humboldt university of berlin mba requirements

Applying for the master’s degree programmes in Business Administration and in Economics

Corona-related announcements:

Derogation for the recognition of the C1 English Language Certificate:

Exceptionally, the “IELTS-Indicator Test” and the “TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition Test” are also recognised for the C1 English Language Certificate (also valid for the application period for the winter semester 2022/23).

Exception for applications for the winter semester 2021/22 if the first professional qualification is still outstanding:

Due to the current Corona crisis and the resulting limitations at the universities in the last few semesters you can apply for the winter semester 2021/22 exceptionally with up to 60 credit points missing to finish your bachelor’s degree (e.g. at least 120 credit points for a degree amounting to a total of 180 credit points). This regulation applies subject to a resolution by the Academic Senate (expected on April 27, 2021). The official information is available on “Information on master’s degree applications to HU”.
 

This page is for information purposes and is not legally binding. Only the Fächerübergreifenden Satzung zur Regelung von Zulassung, Studium und Prüfung der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (ZSP-HU) is legally binding (in German).

General information on applying for a Master’s program at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

When applying for the master’s degree programme in Economics or Business Administration, the following admission requirements must be cumulatively fulfilled, and proof must be provided before the application deadline:

Admission requirements
MA Business Administration

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration or in a related subject
  Professional qualification from a university degree programme in Business Administration or a related degree with at least 120 ECTS credits in economic subjects (including methodological subject areas and economically relevant areas of law).
  
  If the degree is still outstanding at the time of application, proof must be provided that no more than 30 ECTS credits have yet to be acquired.
   
• Specialist expertise in methodological fields
  At least 24 ECTS credits must be proven in the methodological fields in mathematics, statistics, econometrics, and microeconomics.
  
  Courses in these fields from basic and/or in-depth studies shall be considered, provided they primarily teach basic principles and methods and do not focus on (thematic) application. This criterion is due to the Faculty’s quantitative and methodological focus.
  
  The field of econometrics primarily involves interpreting and estimating parameters as well as conducting hypothesis tests according to the multiple linear model (while also taking into account possible  deviations from the standard assumptions).
  
  In particular, microeconomics as a methodological field contains fundamental economic theoretical approaches thet analyze the theory of preferences, budget and corporate theory as well as the theory of market equilibrium with the help of mathematical methods.
  
  Macroeconomics is not included in this field.
  
  If the results of methodological examinations are not clearly stated on the certificate, enclose an official grade overview. You can mark the corresponding modules on this overview. If modules are not clearly titled, or if you are unsure whether the course/module counts as a methodological subject, attach the corresponding content/module description so that a substantive evaluation can be carried out.
• English language skills
  Proof of English language skills to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
  
  Please consult the subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Business Administration to find out the minimum achievements required to demonstrate the requisite language skills.
  
  Time limits on the validity of language tests (e.g. TOEFL / IELTS: two years) are not taken into account.
• German language skills
  Proof of German language skills to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
   Please consult the subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Business Administration to find out the minimum achievements required to demonstrate the requisite language skills.
   
• Subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Business Administration
  The detailed, subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Business Administration are published here (only in German).

Admission requirements
MA Economics

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Economics or in a related subjects
  Professional qualification from a university degree programme in Economics or a related degree with at least 60 ECTS credits in economic subjects (excluding methodological subject areas of mathematics, statistics, econometrics or final theses).
  
  If the degree is still outstanding at the time of application, proof must be provided that no more than 30 ECTS credits have yet to be acquired.
   
• Specialist expertise in methodological fields
  At least 24 ECTS credits must be proven in the methodological fields in mathematics, statistics and econometrics.
  
  Courses in these fields from basic and/or in-depth studies shall be considered, provided they primarily teach basic principles and methods and do not focus on (thematic) application. This criterion is due to the Faculty’s quantitative and methodological focus.
  
  The field of econometrics includes especially the interpretation and estimation of parameters as well as hypothesis tests in the multiple linear model (also considering possible deviations from the standard assumptions).
  
  If the results of methodological examinations are not clearly stated on the certificate, enclose an official grade overview. You can mark the corresponding modules on this overview. If modules are not clearly titled, or if you are unsure whether the course/module counts as a methodological subject, attach the corresponding content/module description so that a substantive evaluation can be carried out.
• English language skills
  Proof of English language skills to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
  
  Please consult the subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme in Economics to find out the minimum achievements required to demonstrate the requisite language skills.
  
  Time limits on the validity of language tests (e.g. TOEFL / IELTS: two years) are not taken into account.
• German language skills
  Proof of German language skills to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
   Please consult the subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Economics to find out the minimum achievements required to demonstrate the requisite language skills.
   
• Subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Economics
  The detailed, subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Economics are published here (only in German).

If you can prove that you meet these entry requirements and you have submitted all the requested application documents before the deadline and in prescribed form, you will be included in the selection process.

Selection critiria
MA Business Administration

• Selection criterion I: Final grade (80 percent)
  The final grade or preliminary final grade of the previous study is weighted at 80%.
   
• Selection criterion II: Special knowledge in methodological field: Basic knowledge in econometrics of at least 6 ECTS (10 percent)
  Proof of basic knowledge in econometrics amounting to at least 6 ECTS can have an effect on the rank.
  
  The field of econometrics primarily involves interpreting and estimating parameters as well as conducting hypothesis tests according to the multiple linear model (while also taking into account possible  deviations from the standard assumptions).
   
• Selection criterion III: Practical experience in the field of business administration (10 percent)
  Eligible for consideration is practical professional experience in the field of business administration gained in the context of a professional activity or through professional internships to the extent of not less than 1800 hours within the last 3 years before the start of the application period. Practical work experience, in particular internships that are part of the degree programme and are gained during the study period, are not eligible for consideration.
   
• Subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Business Administration
  The detailed, subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Business Administration are published here (only in German).

Selection critiria
MA Economics

• Selection criterion I: Final grade (80 percent)
  The final grade or preliminary final grade of the previous study is weighted at 80%.
   
• Selection criterion II: Special knowledge in methodological field: Basic knowledge in econometrics of at least 6 ECTS (10 percent)
  Proof of basic knowledge in econometrics amounting to at least 6 ECTS can have an effect on the rank.
  
  The field of econometrics primarily involves interpreting and estimating parameters as well as conducting hypothesis tests according to the multiple linear model (while also taking into account possible  deviations from the standard assumptions).
   
• Selection criterion III: Practical experience in the field of economics (10 percent)
  Eligible for consideration is practical professional experience in the field of economics gained in the context of a professional activity or through professional internships to the extent of not less than 1800 hours within the last 3 years before the start of the application period. Practical work experience, in particular internships that are part of the degree programme and are gained during the study period, are not eligible for consideration.
   
• Subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme in Economics
  The detailed, subject-specific entry and admission regulations for the master’s degree programme Economics are published here (only in German).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

• Can I apply to multiple master’s degree programmes?
  No, you can only apply to one master’s degree programme at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
   
• Can I submit documents at a later stage?
  That is not possible. The application documents must be received in full before the application deadline. Subsequent submissions will not be acepted.
   
• I don’t yet have my degree diploma. Can I still apply?
  Your application will be considered if no more than 30 ECTS credits are missing and the entry requirements are fully met and substantiated. If you are conditionally admitted, your enrolment shall be limited to one semester. Your degree certificate must then be produced by the end of the first semester at the latest. If proof is not provided on time, your admission shall be terminated and the application for enrolment definitively rejected.
   
• Where can I take the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) language test?
  For students enrolled at Humboldt-Universität, it is possible to complete the DAAD English language test at the university’s Language Centre. This test is subject to a fee and is usually offered twice a week. We recommend that you register in good time. Language Centre hompage Homepage
   
• I’am already a master’s student and would like to transfer to the Humboldt-Universität. What do I need to be aware of?
  Even if you are already enrolled in a master’s degree programme, you must meet the admission requirements of the first semester of study and provide evidence of this in your application. In addition to this, 30 ECTS credits of exam achievements, which are eligible for recognition, must be proven per semester in order to be placed in a higher semester of study. Further information about placement can be found on the website of the Examination Office.