Admissions
ESMT Berlin warmly welcomes applications from students of all nationalities to the Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. We are an international business school that thrives on international exchange and discourse.
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
The application process is designed to help us find those individuals who are a good fit for the program’s focus on practical learning and experimentation. When evaluating applications, we are looking 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
What do I need to apply?
To apply, candidates need to have:
- 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)*
- Evidence of strong quantitative skills.**
- Completed application - including essays, one reference and €75 application fee.
*ESMT expects a score of 100 points in the TOEFL, 7.0 in the IELTS or 850 in the TOEIC. The ESMT TOEFL institution code is 8707. Your English language skills are also tested and 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.
** GMAT or GRE scores are not obligatory if candidates can provide alternative evidence of outstanding quantitative skills and/or scientific training within their Bachelor’s studies through competitive grades. As a guideline, GMAT scores below 600 (GMAT Focus below 555), or GRE scores below 304 are not competitive.” Please note that depending on the educational background, as well as the grades, the review of the scores can focus more on the quantitative section of respective test.
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.
Evidence of scientific training can be proven from one of the following:
Bachelor’s degree specialization in:
- engineering (chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, environmental, or other engineering application)
- natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, or other natural science)
- mathematics and statistics, or
- other quantitative science economics, where the majority of courses and research was theoretical and quantitative in nature rather than applied.
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.
To begin the admissions process for the Master 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Admission deadlines
When can I apply?
Applications for the 2025 intake are now open. Submit your application here.
Applications to ESMT Master programs are reviewed on a rolling, first-come basis.
The Admissions Committee meets and publishes admissions decisions on average within two to four weeks.
Application deadlines
Round 1: Early Decision
Deadline: March 31
Round 2: Student visa applicants
Deadline: June 1 (Applications after this date will still be considered)
Due to long visa processing times, citizens of countries that require a student visa to study in Germany are strongly advised to apply by this deadline.
Round 3: Soft-deadline for applications
Deadline: July 31*
*Applications after this date will still be considered. The final deadline should serve as a guide for your application planning. We will still accept applications that are submitted after this date but would recommend that you apply as soon as possible to secure your place before the class gets filled.
Additional information
GMAT Online Test
The GMAT can be taken online Instead of sitting for the traditional GMAT test, we recommend that you submit results for the GMAT online test.
Testing times are flexible and there is no need to find a local test center.
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.
Admission Test Codes
- GRE – ESMT Designated Institution (DI) code: 7768
- GMAT - ESMT Master in Global Management code: H4D-SJ-17
- TOEFL - ESMT institution code: 8707
Student visa details
We have extended our deadline for international students who require a visa to enter Germany.
Please, note that issuing a German student visa might take up to 6 months. Though the process is often quicker, we advise all admitted students to reach the embassies in their countries as early as possible.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER JUNE 1 WILL STILL BE CONSIDERED. However, ESMT can only provide minimal visa support for applicants from non-EU countries submitted after June 1.
More visa information could 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.
