International Graduate Center

What International Graduate Center does

The International Graduate Center (IGC) is the business school division of Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences, a public institution under German state law located in Bremen, Germany. Founded in 2003 as part of the International Business School Alliance (IBSA), IGC offers MBA and Master degree programs targeted at international professionals and career-oriented graduates. The school serves 400+ students from over 40 nationalities through a portfolio that includes the EFMD-accredited International MBA (Dual Degree), specialized full-time MBAs (Global Management, International Tourism Management, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Executive Management), and Master programs (Management – Digitalization and Transformation, Aeronautical Management), with both full-time and part-time delivery formats.

IGC generates revenue through tuition and fees charged for its MBA and Master programs, with program-specific pricing detailed on a dedicated tuition page (specific amounts not publicly disclosed on the main website). The institution holds a strong accreditation portfolio, including EFMD program accreditation (the first Dual-MBA in Germany, granted for 5 years without conditions in 2022), AACSB membership since 2014, EFMD membership since 2017, ABIS membership since 2019, and UN PRME signatory status since 2023. IGC has earned consecutive placements in the QS Global MBA Ranking (2023 and 2025), ranking #6 among German universities and 76th among European institutions in 2025.

The school's go-to-market approach combines direct-to-consumer recruitment through its International Student Assistance office, a worldwide network of partner agencies, and a multi-channel digital marketing presence (SEO, social media, email newsletters via Mailjet, virtual events). Applications are processed through the FullFabric applicant management platform. IGC maintains an extensive business partner ecosystem including Airbus, Mercedes-Benz AG, BLG Logistics, OHB, and Forvia Hella, providing students with industry engagement opportunities. The IBSA alliance with ESSCA (France), University of Valencia (Spain), and University of North Carolina Wilmington (USA) enables unique dual-degree pathways across four countries.

Name

International Graduate Center

Legal name

Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences

Website

https://graduatecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The International Graduate Center is the business school division of Hochschule Bremen, offering EFMD-accredited MBA and Master degree programs to 400+ international students from 40+ nationalities through dual-degree partnerships with universities in France, Spain, and the USA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Business School

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

Keywords

• Graduate business school
• MBA programs
• Master degree programs
• International management education
• Dual degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: IGC generates revenue through tuition fees charged for MBA and Master programs. The institution offers full-time and part-time program options. Specific tuition amounts are not publicly disclosed on the website but are detailed on the dedicated Tuition & Fees page.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

International Graduate Center (IGC) is the business school division of Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences, offering full-time and part-time MBA and Master degree programs in Bremen, Germany. Programs include the EFMD-accredited International MBA (Dual Degree) delivered through the International Business School Alliance (IBSA) with partner universities in France, Spain, and the USA, along with specialized MBAs in Global Management, International Tourism Management, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, and Executive Management, plus Master programs in Digitalization & Transformation and Aeronautical Management.

Product overview

International Graduate Center (IGC) is HSB's Business School offering a portfolio of MBA and Master degree programs. The core offerings include EFMD-accredited International MBA (Dual Degree) programs through the International Business School Alliance (IBSA), specialized full-time MBA programs (Global Management, International Tourism Management, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Executive Management), and Master programs (Management – Digitalization and Transformation, Aeronautical Management). Programs are also available in part-time formats. IGC emphasizes international focus with double-degree options, practice-oriented teaching, and direct links to German industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International MBA (Dual Degree) EFMD-accredited International MBA program offering a dual degree through the International Business School Alliance (IBSA), with partner universities in France, Spain, and the USA. Students study at HSB Bremen and a partner institution to earn two degrees.
• MBA Global Management Full-time MBA program focusing on global management principles, international business strategy, and cross-cultural management competencies.
• MBA International Tourism Management Specialized MBA program focusing on international tourism industry management, destination marketing, and sustainable tourism development.
• MBA International Logistics & Supply Chain Management MBA program specializing in logistics management, supply chain optimization, and international shipping/distribution strategies.
• MBA in Executive Management MBA program designed for experienced professionals seeking leadership and executive-level management positions.
• Part-time MBA Part-time MBA program allowing working professionals to earn their degree while continuing employment, offered through Hochschule Bremen.
• Master Management – Digitalization and Transformation (M.A.) Master program focusing on digital business transformation, management of technological change, and digitalization strategies for organizations.
• Master Aeronautical Management Master program specializing in aviation management, aerospace industry operations, and air transport business administration.
• Part-time Master Management and Digital Transformation Part-time Master program in management and digital transformation for working professionals, offered through Hochschule Bremen.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked 6th among German universities in QS Global MBA Ranking 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Business School Alliance (IBSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBSA is a strategic alliance offering a unique Dual Degree MBA program. Students study at two institutions in two different countries and earn a Master degree from each. Partner universities are in Germany, France, Spain, and USA.
• ESSCA School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBSA partner university in Paris, France. Students can earn a dual degree by studying at both IGC and ESSCA.
• University of North Carolina Wilmington (Cameron School of Business)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBSA partner university in the USA. Part of the dual degree International MBA program.
• University of Valencia (Faculty of Economics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBSA partner university in Spain. Students can earn a dual degree by studying at both IGC and University of Valencia.
• AirbusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partnership for student industry engagement. Airbus Bremen is a major aerospace company and employer in the region.
• Mercedes-Benz AG (Plant Bremen)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partnership. Mercedes-Benz Werk Bremen is the largest private employer in Bremen with ~12,500 employees.
• BLG LogisticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partnership for logistics industry connections and student opportunities.
• DESMAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner - company details not specified in source.
• German Indian Society (DIG)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partnership for Indo-German business connections.
• Diersch & SchröderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner - law firm in Bremen.
• Die DenkfabrikminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital agency business partner.
• Eisenführ Speiser (Patent Attorneys)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPatent attorneys and lawyers business partner.
• Forvia HellaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive lighting and electronics company business partner.
• Hiller mmc (Management Consulting)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerManagement consulting, mediation & coaching business partner.
• Karl GeutherminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner - company details not specified.
• Kathmann BauunternehmungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company business partner.
• Marahrens GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner - company details not specified.
• C. Melchers GmbH & Co. KGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrading and services company business partner.
• OHBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAerospace company business partner.
• RKW BremenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness development agency partner.
• SAACKEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner - company details not specified.
• SV Werder BremenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports club business partnership.
• WFB Wirtschaftsförderung BremenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBremen economic development agency partner.
• Mal einfach machen Alumni AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlumni network partnership for graduate engagement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management: Top-ranked German business school (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA triple-crown) offering MBAs and Masters. Competes with IGC for international MBA candidates and QS ranking visibility in Germany.
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: German private business school with MBA and Master programs serving international students. Competes for the same applicant pool and shares the AACSB/EFMD accreditation tier as IGC.
• Mannheim Business School: Germany-based business school offering MBA and Master programs with strong international focus and AACSB/EFMD-equivalent accreditations. Directly competes with IGC for international applicants to German MBA programs.
• ESSCA School of Management: French business school that is one of IGC's three IBSA alliance partners for the dual-degree International MBA. Operates in the same international postgraduate management education space with comparable dual-degree mechanics.
• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht: German business school with MBA programs targeting international professionals. Operates in the same accreditation tier and competes for German-resident international MBA candidates.
• GISMA Business School: Germany-based business school focused on international postgraduate students with MBA and Master programs. Directly comparable in mission, target segment, and agent-driven recruitment model.
• ESMT Berlin: Berlin-based business school with multiple MBA/Master programs and EQUIS/AACSB/AMBA accreditations. Competes for European international MBA applicants and ranks alongside IGC in German MBA league tables.
• HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management: Germany's oldest private business school offering full-time and part-time MBA and Master programs. Directly comparable in target market (international postgraduate management students) and accreditation profile.
• Munich Business School: Munich-based private business school offering MBAs and Masters to international cohorts. Competes for the same international applicant pool with similar accreditation status and specializations.

Broad incumbents

• University of St. Gallen: Top-ranked European business university with broad MBA/Master portfolio and EQUIS/AACSB/AMBA accreditation. Sets the upper benchmark for international applicants considering German-speaking business schools.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hochschule.bremen
• Instagraminstagram.com/hochschulebremen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hsb-international-graduate-center

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Graduate Center