Start-up Development and Impact Innovations (MBA)
Study requirements and application process
Study requirements
A prerequisite for admission to the part-time Start-up Development and Impact Innovations (MBA) degree programme is a first university degree from any department or higher education institution with at least 180 ECTS credit points and a minimum average grade of 3.0. Furthermore, at least two years of relevant professional activity must have been completed in accordance with § 62 para. 3 Law Governing the Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Application deadline
The Start-up Development and Impact Innovations (MBA) degree programme starts every year in the summer semester. The application deadline is from 15 November to 15 March of each year.
If the requirements for the Master's degree programme are met, places are allocated via a local selection process.
Unfortunately, applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications cannot be considered.
The number of applicants to be admitted per year is limited to a maximum of 25 students in accordance with § 62 para. 1 sentence 5 Law Governing the Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia in order to guarantee the purpose of the continuing education programme.
Documents for the application
Before you start entering data in the online application form, please check that you have all the required documents available that you need for your application and that you need to upload with your online application. The documents must be submitted in German:
- CV
- Expressive motivation letter (maximum 500 words)
- High school diploma including transcript of records (with German or English translation for international grade reports);
- Certificate from the APS if your university degree was obtained in China or Vietnam;
- Proof of sufficient German language skills (TestDaF 4 x 4 or DSH 2) if your university degree was obtained internationally;
- Proof of at least two years of professional experience in accordance with § 62 para. 3 Law Governing the Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia
German language skills
Applicants who do not have a German higher education entrance qualification or a German-language academic degree must prove their knowledge of German by passing the DSH exam (DSH 2) or by passing the TestDaF exam (at least level 4 in all four categories) or equivalents in accordance with § 2 section 2 of the current regulations for the German language examination for applicants with international educational qualifications at H-BRS.
Selection procedure
The selection takes place via a so-called aptitude procedure. This is a two-stage process in which the Admissions Committee checks whether you meet the specific requirements (see above) for the Start-up Development and Impact Innovations (MBA) degree programme after your official online application
In the first stage, the Bachelor's degree grade and the documents submitted (generally the German-language motivation letter and proof of at least two years of professional experience) are evaluated using a points system. Applicants are then invited to a ten-minute video interview.
Selection procedure
The motivation letter and the interview will be evaluated in particular on the basis of the following suitability criteria:
- Entrepreneurial mindset with an awareness of sustainable development and social responsibility
- Interested in the topic of start-ups or business innovation or
- Existence of your own start-up idea or an internal company project idea with impact
For the aptitude test, the motivation letter and the interview are weighted equally.
Important note for participants in the H-BRS Start-up Cup ideas competition
Applicants who apply for the special innovation prize in the form of a 100 per cent scholarship for a place on the Start-up Development (MBA) degree programme of the H-BRS-Start-up Cup ideas competition and at the same time fulfil the study requirements to start their studies in the summer semester 2025, must apply online for a study place via the H-BRS application portal by 15 March 2025 if they successfully qualify. For easier allocation, we ask you to refer to your participation in the Start-up Cup in the motivation letter to be submitted with your online application. If you have any questions, please contact the course guidance service
Do you still have questions?
Christine Haake
Research Assistant, Coordinator MBA programme Start-up Development, Project Management Start-up Manufaktur
CENTIM - Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and SMEs
Location
Rheinbach
Room
H 303
Address
von-Liebig-Str. 20
53359 Rheinbach
Contact hours
Consultation appointment bookable via Calendly: Link below
Telephone
+49 2241 865 9606
Renate van Beek
Research assistant, Program Coordinator MBA Start-up Development
Location
Rheinbach
Room
Raum H 303
Address
Von-Liebig-Str. 20
53359, Rheinbach
Telephone
+49 2241 865 9920