Kühne Logistics University - Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Logistik und Unternehmensführung

About Kühne Logistics University - Wissenschaftliche Hochschule fü

Kühne Logistics University (KLU) is a state-recognised private university of business and logistics in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 2010 with support from the Kühne Foundation. It holds AACSB accreditation, placing it among the top 5% of business schools worldwide, and was granted PhD conferral rights by the Hamburg Senate in 2017.

KLU's academic focus is logistics, supply chain management, and business administration. Programmes are taught entirely in English across Bachelor's (BSc Business Administration), Master's (MSc International Management, MSc Business Analytics & Data Science, MSc Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management), MBA (Leadership & Supply Chain Management), and PhD levels. A preparatory Business Foundations Program (Studienkolleg) is available for students who need to bridge entry requirements.

In 2025, KLU expanded internationally with a second campus in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, offering the MSc Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management. The Hamburg campus is located in the HafenCity district at Großer Grasbrook 17, with students from more than 60 nationalities represented on campus.

Key facts

Founded: 2010
International: 60+ nationalities represented on campus

AACSB-accredited — among the top 5% of business schools worldwide

All programmes taught entirely in English; no German-language degree programmes

Private university — tuition fees apply to all programmes and all nationalities

Specialised focus: logistics, supply chain management, and business administration

Second campus opened in Saigon, Vietnam in 2025

PhD conferral rights granted by Hamburg Senate in 2017

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

KLU is a private university and charges tuition for all programmes. There is no tuition-free public-university model here. Published per-semester tuition fees (Hamburg campus): BSc Business Administration Standard track €7,300/semester; BSc Business Administration Intensive track €8,150/semester; MSc programmes (all three) €8,200/semester; MBA Leadership & Supply Chain Management €11,400/semester; Business Foundations Program (Studienkolleg) €4,800–€5,800/semester depending on language track. No EU vs. non-EU fee distinction is published — the same rates apply. KLU estimates total annual cost of living in Hamburg at approximately €16,870 (housing ~€7,200, food/clothing/misc ~€7,200, health insurance ~€1,500, other ~€970). The German statutory blocked-account minimum of €11,904/year (€992/month × 12, as of 2024) applies for visa purposes.

Admission requirements

All programmes require a recognised secondary school leaving certificate (for bachelor's) or an accredited bachelor's degree (for master's/MBA) that qualifies for admission to German universities. All instruction is in English; applicants must demonstrate at minimum B2 English proficiency. An interview with the admissions team and faculty is part of the selection process. No specific IELTS or TOEFL score thresholds are published on the official website — applicants are assessed individually. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam whose prior qualification was obtained in those countries should check APS certificate requirements with the German embassy, as APS is a visa-application requirement for those nationalities regardless of the admitting university's own process. Non-EU applicants are advised to submit their application at least five months before the programme start date to allow for visa processing (up to two months). Some applicants may be required to complete the one-year Business Foundations Program (Studienkolleg) before entering the bachelor's programme, depending on their school-leaving curriculum.

Application deadlines

Bachelor (September 1 start, annual): early-bird deadline January 15 (10% tuition discount); recommended deadline for non-EU/international applicants March 31; final deadline for non-EU applicants May 31; European applicants July 15. Master and MBA deadlines are not published as fixed dates on the official site — applicants should contact admissions directly. There is only one annual intake (September/autumn) for the bachelor's programme.

Languages of instruction

All degree programmes are taught entirely in English. No German-taught degree programmes are offered. Proficiency in English at B2 level is required for the Bachelor programme; master-level requirements are assessed individually. A Business Foundations Program (Studienkolleg) is available that includes optional language modules (German A2 or English C1 tracks).

Campuses & locations

Hamburg (main campus)

Großer Grasbrook 17, HafenCity district, Hamburg, Germany

Campus Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — opened 2025; MSc Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management offered

Living in Hamburg

Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and its principal port, with a population of approximately 1.9 million. It is a major hub for international trade, logistics, and maritime commerce, making it a fitting location for a logistics-focused university. The city offers a high quality of life, an extensive public transport network, and a large international student community. Hamburg's HafenCity district, where KLU is situated, is one of Europe's largest inner-city urban development projects, located directly on the harbour.

Student life & support

KLU's Hamburg campus is compact and community-oriented. Student services cover visa and immigration guidance (coordinated by the Student Services Manager), accommodation search support (the university does not operate its own dormitories but provides housing guidance), health insurance information, and arrival support. The campus includes a gym, student lounge, study rooms, and a library. Active student organisations include a consulting club, women-in-business initiatives, sustainability groups, and the student-organised TEDxKLU Hamburg. Regular events include Welcome Week, Career Connect networking sessions, and an annual Alumni Homecoming. German language courses are not listed as a standalone offering; the Business Foundations Program incorporates language preparation for students who need it. The international office is reachable at [email protected].

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Other