ULaw / Grenoble EM / Kingston / UPP (Berlin Programs)
Quick Snapshot & Key Statistics
| Program Ecosystem | International Degree & Pathway Programs in Berlin (In partnership with GISMA / GUS) |
| Partner Institutions | The University of Law (ULaw, UK), Grenoble École de Management (GEM, France), Kingston University London (UK), GISMA UPP (Germany) |
| Global Accreditations | Triple Crown Accredited (AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB) — Grenoble EM; AACSB — Kingston Business School; QAA & BSB — ULaw |
| Berlin Campus Location | Dessauer Straße / Potsdamer Platz area, Berlin, Germany |
| Degree Awarding Bodies | Degrees are directly awarded by the respective parent institution in the UK or France. |
| Instruction Medium | 100% English (for all degree tracks) & German (for UPP language pathway) |
| Academic Intakes | January / February, May, and September / October |
| Tuition Fees (Undergraduate / Kingston) | ~€11,000 – €13,000 / year |
| Tuition Fees (Postgraduate / GEM & ULaw) | ~€14,000 – €18,500 total course fee |
| Tuition Fees (UPP Pathway) | ~€6,000 – €8,500 total (Includes university placement service) |
| Post-Study Work Visa | Fully eligible for Germany's 18-Month Post-Study Work Permit |
About the Berlin International Partner Ecosystem
Berlin hosts a specialised educational model where premier European and British institutions deliver their full degree and pathway programs directly on campus in Germany. Operating through state-of-the-art campus hubs such as the GISMA University of Applied Sciences campus in central Berlin, international students can earn degrees from triple-accredited French business schools or top UK universities while gaining direct access to Germany's job market.
This ecosystem brings together four distinct academic tracks:
- Grenoble École de Management (GEM): Triple-accredited French business school offering top-ranked Master's and MBA programs in Berlin.
- Kingston University London: UK public university offering specialised undergraduate double-degree tracks and Master's degrees in international management.
- The University of Law (ULaw): UK's specialised provider of legal and business education, delivering business and executive management tracks.
- University Pathway Programme (UPP): A specialised foundation and German language prep track designed to transition international students into public German universities or private degree programs.
Berlin Campus Location
- Address: Dessauer Straße / Potsdamer Platz area, Berlin, Germany.
Admission Requirements
Admissions requirements vary depending on the partner degree-granting university:
1. Grenoble École de Management (GEM Programs)
- Master's (MSc) Entry: Completed Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS minimum or international equivalent) from a recognised university. Quantitative tracks require strong background coursework in finance or statistics.
- GEM MBA Entry: Completed Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 3 years of post-graduation professional work experience.
- Documents: Transcripts, CV, 2 academic/professional references, Statement of Purpose (SOP), and an online selection video interview.
2. Kingston University London (Double Degrees & MSc)
- Undergraduate (BSc Double Degree): High School Diploma, A-Levels, IB Diploma, or 12th Grade Mark Sheet (CBSE/ISC ~65%+ minimum).
- Postgraduate (MSc): Bachelor's degree in business or non-business disciplines with a minimum aggregate equivalent to a UK 2:2 honours degree.
3. The University of Law (ULaw Programs)
- Undergraduate Entry: Recognised secondary school completion certificate.
- Postgraduate Entry: Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in any academic discipline.
- Work Experience Alternative: Experienced mature applicants can apply based on 3+ years of professional managerial experience.
4. University Pathway Programme (UPP / Foundation)
- Eligibility: Open to high school graduates or Bachelor's holders whose foreign academic credentials require additional German language proficiency (A1 to C1/DSH level) or academic preparation before entering German public/private universities.
- Outcome: Guaranteed placement assistance for direct entrance into target degree tracks.
Popular Academic Programs
Grenoble École de Management (GEM) Tracks
- MSc International Business (MIB)
- MSc Innovation, Strategy & Entrepreneurship
- MSc Marketing Management
- Grenoble MBA
Kingston University London Tracks
- BSc (Hons) International Business Management (Double Degree)
- MSc International Business Management
The University of Law (ULaw) Tracks
- BA (Hons) Business Management
- MSc Leadership and Human Resource Management
- MSc Strategic Business Management
University Pathway Programme (UPP Tracks)
- UPP for Bachelor's / Studienkolleg Prep: Intensive German language modules (A1–B2/C1) paired with subject prep for foreign high school graduates.
- UPP for Master's Students: Advanced German language preparation (B1–C1/TestDaF) and academic methodology for university entry in Germany.
Language Requirements
All degree tracks (GEM, Kingston, ULaw) are delivered 100% in English. The UPP pathway focuses on building German language proficiency from basic levels up to C1 TestDaF/DSH.
English Language Proficiency Cutoffs
| Partner Institution | Undergraduate Minimum | Postgraduate Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Grenoble EM (GEM) | N/A | IELTS 6.5 (min 6.0 in each band) / TOEFL iBT 90 |
| Kingston University | IELTS 6.0 (min 5.5 in each band) | IELTS 6.5 (min 6.0 in each band) |
| University of Law (ULaw) | IELTS 6.0 (min 5.5 in each band) | IELTS 6.5 (min 6.0 in each band) |
- English Test Waivers: Available for applicants who completed their prior secondary or higher education 100% in English in an English-speaking country or provide an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate.
Fee Structure & Estimated Living Expenses
1. Program Tuition Fees
| Program / Partner Level | Duration | Estimated Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kingston BSc Double Degree | 3 Years | ~€11,000 – €13,000 / year (~€33,000 – €39,000 total) |
| Grenoble EM MSc Programs | 1 to 2 Years | ~€14,500 – €16,500 total |
| Grenoble EM MBA | 1.5 Years | ~€18,500 total |
| ULaw MSc Programs | 1 Year | ~€12,000 – €14,000 total |
| GISMA UPP Pathway | 6 to 12 Months | ~€6,000 – €8,500 total |
2. Estimated Monthly Living Expenses (Berlin)
Non-EU international students must meet Germany's official Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) requirement:
- Official Blocked Account Amount: €11,904 per year (~€992 per month).
- Average Monthly Student Budget in Berlin: €1,000 – €1,300 per month.
Let's plan your path to studying at Berlin's international partner programs
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Under German immigration law (Section 20 of the Residence Act), post-study work permit eligibility is granted based on completing an accredited higher education program on campus inside Germany. Because you study physically on-campus in Berlin holding a valid German student residence permit, you are legally entitled to apply for Germany's 18-Month Post-Study Work Permit (Residence Permit for Job-Seeking Graduates) upon graduation.
Grenoble EM holds Triple Crown Accreditation (AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB)—a distinction held by less than 1% of business schools globally. Studying a GEM program in Berlin allows students to earn a degree from a top 30 Financial Times European Business School while paying local German living costs and accessing Berlin's tech startup ecosystem.
In the BSc International Business Management Double Degree track, students fulfil unified curriculum requirements that satisfy academic criteria for both institutions. Upon graduation, students receive two separate official degree certificates: one awarded by Kingston University London (UK) and one awarded by GISMA University of Applied Sciences (Germany).
The UPP pathway provides foreign students with intensive German language instruction (A1 through C1 level) and academic foundation modules. Uniquely, UPP includes a dedicated University Placement Service, where advisors handle direct applications, document verification, and admissions placement for public German universities or private degree tracks.
Yes. The degree diplomas issued to students completing GEM, Kingston, or ULaw programs in Berlin are 100% identical to those conferred on students studying at the main campuses in France or the UK, without any mention of "offshore" or "branch campus" status on the diploma.
Grenoble EM's Berlin tracks such as the MSc in Innovation, Strategy & Entrepreneurship, integrate site visits, consulting projects, and executive mentoring with Berlin's venture capital funds, tech incubators (e.g., Factory Berlin), and global firms like Tesla, Amazon, and Zalando.
The ULaw offerings in Berlin focus primarily on postgraduate business, leadership, and human resource management tracks, e.g., MSc Leadership and HRM, MSc Strategic Business Management, providing UK professional management training tailored for international corporate careers.
Direct entry into Master's degrees (GEM, Kingston, ULaw) is for students who already meet all English proficiency and academic credit criteria. The UPP pathway is designed for students who either need to bridge academic credit gaps, learn German from scratch, or satisfy public university entry rules (Studienkolleg).
Yes. International non-EU students studying on campus in Berlin under a German student visa can legally work up to 140 full days (or 280 half days) per calendar year. Students secure corporate Werkstudent positions in Berlin, earning hourly wages between €15 and €22+ per hour.
Yes. The UPP curriculum includes specialised exam preparation modules for standardised German language certifications (telc C1 Hochschule, TestDaF, DSH) as well as academic entrance exams required for public university entry.
GMAT or GRE scores are not strictly mandatory for GEM MSc programs in Berlin, provided the applicant demonstrates a strong academic GPA and quantitative background. However, a good GMAT Focus score can strengthen an application for the GEM MBA or competitive scholarship consideration.
Master's programs build a dedicated final project/internship block into the curriculum (typically in the 2nd year or final semester). Students can complete a paid corporate internship in Germany or submit a consulting project in place of a purely theoretical thesis.
If an international student receives an official visa refusal from the German Embassy or Consulate, advanced tuition payments are refunded in full, excluding nominal administrative deposit fees upon submission of the official embassy rejection document.
Students enrolled in English-taught degree tracks receive complimentary beginner German language classes on campus. This helps international students handle daily life in Berlin and prepare for local part-time job opportunities.
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Photo credits: German Chancellery, Berlin (aerial) by Benjamin Janecke, CC BY-SA 3.0; Friedrichstrasse business district, Berlin by Jörg Zägel, CC BY-SA 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. All image credits
