Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship admissions
ESMT Berlin welcomes Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship applications from talented individuals of all nationalities and backgrounds. As an international business school, we value diversity of thought as well as global exchange and discourse.
MIE career goals
For the MIE we are looking for students who identify with or aspire to be any of the following:
- (Corporate) innovators
- Entrepreneurs
- Venture Capitalist
- Innovation consultants
- Venture architects
- Technology enthusiasts
Admission requirements
When evaluating applications, the Admissions Committee looks for the following qualities:
- Creative thinking
- Willing to take risks and learn from mistakes
- Keen sense for identifying and acting on opportunities
- Willingness to collaborate and effectively communicate
- Natural leader
The admissions process for the Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship is designed to identify candidates who are a good fit for the program’s focus on practical learning and experimentation.
What do I need to apply?
General requirements
- A previous degree (at least Bachelor's equivalent) with excellent grades. If you are finishing your undergraduate studies within the next year, your application will also be considered.
- Ideally, applicants to the MIE program will have between 0-3 years of post-graduate work experience. Applicants with up to five years of post-graduate work experience will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis, following assessment and alignment of their academic and professional goals to the respective program.
- English language proficiency test scores (if applicable)
- Submitting an English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC) is not mandatory. Your English language skills are also assessed in the selection interview.
- You will receive a waiver for the English proficiency test if English is your native language or if you have completed a university degree completely taught in English.
- If required, ESMT expects a minimum score of 5.0 in the TOEFL, with a minimum score of 5.0 in Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing (updated 2026 scoring). The ESMT TOEFL institution code is 8707. Alternatively, ESMT expects 7.0 in the IELTS, or 850 in the TOEIC.
- Entrance exam (if applicable) - taking the GMAT/GRE or BAT test is not mandatory if you can provide evidence of your quantitative skills. However, not all students will be granted waivers. If your quantitative background is not strong enough, you may be required to take the BAT or GMAT/GRE test.
- GMAT or GRE scores are not obligatory if candidates can provide alternative evidence of quantitative skills or scientific training within their Bachelor studies through competitive grades in courses that included general quantitative courses; or with a degree in engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, or another quantitative field (including economics or business with mainly theoretical/quantitative coursework).
- ESMT does not have a set minimum GMAT/GRE scores. As a guideline, GMAT scores below 600 (GMAT Focus below 555), or GRE scores below 304 are usually not considered competitive. Depending on educational background and the grades, the review of scores can focus more on the quantitative section of the respective test.
- Candidates may also take the ESMT Business Admissions Test (BAT) or receive a waiver for the tests if their academic transcripts or related qualifications demonstrate sufficient quantitative skills.
- Completed application - including essays, one reference, and €75 application fee.
Interview assessment
During the interview process at ESMT, applicants are assessed on their analytical and problem-solving skills, teamwork abilities, and English language proficiency.
Interviews are conducted in English by trained staff or alumni, using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to ensure candidates meet the B2 level or higher.
How do I apply?
If you have any questions about applying to the master's program or your profile, please contact the Office of Admissions.
Create an account
To begin the admissions process for the Master in innovation and Entrepreneurship program you'll need to create an account.
The application form will ask you for following information:
- Basic personal data
- Your academic and professional background
- Answers to short essay questions
We will open applications to our 2027 MIE on October 1. Until then, you can register your interest here to be notified about key admissions deadlines and other information.
Submit required documents
Additionally, you will be asked to submit the following documents with your application:
- Your CV
- Academic transcripts from all higher education institutions you have attended
- One recommendation (form provided by ESMT)
- GRE/GMAT and TOEFL scores, if needed
ESMT cannot begin assessing your application until all of the required documents are received.
First screening
Once your application is submitted, the Admissions team will review it. If your profile fits the program requirements, you will be invited to an Admissions interview.
Interview
Following a thorough review of your application, you may be invited for a short interview with an ESMT administrator or professor.
All interviews for the program will be conducted online via Zoom or at the ESMT campus in Berlin. The Admissions Interview will test your interpersonal communication skills and your competency under pressure among other traits. Also, you will be able to clarify open questions and give deeper insights to your application.
Admissions & scholarship committee
After the interview, ESMT’s Admissions Committee will review your application and make a decision. Following their decision, the Scholarship Committee will then meet to review applications for scholarship consideration.
You will receive an email with the admissions decision and scholarship award (if any) directly after these meetings. If you are successful you will also receive details about the next steps to enroll in ESMT's Master program.
To confirm attendance, admitted candidates must pay a deposit towards their tuition.
Enrollment
After accepting your offer of admission and paying the tuition deposit, your place in the class is confirmed.
At this stage, you will receive access to an internal student portal, which will provide you with all necessary information regarding the next steps that you may need to take, such as:
- How to look for and find housing in Berlin
- Student visa application
- Obtaining Health insurance
- Registering upon arrival in Berlin
- And more.
A dedicated Student Services manager will be available to assist you with any further needs and questions you may have.
When do I apply?
Early application awards available
All students who successfully apply to the MIE program by Oct 31, 2026 will receive a €3,000 Early Application Award to reduce the full cost of tuition.
We also have a select number of scholarships available for candidates who display academic excellence, leadership, and personal or professional achievements.
If you are interested in a scholarship, we suggest applying early as these are awarded on a rolling basis.
MIE applications: September 2027 intake
Applications for the Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship September 2027 intake open on October 1, 2026.
The intake will start on September 7, 2027.
- Applications to ESMT master's programs are reviewed on a rolling basis, regardless of the application rounds
- The Admissions Committee meets and publishes admissions decisions within two-to-four weeks on average
- Seats fill up fast, so we recommend applying as soon as possible to secure your spot
If you need a visa, we strongly encourage you to apply early to account for processing times.
Earlier applications will also receive an automatic Early Application Award.
You can register your interest now to be among the first to know when the application portal opens.
All application deadlines for the MIE 2027 intake
Application round |
Application deadline |
Early Application Award |
|---|---|---|
Round one |
Oct 31, 2026 |
€3,000 |
Round two |
Dec 15, 2026 |
€2,000 |
Round three |
Jan 31, 2027 |
€1,000 |
Round four |
Mar 31, 2027 |
not available |
Round five |
May 18, 2027 |
not available |
Round six |
Jun 30, 2027 |
not available |
Round seven* * Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a case-by-case, space-available basis. |
Jul 31, 2027 |
not available |
| Application round: | ||
Round one |
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| Application deadline: | ||
Oct 31, 2026 |
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| Early Application Award: | ||
€3,000 |
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| Application round: | ||
Round two |
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| Application deadline: | ||
Dec 15, 2026 |
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| Early Application Award: | ||
€2,000 |
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| Application round: | ||
Round three |
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| Application deadline: | ||
Jan 31, 2027 |
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| Early Application Award: | ||
€1,000 |
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| Application round: | ||
Round four |
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| Application deadline: | ||
Mar 31, 2027 |
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| Early Application Award: | ||
not available |
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| Application round: | ||
Round five |
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| Application deadline: | ||
May 18, 2027 |
||
| Early Application Award: | ||
not available |
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| Application round: | ||
Round six |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
Jun 30, 2027 |
||
| Early Application Award: | ||
not available |
||
| Application round: | ||
Round seven* * Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a case-by-case, space-available basis. |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
Jul 31, 2027 |
||
| Early Application Award: | ||
not available |
Admissions information for students outside of the EU
- If you are applying from Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, EU, Honduras, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, or the United States, you DO NOT need a visa to enter Germany as a student. This can change so please check with us or your nearest German Embassy or Consulate for further details
- Due to long processing times, we advise that students who do need a visa apply as early as possible
- If you are a graduate of a Chinese or Indian university, there are some additional steps you need to take in order to study at a German university. This process can take up to six months to complete. Please visit the appropriate APS website: China (Chinese; Deutsch) or India, for further information.
Ready to take charge of your career in 2027?
Admissions for the 2027 master's intakes open on October 1, 2026. Register your interest to be the first to hear about key information and application deadlines.
Additional information
Wondering which test is right for you? Learn more in our business school admissions tests guide.
Do I need to take an admissions test?
We provide admissions tests waivers for MIE candidates who have proof of a strong quantitative background. However, not all MIE candidates will be granted waivers.
What is a strong quantitative background?
GMAT or GRE scores are not mandatory if candidates can provide alternative evidence of quantitative skills or scientific training within their Bachelor studies. This can be proven though academic transcripts or related qualifications that show competitive grades in courses that included general quantitative courses; or with a degree in engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, or another quantitative field (including economics or business with mainly theoretical/quantitative coursework).
What if i don't have a quantitative background?
Candidates who come from a non quantitative background will need to take an admissions test. We accept the GMAT, the GRE, and the ESMT Business Admissions Test (BAT).
How do I know if I can get an admissions test waiver?
You can reach out to our admissions team to get a clearer idea of whether your personal profile qualifies for a waiver, and for more insight on which admissions test to take.
GMAT Online Test
Instead of sitting for the traditional GMAT exam, the GMAT can be taken online. Testing times are flexible and there is no need to find a local test center.
We recommend that you submit results for the GMAT online test.
GRE General Test at home
ETS offers candidates the option to take the GRE® General Test at home or at a test center.
The GRE® General Test is available everywhere that the computer-delivered GRE General Test is normally available, with the exception of Mainland China and Iran.
ESMT Business Admissions Test (BAT)
The ESMT Business Admissions Test (BAT) is an alternative to the GMAT and GRE tests. It is taken online and is administered on behalf of ESMT by Business Test Methods. It costs US$100 and preparation materials are available online once you have registered. See the video below for more information on the BAT.
In order to take the test, please reach out to our admissions team.
Admissions test codes
- GRE – ESMT Designated Institution (DI) code: 7768
- GMAT - ESMT Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship code: H4D-SJ-36
- TOEFL - ESMT institution code: 8707
Student visa details
Please, note that issuing a German student visa might take up to six months. Though the process is often quicker, we advise all admitted students to reach the embassies in their countries as early as possible. We suggest submitting your application no later than June 30.
WE WILL STILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS MADE AFTER JUNE 30 FOR A SEPTEMBER START IN THE SAME YEAR. However, ESMT can only provide minimal visa support for applicants from non-EU countries submitted after June 30.
More visa information can be found here.
As a general rule, all non-EU/non-EEA nationals staying in Germany for more than 90 days for work or study purposes need a visa before entering the country.
Applicants from Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, EU and EEA countries, Honduras, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States, DO NOT need visas to enter Germany as a student. As these regulations can change dynamically and without notice, we recommend consulting with ESMT representatives or your nearest German Embassy/Consulate.
Additional information for graduates from Chinese or Indian universities:
If you are a graduate of a Chinese or Indian university, there are some additional steps you need to take in order to study at a German university. This process can take up to 6 months to complete. Please visit the appropriate APS website: China (Chinese; Deutsch) India, for further information.
Contact our Admissions Team
Have questions about admissions or need more information?
We're here to help: simply reach out to our Admissions Team.
