Hi,

I've got an offer for full time MBA at HHL - Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Germany, 2008-2009. But I'm a bit concerned about the college's reputation and worthiness, going by a few posts in these forums.

My profile - 4 years Software Dev career in India. GMAT - 650. Do not have any other offer at present. Don't know German language, can try to learn (if it is possible to have a good grasp while studying there!)

I wish to know exactly what is the job scenario for HHL MBA graduates - particularly non-Germans/Indians. I do not mind staying back in Germany/Europe for a few years, as it would help me recover the cost of the MBA. I have got a 50% tuition waiver, but the remaining 50% and the living costs are big enough to make me think over and over again.

Shall I be able to land up with a good paying job, and also what is the minimum/maximum/average salaries which HHL MBAs get? What proportion of the class is of foreign students and how many of them are NOT able to secure a job?

I've come across hugely conflicting rankings - some placing HHL as the best in Germany, while some putting it below 20!

If someone can tell what is the infrastructure like. quality of faculty and course, and also the students. I believe HHL program is AACSB accredited, but is it enough to give it enough weightage in International market? Someone said in a post that since HHL is largely unknown outside Germany, job prospects are gloomy.

My primary concern remains about the financial worthiness of the program - whether I'll be able to payback the loans which I may take to complete the MBA. Obviously, the quality of companies and the work profile offered after MBA also matter a lot.

Any insights on the above and/or any other additional info would be great to have (especially if any current/former Indian/non-German student can share his/her experiences).

Thanks
Naveen

Hi Naveen,

I can't say I know too much about HHL, although I do know that Leipzig is a great city. I think one major thing you need to think about, however, is whether you want a job in Germany afterwards or not. If, as I suspect, HHL isn't very well known outside Germany then your job prospects will be seriously limited, as you've already mentioned. Equally, unless your German is fluent at the end of your course, it'll be very, very difficult to get a good job in Germany, as the Germans themselves tend to be extremely good English speakers. In other words, being fluent in English won't be enough to help you compete effectively with the native market.

Thanks lukeh, for your informative response.

I certainly do not mind working in Germany after the MBA, provided the job profile and company interest me, which I think shouldn't be much of a problem. I'm also aware of the necessity of being a fluent German speaker in order to have a good career there, which is something I need to work very hard for.

Thanks once again.
Naveen

Hi,

Do you have any German already? I remember a previous poster on here was similarly interested in coming to Germany to study and possibly work. As I said to him/her, if it's at all possible, I would seriously recommend staying in Germany for a while before making any applications. That way you can take an intensive language course - German is not the easiest language to learn, believe me - spend some time living and learning the language and culture further, and, at least as importantly, try to get yourself an internship at a German company, which I think will make all the difference you should choose to take your possible application further.

Hi,

Unfortunately, I do not have any German language skills as of now. And the HHL program is starting in the 1st week of September, thus leaving less than 2 full months in hand - which would be mostly spent in visa process and preparing to land in Germany, just in time.

I appreciate your suggestion of getting a first hand experience before starting the program, but sadly, that's not an option for me anymore - mostly because I started my application process very late, around 20 days ago, and have got the confirmation couple of days ago.

I hope, I'll be able to make up for the lack of German language skills by giving it my best shot during the course, and perhaps achieve at least intermediate proficiency by the time I start looking for a job!

Thanks

Hi there,
the HHL is supposed to be among the best German programs.

But it is true that in general MBAs in Germany tend to be more regionally orientated, this is reflected for instance in the fact that you'll find them only exceptionally in the international rankings, or that they often only achieve the FIBAA accreditation known mainly in German speaking Europe.
But regarding the HHL my impression is that it has a more international appeal, it is AACSB accredited, and according to the HHL website the full time MBA has 70% international students.

If you want to do an MBA known everywhere in the world you should definitely go for a different one, but since you consider staying in Germany afterward, HHL can be a good start. On their website HHL also states that by the end of the of the program 70% of the students have a job contract signed - thats a promise!
Holding an HHL MBA, once you integrated a job in Germany and have worked for some years, you will have great chances on the job market of your home country anyways.
My advice: DO your job research everywhere in Germany, Leipzig is not exactly the center of business (but I don't know about your field)
So study hard your Deutsch, and use the school's career service to allow you to be among those 70%, good luck!