CBS International Business School

Cologne, Germany

CBS International Business School is a state‑recognised private university of applied sciences based primarily in Cologne, Germany, with additional campuses in cities such as Mainz, Potsdam, Aachen, Brühl, Neuss and Solingen. It was established in 1993 through the merging of the former Cologne Business School and European Management School.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at CBS International Business School

Cost Of Living

€ 5000

Undergraduate Fees International Students

€ 35820

Post Graduate Fees International Students

€ 24840

Bachelors

  • € 43740

Masters

  • € 43740

CBS International Business School Departments

  • International Business and Management
  • Business Psychology
  • Finance and Management
  • Gloabal Finance

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of CBS International Business School

The CBS International Business School (CBS) distinguishes itself through a strong international orientation and practice-focused approach, making it an ideal choice for students aiming for global business careers. The school offers numerous English-taught programmes and maintains partnerships with over 180 universities worldwide, providing opportunities for semesters abroad and extensive global networking. Its curriculum emphasizes real-world projects, internships, and collaborations with industry, ensuring that students gain practical experience alongside academic knowledge. CBS provides flexible study models, including full-time, part-time, and dual-study options, allowing learners to combine professional experience with their studies. The school is accredited by FIBAA and IACBE, reflecting high standards in management and business education. Additionally, CBS fosters entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation through workshops, start-up support, and career services, while its campuses in major German cities such as Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg, and Mainz give students access to thriving business hubs and industry networks. Overall, CBS prepares graduates to succeed in a competitive, global business environment through a combination of international exposure, applied learning, and strong career support.

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Distinguished Alumni of CBS International Business School

Infrastructure & Facilities at CBS International Business School

CBS International Business School operates a network of modern campuses across Germany with the main campus in Cologne (Rodenkirchen district) situated right on the banks of the Rhine, offering a blend of a peaceful, green setting and excellent transport links to the city center. The school also has additional campuses in cities including Berlin, Hamburg, Mainz, Rheine, Solingen, Neuss, and Rostock, each designed to provide a dynamic learning environment tailored to students’ needs.

Across these campuses, CBS provides modern academic infrastructure that supports a practice‑oriented business education. This includes well‑equipped lecture halls and classrooms, interactive learning spaces, and technology‑enabled environments conducive to collaborative and experiential learning. Many locations are designed to integrate digital learning formats with in‑person interaction, reflecting CBS’s hybrid teaching model that combines personal exchange with modern digital advantages. 

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CBS International Business School Student Life

Student life at CBS International Business School in Germany combines academic engagement, international exposure, community activities, and practical professional development to create a dynamic and enriching student experience. Students come from around 75+ countries, fostering a truly multicultural environment where intercultural exchange is part of daily campus life both inside and outside the classroom.  The learning culture focuses on interactive, practice‑oriented education, including business projects with real companies, guest lectures, teamwork, and networking opportunities that build practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Campus life is supported by a vibrant student community, where you’ll find opportunities to network, collaborate, and socialise with peers from diverse backgrounds. The international office and study buddy programmes help new students settle in, while Welcome Nights, cultural evenings, city excursions, and other events help foster connections and ease the transition to life in Germany. 

 

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CBS International Business School Career support

At CBS International Business School, campus recruitment and career support are integrated into the student experience through strong company connections, practical project work, and a dedicated Career Service that helps students transition into the job market. The school collaborates with a large network of corporate partners (around 1,300 companies) across industries including well‑known firms  giving students access to internship opportunities, employer projects, and networking events that can lead directly to job prospects as part of their studies. Many programmes include practical business projects and guest lectures from industry experts, helping you build relevant skills and professional contacts early on. The Career Service also provides talent coaching and personalised career development support to assist with applications, interviews, and recruiting events, improving students’ preparedness for roles in fields like consulting, finance, marketing, and management after graduation. 

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Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at CBS International Business School

 For a Master's programme, applicants need an officially certified copy of their Bachelor's degree (a minimum of 180 ECTS credits from a recognised university with a final grade of at least "good" in a business-related degree).

 If the degree was obtained abroad, official recognition may be necessary. Applicants must also submit a CV in tabular format, a valid visa (for international applicants), proof of health insurance, a copy of an official photo ID, proof of language proficiency, and academic transcripts from previous studies.

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Campus
Recruitment By top Companies

At CBS International Business School, campus recruitment and career support are integrated into the student experience through strong company connections, practical project work, and a dedicated Career Service that helps students transition into the job market. The school collaborates with a large network of corporate partners (around 1,300 companies) across industries including well‑known firms  giving students access to internship opportunities, employer projects, and networking events that can lead directly to job prospects as part of their studies. Many programmes include practical business projects and guest lectures from industry experts, helping you build relevant skills and professional contacts early on. The Career Service also provides talent coaching and personalised career development support to assist with applications, interviews, and recruiting events, improving students’ preparedness for roles in fields like consulting, finance, marketing, and management after graduation. 

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    CBS International Business School Corporate Partnership

    • Accenture : Students collaborate with ACCENTURE on digital transformation projects in accounting.
    • UPS : Students collaborate with UPS on business projects, tackling real-world logistics challenges and developing solutions.
    • Hilton Hotels : Students work with Hilton on crucial issues such as the procurement of sustainable food products and the recruitment of young people.
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    Notable Achievements of CBS International Business School

    CBS International Business School has earned multiple prestigious awards and recognitions over the years, reflecting its excellence in business education and international orientation. In 2018, it became the first German university to receive accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), highlighting its globally focused, practice-integrated programmes. The school has consistently ranked among the top universities of applied sciences for business administration in Germany, with WirtschaftsWoche naming it the best private university for business administration in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate in 2023 based on employer surveys assessing graduate preparedness. CBS has also been recognized multiple times as a top digital education provider, combining innovative online learning formats with personalized student support. Its academic quality is further confirmed by system accreditation from the German Accreditation Council, FIBAA programme accreditations, and institutional accreditation by the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat), underscoring the school’s commitment to high standards in teaching, research, and applied business practice.

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    Achievements

    01.
    First German university accredited by IACBE

    CBS International Business School and EU|FH combine their competencies under the umbrella of CBS University of Applied Sciences, expanding the study portfolio to include health, social sciences, and education.

    Year
    2025
    02.
    Top 3 best digital education providers

    CBS is voted one of the top 3 best digital education providers in the business school category by WirtschaftsWoche for the fourth time in a row.

    Year
    2024
    03.
    Best Private University for Business Administration (North Rhine‑Westphalia and Rhineland‑Palatinate)

    In 2023, WirtschaftsWoche named CBS the best private university of applied sciences for business administration in the German states of North Rhine‑Westphalia and Rhineland‑Palatinate, based on a nationwide employer survey assessing how well universities prepare students for business careers.

    Year
    2023

    Notable Innovation, Research & Development CBS International Business School

    CBS International Business School has actively developed research, innovation, and applied business projects since the mid-2010s. In 2016, it established the Center for Advanced Sustainable Management (CASM) to drive research in corporate ethics, sustainability, and social innovation, promoting knowledge transfer between academia and business. From 2018 to 2020, CBS participated in the ISSUE Erasmus+ project, creating innovative sustainability teaching formats and hosting international conferences on responsible leadership. Between 2019 and 2023, the school engaged in Erasmus+ projects like EFFORT, CEIP, and TRUST-Finance, advancing sustainability education, circular economy practices, and sustainable finance research. CBS has also conducted applied research on EU non-financial reporting legislation and its impact on corporate governance and HR practices, linking theory with real-world business challenges. Its ongoing thematic research clusters focus on sustainable management, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, business transformation, leadership, and financial markets, while practice-based projects with global partners such as KPMG, EY, and UPS enable students to apply innovative solutions in areas like digital strategy, sustainability, and business model innovation, reflecting CBS’s continuous commitment to applied research, innovation, and experiential learning.

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    Notable Innovation

    01.
    Extended Erasmus+ Projects & Expanded Research

    Between 2019 and 2023, CASM coordinated or contributed to other Erasmus funded research activities, including: EFFORT – EFFectiveness Of Responsibility Teaching (2019), which tested the effectiveness of responsibility‑oriented teaching methods in business education. CEIP – Circular Economy in Practice and TRUST‑Finance – Transdisciplinary course on sustainable finance, extending sustainability research into economic and educational innovation. Project 1Uni‑1Book – Gender Data Gap (TheOtherHalf) focused on gender‑related research and was supported by Germany’s Stifterverband. These projects illustrate CBS’s move toward multi‑disciplinary, socially relevant research themes that combine sustainability, education innovation, and business practices.

    Year
    2023
    02.
    Launch of International Sustainable Education Projects

    From 2018 onwards, CASM became a partner in multiple international research collaborations funded under the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships programme. Notable projects included: ISSUE – Innovative Solutions for Sustainability in Education (2018–2020), aimed at developing innovative teaching formats for sustainability education across European universities. Hosting the 8th International Conference on Sustainability and Responsibility (Nov–Dec 2018) with partners including Humboldt University and Hamburg School of Business Administration, focusing on Responsible Leadership in Times of Transformation. These efforts helped CBS integrate sustainability into curricula and build networks with global research institutions.

    Year
    2018
    03.
    Center for Advanced Sustainable Management (CASM)

    In 2015, CBS established the Center for Advanced Sustainable Management (CASM) from the Dr. Jürgen Meyer Endowed Chair for International Business Ethics and Sustainability. CASM’s purpose is to drive research and teaching in corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability, and social innovation, and to promote knowledge transfer between business practice and academia. It works with companies, chambers of commerce, ministries, and NGOs to make sustainability an integral part of business and management education. Since 2018, CASM has participated in international research collaborations focused on developing innovative teaching formats for sustainable management and evaluating their effectiveness.

    Year
    2015

    Explore Programs & Courses at CBS International Business School

    Program name
    Tuition Fees
    Deadlines
    International Business (B.Sc.) NA On Campus Bachelors Program
    NA
    NA
    Business Psychology (B.Sc.) NA On Campus Bachelors Program
    NA
    NA
    Finance and Management (B.Sc.) 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
    €14,580
    Rolling

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