ESMT Berlin and Bard College Berlin create accelerated path from liberal arts to management

The new pathway is open to eligible students enrolled in Bard College Berlin's BA in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought or BA in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought. Qualified students benefit from a simplified admissions process for the ESMT degree programs Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Master in Global Management. As part of the collaboration, Bard College Berlin students will also have access to three complimentary places each year in the ESMT Summer School, allowing them to experience graduate study in Berlin before applying. 

“A liberal arts education builds a great basis for management,” says Prof. Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT. “With this partnership, we are creating an academic pathway that brings together analytical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and management education. Students will be well prepared to lead across sectors and cultures.” 

Dr. Florian Becker from Bard College Berlin, adds, “Our students are encouraged to engage deeply with complex political, economic, and ethical questions. This partnership gives them an exciting opportunity to build on that foundation through graduate studies focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and global management, while remaining in Berlin’s vibrant international academic community.” 

Unlike traditional progression routes, the pathway is designed specifically for students whose academic background extends beyond business. It connects the interdisciplinary perspective of a liberal arts education with practical management training, offering students a distinctive route into international careers in business, entrepreneurship, and public leadership. 

Students may express their interest in the pathway during the Bard College Berlin admissions process and confirm their participation by the end of their second year of study. Eligible students then benefit from a simplified application process at ESMT, provided they have completed at least 240 ECTS during their bachelor's degree, demonstrate strong quantitative preparation, and meet the agreed academic performance requirements.