Part of the Stuttgart-based Klett Group, Cologne Business School is a distinguished private institution founded in 1993. It has global connections with 180 partner universities worldwide and campuses in seven different locations throughout Germany.
CBS offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and part-time programs tailored to equip students with a dynamic skillset to boost employability. Thus, it comes as no surprise that this private university is the first German business school to receive the globally renowned IACBE accreditation. CBS is also recognized by the Ministry of Science North Rhine-Westphalia, the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA), and Wissenschaftsrat.
Moreover, the institute is a flagbearer of diversity and inclusion, which is clearly reflected in its student numbers. Thirty percent of the total enrollment is from international students from over 75 countries.
Cologne Business School: Highlights
| University Type | Private University |
| Year of Establishment | 1993 |
| Total Enrollment | 3,000 students |
| International Representation | 30% of the student strength |
| Application Deadline for International Students | May 31 |
| Acceptance Rate | 72% (Based on estimates. Not official data) |
| Academic Faculties | 70 professors |
| Scholarships for International Students | Available |
Why study at Cologne Business School?
- First German business school to be accredited by IACBE, which stands as testimony to the quality of education provided here.
- The intermingling of global perspectives with student representation from 75 countries.
- Opportunity to enroll in semester abroad programs in one of CBS’s 180 partner institutions.
- Part-time job possibilities for students who need some extra income while studying.
- A stellar research facility that is divided into 7 research clusters.
Cologne Business School Rankings
- Best private university in the area of business administration (North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate region) by WirtschaftsWoche.
- One of the top 5 private universities of applied sciences in 5 categories (including service and consulting and practical relevance by Trendence Graduate Barometer.
Programs and courses offered at Cologne Business School
Cologne Business School offers a number of internationally oriented, practical business degree programs with individual support. Undergraduate and postgraduate programs are taught in English. Apart from this, CBS also allows international students to enroll in a Prep4 University program and a pre-master program in business administration.
Undergraduate programs
With the right specialization in an English-taught bachelor’s degree, international students can set individual priorities and plan their next career move. Given below is a list of the bachelor’s programs offered by CBS.
| Course | Campus |
| Business Psychology (B.Sc.) | Cologne, Mainz |
| Finance and Management (B.Sc.) | Cologne |
| International Business (B.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Potsdam, Aachen |
| Digital Management (B.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Potsdam, Aachen |
| Financial Management (B.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Potsdam, Aachen |
| Human Resources Management and Leadership (B.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Potsdam, Aachen |
| International Trade (B.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Aachen |
| Management Consulting (B.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Aachen |
| Marketing Management (B.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Potsdam, Aachen |
| International Tourism Management (B.A.) | Cologne, Mainz |
Postgraduate programs
With business skills and foreign language training, you will be job-ready after enrolling in a Master’s program at CBS. Given below is a list of the English-taught master’s programs offered by CBS
| Course | Campus |
| Business Psychology and Management (M.Sc.) | Cologne, Mainz |
| Digital Marketing (M.A.) | Cologne |
| Digital Transformation Management (M.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Postdam |
| Financial Management (M.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Postdam |
| Global Finance (M.Sc.) | Cologne |
| Human Resource Management and Leadership (M.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Postdam |
| International Business (M.A.) | Cologne, Postdam |
| Entrepreneurship (M.A.) | Cologne, Postdam |
| Marketing Management (M.A.) | Cologne, Mainz, Postdam |
| Strategic Management and Consulting (M.Sc.) | Cologne, Mainz |
| Tourism and Sustainable Management (M.A.) | Cologne |
| International Management (M.B.A.) | Cologne |
Campus and accommodation
The University has campuses in seven different locations in Germany, namely Cologne, Mainz, Potsdam, Aachen, Bruhl, Solingen, and Neuss.
Accommodation
Application date: At least 2 months before the start of the semester.
CBS offers a student residence with fully equipped double and single rooms in the neighborhood of Cologne. The residence has a vibrant ambiance and is surrounded by many shops and bright cafes. Each room is fully furnished with a bed, closet, desk, storage rack, lamps, bedding, and private safes.
Although there are no private washrooms, each floor has plenty of bathrooms for the residents. The student halls consist of a fully equipped common kitchen with refrigerators, a freezer, a stove, an oven, and microwaves.
In case you are unable to avail of on-campus housing, CBS also recommends Castell Deutz, a student residence in the heart of Cologne. Castell Deutz offers single student accommodations that come with a kitchen and a separate bathroom.
International students should note that there are no accommodation facilities in Mainz, Potsdam, and Aachen. However, you are bound to find student apartments and hostels for rent nearby.
Admission requirements for international students
To ensure that all admission deadlines are met, prospective international students should enroll via Gyanberry Application Services. The CBS Admissions Office reviews international applications and is open to questions
Enrollment Fee: 598 USD
Documents Required:
-
- Official Academic Transcripts
- CV (tabular form)
- Copy of your passport
- Proof of English Proficiency
- Letter of Motivation
- Proof of at least one year of professional experience (only for postgraduate applicants)
Minimum scores in English Proficiency Tests
| Test | Minimum scores |
| TOEFL(IBT) | 83 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
Tuition, fees, and the annual cost of attendance
Despite being a thriving study destination for international students, the cost of living in Germany is exponentially lower than in other European cities. Apart from tuition fees, the largest expense incurred by international students is rent.
A table outlining the tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate programs is given below.
| Course | Annual Fees (USD) | Annual Fees (AED) |
| Bachelor’s programs | 14,534 | 53,384 |
| Master’s programs | 14,534 | 53,384 |
| MBA | 17,764 | 65,248 |
Cost of living
| Expense | Cost per month (USD) | Cost per month (AED) |
| Accommodation | 299-697 | 1,098-2,560 |
| Food | 150-199 | 551-731 |
| Utilities | 199 | 731 |
| Health Insurance | 110 | 404 |
The average annual cost of attendance for an international student at Cologne Business School would be approximately 15,292-18,969 USD or 56,169-69,675 AED*.
*Note: Costs are converted based on the current exchange rate, i.e., 1 USD = 3.67 AED. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change.
Scholarships for international students
DAAD Scholarship
The DAAD ( Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is one of the largest financing institutions in Germany for International students. This scholarship is for postgraduate or doctorate applicants.
Scholarship amount: 850 USD monthly for a postgraduate student or 1,196 USD monthly for a Ph.D. student.
Application Deadline: Between July and August
Eligibility Criteria:
- Completed a bachelor’s degree in the last 6 years.
- Work experience of at least 2 years.
Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) scholarship
This scholarship is for international students who want to pursue postgraduate studies in Germany.
Scholarship amount: 850 USD monthly for a postgraduate student or 1,196 USD for a Ph.D. student.
Application Deadline: By July
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must have completed a university degree with above-average results.
- Must have good knowledge of the German language (B2 level).
- Must actively engage in voluntary work.
- Must demonstrate interests in political issues, democracy, and human rights.
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) scholarship
This scholarship is open to Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. applicants.
Scholarship amount: 742 USD per month, as well as a flat-rate student fee of 299 USD.
Application Deadline: 30 November for the Winter semester, and 31 May for the Summer semester.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must have completed a university degree with above-average results.
- Must demonstrate a commitment to society through participation in student councils or political organizations.
Explore more scholarships to study in Germany.
Career prospects, placements, and salaries for CBS graduates
The Career Service department at CBS helps to steer you in the right direction to meet your professional goals. The career cell partners with companies to provide CBS-exclusive internships and job vacancies. You can also get your application reviewed, be part of mock interviews, and get direct guidance from experienced counselors.
MBA graduates from this premier institution usually get placed within the first 6 months of graduation. They have a median salary ranging between 55,000-60,000 Euros or 54,894-59,885 USD**. After the completion of their course, international students can also extend their resident permits for up to 18 months. After finding a job, these students can then apply for an EU Blue Card which will allow them to work in any EU state.
**Note: Salaries are converted based on the current exchange rate, i.e., 1 EUR= 1.00844 USD. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change.
