About the university
The University of Mannheim began in 1907 as the Mannheim School of Commerce, set up to train business people. It became a full university in 1967, exactly 60 years after its founding. Since 1955 it has been based in the rebuilt Mannheim Palace in the city centre.
Mannheim is best known for business administration, economics and the social sciences. Its business school and economics department are among the strongest in Germany, and it also teaches business informatics, data science, political science and sociology.
For Indian students, the draw is a set of English-taught master's in management, finance, supply chain, data science and business informatics at a low cost. Non-EU students pay €1,500 per semester under Baden-Württemberg law. Entry is selective: most programmes ask for a good bachelor's grade (German 2.5 or better) and some ask for a GRE or GMAT.
Mannheim is a city in south-west Germany, at the meeting of the Rhine and Neckar rivers. It is a major rail junction, with fast trains to Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Heidelberg, and many large companies have offices in the region.
- Founded
- 1907, as the Mannheim School of Commerce; university status in 1967
- Type
- Public university of the state of Baden-Württemberg, focused on business, economics and social sciences
- Students
- 8,434 in QS data (THE World University Rankings 2027 lists 8,047)
- International students
- 18% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data); QS lists 1,457
- Tuition for non-EU students
- €1,500 per semester, plus a semester fee of €194 (spring 2027)
- Intakes
- September (fall); some master's, such as Data Science and Business Informatics, also start in February
- Student–staff ratio
- 36.6 students per staff member (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=425 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=224 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Mannheim Master in Data Science (MSc)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September; February
- English
- TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 6.0 (or a bachelor's at least 50% taught in English)
- Postgraduate
Master's Program in Business Informatics (MSc)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September; February
- English
- TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 6.0 (or a bachelor's at least 50% taught in English)
- Postgraduate
Mannheim Master in Management (MSc)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- C1 level: TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.0 (or a bachelor's at least 40% taught in English)
- Postgraduate
Mannheim Master in Finance, Accounting and Taxation (MSc)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- C1 level: TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.0 (or a bachelor's at least 40% taught in English)
- Postgraduate
Mannheim Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management (MSc)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- C1 level: TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.0 (or a bachelor's at least 40% taught in English)
- Postgraduate
Mannheim Master in Social Data Science (MSc)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS 6.5 (or a bachelor's at least 50% taught in English)
- Postgraduate
Master's Program in Economics (MSc)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 6.0 (or a bachelor's at least 25% taught in English)
- Postgraduate
Mannheim Full-Time MBA (Mannheim Business School)
- Fee / year
- €49,500
- Duration
- 12–15 months
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS Academic 7.0, or the TOEFL minimum listed by the school (4.5 on the current TOEFL scale)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mannheim Master in Data Science (MSc) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| Master's Program in Business Informatics (MSc) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| Mannheim Master in Management (MSc) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| Mannheim Master in Finance, Accounting and Taxation (MSc) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| Mannheim Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management (MSc) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| Mannheim Master in Social Data Science (MSc) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| Master's Program in Economics (MSc) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| Mannheim Full-Time MBA (Mannheim Business School) | 12–15 months | €49,500 | ≈ ₹52.5 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Mannheim with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's and master's students and applicants
Deutschlandstipendium at the University of Mannheim
Value: €300 a month for one academic year
Eligibility: Awarded on merit by each school. Master's applicants apply in spring (15 April to 1 June in 2026) with a motivation letter, CV and transcripts.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-Time MBA applicants
Mannheim Full-Time MBA scholarships
Value: Up to €6,000 (merit categories) or up to €9,500 (Distinguished Talent, need-based)
Eligibility: One category per application, for example Finance Excellence or Future Female Business Leader. Separate tuition discounts exist for early applications.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Enrolled students
Teaching and research assistant jobs
Value: About €500 a month for a teaching assistant (two tutorials a week), as stated by the Economics department
Eligibility: Open to enrolled students; pay and hours for research assistant jobs vary.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Mannheim's bachelor's programmes are taught mainly in German, so most Indian students apply for master's.
- An Indian Class 12 certificate on its own does not usually give direct entry to a German bachelor's; check the university's admission rules for foreign school certificates before applying.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS or three years' standard study, so a three-year Indian degree can qualify.
- Most master's ask for a final grade of German 2.5 or better and a minimum number of credits in the subject, for example 36 ECTS in business for the management and finance master's, or 70 ECTS in informatics, mathematics or statistics for Data Science.
- Final-year students can apply with proof of 120–140 ECTS, depending on the programme.
- The Data Science master's requires most non-EU applicants to submit a GRE (Quant 162, Verbal 151). The management and finance master's use a GMAT or GRE as a selection criterion.
- English proof can be sent later, by 15 August for a September start or 15 January for February.
Documents
- Valid passport
- APS certificate (for applicants with Indian degrees)
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts, or a current transcript with at least 120–140 ECTS
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic) or proof of English-taught study
- GRE or GMAT score where the programme asks for it
- CV and, for some programmes, a motivation letter
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 for Data Science, Business Informatics and Economics; 6.5 for Social Data Science and Political Science; 7.0 for Management, MMFACT and Operations and Supply Chain Management. |
| TOEFL iBT | 72, 90 or 100 depending on the programme (same groups as IELTS). |
| PTE and Duolingo | Not accepted for Mannheim's master's programmes. |
| English-taught bachelor's | Accepted as proof if a set share of your degree was taught in English (25–50% depending on the programme, confirmed on a university form). |
Accommodation and living costs
The Studierendenwerk Mannheim runs student residences, but places are limited, so most international students also look for a room in a shared flat. Landlords usually ask for a deposit of about two months' rent.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition plus semester fee€1,500 tuition + €194 semester fee (€80 administration, €100 Studierendenwerk, €14 student body), spring 2027 | €1,694per semester | ≈ ₹1.8 lakh |
| Room in a shared flat (private market)University of Mannheim estimate; deposit of about two months' rent | €300–500per month | ≈ ₹31,800 – ₹53,000 |
| Electricity for one personUniversity of Mannheim estimate | €40–60per month | ≈ ₹4,240 – ₹6,360 |
| Public broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)Due per household if you stay more than three months | €18per month | ≈ ₹1,946 |
Campus and location
The university is based in and around Mannheim Palace in the city centre, with lecture halls, libraries and offices a short walk from the main station. Mannheim's grid-plan centre, the 'Quadrate', is compact and easy to get around.
- Teaching takes place in Mannheim Palace and nearby buildings in the city centre.
- Mannheim Business School, the university's business school for MBA and executive programmes, is on the same campus.
- Mannheim's main station is next to the campus, with fast trains to Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Heidelberg.
- The Studierendenwerk runs canteens and student residences.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Mannheim graduates in business, finance and data often move into consulting, banking, industry and tech across Germany. The figures below are general rules, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job-search permit after graduating | Up to 18 months | Make it in Germany |
| Work allowed while studying | 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week | Make it in Germany |
| International students | 18% | THE World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Germany
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: juhotski, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
Photo: TU Berlin/Pressestelle/Ulrich Dahl, Copyrighted free use PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
Photo: Seeott, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Munich, GermanyOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Law
Photo: Hermann Luyken, CC0 PublicHeidelberg University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Heidelberg, GermanyOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Life Sciences
FAQs
How much does the University of Mannheim cost for Indian students?
€1,500 tuition per semester plus a €194 semester fee, so €1,694 per semester. The Full-Time MBA at Mannheim Business School is separate and costs €49,500 in total.
Is a GRE or GMAT needed?
Most non-EU applicants to the Data Science master's must submit a GRE (Quant 162, Verbal 151). For the management, finance and supply chain master's, a GMAT or GRE is a selection criterion, so a good score helps.
Does Mannheim accept PTE or Duolingo?
No. Its master's accept TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Cambridge certificates and a few others, or proof that part of your bachelor's was taught in English.
Can I start in February?
Only some programmes, such as Data Science and Business Informatics, take a February intake. Management, MMFACT, Economics and most others start in September only.
Are there scholarships?
The Deutschlandstipendium pays €300 a month for a year to high achievers, and master's applicants can apply. Mannheim Business School has its own MBA scholarships of up to €9,500.
Sources
- University of Mannheim: tuition fees for international students (opens in a new tab)
- University of Mannheim: fees (semester fee) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Mannheim: degree programmes (opens in a new tab)
- University of Mannheim: master's foreign language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- University of Mannheim: Mannheim Master in Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- University of Mannheim: history (opens in a new tab)
- University of Mannheim: finding accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- Mannheim Business School: Full-Time MBA and admissions (opens in a new tab)
- University of Mannheim: Deutschlandstipendium 2026/27 call (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Mannheim (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: Universität Mannheim (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany: visa for studying (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uni-mannheim.de (opens in a new tab)
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