About HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration
HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration is a state-recognised private university founded in 2004 by Hamburg's Chamber of Commerce. It specialises exclusively in business education, offering cooperative dual bachelor's programmes that combine classroom study with structured on-the-job training at partner companies, alongside part-time master's and doctoral programmes designed for working professionals.
The university has more than 1,000 enrolled students, 27 professors, over 150 visiting lecturers, and more than 300 corporate partner companies drawn primarily from the Hamburg metropolitan economy. HSBA is accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) and holds FIBAA programme accreditation.
HSBA's campus is located at Willy-Brandt-Straße 75 in central Hamburg, a refurbished building of over 7,000 m² that opened in 2020 within walking distance of the Elbphilharmonie, Speicherstadt, and Hamburg city hall.
Key facts
- Founded
- 2004
- Students
- 1,000
Cooperative dual-study model: earn a monthly salary while studying, with partner companies covering most tuition
Founded by Hamburg's Chamber of Commerce — embedded in the Hamburg business and logistics ecosystem
Over 300 corporate partners including firms in shipping, logistics, finance, and consulting
Four degree programmes fully taught in English (BSc International Management, BSc Logistics Management, MSc Innovation Management, MBA)
State-recognised private university with Wissenschaftsrat and FIBAA accreditation
Central Hamburg campus (Willy-Brandt-Straße) within walking distance of major landmarks
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
HSBA is a private university — tuition is not free. Bachelor programmes: EUR 825/month (typically subsidised or fully covered by the partner company, which also pays a monthly student salary averaging EUR 1,200). Master programmes: MSc Innovation Management EUR 750/month (total EUR 22,500 over 30 months); MBA part-time EUR 825/month (total EUR 19,800); MBA full-time EUR 1,650/month (total EUR 19,800). An Early Bird discount of 10% applies for master applications submitted by 31 May. A Global Talents Scholarship (25% or 50% of MBA fees) is available for international master applicants. Income Share Agreement (Brain Capital) financing is also available for master students.
Admission requirements
Bachelor programmes follow a cooperative (dual study) model: applicants must first secure a study contract with one of HSBA's 300+ partner companies; HSBA then verifies academic eligibility. Academic requirements are a higher education entrance qualification (Abitur or recognised equivalent), strong mathematics grades, and — for German-taught programmes — German at B2/DSH-2 level. For English-taught programmes (International Management, Logistics Management) the German requirement is waived; English proficiency must be demonstrated at B2 CEFR (TOEFL iBT ≥72 or IELTS Academic ≥5.5, issued within two years). International applicants with non-EU school diplomas must contact admissions for individual assessment; a Studienkolleg pathway is available for unrecognised qualifications. Master programmes require a first degree (≥180 ECTS in economics/business for MSc; ≥240 ECTS for MBA), a minimum grade of 2.5, English B2 proficiency, a letter of recommendation, and successful completion of HSBA's own selection process. APS certificate is not listed as a requirement; Indian/Chinese/Vietnamese applicants should confirm with the admissions office whether APS is needed for visa purposes.
Application deadlines
Bachelor programmes begin 1 October each year; no fixed university-wide application deadline — partner companies recruit on their own schedules, ranging from 18 months to a few weeks before programme start. Master programmes also begin 1 October; Early Bird discount deadline is 31 May for the following intake.
Languages of instruction
Most bachelor and master programmes are taught in German. Four programmes are offered fully in English: International Management (BSc), Logistics Management (BSc), Innovation Management (MSc), and the MBA.
Campuses & locations
Willy-Brandt-Straße 75, 20459 Hamburg — single campus in central Hamburg, opened 2020
Living in Hamburg
Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and its principal port and trade hub. It consistently ranks among Europe's most liveable cities and has a large international community. The city offers rich cultural assets including the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt warehouse district, extensive waterfront areas, and vibrant neighbourhoods such as Eimsbüttel, Sternschanze, and Winterhude. Hamburg has a large student population spread across multiple universities, with a well-developed public transport network (HVV) making the city easy to navigate.
Student life & support
HSBA maintains more than 15 student committees covering academic, cultural, and sports interests. An International Student Committee and a Buddy system support incoming and exchange students. The campus is centrally located with restaurants, shops, and cultural venues within walking distance. HSBA holds an Erasmus+ Charter and maintains international exchange partnerships, welcoming both nominated exchange students and free movers for semester stays.
10
Accredited Programmes
6
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
4
Master
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