FAQ - Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) is a full-time program that grants you a Master (MSc) degree from one of the top-rated business schools in Europe - ESMT Berlin. It is targeted at young, recent bachelor graduates in their early twenties with limited to no work experience who consider their future careers in the field of data analysis.

ESMT searches for students with international experience who can perform work in high-performing, diverse teams. Our Master's programs are highly international - no nationality makes up more than 20% of the class.

ESMT's MAAI is a personalized degree for high-potential candidates with little or no previous work experience.

The qualities we are looking for in our applicants are:

• Excellent analytical problem-solving abilities
• A critical thinker who holds a scientific worldview
• Highly attentive to detail
• Knowledge and understanding of emerging technologies
• A desire for continuous learning opportunities 

The requirements for applying to ESMT’s MAAI program are:

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent
• Proof of English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) or graduating from a university program taught in English
• Completed application, including essays and one recommendation
• Having less than 18 months of post-graduate professional experience (not including internship or work experience prior to bachelor program graduation)

• A GMAT or GRE is highly recommended for all applicants to this program.
• The average GMAT score is 640. ESMT’s GMAT code is H4D-SJ-86 or simply search for the school name. We also accept GRE scores, and our Designated Institution (DI) code is 7768.

There is no minimum GPA requirement for the Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. Candidates with excellent grades, especially in quantitative areas, may have a competitive advantage. Strong GMAT or GRE scores may help in some cases to boost weak academic performance.

No work experience is required for your application. You should have no more than 18 months of post-graduate (following your bachelor's degree) work experience at the time of application. The average work experience in the current Master in Management class is 4 months.

Part-time work undertaken before graduation does not count towards the 18-month limit. Same applies to non career-relevant experience that you gained previously.

You must include one recommendation letter in your application. You can choose either an academic or professional referees (from previous internships).

Consider choosing a referee who can evaluate your performance either in an academic or professional setting and will take the time to write a thorough and supportive letter that will include specific examples rather than general statements.

You can send the recommendation template to your referee from within the application platform. If you have a previously written recommendation letter, you can upload it to the application platform. Should you not be able to upload it online, you can send it to the office of admissions via email.

Please answer the questions as truthfully and directly as you can in whatever style you see fit. We highly recommend using a spellchecker to avoid easy mistakes, but apart from that, there are no further guidelines.

Common mistakes that we notice and that can be easily avoided: not using a spellchecker for your essays (typos and misspellings), using a different school’s name in your essays (copy-pasting essays from other applications), and not answering the question (being too generic or writing an essay on topics not directly related to the question).

Tuition for the full two-year Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence is currently €32,000.

The fees are paid in three installments over the two academic years, as follows:

• To officially confirm your enrollment and reserve your place in the class, a first deposit of €4,000 should be paid no later than four weeks after receiving your acceptance offer. This deposit will be deducted from future tuition payments.
• The remaining tuition fees are to be paid in two equal installments, at the beginning (September) and after the first year of the program.

These fees cover all courses and seminars, teaching materials, orientation, and career support.

Please, consider having enough money for relocation and living expenses. We recommend a budget of around €1,200 per month for living expenses.

Full tuition fee information can be found here.

Scholarships are offered to accepted students with outstanding academic merit and leadership potential. To apply for a scholarship, you should complete the proper essay included in the online application form, and indicate your suitability for a scholarship.

The scholarships offered in ESMT cover partial tuition fees. Most of our students cover the costs of their studies with a mix of scholarships, loans, and personal savings.

Here you can find more information about the scholarships and financing options.

ESMT does not offer on-campus student housing. Most students typically find housing within 25 minutes or less of campus due to its central location with various public transport options. Through our student services platform, current students and alumni share relevant housing information with all incoming students.

Visas

As a general rule, all foreigners staying in Germany for more than 90 days wanting to work or study in Germany need a visa before entering the country.

Depending on the country, issuing a student visa for studying in Germany can take up to 6 months. Though the process is often quicker, we advise all admitted students to book an appointment with the embassy in their countries as early as possible.

* EU nationals do not require a visa to enter Germany.
 

APS

The APS Certificate is mandatory for Chinese students who are interested in studying in Germany. Before applying to a German university you have to hand in your academic certificates and documents to the APS office in Beijing. This procedure may require some time. We would recommend you to book an appointment as soon as possible.

You can read all about the APS on their official website or by contacting the German embassy.

Residence permit after entering Germany

After moving to Germany, students are required to register as a resident at their new address with the local authorities and apply for a residence permit (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis”) at the immigration authority. This document is the permit that allows non-EU or non-EEA nationals to live and study in Berlin for the duration of the program.

Upon receiving a valid residence permit in a Schengen member country, you may travel to another country within the Schengen zone, visa-free, using a valid passport for up to 90 days per six-month period.

Can my residence permit be extended after the MIM is finished?

According to current German regulations, after finishing a graduate degree in Germany, you have the option of extending your residence permit for up to 18 months. During this time, you can search for suitable employment that complements your German university degree.

There are many student clubs  active on campus, covering a vast variety of topics such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, investment, women in leadership, and many more. All students are welcome to join and take part in initiatives.

The latest information regarding COVID-19, possible restrictions, and recommendations, as well as its impact on programs and ESMT campus activities can be found here.