Admission

How can I apply for admission to the MBA program Financial Management?

The application for admission to the MBA program is conducted online: please apply via our application site complete the template and upload all the required documents. An application is possible from January of every year for entry in October (Winter Term) and from November 15th of every year for entry in March (Summer Term).

How does the admissions committee assess candidates?

We assess applications on 3 levels:

  • Academic background - The committee values competitive academic performance and seeks graduates who demonstrate superior ability
  • Professional experience - Close attention is paid to the applicant’s previous work experience as well as future professional ambitions
  • Personal characteristics - The committee seeks highly motivated candidates who have already proven themselves as team players and potential leaders

The selection interview typically entails 15 minutes and is designed to assess the qualification, suitability and motivation of the applicant. The interview may be conducted by telephone or via zoom.

Do I need to apply via uni-assist?

Documents need to be uploaded to uni-assist. We strongly recommend that you use uni-assist. If your application is successful, you will be reimbursed the processing fee of 75€.

What are the formal admission requirements?

Applicants for the MBA program must meet the following requirements for admission:

  • University degree (Bachelor, Diploma, Master)
  • At least two years of professional experience after graduation
  • GMAT is recommended
  • English proficiency at C1 (CEFR), level. We accept standardized certificates (e.g., TOEFL-iBT, IELTS)
  • Selection interview with the director of the degree program

You need to present all your original documents when you register in person at our university office before commencing your studies.

What is the Institution code of the University for sending the TOEFL / GMAT official score?

Our institution code number for GMAT and TOEFL is 7450.

Is GMAT compulsory?

Depending on your academic and professional background, GMAT may enhance your application; it is, however, not compulsory.

Can I use photocopied documents for my application?

No, we require officially certified translations of your original documents in either English or German.

My mother tongue is English. Do I need to provide evidence of English proficiency?

No, on written application, a waiver to take an English language test will generally be granted to applicants from English-speaking countries. If you are a native speaker or have worked in an English-speaking country (for longer than one year), waivers are possible. Applicants who have already completed graduate studies delivered in English can submit appropriate documentation as proof.

Do you accept certificates / degrees written in languages other than English or German?

No, the university does not accept documents written in languages other than English or German. To obtain an officially certified translation, we recommend international applicants to contact their local German consulate or embassy.

When do application deadlines end and when do I receive feedback?

Deadline: January 31st (Summer Term)

Deadline: August 15th (Winter Term)

The admissions process starts with a review of your documents. Usually within 3 weeks, you will receive feedback on whether your application has been successful and whether you have been admitted to the program. This allows you to coordinate with your employer and organise your visa (if applicable) at an early stage. 

How do I apply for a student visa?

All non-EU students need a student visa. For your visa application at the German Embassy / Consulate in your country, we will provide you with a letter of acceptance once your application has been accepted by our admissions committee. Please check your local German Embassy / Consulate for the process and requirements for obtaining a Student visa.

If you require a student visa to study in Germany, please be aware that the process can take 8-10 weeks until the visa is issued. You should therefore initiate the visa application as soon as you have been admitted to the MBA program.

Do I need to be fluent in German?

No, you do not need German language skills when you begin your studies at Coburg, as German courses are integrated into the MBA curriculum. We offer German courses at various levels of proficiency and these are free of charge to all our enrolled MBA students.

Can I get in touch with current Coburg students or alumni before applying?

Yes, we are happy to provide you with the contact information of a current student or alumnus. We will try to find a student or alumnus whose academic and/or professional background best matches yours. Please contact the Master Office for further assistance.

Who can answer any remaining queries about my application?

Please write an email with your questions to the Master Office: mbafm[at]hs-coburg.de

Program

When was the MBA program Financial Management founded?

The program was inaugurated in 2001 with the financial support of DAAD. Since then, around 450 graduates have qualified.

Does the MBA program have a specific vision or mission?

Yes, we strive to offer Germany's best English-taught full-time finance MBA in terms of internationalization and industry outreach.

More specifically, our goals are:

  • Qualify outstanding young financial management professionals
  • Enhance applied research and promote research in FM
  • Grow the trans-regional reputation of the program
  • Expand the international outreach of the FM program
  • Ensure highest quality standards in teaching, research and administration

Do you also offer an English-taught classic general management MBA program?

Our MBA is a specialized program in the area of general management and finance which gives our syllabus a very specific profile in the German MBA market. Our program is the only English-taught international full-time MBA program in Germany with a dedicated focus on finance. We currently we do not offer a classic general management MBA program at Coburg, but we can recommend the Master International Business at University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt. 

What is the composition of a typical batch of MBA Freshers?

Our students are very international. Typically, 50-60 students from 15-20 nations are enrolled in 2 cohorts (groups of students). We strive to keep the distribution of male and female students evenly balanced. In order to ensure sufficient room for dialogue and effective, interactive collaboration, the maximum class size is 35 study places per cohort.

Where can I find impressions of the MBA program?

Please have a look at our social media pages, where we regularly post current news and updates. We would be delighted to connect with you.

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

When does the MBA program commence?

The program starts in Winter Term from October 1st (regular entry point), furthermore it is also possible to achieve an admission for Summer Term from March 15th.

Can I see a typical schedule for the program?

Here you can find a model schedule of the syllabus.

Which lecturers teach in the MBA program?

In order to instruct not only theoretical but also practice-relevant knowledge during your studies, we attach great importance to our teaching staff. These are academics, industrial practitioners or guest speakers from relevant functional areas.

How long is the MBA program?

The program can be completed in 22 months.

Is the MBA program Financial Management accredited?

Quality is the foremost goal of our program. The program is accredited by FIBAA and the German Accreditation Council until 30.09.2030. 

         

What is the language of instruction?

The MBA is an English-speaking program. All modules are taught in English. Course materials, textbooks and communications are in English too.

Is classroom attendance mandatory?

Although parts of the curriculum content are provided on the digital Moodle learning platform, we require students to generally attend their prescribed courses in person. The interactive dialogue between fellow students and instructors is optimized in a classroom environment as in-class simulations, project discussions and case studies invariably help to maximise the learning outcome.

Can I register for selected modules without enrolling for the MBA degree program?

No. At the moment it is not possible to study selected modules of the MBA program Financial Management.

Are faculty members available outside of the classroom?

Yes, our instructors are normally available between class sessions and during their office hours. Each course also has its own communication tools where faculty and students can exchange ideas and request feedback. Additionally, you will always find lecturers available before and after classes and joining students for lunch and special events.

What possibilities exist for student financing?

A student loan may be an option for financing your studies at Coburg. In Germany, the market for student loans has been growing steadily in recent years.

For example, the Deutsche Bildung allows one-time payments during the study programs. The German state-owned KfW Bank offers loans for german students. Another provider is Festo Bildungsfonds or Bayhost for the students from Russia and Ukraine. For a useful overview, refer to the CHE Studienkredit Test.

Can I pay in installments?

Payment in installments is not possible.

Are there discounts?

If your uni-assist grade is 1,7 or higher you will be offered a discount of 50% off the tuition fees for the 1st semester from winter semester 2024/2025.

Career

Can I stay in Germany after graduation?

Yes, after you have completed the MBA programme, you are entitled to remain in Germany for at least another 18 months to seek employment opportunities.

Does the MBA entitle me to enrol for a Ph.D. degree after graduation?

Yes, the MBA is a regular Master degree that formally permits enrolment for a Ph.D. program in Germany. Your average grade needs to be at least a 2,0 GPA. We will support and mentor your application.

What is my career outlook after graduation?

Of course, we cannot predict your personal career prospects after completing the MBA program – these depend on too many individual factors. But the chances are good that our degree will open a range of attractive opportunities. German corporations are keen to employ highly motivated and well-qualified international graduates from our program.

Graduates of the MBA FM program typically commence their careers in corporate strategy, finance, management accounting, treasury, consultancy, banking and insurance.

Coburg University

Is Coburg a State University?

Yes, we are a public university owned by the State of Bavaria in Germany. Being a public university means that we are a non-profit making institution. The tuition fees are calculated to cover the costs of the program.

What does “University of applied sciences” mean?

University of Applied Sciences (“Hochschule” in German) means that we primarily concentrate on business applications, rather than on theoretical models and research. This is why enrolling for an MBA program at a University of applied sciences is an excellent idea!

Which extracurricular activities do you offer?

Apart from the activities that are open to all students of our university, we offer various events and activities specifically for our MBA students. Those activities include an International Dinner, a visit to the local Christmas Market, a guided tour through the Castle Ehrenburg and the Coburg Fortress and many more.

Which resources can I use as student?

As an MBA student, you have access to all facilities of our university campus.

Those resources include:

  • university canteen
  • free use of local public transportation system
  • university library
  • sports facilities and courses
  • computer labs
  • counselling services

For some of the recreational amenities, a nominal fee may be levied.

Can I come and visit you at any time?

Yes, we encourage students to visit our Master office and explore the Coburg campus. Please let us know in advance when you are planning to come, so we can show you around and answer all your questions. We look forward to meeting you!

How do I find accommodation?

The international office supports students looking for accommodation. Most students are offered a dormitory in our student residences with 500 modern single apartments with kitchen, bathroom/WC and modern facilities. The apartments can be rented for half a year (September-February and March-August). You can find more information about the student residences in Coburg on the website of "Studentenwerk Oberfranken". Furthermore, there is an active market for shared or individual student accommodation.

Do you offer on-arrival support?

Yes, we provide support services once you arrive in Coburg. Kindly let us know in good time if you wish to use this service. We also offer an orientation week to Freshers at the end of September. We recommend that students arrive in Coburg by the final week of September. Activities during the orientation week include a welcome breakfast, "survival training" for international students, technical support, personal assistance with how to complete forms, introduction to ODI Computer Services, health insurance application, introduction to the university library, visiting the local government office for residents, how to open a bank account as a foreign national, etc.

Coburg City

What is Coburg like?

Coburg is a beautiful, charming city located in Northern Bavaria, Germany. Coburg spans the bow between history and modernity, combining the traditional with the new. Most aptly, the city's motto is "Values and Change". Get more information here.

How do I best get to know the city of Coburg?

Find a student ambassador or senior FM student and take a walking tour to the best spots. There is a great website of the city of Coburg for Freshers to become familiarized. You can find a city map, videos, a city tour and much more. Take a look!

What is the approx. monthly cost of living in Coburg?

The answer depends on your individual lifestyle. The students‘ union estimates that the average student budgets around 750 € / month for living expenses in Coburg.

Accommodation:  250 – 300 € (low, compared to other German cities)

Radio and TV Fee (“Rundfunkbeitrag”): approx. 18 €

Health Insurance: approx. 103 €

Food: about 250 €

Study Materials: 50 – 100 € per semester

How do I best travel to Coburg?

Coburg has an excellent connection to regional trains and to national high-speed trains. The cities of Erfurt (north-west) and Nuremberg (south-east) are about one hour away by either car or train.

Is Coburg a safe city?

Yes. The rate of criminality is very low in Germany overall, and especially low in the State of Bavaria.