Cologne Business School: A Top Choice For Aspiring Students

Cologne Business School (CBS) is a state-recognized private university located in Cologne, Germany. It offers a range of English-language business management courses, including Bachelor's and Master's degrees, as well as MBAs. With approximately 1,900 students from 90+ countries, CBS provides a diverse and international learning environment. The school has a good reputation, being ranked as the best private university of applied sciences in the area of business administration in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. However, some have expressed disappointment with the academic experience and networking opportunities. CBS has a 72% acceptance rate and is accredited by several organizations, ensuring the quality of its programs.

Cologne Business School's MBA recognition in Germany

Cologne Business School MBA Recognition in Germany

The Cologne Business School (CBS) is a private business school in Germany that offers various MBA courses. The school is internationally recognised and accredited by several prestigious organisations.

Accreditations

CBS has institutional accreditation from the German Science and Humanities Council, which is the most significant science policy advisory committee in Germany. The council advises the federal and state governments and assesses universities based on their teaching, research, human resources, and financial resources.

The school has also received specialised accreditation for its business programmes through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), based in the USA.

Additionally, CBS has programme accreditations from the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA). This accreditation ensures that new degree programmes meet quality and academic feasibility standards.

State Recognition

The CBS International Business School is officially recognised by the Ministry of Science in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. As a result, degrees obtained and examinations completed at CBS are recognised worldwide and are equivalent to those from other state universities. This recognition allows graduates to pursue postgraduate studies at other universities, with credits transferred for prior academic achievements.

Rankings

While CBS does not appear in the top MBA programmes in Germany, it has received recognition in other rankings. CBS was ranked as the best private university of applied sciences in business administration in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate by the business magazine "WirtschaftsWoche".

Additionally, CBS was recognised as one of the top digital education providers in Germany, combining on-campus teaching with digital learning elements. The school was also awarded the title "Top Business School" by Focus-Money, a renowned business and finance magazine, in cooperation with the consulting and analysis company ServiceValue.

Student and Alumni Feedback

Students and alumni of CBS have provided mixed feedback regarding the school's reputation and recognition in Germany. Some have expressed disappointment with the academic experience and networking opportunities. However, others have highlighted the school's goodwill among recruiters and the value of its degrees in the job market.

While CBS may not be among the top-ranked MBA programmes in Germany, it holds numerous accreditations and recognitions that attest to its quality. The school's state recognition ensures that its degrees are valid worldwide, and its rankings and student feedback further reinforce its standing. Therefore, CBS can be considered a reputable and recognised business school in Germany, offering a valuable MBA programme.

Cologne Business School's alumni network

The CBS Alumni Network is a community that students at the CBS International Business School are a part of for life, not just for the duration of their studies. The network allows alumni to keep in touch with their peers, stay informed about events on campus, and continue to expand their networks both privately and professionally.

The CBS Alumni Network offers a multitude of events, as well as the opportunity to join the CBS Family & Friends e.V. association, which connects graduates from all campuses and other interested parties. Members of the CBS support association can take part in exclusive events.

There are numerous ways for alumni to stay involved at CBS, including:

• Guest lectures or workshops
• Keynote speeches at official CBS events
• Career fairs and recruitment events
• Alumni interviews and testimonials
• Continued use of the CBS career portal to publish jobs or look for new opportunities

CBS alumni have gone on to work at companies including Google Inc., Elanco, Boston Consulting Group, and GE Healthcare.

Cologne Business School's student life

Student Life at Cologne Business School

Cologne Business School (CBS) is an international business school with a focus on practical learning and building a career network. The school has around 1,400 students from 75 nations, with courses taught in English. CBS offers a range of full-time and part-time bachelor's and master's programmes, as well as MBA programmes, with a compulsory internship and business projects to help students build their networks.

The CBS campus is based in Cologne, Germany, a city with a population of around 1 million. The city has a vibrant, cosmopolitan vibe and is known for its tolerance and openness, with a diverse population including a large number of immigrants and the centre of the European queer community. There is plenty of nightlife and good food, both traditional and modern, and it's a green city with lots of parks and a big river. Cologne has the biggest carnival in the world outside of Rio de Janeiro. It is centrally located in Western Germany, with short travel times to Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris.

However, the city's housing market is difficult, with high prices and many poor-quality apartments. It is also quite far from the Alps and the beach. CBS provides support for students looking for accommodation, with access to student halls of residence and connections to fellow students offering or seeking accommodation.

One former student has said:

> "The practical learning in small groups prepared me optimally for today's project and team work. The CBS provided me with the decisive soft skills and current knowledge from the world of business."

Cologne Business School's application process

The application process for Cologne Business School (CBS) differs depending on whether you are an EU or non-EU applicant, and whether you are applying for an undergraduate, graduate or MBA programme.

Undergraduate Admissions

International applicants can apply for English-taught bachelor's degree programmes at CBS, which include:

• B.Sc Business Psychology
• B.Sc. Finance and Management
• BA International Business
• BA International Tourism Management

Application Requirements:

• Completed admission form
• Academic transcripts from secondary school
• Curriculum Vitae in tabular form
• Letter of Motivation
• English language proficiency scores
• Telephonic Interview

Application Deadlines:

International applicants are advised to apply early, as admissions are provided based on the availability of seats in the desired course. The program start date varies with the programme.

Graduate Admissions

CBS offers 12 master's programmes in English, including:

• Master degree in international business
• Digital marketing
• Tourism & sustainable management

Application Requirements:

• Completed admission form
• Academic transcripts of the first academic degree in an area of economics from a recognised university with at least 180 ECTS points or equivalent
• Letter of Motivation
• English language proficiency scores
• Work Experience or proof of internship (Optional)

Application Deadlines:

The study programs generally start in the winter semester (English & German language: end of August). CBS also offers some study programs in the summer semester (English-language: end of January; German-language: end of March).

MBA Admissions

Students can apply for the MBA programme at CBS, which is taught in English.

Application Requirements:

• Completed admission form
• Academic transcripts of the first academic degree in any area of study from a recognised university with at least 180 ECTS points or equivalent
• Letter of Motivation
• English language proficiency scores
• One year of work experience

Application Deadlines:

The programme starts on 2 September 2024.

Cologne-Rotterdam Executive MBA

The Cologne-Rotterdam Executive MBA can only be applied for via the online application tool hosted by Rotterdam School of Management, CBS's partner university.

Application Requirements:

• Academic excellence: a higher education degree (university degree or equivalent, minimum bachelor's degree)
• Professional achievements and goals: a minimum of four years of work experience
• Leadership abilities: initial experience with managing people or projects
• English language proficiency: Level B2 (CEFR/GER)

Additional Information:

International applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide English proficiency scores through one of the internationally recognised standardised examinations.

Non-EU students applying for a visa to Germany must complete their admission applications early, before the start date of their programme.

Cologne Business School's reputation

The Cologne Business School (CBS) is a private university recognised by the state. It is considered one of the best private universities in business management. The school has three campuses in Germany, with its head campus in Cologne, and the other two in Potsdam and Mainz. The CBS has been institutionally accredited by the German Science and Humanities Council, the country's most significant science policy advisory committee. The Council advises the federal and state governments and is responsible for the institutional accreditation of non-state universities.

The CBS has also been accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), an esteemed educational accreditor. Additionally, the school's courses are accredited by the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) and the German Council for Science and Humanities. The CBS has had system accreditation since 2023, which means that the university has been granted internal quality management by the Accreditation Council.

The CBS has a good reputation, with some students praising the practical learning in small groups and the soft skill courses. However, some alumni have expressed disappointment with the academic experience and network. The school has been ranked as the best private university of applied sciences in the area of business administration in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate by the business magazine "WirtschaftsWoche". It has also been ranked among the top 5 private universities of applied sciences in 5 categories, including service and consulting and practical relevance. The CBS has also been recognised as one of the best business schools by the reputable magazine "WirtschaftsWoche" and "Focus-Money".

The CBS has an impressive placement record, with 94% of alumni finding a job within six months of graduation. The school has over 5000 alumni members working with top employers worldwide, including Google, Facebook, Accenture, Vodafone, and PWC. Some notable alumni include Thomas Bachem, a German entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Christian Miele, President of the Federal Association of German Startups, and Gleb Tritus, Managing Director at Lufthansa Innovation Hub.

The CBS offers a mix of on-campus and digital learning, with various e-learning formats. The school has a diverse student body, with students from 90+ different countries, providing a rich intercultural learning experience. The CBS provides financial aid to its students in the form of grants, loans, awards, and scholarships. The acceptance rate at the CBS is 72%, making it a moderately selective university.

Frequently asked questions