CBS Application Process

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Application Process - How to proceed with your CBS application

How is the admission process at CBS?

Learn more about the admission process at CBS International Business School. Here you will find information on each of our degree programmes.
The application process differs depending on whether you live in the European Union or not. Simply select the corresponding field below.
The study programs generally start in the winter semester (English & German language: end of August). In addition, we also offer some study programs in the summer semester (English-language: end of January; German-language: end of March). Information on the start of the program can be found on the respective program pages. Please note that due to the limited number of study places at CBS, an early application is advisable. This applies in particular if you require a visa to study in Germany. For this reason, we accept your application all year round - even before you graduate from high school.

What are the documents required for my admission at CBS?

In the following, we explain what requirements you must meet and how you can apply.

Admission to Bachelor Programmes for national & international Applicants

1. Requirements

General Admission Requirements:

Secondary school completion and university qualification or full entrance qualification to an applied sciences university.
Equivalent qualifications from schools abroad are recognized (e.g., A-Levels, General Certificate of Education, IB Diploma).
If you do not already possess have a school leaving certificate yet, you can submit your most recent one.
To check if your degree is recognized, visit: www.anabin.kmk.org (available only in German), or send your documents via our our online form

No Direct University Entrance Qualification?

We’ll be happy to consider your application for Prep4University, our foundation year for Bachelor studies at CBS! For detailed information, head over to the Prep4University page. After successful completion, you are admitted to enter a Bachelor programme at the CBS.

2. Application Process

Required Documents (in German or English only):

CV in tabular format.
Copy of your last school certificate with a transcript of records for each subject (original language plus translation in English or German).
Letter of Motivation.
Copy of your passport (and residence permit, if available).

Proof of English Proficiency (only if English is not your native language and for english study programmes):

Accepted certificates: TOEFL (at least 83 points Internet-based), IELTS (at least band 6.5), Cambridge English First (FCE), BEC Vantage, and other certificates (not older than two years)
Alternatively, take the CBS language test during an interview (via Skype) with our English Department
Proof of a six-month stay in an English-speaking country or parts of studies in English (subject to individual case examination) can substitute the required language test

Proof of German Proficiency (only for German study programmes)

DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) - either DSH-2 or TestDaF Level 4
Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
Deutsches Sprachdiplom (Level II) of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
The new Goethe Certificate (C1: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom)
Other equivalent language certificates, such as a passed Feststellungsprüfung or Abitur exams at a German-speaking school

If Previously Studied at Another College or University:

Submit a current transcript of courses taken (official Transcript of Records) or a certified copy of your degree (Bachelor Degree or Diploma; original language plus translation in English or German).

Application Submission:

Please apply online using our application form.

3. Selection process

Successfully complete our selection process, including an interview via Skype.
Further details on the procedure and technical aspects will be provided during the application process.

4. Studyplace offer

Upon successful interview completion and positive evaluation, you will receive a contractual offer.
Accept the offer within the given period to secure your place at CBS.

Deposit

If you require a visa for studying in Germany you will be required to pay an advance deposit of first semester tuition fees. In case your visa application is rejected we will refund the amount minus the applicable enrollment fee. The enrollment fee of 600 € is only applicable after securing your admission at CBS. More information on our study fees. More information on international payments.

Do you need a visa to study in Germany?

Please note that it can take up to four months to process the application for your visa.
As soon as you have transferred the full deposit and sent us the signed study contract we will send you the Letter of Admission from the CBS. You need it to apply for the visa.
Should your visa application be rejected we will retransfer the deposit less the one-time registration fee on presentation of visa rejection documents.

Application Deadlines for Visa:

Winter term: May 30
Summer term: November 30

5. Travel to Germany

Perfect! If all formal requirements are met you are ready to start your trip to Germany and Cologne, Mainz or Potsdam. Please arrange your travel wisely to arrive on time before the term starts. You find further information for international applicants in our International Students section.

1. Requirements

The admission requirement for studying at CBS International Business School is a secondary school completion and university qualification or full entrance qualification to an applied sciences university. Equivalent qualifications from schools abroad are recognised accordingly. Comparable certificates include, for example, a High School Diploma, Matura, A-Levels, General Certificate of Education, or IB Diploma.

In case you do not already possess a school leaving certificate you can submit the previous report.

2. Application Process

To apply, please submit the following documents:

Your CV in tabular format
Certified copy of your last school certificate with a transcript of records for each subject (original language plus translation in either English or German)
Letter of Motivation
Copy of your passport (and residence permit, if available)
Proof of English proficiency (if English is not your native language). We accept the following certificates: TOEFL certificate (at least 83 points Internet-based) or IELTS (at least band 6.5), Cambridge English First (FCE), BEC Vantage and further certificates. The tests must not be older than two years. Alternatively, you can furnish proof by taking an online Englishtest (free of charge). Also, you can substitute the required language test if you provide evidence of a six month stay abroad in an English-speaking country or if you prove parts of studies in English (examination of individual case).
Only in the event that you have previously studied at another college or university: Please submit a current transcript of courses taken (official Transcript of Records) or a certified copy of your degree (Bachelor Degree or Diploma; original language plus translation in either English or German)

Please apply online using our application form.

3. Selection process

The selection process consists of the following parts:

Interview
Proof of English for English-language courses - you can provide us with proof of your English language skills at any time up to the start of your studies.

The interviews take place regularly and are conducted by video or telephone.

You will receive more information about the technical procedure from us during the further application process. In an oral telephone interview, your ability to study and motivation will be tested. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to get to know us better. If you have applied for an English-language degree program, we will conduct the interview with you in English.

4. Studyplace offer

Once you have completed the selection process successfully, you will receive an offer for a place in the course from CBS International Business School. In order to secure your place in the course at our university, you must confirm it within a predefined period.

Tipp: You can apply for your desired course of studies at CBS throughout the year to secure your study place early on.

Admission to Master Programmes for national & international Applicants

1. Requirements

General Admission Requirements:

A first academic qualification (e.g., Bachelor) with a minimum of 180 ECTS-Credits from a recognized university.
A final grade of at least "good".
Applicants who have not attained this grade must take a separate entrance examination.
The degree should be business-related.

2. Application Process

Required Documents (in German or English only):

CV in Tabular Format
Proof of Study Achievements: Official academic transcript of records and, if applicable, the certificate of your first academic degree (e.g., Bachelor).
Letter of Motivation: 1-2 DIN A4 pages answering the question: “How do you view your vocational future after your studies at CBS?”
Copy of Your Passport (and residence permit, if available).

Proof of English Proficiency (only if English is not your native language and for English study programmes):

Accepted certificates: TOEFL (at least 92 points Internet-based), IELTS (at least band 6.5), Cambridge English First (FCE), BEC Vantage, and other certificates (not older than two years).
Alternatively, proof can be furnished by taking an interview (via Skype) with our English Department.
You can also substitute the required language test by providing evidence of a six-month stay in an English-speaking country or by proving parts of studies in English (individual case examination).

Proof of German Proficiency (only for German study programmes)

DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) - either DSH-2 or TestDaF Level 4
Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
Deutsches Sprachdiplom (Level II) of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
The new Goethe Certificate (C1: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom)
Other equivalent language certificates, such as a passed Feststellungsprüfung or Abitur exams at a German-speaking school

Optional:

Proof of studying abroad.
Proof of job experience.

Application Submission:

Please apply online using our application form.

3. Assessment

The CBS Admissions Office will review your application documents and is available for questions.
You must successfully complete our selection process to begin your studies.
We will inform you within a few days if you meet the formal requirements.

4. Studyplace offer

If you meet the formal requirements for a Master degree course at CBS, we will offer you a place at our university.
In some cases, a pre-admission interview may be required, which would be conducted via a video call (preferably Skype).
Further information on the technical aspects will be communicated during the application process.

Acceptance:

To study at CBS, you must accept the offer within a given period.

Deposit

If you require a visa to study in Germany you will be required to pay an advance deposit of first semester tuition fees. In case your visa application is rejected we will refund the amount minus the applicable registration fee. The enrollment fee of 600 € is only applicable after securing your admission at CBS. More information on our study fees. More information on international payments.

Do you need a visa to study in Germany?

Please note that it can take up to four months to process the application for your visa.
As soon as you have transferred the full deposit and sent us the signed study contract we will send you the Letter of Admission from the CBS. You need it to apply for the visa.
Should your visa application be rejected we will retransfer the deposit less the one-time registration fee on presentation of visa rejection documents.

Visa Application Deadlines:

Winter term: May 30
Summer term: November 30

5. Travel to Germany

1. Requirements

The admission requirements for our CBS Master programmes are a first academic qualification (Bachelor of Arts, Diploma, Master of Arts) with a minimum of 180 ECTS-Credits of a recognised German or international university, university of applied sciences or university of cooperative education with a final grade of at least “good”. Applicants who have not attained this grade in their first study course must take a separate entrance examination. The degree should be business-related. Should you not have your diploma yet, please hand in your academic transcript of records.

2. Application Process

Please submit the following application documents for the English-language degree courses in the English language:

Your CV in tabular format
Proof of your study achievements to date (official academic transcript of records) and if already applicable the certificate of your first academic degree (e.g. Bachelor)
Letter of Motivation: 1-2 DIN A4 pages which answers the following question: “How do you view your vocational future after your studies at CBS?”
Copy of your passport (and residence permit, if available)
Proof of English proficiency (if English is not your native language). We accept the following certificates: TOEFL certificate (at least 92 points Internet-based) or IELTS (at least band 6.5), Cambridge English First (FCE), BEC Vantage and further certificates. The tests must not be older than two years. Alternatively, you can furnish proof by taking an online Englishtest (free of charge). Also, you can substitute the required language test if you provide evidence of a six month stay abroad in an English-speaking country or if you prove parts of studies in English (examination of individual case).
Optional: proof of studying abroad / job experience

Please apply online using our application form.

3. Assessment

The CBS Admissions Office will review your application documents and is open to questions. In order to begin your studies with us, you must first successfully complete our selection process. We will inform you within a few days if you meet the formal requirements.

4. Studyplace offer

If you meet the formal requirements for a Master's degree course at CBS we will offer you a place at our university. A pre-admission interview could be required in some cases and due to the current situation, it would be conducted via a video call (preferably Skype). Further information on the technical aspects will be communicated later on during the application process.

In order to be able to study at CBS, you have to accept the offer within a given period of time.

Admission to MBA Programmes for national & international Applicants

1. Requirements

The admission requirements for our CBS MBA programmes are a first academic qualification (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts) with a minimum of 180 ECTS-Credits of a recognised university with a final grade of at least “good”. Applicants who have not attained this grade in their first study course must take a separate entrance examination. Furthermore, you need initial job experience of at least one year.

2. Application Process

Please submit the following application documents for the English-language degree courses in English language:

Your CV in tabular format
Proof of your study achievements to date (official academic transcript of records) and certificates of your academic degree (e.g. Bachelor)
Proof of at least one year of professional experience
Letter of Motivation: 1-2 DIN A4 pages which answers the following question: “How do you view your vocational future after your studies at CBS?”
Copy of your passport (and residence permit, if available)
Proof of English proficiency (if English is not your native language). We accept the following certificates: TOEFL certificate (at least 92 points Internet-based) or IELTS (at least band 6.5), Cambridge English First (FCE), BEC Vantage and further certificates. The tests must not be older than two years. Alternatively, you can furnish proof by taking an interview (via skype) with our English Department. Also, you can substitute the required language test if you provide evidence of a six month stay abroad in an English-speaking country or if you prove parts of studies in English (examination of individual case).

Please apply online using our application form.

3. Assessment

4. Studyplace offer

If you meet the formal requirements for an MBA degree course at CBS we will offer you a place at university. In order to be able to study at CBS, you have to accept the offer within a given period of time.

Deposit

Do you need a visa to study in Germany?

Please note that it can take up to four months to process the application for your visa. As soon as you have transferred the full deposit and sent us the signed study contract we will send you the Letter of Admission from CBS. You need it to apply for the visa. Should your visa application be rejected we will retransfer the deposit less the one-time registration fee on the presentation of visa rejection documents. Please meet the following application deadline(s) if you need a visa:

Winter term: May 30

Travel to Germany

Perfect! If all formal requirements are met you are ready to start your trip to Germany and Cologne. Please arrange your travel wisely to arrive on time before the term starts. You find further information for international applicants in our International Students section.

1. Requirements

The admission requirements for our CBS MBA programmes are a first academic qualification (Bachelor of Arts, Diploma, Master of Arts) with a minimum of 180 ECTS-Credits of a recognised German or international university, university of applied sciences, or university of cooperative education with a final grade of at least “good”. Applicants who have not attained this grade in their first study course must take a separate entrance examination. Furthermore, you need initial job experience of at least one year.

2. Application Process

Please submit the following application documents for the English-language degree courses in the English language:

Your CV in tabular format
Proof of your study achievements to date (official academic transcript of records) and if already applicable the certificate of your first academic degree (e.g. Bachelor)
Proof of professional experience
Letter of Motivation: 1-2 DIN A4 pages which answers the following question: “How do you view your vocational future after your studies at CBS?”
Copy of your passport (and residence permit, if available)
Proof of English proficiency (if English is not your native language). We accept the following certificates: TOEFL certificate (at least 92 points Internet-based) or IELTS (at least band 6.5), Cambridge English First (FCE), BEC Vantage and further certificates. The tests must not be older than two years. Alternatively, you can furnish proof by taking an online Englishtest (free of charge). Also, you can substitute the required language test if you provide evidence of a six month stay abroad in an English-speaking country or if you prove parts of studies in English (examination of individual case).

Please apply online using our application form.

3. Assessment

4. Studyplace offer

The application process for Prep4University for national & international Applicants

1. Requirements

Secondary school certificate that qualifies you for direct university entrance in your home country.

For the English foundation course

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will have to demonstrate an approved level of English proficiency. The minimum requirements are:

IELTS: 6.0
TOEFL: 72 (iBT)

In case your school uses English as the language of instruction, a statement from the school can be accepted as a demonstration of your English proficiency.

For the German foundation course

Applicants who do not have German as their first language will have to demonstrate an approved level of German proficiency on B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

2. Application Process

You will be asked to upload the following documents for your Prep4University application:

Your secondary school certificate or university entrance qualification (e.g. High-School diploma, A-Level, Gaokao, IB, Bachillerato, etc.), including transcripts of records
Copy of your passport
Letter of Motivation
CV
Proof of language skills

Please note: In case that your documents are in another language than English or German, we kindly ask you to add a certified translation of the original documents.

Please apply online using ourapplication form.

Deposit

Is your residence outside the EU? You will be required to pay a deposit of 2,250 € towards your tuition fee in order to secure your place in the Prep4University course.

Once your study place has been confirmed, you will be required to pay your deposit: You will receive an email with the admission confirmation and the request to pay your deposit. After having paid, you will receive the formal letter of admission and your study contract. You will need the admission letter for your student visa application. The enrollment fee of 600 € is only applicable after securing your admission at CBS.

More information on our study fees. More information on international payments.

Admission

Once you have successfully completed the application process, you will be admitted to your Prep4University place at CBS.

Do you need a visa to study in Germany?

Once you have decided to apply for Prep4University and to study in Germany, you should start to take all necessary steps as soon as possible. Find out whether you need a visa to study in Germany. The visa application process can be tedious, so it is always good to inform yourself about all required documents and to process your application in a timely manner. If you need more detailed information about the visa application process, please visit the homepage of the German embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Do you need help with the general bureaucratic steps you have to take? We’ll be happy to assist you!

Applicants from China, Vietnam, and Mongolia must pass the APS procedure to apply for a student visa in Germany.

Please meet the following application deadline(s) if you need a visa:

Winter term: May 30
Summer term: November 30

Travel to Germany

Perfect! If all formal requirements are met you are ready to start your trip to Germany and Cologne. Please arrange your travel wisely to arrive on time before the term starts.

1. Requirements

Secondary school certificate that qualifies you for direct university entrance in your home country.

For the English foundation course

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will have to demonstrate an approved level of English proficiency. The minimum requirements are:

IELTS: 6.0
TOEFL: 72 (iBT)

In case your school uses English as the language of instruction, a statement from the school can be accepted as a demonstration of your English proficiency.

For the German foundation course

Applicants who do not have German as their first language will have to demonstrate an approved level of German proficiency on B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

2. Application Process

You will be asked to upload the following documents for your Prep4University application:

Your secondary school certificate or university entrance qualification (e.g. High-School diploma, A-Level, Gaokao, IB, Bachillerato, etc.), including transcripts of records
Copy of your passport
CV
Letter of Motivation
Proof of language skills

Please note: In case that your documents are in another language than English or German, we kindly ask you to add a certified translation of the original documents.

Please apply online using our application form.

3. Admission

Once you have successfully completed the application process, you will be admitted to the Prep4University foundation programme.

Take your next step

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Do you still have questions about our application process?

Please call us at the Cologne Campus at 0221 / 93 18 09-31, at the Mainz Campus at 06131/ 88 055-31 or at the Potsdam Campus at 0331/9839810–210!
Our student advisors will be happy to help you with any questions you may have about the program and the application process. Or just visit one of our Open Campus Days and Open Campus Nights!
We look forward to your application and wish you all the success!

Marc Spitz

Study advisory: Campus Cologne
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

	0800 931 8099

	study@cbs.de

Elsa Chumakova

Study advisory: Campus Aachen
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

	0800 931 8099

	study@cbs.de

Lidia Gusev

Study advisory: Campus Berlin
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

	0800 931 8099

	study@cbs.de

Maike Refräuter

Study advisory: Campus Düsseldorf/ Neuss & Solingen
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

	0800 931 8099

	study@cbs.de

Florian Kröhnke

Study advisory: Campus Hamburg
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

	0800 931 8099

	study@cbs.de

Simon Blache

Study advisory: Campus Hannover
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

	0800 931 8099

	study@cbs.de

Mirjam Zimmermann

Study advisory: Campus Mainz
Got any questions? We are happy to help!

	0800 931 8099

	study@cbs.de