis is placed on innovation, diversity and practical relevance of taught skills. In addition, MBA students in Munich enjoy good level of care and safety, vibrant cultural experience and a high quality of life. Programs such as MBA in General Management delivered at Munich Business School also offer a fantastic opportunity for international expats who can benefit from opportunities to climb the corporate ladder or launch a successful startup career. All in all, MBA studies in Germany contribute significantly to professional and personal development which, upon graduation, would certainly support the individual’s aspirations to make a lasting impact in the world of business.
