- Founded
- 2002
- Students
- 1,048
- International
- 80%
- Programmes
- 6
- Taught in English
- 6
About ESMT Berlin
ESMT Berlin (European School of Management and Technology) is a private, non-profit business school founded in 2002 by 25 leading global companies. Located in the historic Staatsrat building at Schlossplatz 1 in central Berlin, ESMT is the only private university in Germany with the triple-crown accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, and also holds FIBAA accreditation.
ESMT offers a focused portfolio of degree programmes - three Master's (MSc), four MBA formats, and a PhD programme - alongside extensive executive education. The school consistently ranks as Germany's top business school in the Financial Times rankings. As of 2025, it enrolls approximately 1,048 students representing 95 countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse business schools in Germany.
All degree programmes are taught entirely in English. The school operates a single main campus in Berlin and maintains a branch presence in Shanghai.
Triple-crown accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) - only private university in Germany with all three
Ranked #1 business school in Germany and top 10 in Europe by the Financial Times
Founded in 2002 by 25 global corporations; €120 million endowment
Fully English-taught programmes; students from 95+ countries
APS verification required for Indian and Chinese graduates (allow up to 6 months)
Central Berlin campus in the historic former East German State Council building
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 2002
- Students
- 1,048
- International
- Students from 95 countries; over 80% of faculty from outside Germany
- Faculties
- 6
- Programmes
- 6
Study programmes
6 accredited degrees at ESMT Berlin, 6 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–5 of 5 matching programmes
Clear filtersAdmissions & fees
What it costs
ESMT is a private institution - tuition fees apply to all students regardless of nationality. Master's programmes (all three MSc titles): €36,000 total, payable in three instalments across two academic years. Full-time MBA: €50,000 total (includes books, materials, Smart Certificate; excludes travel for international study trips). Global Online MBA: €26,500 (€23,800 with upfront payment). Merit and diversity scholarships are available, including awards covering up to 50% of tuition for applicants from UN-designated least-developed countries. No semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) in the public-university sense; ESMT is a private school.
Admission requirements
All Master's programmes require a bachelor's degree with excellent grades. GMAT/GRE scores are recommended (GMAT below 600 or GRE below 304 are not competitive); a quantitative background may substitute. English proficiency is waived for native speakers or those with an English-medium degree; otherwise TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.0, or TOEIC 850 is required. The Full-time MBA additionally requires at least three years of postgraduate professional work experience and a bachelor's of at least three years (min. 180 ECTS). Indian and Chinese university graduates must complete APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) credential verification, which can take up to six months - early application is strongly advised. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; the practical deadline for visa-requiring applicants is 30 June of the intake year.
Application deadlines
Master's programmes (September 2026 intake): rolling rounds; Round 4 closes 30 June 2026; Round 5 closes 31 July 2026 (space-available only). Visa-requiring and scholarship applicants must apply by 30 June. Full-time MBA (January 2027 intake): Round closes 30 June 2026 (€1,500 early-application award); additional rounds through 8 December 2026.
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist. Graduate business school (MBA/Master/PhD): all degree applications go through ESMT's own portal apply.esmt.berlin with CV, essays, recommendations, transcripts and GMAT/GRE/EA/BAT scores, followed by an interview; PhD applies via the Berlin School of Economics consortium portal. Not on uni-assist's member list.
Languages of instruction
All degree programmes taught entirely in English. German language not required for admission.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at ESMT Berlin
4 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship
Fellowship supporting future leaders who want to actively shape digital transformation; entering its fifth year in 2026, available...
Amount: Fellowship support (value not stated on cited page)
Deadline: Per annual call
master, mba
CAIA Academic Partnership Scholarships
Eight scholarships for master's students reducing the cost of the CAIA charter exams and digital coursework to a fraction of the u...
Amount: Reduced-cost CAIA charter exams and coursework
Deadline: None stated
master
ESMT Merit Scholarships (MSc programs)
Partial-tuition scholarships allocated based on academic excellence, personal and professional achievements, leadership potential...
Amount: Partial tuition fee reduction (value varies)
Deadline: Admission rounds; 2026 Early Application Awards already granted, furth...
master
High Achievers GMAT/GRE Scholarship
For outstanding achievement shown by a GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE percentile rank higher than 94 percent (equivalent to GMAT 720+ or...
Amount: up to EUR 5,000
Deadline: With program application (rounds for September 2026 intake)
master
Student accommodation
What ESMT Berlin publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageCampuses & locations
Schlossplatz 1, 10178 Berlin - former East German Staatsrat (State Council) building, steps from Museum Island and Alexanderplatz
Branch presence in the Lujiazui financial district, Shanghai
Living in Berlin
Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city, combining a vibrant startup ecosystem with world-class cultural institutions, museums, and nightlife. ESMT's campus sits at the historic centre near Museum Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Alexanderplatz, and the Brandenburg Gate - all within walking distance. The city is well connected by public transit, and Berlin Brandenburg Airport is approximately 30 minutes away.
Student life & support
ESMT's intimate campus fosters close interaction across all degree programmes. Students can join clubs and attend networking events, career fairs, and skills seminars on campus. The International Office coordinates exchange programmes at global partner schools and manages Erasmus+ mobility (Erasmus code: D BERLIN46). Career support includes a dedicated ESMT Career Fair and Talent Forum. The school provides relocation guidance for new students moving to Berlin and runs diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives. Contact for student services: [email protected].
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