Munich Business School (MBS): Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships Guide for International Students

Munich Business School, known as MBS, is a private, state-recognised business school in Munich, Germany, founded in 1991. It has more than 1,000 students, more than half of them international, drawn from over 70 countries, and it teaches business degrees in English at bachelor's, master's, MBA, and doctoral level. It holds state accreditation from the Bavarian ministry of science, institutional accreditation from the German Council of Science and Humanities, and programme accreditation from FIBAA, and it announced in 2025 that it had also earned AACSB accreditation. Because it is a private school, it charges fees that are far higher than those at Germany's public universities. This guide covers exactly what Munich Business School international students need to know: programs, published fees, English and admission requirements, scholarships, living costs in Munich, and Germany's post-study residence options.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Munich Business School, a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences in Munich, founded in 1991
• Students: more than 1,000, over half international, from more than 70 countries
• Accreditation: state accreditation from the Bavarian ministry since 1999, institutional accreditation from the German Council of Science and Humanities, FIBAA programme accreditation, and AACSB accreditation announced in 2025
• Bachelor International Business: €48,720 in total tuition on MBS's FAQ page, with a third-party source quoting €44,940
• Master's programs: €25,740 each; Pre-Master €3,500; Pre-Bachelor €5,970
• MBA General Management: €32,000; Doctor of Business Administration: €36,000
• Enrolment fee: €690 for EU and EFTA students and €1,490 for international students
• Scholarships: partial awards including MBS Bavarian, MBS Explorer, and MBS BEST

Rankings and reputation

MBS does not appear in the main QS or Times Higher Education world tables that I could find, and its standing rests on accreditation and its business focus. The combination of state accreditation, institutional accreditation from the Science Council, FIBAA programme accreditation, and the recently announced AACSB accreditation is a strong set for a private German business school, and AACSB is held by only a small share of business schools worldwide. Accreditation status changes over time, so ask MBS for the current accreditation documents for your exact programme.

Academics and signature programs

The flagship bachelor's degree is International Business, with a pre-bachelor route for students who need bridging, and the master's programs cover areas such as international management, marketing, finance, and digital business, with a General Management MBA and a doctoral option. Teaching is in English, and programs include projects with companies, internships, and study abroad with partner universities. Small cohorts allow close contact with lecturers, and Munich's business environment supports industry links.

Admissions and international eligibility

MBS does not publish an acceptance rate. Bachelor's applicants need a secondary qualification recognised in Germany as equivalent to university entrance, or the pre-bachelor route, and master's applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree. Applicants must supply evidence of English skills, with the requirement stated on each programme page. After an offer, non-EU students apply for a German student visa.

English language requirements

• Applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency, with exact scores stated on each programme page
• Third-party sources say IELTS, TOEFL, or a final diploma from an English-speaking institution are accepted
• Applicants whose previous degree was taught in English may be exempt
• Confirm the score for your programme 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. MBS charges an enrolment fee of €1,490 for international students, so ask what is refundable if your visa is refused.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

MBS's FAQ lists tuition of €48,720 in total for the Bachelor International Business, €5,970 for the Pre-Bachelor, €25,740 for each master's programme, €3,500 for the Pre-Master, €32,000 for the General Management MBA, and €36,000 for the DBA, plus an enrolment fee of €1,490 for international students. A third-party source quotes €44,940 for the bachelor's, which suggests the figure has changed, so confirm the current total. Students may pay by bank transfer or PayPal in monthly or semester instalments. On the FAQ figure, the bachelor's costs about €16,240 a year over three years.

Estimated living costs in Munich

• Munich is Germany's most expensive city for housing, and student rooms are scarce
• Non-EU visa applicants usually must show funds, often through a blocked account, at an amount set by the German authorities, around €11,900 a year at the last update I know of
• 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 is extensive, with discounted student tickets in many cases

Scholarships

MBS offers partial scholarships including MBS Bavarian, MBS Explorer, and MBS BEST for qualifying candidates. I could not confirm the values or criteria, so ask MBS how many awards are given, how they are assessed, whether they are one-off or annual, and whether they can be combined.

Campus life and student support

MBS's campus is in Munich, and its international student body gives it a global atmosphere. As a private school, it offers close contact with staff, careers support, and exchange partnerships, but it has fewer facilities than a large public university. Ask about housing help, language courses, and the career service.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Munich has a large business, engineering, automotive, and technology job market, and MBS's programs aim at international business roles. Ask for graduate employment statistics and how the school helps non-EU students find internships and jobs.

Germany's post-study residence options

After completing a recognised German degree, international graduates can apply to stay for up to 18 months to look for a job that matches their qualification, and can then move to a work permit or the EU Blue Card if they find qualifying employment. Because MBS is state-recognised, its degrees should qualify, but confirm this for your programme. Rules and salary thresholds change, so verify the current conditions with the German authorities.

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 Munich's rental market is very tight.

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

For the bachelor's, about €48,720 in tuition plus the €1,490 enrolment fee comes to roughly €50,200, and living costs in Munich of €12,000 or more a year add about €36,000 over three years, so the total can exceed €85,000. A master's at €25,740 plus a year or two of living costs is a smaller but still substantial commitment.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the current total tuition for my programme, and is it fixed?
• Which accreditations does my programme hold today?
• How are the scholarships assessed, and how many are awarded?
• What is refundable from the enrolment fee if my visa is refused?
• Does my degree qualify for the 18-month job-seeker permit?
• How does MBS help non-EU students find internships and housing?

Who MBS suits best

MBS suits students who want an English-taught, accredited business degree in Munich with a strong international cohort and who can pay private-school fees. It may suit less well students on a tight budget who could qualify for a low-cost public university, or those wanting a research-heavy academic path.

Private business school or public university?

Germany's public universities charge little or no tuition for most programs, so choosing a private school like MBS is a decision to pay for something extra, such as English-taught options, smaller cohorts, and structured career support. If cost is your priority, apply also to public universities and universities of applied sciences with English-taught programs, and compare their deadlines.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your programme and confirm it is taught in English.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts, CV, and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and pay the enrolment fee.
5. 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 MBS to confirm fees and billing in writing.

How MBS compares with public universities and other private schools

At roughly €50,000 for a three-year bachelor's, MBS sits among the more expensive private German business schools, so compare it with at least two alternatives on total cost, accreditation, cohort size, and career support. Ask MBS how many graduates are employed within six months, and which employers hire them.

Frequently asked questions