FAQs

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
• Strong grades in your quantitative courses
• Proof of English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) or graduating from a university program taught in English
• Completed application, including essays and one recommendation
• Ideally, applicants to the  MAAI 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.

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, 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.

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.

Tuition for the full two-year Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence is currently €35,000.

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 €5,000 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.

Besides scholarships, admitted students may be eligible to borrow the program’s full tuition costs through Prodigy Finance or Brain Capital.

Prodigy Finance offers an innovative model of alumni-funded loans to international students at the world’s top business schools, including ESMT Berlin. Offering competitive rates to over 150 nationalities of students. Read all information about Prodigy Finance, its model, and requirements here.

Brain Capital, on the other hand, offers ESMT degree-seeking students, who are citizens of the EU, Canada, or USA, the ability to cover tuition fees through an innovative funding scheme. Find more information about Brain Capital, its model, and its requirements here.

According to German laws and regulations, students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week as working students while maintaining their student status. When deciding how many hours to work per week, It is important to remember that the studies have priority and must not be negatively affected by a working student position.

ESMT students enjoy the advantage of a distinct network that they can leverage in the future. At ESMT, our Career Development Center provides numerous opportunities for you to network with potential employers and alumni, and we will make every effort to facilitate connections for you. However, the outcome of your engagement with this network ultimately lies in your hands.

While ESMT offers robust career support, the task of securing a job primarily depends on your determination, hard work, and how effectively you utilize the provided opportunities. It is crucial to maintain realistic expectations and target the right companies in order to maximize your chances of success.

ESMT offers student accommodation in 7 shared flats near campus, just a 10-min walk away. Full-time ESMT students can apply for single or double rooms in the shared flats – each fully furnished and equipped with WIFI.

For more information on ESMT student accommodation, click here. As there are limited rooms available, please also consider other housing options. 

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 students holding bachelor or Master degrees from China (Mainland), India, Mongolia and Vietnam who are interested in studying in Germany. Before applying for a visa, you have to hand in your academic certificates and documents to the APS office in your respective country. This procedure might take time. We would recommend booking an appointment as soon as possible.

You can read all about the APS for China and the APS for India on their respective websites or contact 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 MAAI 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.