DE / EN

Frequently asked questions

1. General

  • How much are the tuition fees?

    The semester fee is acurrently €194,30.

    Tuition fees for international students:

    Since 2017 the Land of Baden-Württemberg charges international students, who come to Germany specifically to study, €1,500 per semester for tuition. This does not apply to students from the EU or the EEA, refugees, or international students who obtained their Abitur or equivalent in Germany. Furthermore, students with strong ties to Germany are also exempt from paying the fees. For more information please visit the website of the International Office.

  • What are the costs of living in Mannheim?

    In comparison to other large cities in Germany, living in Mannheim is not very expensive. You should budget about EUR 700 to EUR 750 per month (made up of EUR 250–300 rent, about EUR 80 health insurance and the remaining money for groceries, clothing, etc.). Your expenses of course heavily depend on your lifestyle. Factor in some additional expenses during your first months in your new home as you will need to buy many new things, such as dishes or books.

  • Do you offer any scholarships?

    An overview of the available scholarships can be found on the "Fees and Scholarships" page.

  • Which specializations do you offer?

    After the introductory phase students can choose to follow one of three study tracks. Students of the Economics track can freely choose their specialization(s) from a wide range of modules, including courses from other departments such as Business Mathematics, Political Science, and Sociology. Students can make an appointment with a member of the Department at the beginning of the specialization phase to discuss their choices. In the Competition and Regulation Economics track electives are complemented by specialized mandatory courses in the fields of competition policy and regulation economics. Furthermore opportunities for internships, field trips, and other forms of collaboration with our partners are offered. The third track – Economic Research – gives a number of outstanding students the opportunity to enter into a fast-track program for acquiring a doctorate.

  • What can I do with a master’s degree in Economics?

    Depending on your field of study (Economics, Competition and Regulation Economics, or Economic Research) and your chosen specialization(s), our program will prepare you for a top position in management or administration (e.g. in consulting, in the manufacturing or service industry, in banks, public administration, international organizations or non-profit organizations) or in research. The University of Mannheim wants to support you in preparing and planning your career. As part of the pilot project STEP by STEP, we are offering workshops and information events to prepare you for your entry into the (German) labor market.

  • Is the program taught entirely in English? Do I need German language skills to study this program?

    The master’s program is taught entirely in English. German language proficiency is not required.

  • Is the program accredited?

    Yes, the program is accredited by evalag, the evaluation agency of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. A list of programs accredited by evalag can be found on their website.

  • When does the program start? When are the lecture periods, examination periods and semester breaks?

    All important dates in the academic year can be found in the University of Mannheim’s academic calendar.

2. Admission

  • I have a degree in Business Administration/Engineering/Mathematics/Political Science/Sociology etc.; am I eligible for the master's program in Economics?

    Our program is a consecutive master's program. Therefore, applicants have to hold a bachelor's degree in Economics or an equivalent qualification. Degrees from neighboring fields such as Business Administration, other Social Sciences (such as Political Science or Sociology), quantitative fields (such as Mathematics or Engineering), and Humanities can only be recognized as equivalent by the admissions committee if the following minimum requirements are fulfilled:

    • At least 60 ECTS credits (or equivalent) were obtained in courses related to economics, finance, mathematics, or statistics.
    • Introductory modules in the following fields of economics have been successfully attended: macroeconomics, microeconomics, and econometrics.

    A definite decision on your eligibility can only be made during the admissions procedure, where all of your documents will be assessed in detail. In case of doubts, please do not hesitate to contact the program manager for a preliminary assessment.

  • How many spots are available on the program? What are the chances of being admitted?

    We currently offer around 65 spots in our program each year. Your chances of being admitted depend highly on your qualifications and the overall number of applicants. More infomation on the selection process and criteria are available in the "Admission Requirements" section. Please do not hesitate to apply if you have the necessary qualifications.

3. Application Procedure

  • How can I apply for the master's program?

    As we are currently forced to adapt the application and admissions process due to the corona pandemic, please understand that we are at present unable to provide detailed information on the application process. We have deactivated the online application in order to ensure a consistent, secure and fair application and admissions process. As soon as we have established a new process, we will inform you on our homepage.

  • When is the application period/deadline?

    As we are currently forced to adapt the application and admissions process due to the corona pandemic, please understand that we are at present unable to provide definitive deadlines. We expect to re-open the online application from 1 May – 30.

  • Do I have to prove my German language proficiency?

    No. As the language of administration and instruction is English, applicants do not have to prove they are proficient in German. However, they are required to prove their proficiency in English. Acceptable forms of proof are stated below and in the "Admission requirements" section.

  • Which proofs of English language proficiency are accepted?

    The following documents are accepted as proof of English language proficiency:

    • a university entrance qualification obtained after at least two years at a school where English is the language of instruction,
    • successful completion of at least one year of study (~60 ECTS credits or equivalent) in a university program where English is the language of instruction
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): a minimum score of 79 in the internet-based test is required. Ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to report your test scores using the following ETS code: 0254.
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Test: a minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required.
    • Verbal score in the GRE General Test or GRE revised General Test: a minimum verbal score of 140 in the revised General Test is required. Ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to report your test scores using the following Designated Institution (DI) code: 9224.

4. Exchange programs

  • Is it possible to spend a semester abroad? Which exchange programs are offered?

    There are excellent exchange opportunities for those studying the master’s program in Economics at the University of Mannheim.

    Students of the Economics track can choose to participate in the ENTER program, a double degree exchange program with Europe’s leading economics departments. The University of Mannheim collaborates with the Universidad Carlos III de MadridStockholms Universitet, and the Université de Toulouse I. The university also has a large number of excellent Erasmus and overseas partnerships.

    Access to exchange programs is competitive and limited. The programs are subject to the ongoing approval by our partner universities and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

    For more infomation please visit our website for "Outgoing Master Students".