Overview HHL’s Master of Science in Entrepreneurship prepares students who want to create and grow their own ventures. The programme combines an entrepreneurial mindset with practical tools and a strong support network so you can move from idea to implementation with confidence. From day one you join an active start-up community and gain access to HHL DIGITAL SPACE (the school’s incubator and digital innovation platform) and SpinLab, one of Europe’s leading accelerators, enabling you to develop, test and scale projects in real-world settings while drawing on current research and experienced mentors, founders and investors.
Programme structure The curriculum is organised into three practice-focused phases that mirror a typical founder’s journey: Explore & Equip (building core business knowledge, leadership, communication and sustainability awareness), Build & Validate (shaping business models, prototyping and market testing, plus tailored electives), and Launch & Level Up (preparing a market-ready venture). You begin with HHL Welcome Weeks to build community and networks across programmes and nationalities. A central element is a 12-week Business Plan Seminar in which you refine a full start-up project, polish your pitch deck and practice investor pitching with expert feedback and coaching.
Practical experience and thesis Hands-on application is integral: you can work in the incubator, intern at a start-up, study abroad at partner institutions, or participate in an international entrepreneurship study trip to broaden your perspective and network. The master’s thesis is an applied project focused on your venture or another concrete entrepreneurial challenge; you may begin this research as early as your sixth term.
Program details (quick facts)
This two-year (24-month) Master's programme is organised into eight terms of three months each. All taught courses in the first academic year are delivered on campus at HHL, providing an intensive on-site foundation in the programme’s core areas. The second academic year is designed to be flexible to suit individual career and learning goals, and the final term is reserved for completing the Master’s thesis.
During the second year students choose one of three pathways: a study term at one of HHL’s international partners (HHL has relationships with more than 140 universities worldwide), a practical internship that provides hands-on industry experience, or participation in the Digital Space Incubation Programme which focuses on building and scaling digital ventures. Each option is intended to deepen either international exposure, practical professional skills, or venture-building capabilities.
Key learning outcomes you can expect from the curriculum include the ability to synthesize academic knowledge and practical experience to develop viable business ideas, strengthened entrepreneurial and managerial skills through applied projects or internships, intercultural competence gained via study abroad, and the research and analytical skills demonstrated by the Master’s thesis.
Program structure — key facts and requirements
This Master's programme is open to graduates from any undergraduate discipline — you do not need a prior degree in business to apply. The selection looks for consistently good academic performance, so strong grades both from your secondary schooling (for German applicants the Abitur) and from your Bachelor’s studies are expected.
Applicants must also have some practical work experience before the programme starts. A short period of professional engagement is required to ensure you bring real-world perspective to classroom work.
Note for international applicants: be prepared to submit certified transcripts and certificates that demonstrate your secondary- and undergraduate-level grades and to document your work experience.
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
30 June 2026
Graduates are prepared primarily to found and scale their own start-ups, having developed validated business models, investor pitches and practical experience through incubator and accelerator collaborations. The programme’s emphasis on prototyping, market testing and a 12-week Business Plan Seminar makes alumni attractive to early-stage venture roles and entrepreneurial leadership positions.
Beyond founding, alumni can pursue careers in innovation management, venture capital/accelerator programs, product management or consultancy focused on start-ups and corporate entrepreneurship. The international options and network also support opportunities in global start-up ecosystems and cross-border ventures.
HWR Berlin (Berlin School of Economics and Law) — Berlin
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts — Dortmund
Furtwangen University — Villingen-Schwenningen
Harz University of Applied Sciences — Wernigerode