Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI), Berlin & Hamburg: Admissions, Tuition & Degree Recognition Guide for International Students

The Berlin School of Business and Innovation, known as BSBI, is a private, state-recognised business school with its main campus in Berlin and a Hamburg campus focused on creative arts, together with sites in Athens and Paris. It offers about twenty English-taught programs at undergraduate and postgraduate level in business and management, finance, digital marketing, health management, tourism and hospitality, and creative arts and animation. Importantly, the degrees are awarded by partner universities rather than by BSBI itself: its programs are validated by the University for the Creative Arts (UK), the University of Roehampton (UK), the University of Chichester (UK), Concordia University Chicago (US), and Università Telematica Internazionale UNINETTUNO (Italy). That structure has consequences for recognition and post-study rights, which this guide sets out. It covers exactly what BSBI international students need to know: programs, partners, fees, admissions, living costs, and Germany's post-study residence options.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Berlin School of Business and Innovation, a private, state-recognised business school in Berlin and Hamburg
• Other sites: Athens and Paris
• Programs: about twenty English-taught programs in business, finance, digital marketing, health management, tourism and hospitality, and creative arts and animation
• Degree awarders: partner universities including the University for the Creative Arts, the University of Roehampton, the University of Chichester, Concordia University Chicago, and UNINETTUNO
• Fees (third-party figures): a typical annual figure of about €7,500, bachelor's programs of about €6,000 to €8,000 a year, and most 18-month master's programs at about €14,425
• MBA: the Concordia University Chicago MBA over 24 months at about €19,440
• Discounts: international applicants qualify for a base 30% reduction on master's and MBA fees, and savings of up to 50% are advertised on selected undergraduate programs
• Visa: non-EU students must show about €11,904 in a blocked account for the first year

Rankings and reputation

BSBI does not appear prominently in the main QS or Times Higher Education world tables, and its standing depends on the partner universities that validate its degrees and its state recognition in Germany. Its partners are recognised institutions in their own countries, and its site says they are listed as H+ institutions in Germany's anabin database, which is the German recognition database for foreign institutions. That is a useful signal, but you should still check the specific degree, the awarding university, and how the German authorities treat it for your purpose.

Academics and signature programs

BSBI teaches business administration, international management, finance, digital marketing, health management, tourism and hospitality, and creative disciplines such as animation, with the Hamburg campus focused on creative arts. Master's programs typically run for 18 months, and the MBA for 24 months. Teaching is entirely in English. Ask which partner university awards each program, how the degree title reads on the certificate, and whether classes are taught by BSBI staff or partner staff.

Admissions and international eligibility

BSBI does not publish an acceptance rate. Bachelor's applicants need a secondary qualification recognised in Germany as equivalent to university entrance, and master's applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree. English requirements can be waived for native speakers, for applicants whose secondary education was in English, and for applicants who completed a bachelor's degree in English in an English-speaking country. After an offer, non-EU students apply for a German student visa.

English language requirements

• All coursework is in English
• IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent tests are accepted, with scores set by the awarding partner and program
• Requirements can be waived for applicants who studied in English
• Confirm the requirement for your program before booking a test

Application checklist

A typical application includes certified transcripts, English evidence, a CV, a motivation letter, and passport details, and non-EU students then apply for a German student visa with proof of funds. Ask what deposit is required before the visa and what is refundable if the visa is refused.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Third-party sources put BSBI's average tuition at about €7,500 a year, with bachelor's programs at roughly €6,000 to €8,000 a year, most 18-month master's programs at about €14,425 in total, and the 24-month Concordia University Chicago MBA at about €19,440. BSBI advertises a base 30% reduction on master's and MBA fees for international applicants and savings of up to 50% on selected undergraduate programs, so the price you pay depends on the offer at the time. Because discounts and fees change, ask BSBI for a written schedule that states the fee, the discount, the number of semesters, and any registration or examination fees.

Estimated living costs in Berlin and Hamburg

• Non-EU visa applicants usually must show funds in a blocked account, about €11,904 for the first year according to BSBI
• Berlin and Hamburg are expensive for housing, and student rooms are scarce
• Statutory or approved health insurance is mandatory for students
• Student visa holders can generally work up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year
• Public transport passes are widely available and often discounted for students

Campus life and student support

BSBI is a small, city-based school with an international cohort, so student life centres on projects, career events, and the wider city. Berlin has a large startup and creative scene, and Hamburg is a major media and logistics hub. Ask about housing help, language courses, and the career service.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Berlin's economy includes startups, technology, and creative industries, and BSBI's programs aim at business and creative roles. Ask for graduate employment statistics and how the school helps non-EU students find internships and jobs.

What to verify about German visas and post-study options

Germany's 18-month job-seeker permit is designed for graduates of recognised degrees, and BSBI's degrees are awarded by foreign partner universities and delivered in Germany. That may be treated differently from a degree awarded by a German university, so before you pay, ask BSBI for written confirmation that your program supports a German student visa and ask the German authorities in your region what post-study options apply. Do not assume that a UK, US, or Italian degree studied in Berlin carries the same post-study rights as a German degree.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Students need valid health insurance before enrolment and must register their address after arriving. Budget for the blocked account, visa fee, insurance, and a housing deposit, and start the housing search early because student rooms are scarce.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, address registration, and setting up a bank account and insurance. Teaching combines lectures, group projects, and presentations, and students who look for internships early tend to benefit most.

A realistic budget

At about €7,500 a year, a three-year bachelor's costs about €22,500 in tuition, and an 18-month master's at about €14,425 costs less than many private German schools, but living costs of €12,000 or more a year in Berlin add substantially. Compare the total with English-taught programs at public German universities.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Which partner university awards my degree, and what does the certificate say?
• Does my program support a German student visa, and can BSBI confirm this in writing?
• Which post-study options apply to a degree from a foreign partner delivered in Germany?
• What is the exact fee and discount, and is it fixed for the whole program?
• What is refundable if my visa is refused?
• How does BSBI help non-EU students find internships and housing?

Who BSBI suits best

BSBI suits students who want an English-taught business or creative degree in Berlin or Hamburg at a moderate private fee and who have verified the awarding partner and visa position. It may suit less well students who need a German-awarded degree, want a long-established university brand, or want the lowest cost through a public German university.

A German degree or a partner degree delivered in Germany?

A degree from a German university generally gives access to Germany's post-study residence options and to German public tuition levels, while a partner degree delivered in Germany offers English-language delivery and flexible starts. If your goal is to live and work in Germany after graduation, compare both routes carefully and get the recognition in writing.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and identify the awarding partner university.
2. Ask BSBI to confirm the visa and post-study position in writing.
3. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
4. Apply with transcripts, CV, motivation letter, and passport details.
5. Accept your offer, open a blocked account, arrange insurance, and apply for your student visa.
6. Find housing and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified and, where needed, translated transcripts, your English test result, and proof of funds early. German visa appointments can be slow, so keep copies of everything and ask BSBI to confirm fees and billing in writing.

Berlin or Hamburg?

Berlin is the main campus, with a large startup and creative scene, while Hamburg focuses on creative arts and offers a major media and port city. Housing is tight in both. Ask which campus teaches your program, what facilities are available there, and how students find housing.

Frequently asked questions