These are broadly similar curricula, since they both have the AACSB accreditation. I think Mannheim has big advantages for Germans looking to spend a lot of time outside Germany, since it has international tracks. However, I think that weakens the experience for international students, because so many of the domestic students are abroad.

I've taken an entrepreneurship course at HHL, and I was very impressed by the quality of the school. I also like the fact that salaries are broadly similar to the other top Germany schools, but that the course can be longer: one year at HHL, plus an optional exchange semester after that, offering a richer experience.

I think that for most students the choice comes down to whether the student wants to avoid writing a thesis, in which case they will opt for Mannheim.

Thanks Duncan! your posts have been of immense help.

These are broadly similar curricula, since they both have the AACSB accreditation. I think Mannheim has big advantages for Germans looking to spend a lot of time outside Germany, since it has international tracks. However, I think that weakens the experience for international students, because so many of the domestic students are abroad.

I've taken an entrepreneurship course at HHL, and I was very impressed by the quality of the school. I also like the fact that salaries are broadly similar to the other top Germany schools, but that the course can be longer: one year at HHL, plus an optional exchange semester after that, offering a richer experience.

I think that for most students the choice comes down to whether the student wants to avoid writing a thesis, in which case they will opt for Mannheim.

Hi Duncan,

I am an Indian National with a Bachelor degree in Commerce and a PMP certified project manager. I have close to 7 years experience in Investment Banking Operations and Ops Risk, including 2 years in a junior managerial level. I am strongly planning to do my MBA from Germany and have shortlisted the below universities ( in the order of priority)

Hochschule Bremen - MBA in Global Management
Hochschule Furtwangen
Hochschule Offenburg - Offenburg University of Applied Sciences

I know you strongly recommend taking up the GMAT but unfortunately owing to my personal and work constraints I will not be able to write the test. I am planning for the winter intake. Request you to let me know your thoughts and also advice any alternatives.

Thanks

With your experience it would be a serious downgrade to attend an unaccredited 'freshers' MBA. You have plenty of time to take the test: put your your applications ASAP and then take the test with a month's preparation.

With your experience it would be a serious downgrade to attend an unaccredited 'freshers' MBA. You have plenty of time to take the test: put your your applications ASAP and then take the test with a month's preparation.

With your experience it would be a serious downgrade to attend an unaccredited 'freshers' MBA. You have plenty of time to take the test: put your your applications ASAP and then take the test with a month's preparation.

Yes, an MA or MSc from an accredited business would be a better education in every way. 25K Euro could get you an MSc from a world class school like the LSE, Cass, Lancaster, Edinburgh, Bath... or a grande ecole in France.

But, for 25K, could you afford an accredited MBA at somewhere like Southampton, Brunel or Royal Holloway College in the University of London.

The GMAT exam takes a few hours. If you spend half an hour a day for the next month working on the GMAT, then what is there to fear?

I'm in the course with Avi at Pforzheim. I am one of the Americans. When it came down to choices, I had a couple of top 100 offers from American schools, and both Pforzheim and Mannheim. Everything I read, including the rankings, have Mannheim ranked highest here in Germany. I still feel like I am crazy for turning them down, but, I chose Pforzheim for these reasons:

1. Super-low tuition. Student loans aren't available here, really, so the prospect of going to school for a year and a half and being able to pay for school, living expenses, and travel for the cost of just the program at Mannheim (or a reasonable program in the States) was very attractive. I'll graduate with no debt.

2. 1.5 - 2 years as opposed to just one allows for more time to spend working on the German. EVERYONE agrees learning the language is the most important part of getting a job here afterwards.

3. Travel. Even if I don't stay after graduation, the pace and price of the program allows more opportunities to see Europe.

4. Advertisement of professors with real work experience. It's not something I saw talked about at Mannheim or other schools. I got plenty of theory in my undergrad studies, I wanted a chance to learn more practical stuff. There is still theory, especially with economic stuff, but more knowledge of having done it in the business world than what I felt like other schools had to offer.

I am happy with my choice. Had money not been an object, Mannheim would have won, but I like the Hochschule here. My advice would be to stick with the schools that have the AACSB accreditation, narrow it down to what you want in a program, and apply to those few.

Great post Kyle. What can you sat about internships and placements from the program at the moment?

Great post Kyle. What can you sat about internships and placements from the program at the moment?

Hi everyone,

This is a fantastic thread. Thank you everyone for the posts thus far.

Next week I hear back from Mannheim, and I have already gotten an offer from HHL with a large scholarship - making it substantially cheaper than Mannheim.

I am a US-American who speaks German almost fluently (writing is another story...) and have 1.5 years of work experience in online marketing here in Germany plus another 2 years in sales support in medical devices in the States.

If I get into Mannheim, I'm wondering which way to go. Is Mannheim's reputation worth over 10,000 euro more than HHLs?

Any thoughts and experiences would be appreciated!

There was a discussion about HHL recently: http://www.find-mba.com/board/34222

HHL did slightly better than Mannheim in the FT rankings last year, setting into the top 30 European MBAs: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/european-business-school-rankings-2012 This year, Mannheim got into (the volatile bottom third of) the FT top 100: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2013 I think these are broadly similar schools. Both Mannheim and HHL are strong in consulting, IT and finance. Mannheim has a larger network, and more alumni outside Germany especially because of the joint MSc and EMBA degrees.

PS I think Mannheim has higher *profile*, especially outside Germany. I don't think it has a better [or worse] reputation. HHL is a private, elite school with a strong reputation.

PPS Mannheim is a state university, and I do think that makes a difference. Students in the core MSc programme modelled on the previous Diplom, are paying low fees. HHL is highly selective are has high fees, in contrast, and the faculty have to reflect that.

Thanks so much, Duncan. Your reply and link to the other thread was very helpful.

I thought this will make some sense now - the update.

Two of the HS Pforzheim MBA 2013 students just got placed. One with Bombardier Inc. and the other one with a Consulting firm in Frankfurt.

Will write back when I have more details.

Hello,
Can anybody please provide me the info on how I can get into a relevant Fresher MBA or MS in Mgmt program in Germany from a good University, my profile as of now is an Electrical Engineer but wanting to switch my career to management, I am aware of this DAAD program but its highly putting off me with what program or unvi I should select and on what groundwork.
Should I go with some consultancy or through some other process.
You valuable comment would be really helpful for me!

How good is your German?

Take a look at http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-management-2012

The programs to focus on are the MSc degrees at ESCP, Mannheim, Cologne and HHL. Work hard to improve your German. I think you'll find that easier at HHL, because the city has fewer English-speakers.

Hi,

I have been admitted for the IGC Global Management program in Bremen and the International Management program in HFU Furtwangen. I am awaiting the results from The Erlangen University in Nurnberg and from HTW Berlin. Can you please advise which amongst would be better to join? Is the Global Management program in Bremen AASCB accredited ?

None of these is accredited by AASCB, EFMD or AMBA as far as I know. The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg is a traditional university, rather than a Fachhochschule, so I think that will be the better programme, but it depends on your goals. Are you looking at the MIBS there (http://www.wiso.uni-erlangen.de/masterstudiengaenge/international_business/)? The FAU's MBA is in German.

Hi everyone !

A special case here:

I am a B-Tech in Mining engineering.
-Worked with Accenture for one and half years.
-Then with an educational start up for another one and half years.
After that for the next three years I have been assisting in Film making / Ad making in Mumbai.

All of a sudden I totally feel a blockage in my enthusiasm for the creative field and I feel like pursuing MBA for good or for bad.
But as you can see my work experience isn't really focused on any particular field.
So I am thinking of doing MBA from Gernmany / Netherland / Denamrk -in that order of priority.
US/UK would be perhaps too mainstream for me and to tell you frankly, I intend on working for 4-5 years and then maybe get back into film making.
One more thing - I guess my Maths/Quant faculty is good because I cleared JEE and I would consider myself a very fast learner

So do you think I stand a decent chance of getting a good job in Germany? provided I'll soon start learning german and clear at least B1 before I land up there.
or is it just a stupid idea that better be waived off, cos as such I don't have any hardcore experience?

And if I do have some chance, given I do good in acads there, then in which sector I might end up most likely?
(I don't have any priority as such in Finance or Consulting or IT or anything)

I am looking forward to very honest and realistic answers from you all experienced guys.

Thanks a Damn lot !

I think you'd need to fall in love with the country you're targetting; you need positive motivation to see what the best path is to meet your career goals. What do you want to do in those five years abroad? Do well in your GMAT, and get into the best school you can.