HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration

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.

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.

Dual via employer: there is no central university application and no uni-assist procedure. Prospective students apply directly to one of HSBA's cooperating partner companies (Study & Work Vacancies board); after the company's selection process the company signs a study agreement and registers the student with HSBA, which then checks admission requirements (HZB, grades in maths/English/German, B2 language proofs) and matriculates. Applicants with foreign school certificates self-check eligibility via DAAD/anabin/uni-assist's 'Check: university admission' tools only; an optional 'Bewerberzertifikat' (EUR 10) is issued after entrance examinations. HSBA is not listed among uni-assist member universities.

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.