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Cost Of Living At B-school: Berlin

The German capital is poor but sexy, according to resident business students

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Berlin: one of Europe's cheapest big cities

Berlin kicks off our series on the cost of living in cities around the world where you might go to business school.

The German capital is having another cultural moment. MTV moved its European headquarters there in 2003, the city is a magnet for artists, musicians and moviemakers from both sides of the Atlantic. History and arthouse culture combine intriguingly with being at the center of the world's fourth-largest manufacturing economy.

The relatively low cost of living in the happening city is a big plus for students.

According to the Mercer Worldwide Cost of Living survey 2010, Berlin is the least expensive location of any major MBA city in Europe. It doesn’t even make the worldwide top 50 most expensive cities for expatriates.

While living expenses depend heavily upon personal preferences and style of living, the average MBA student can live well on €12,000 to €15,000 (US$15,450 to $19,310) per year. Rent is inexpensive compared to other major European cities, with a central apartment costing €300 to €600 a month.

According to Rahul Tongia, ESMT full-time MBA Class of 2009: “Berlin may be poor, but it is sexy. It is full of young and diverse people from all around the world and feels like a melting pot of old and new, with a lot of music, politics, art and media start-ups based.

“In and around the city there are many beautiful lakes and gardens providing a paradise for sport and outdoor activities. The nightlife is amazing as well.”

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Comments

26 July 2011

hello all
can any one tell me how much Complete MBA and Living will cost and how is the duration of MBA in Berlin .
hope any one give an accurate answer
regards
milad

Milad

29 September 2010

Hi Murat - does your MBA course run Jan - Dec? What do you think about finishing in Dec - OK time to be re-entering the workforce?

Kate Jillings

10 September 2010

100% agree with the article. I am a MBA Candidate in ESMT, Berlin graduating in mid-December 2010. I am happy here and Berlin is a splendid city. Moreover ESMT is great business school to be in...... (MURAT)

Murat Bayrak

8 September 2010

My boyfriend told me that everything is really cheap there comparing with London. He also said that he was really impressed that all germans he met were extremely hard workers. When he studied there, he noticed that every morning the earliest birds are Germans. There is no exception everyday....

Yun Liu

just went to berlin and had a great time - definitely the best city on europe right now. SUPER cheap and full of smatr worldly people

Alexandra Dean

germany's big manufacturing companies are excellent case studies. there are a lot of tech start-ups in the rhine area too. ne interested to know whta kind of innovation german business schools ae involved in - e.g. mostly within big companies or are they trying to replicate the silicon valley start-up

Nathan Portman

Berlin is an amazing place and tuition costs are normally very low in Germany. Germany could actually develop as a great attraction for Management education given its Superior position in the European economy, positive outlook for post-MBA jobs and low cost of living and studying.

Also a great chance to learn German and mix with the local crowds