Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Before your studies

What does „THWS“ stand for?

THWS is the German abbreviation for Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt, translated into English „Technical University of Applied Sciences Wuerzburg-Schweinfurt“.

What does „University of Applied Sciences“ mean?

"University of Applied Sciences“ means the we focus on business practice rather than on theoretical research. This is why doing an MBA program at a university of applied sciences is a good idea!

Is THWS a private university?

No, THWS is a public university owned by the German state of Bavaria. Being a public university means that we are not profit-making. The tuition fee is calculated to cover the cost of the program.

What does „MBA“ stand for?

MBA stands for „Master of Business Administration“. It is a degree that is awarded by universities around the globe and it is recognized worldwide. It is the standard degree for non-consecutive Master‘s programs in the fields of Business Administration, Management and Leadership.

When does the program start?

Our MBA program starts once a year in March.

Is the MBA a full-time program?

Yes, it is. Full time is defined by the amount of credits (30) that can be earned in one semester. However you will have the opportunity to work mostly on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in a company or in your own startup.

How long does the program take?

The regular duration of the program is 3 semesters incl. the Master’s Thesis. This means that the MBA degree is regularly awarded to you after 18 months.

Is there an age limit to studying the MBA?

No, we do not have an age limit. It is never too late to qualify for higher positions!

Do you require the GMAT?

No, we do not require the GMAT.

Is the MBA an accredited program?

Yes of course, we are currently being accredited by the German Accreditation Council (Akkreditierungsrat).

Who is teaching the courses?

We have a well balanced mix of professors from THWS, professors from other universities and practicioners that bring their job experience into the classes.

Which type of undergraduate degree entitles me to study the MBA program?

The degree needs to be a Bachelor degree or similar from an officially recognized university. The regular duration of the undergraduate program needs to be at least 3 years or 180 ECTS points. The undergraduate degree can be done in any subject. 

Why do you require work experience?

MBA programs are always non-consecutive programs, which means you cannot study them right after your bachelor's degree, but you need to bring at least 1 year of work experience. The work experience must by achieved after finishing your bachelor's degree, which means work before or during the bachelor's degree does not count.

How can I document my work experience?

In case you are/were employed: typically by a certificate of employment from your employer(s). Alternatively, you can provide a copy of your work contract, a payment slip etc.

In case you are/were self-employed: e.g. by customer orders

Where do I find details about the courses in the MBA Transformation?

All courses are described in detail in the module handbook.

Are all classes taught in English language?

Yes, the MBA Master of Transformation is a completely English-speaking program. All classes are taught in English, and all communication is done in English as well. This is why either your Bachelor's degree should have been completed in English or you need English language skills at least on B2 Level.

How can I document my English language skills?

We accept a certification from all known test centers including but not limited to TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate, IELTS. The certification must document that your English language skills are at least on Level B2 of the CEFR. In case English is your native tongue, we do not require a certificate. In case you have studied your undergraduate program completely in English language, a corresponding statement from your university is sufficient. As a German applicant, your "Abiturzeugnis" typically contains a statement concerning English language skills.

Do I need to have German language skills as well?

There are no formal requirements for German language skills to get admitted to our MBA. However, by the end of the 2nd semester you are required to show A1 German language skills in order to continue your studies.

Where are Wuerzburg and Schweinfurt located?

Wuerzburg and Schweinfurt are located in the center of Germany. Both cities are located in the northern part of the state of Bavaria and Wuerzburg is the capital of the Lower Franconia region. Both cities have excellent connection to regional trains and to national high speed trains. The distance between Wuerzburg and Schweinfurt is about 30 km.

Moreover, Wuerzburg lies at the intersection of two of the largest national highways (east-west-bound A3 and north-south-bound A7). The cities of Frankfurt (north-west) and Nuremberg (south-east) are about one hour away by either car or train.

Where does the program take place, in Wuerzburg or in Schweinfurt?

Our university THWS has two locations: the city of Wuerzburg and the city of Schweinfurt. They are about 40 kilometers apart with excellent train and highway connection between them. Most of your classes of the MBA Transformation will take place solely in Schweinfurt on our new campus.

Are Wuerzburg and Schweinfurt safe cities?

Yes. The crime rate is very low in Germany overall, and especially low in the State of Bavaria.

What is the cost of living in Schweinfurt?

This question is hard to anwer, as it depends a lot on your individual lifestyle. The students‘ union estimates that the average students spends about 700 Euros per month for living in Schweinfurt.

How do I find accomodation in Schweinfurt?

As a student of our university, you are entitled to apply for a place in student dormitories that are run by the students‘ union. Apart from that, there is an active market for shared or individual student housing. For more information, please refer to our website international.thws.de/en/thws-international/ways-to-thws/applicants-and-student-support/before-your-arrival-at-thws/

What are the requirements to be admitted to the program?

The detailed study requirements can be seen from § 3 of the Study and Exam Regulations (SPO). Here is a simplified overview:

  • First study degree (Bachelor degree or comparable) with 210 ECTS points (in case of less than 210 ECTS points, extra courses are available) in any discipline
  • At least 1 year of qualified work experience after the first study degree (an additional year of work experience can be accepted as 30 ECTS points)
  • English language skills at least on CEFR B2 Level (need to be documented before start of studies)

Why is there a small „administrative fee“ in addition to the tuition fee?

While the tuition fees goes to our university to cover the cost of the program, the administrative fee goes to the students‘ union. The administrative fee needs to be paid by every student at a German university. Out of this fee, the free student ticket for the local public transportation system is financed, among other things!

Do I need official certifications and/or translations of my documents for my application?

Generally, we do not require official certifications, but you need to present the original documents when you enroll in person at our university office at the beginning of your studies.

In case your documents are issued in German, English, Spanish or French language, we do not need translations for the application process either. For all other languages, we require an officially certified translation into either German or English for the application process.

Does the THWS offer scholarships?

Let´s start with the bad news: as all public universities in Germany, the THWS itself cannot offer any reductions on the tuition fees. All MBA students have to pay the same tuition fees.

The good news: of course, you can apply for other scholarships, offered for example by the DAAD or by other organizations.  On our THWS website, we have compiled a list of possible scholarships and an overview of other study grants and scholarships. Once you have been admitted to our program, we can provide you with a confirmation of acceptance that you can use to apply for scholarships.

In addition, the German Economy is very strong and unemployment is currently at only 3.5%. Especially in our region of Schweinfurt with strong automotive firms, supplier and logistic companies, there is a high demand for skilled workers. And salaries are pretty good, too.  On our career service website, you can find more detailed information.

With our new course structure, there is even the opportunity to work during semester for a few days at a company and still attend all lectures from Thursday to Saturday.

How do get a student visa?

All non-European Union students need a student visa. For your visa application at the German Embassy/Consulate in your country, we will provide you with a letter of acceptance once your application has been accepted by our admissions council. Please check your local German Embassy/Consulate for the process and requirements for obtaining a student visa.

During your studies

Will I write a Master’s Thesis?

Yes, in the third semester, all students write a Master’s Thesis as part of the program. The topic can be related to any course of the program. The course "Master's seminar" in the third semester will prepare you to write your thesis.

Can I work during my studies?

This is a double yes:

1) Your student visa allows you to work a maximum of 120 days full time (or 240 days part time).

2) As the courses are held mainly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, you will have the chance to work during the week in case you want to.

Which resources can I use as an MBA student?

As an MBA student, you have access to all resources of our university. Those resources include:

  • university canteen
  • free use of local public transportation system
  • university library
  • sports facilities and courses
  • computer labs
  • counseling services
  • career services

For some of those offerings, small fees might apply (e.g. food and drinks in canteen, sports courses).

Which extracurricular activities do you offer?

Apart from the activities that are open to all students of our university, we offer various events and activities specifically for our MBA students, e.g. a Welcome Dinner, a visit to the local Christmas market, excursions, company visits and a end of semester party.

Does THWS offer German language courses?

Yes, our Campus for Language Proficiency offers German language courses starting from A1 up to C1 year round. You can sign up for a fee-based course on their website.

After your studies

Can I stay in Germany after the MBA?

Yes, after you have successfully finished your MBA program, you are entitled to stay at least 18 more months in Germany to find a job.

Will I find a job after the program?

Of course, we cannot give you a guarantee that you will find a job after successfully finishing our MBA program. But chances are very good that you will. In the region, there are plenty of companies and there is hardly any unemployment. In a 2018 ranking performed by the German business magazine „Wirtschaftswoche“, Wuerzburg ranked 10th place among the 71 large German cities when it comes to job availabilty! By the way, Wuerzburg also ranked 10th place in the same analysis when it comes to overall quality of life.

Does the MBA degree entitle for Ph.D. studies?

Yes, the MBA is a regular Master degree that entitles to start a Ph.D. program in Germany and abroad.