EBS University of Economics and Law

What EBS University of Economics and Law does

EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht (EBS University of Economics and Law) is a private German university founded in 1971 in Oestrich-Winkel as the country's first private business university. Originally established as European Business School by Prof. Dr. Klaus Evard, the institution was renamed in 2011 upon receiving full university status and is now structured into three schools: EBS Business School (9 business programs), EBS Law School (2 law programs), and EBS Executive School (42 continuing education programs). The university serves approximately 2,200 students from across the world, supported by 44 professors and 250+ staff, and is owned by SRH Holding, a non-profit foundation group headquartered in Heidelberg that operates 17 universities and 22 hospitals with ~17,000 employees and ~€1.3 billion in 2023 revenue.

The university operates a tuition-based business model combining degree program fees (e.g., Master programs priced at €27,830–€33,780 per program), executive education, and corporate training engagements. Its pedagogical platform centers on a proprietary "Challenge Based Learning" methodology where students work on real case studies from corporate partners and present solutions to executive leadership, complemented by a 20-year-old "Coaching & Leadership Hub" infrastructure. EBS holds the triple-crown-relevant AACSB accreditation (one of only 12 German business schools with this distinction, awarded February 2023), Wissenschaftsrat reaccreditation (2022, valid through 2027), RICS accreditation for its Master in Real Estate (since 2013, reaccredited October 2024), and FIBAA program accreditation.

EBS serves four primary customer segments: undergraduate students (business and law), graduate students (specialized Master programs including Finance, Management, Real Estate, Business Analytics), working professionals and executives (Executive MBA, certificate programs, corporate training), and corporate partners (200+ companies including DAX corporations, real estate firms, KPMG, Procter & Gamble, and Tetra Pak). Distribution operates through a hybrid GTM motion combining direct enrollment via the DreamApply online portal, on-campus events, individualized counseling, and dedicated Corporate Solutions B2B sales for enterprise training. A distinctive structural feature is EBS Alumni e.V., which holds a 1% equity stake in the university through its 4,000 active members—a unique ownership model within European higher education that aligns alumni incentives with institutional success.

Name

EBS University of Economics and Law

Legal name

EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht gGmbH

Website

https://ebs.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Short description

EBS University of Economics and Law is a private German university founded in 1971 serving approximately 2,200 students across business, law, and executive education programs, owned by SRH Holding and holding AACSB, Wissenschaftsrat, and RICS accreditations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Business and Secretarial Schools (611410), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Finance, Accounting & Economics Schools (EDAHAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA), Law & Legal Studies Research Universities (EDAHABAF), Law School Continuing Legal Education (CLE) & Executive Programs (EDAHAIAH), Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE) (EDAAALAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Business school programs
• Law school programs
• Executive education
• University degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Wiesbaden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Degree Program Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs. Tuition fees per semester (Master programs) and per-program costs fund academic operations. Premium pricing reflecting AACSB-accredited education and small class sizes.
2. Executive Education and Continuing Education: EBS Executive School generates revenue through 42 continuing education programs including certificates, custom corporate programs, and open enrollment courses for working professionals. Includes both public scheduled programs and bespoke company programs.
3. Corporate Solutions and Training Partnerships: Customized corporate training engagements (Firmenprogramme), ESG expert training development with firms like KPMG, and consulting/professional services to enterprise clients. Revenue from company-specific program delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

EBS University of Economics and Law is a private German university delivering accredited higher education in business administration (BWL) and law (Jura) at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through three schools: EBS Business School, EBS Law School, and EBS Executive School. Programs are taught on-campus at Oestrich-Winkel and Hamburg using Challenge Based Learning with corporate partners, supplemented by a Coaching & Leadership Hub and 42 continuing education programs including custom corporate training (Firmenprogramme).

Product overview

EBS University of Economics and Law is a private German university organized into three schools: EBS Business School (business administration), EBS Law School (law), and EBS Executive School (executive education/continuing education). The institution offers a comprehensive portfolio spanning Bachelor programs (Business Studies with Business Analytics and AI specialization, Law, Politics and Economics), Master programs (Business Studies, Management, Finance, Real Estate, Business Analytics), the traditional German law degree (Jurastudium with First State Examination), doctoral studies, MBA/Executive MBA, and professional certificate programs. Key educational methodologies include Challenge Based Learning with corporate partners and a Coaching & Leadership Hub. Specialized institutes include the Real Estate Management Institute, BRYTER Center for Digitalization and Law, and the Europa Institut. Programs are accredited by AACSB, Wissenschaftsrat, FIBAA, and RICS, with strong rankings in Financial Times, QS, and CHE rankings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor in Business Studies A Bachelor program in business administration offered by EBS Business School, including a new Business Analytics and AI specialisation track (introduced May 2026). Emphasises Challenge Based Learning with real case studies from corporate partners and a high faculty-to-student ratio. Designed for high school graduates seeking rigorous, internationally oriented undergraduate business education.
• Jurastudium (Law Studies with First State Examination) German law program preparing students for the First State Examination (Erste Juristische Prüfung), equivalent to the traditional Staatsexamen. Approximately 60% of graduates receive distinction grades (Prädikatsquote) since the law school's founding, with EBS producing Hesse's best law graduate four consecutive times through 2020.
• Bachelor in Law, Politics and Economics Interdisciplinary Bachelor program combining law, political science, and economics, launched in 2023 and offered in English with a full-time format. Designed for prospective students seeking an interdisciplinary perspective connecting legal, political, and economic analysis.
• Master in Management Master program in management offered by EBS Business School, ranked 52nd worldwide and 6th in Germany by Financial Times 2025/2026, and 64th worldwide and 5th in Germany by QS World University Rankings 2026. Available in Standard Track (4 semesters, 33,780 EUR) and Accelerated Track (2 semesters, 27,830 EUR).
• Master in Finance Master program in finance offered by EBS Business School, ranked 30th worldwide and 2nd in Germany by Financial Times 2025/2026, and 81st worldwide and 3rd in Germany by QS World University Rankings 2026. Available in Standard Track (4 semesters, 33,780 EUR) and Accelerated Track (2 semesters, 27,830 EUR).
• Master in Real Estate RICS-accredited Master program combining real estate fundamentals with planning, construction, engineering, and leadership content, supplemented by digitalisation, data analytics, and Python modules. Relocated to Hamburg in Autumn 2025 in cooperation with the Real Estate and Leadership (REaL) Foundation, with classes co-taught at partner company locations.
• Executive Education Certificate Programs 42 continuing education programs offered through EBS Executive School covering management, digital transformation, leadership, and ESG topics. Includes open enrollment certificate programs (e.g., C-level Relevant Conversations & Sales, New Work Transformation, General Management, KI-Strategien für Führungskräfte). Ranked 59th worldwide and 4th in Germany in the Financial Times Open Executive Education Ranking 2026. Targets working professionals and executives.
• Corporate Training Programs (Firmenprogramme) Customised corporate training engagements (Firmenprogramme) including exclusive ESG expert training programs developed with partners such as KPMG. Sold through the dedicated EBS Corporate Solutions sales team to enterprise clients' HR and L&D departments, covering leadership development, sustainability training, and tailored executive education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Master in Finance ranked 30th worldwide (2nd in Germany) in Financial Times 2025/2026 ranking
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• REaL Foundation (Real Estate and Leadership Foundation e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2025Strategic partner for Master in Real Estate program relocation to Hamburg 2025. Foundation supports program through co-teaching, company visits, excursions, mentoring, and interdisciplinary working student positions. Unique co-teaching model relocates classes directly to partner companies. Alexander Knälmann (APROJECT) serves on foundation board. Provides bridge between university and real estate industry.
• Advant BeitenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational law firm and corporate partner contributing to Challenge Based Learning projects for real estate students. Provides company visits and real business challenges.
• Art-InvestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate investment company participating in student project collaborations and industry engagement activities.
• Drees & SommerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject management and consulting firm partners for student excursions and project development education.
• Swiss Life Asset ManagersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsset management company providing industry insights and collaborative projects for real estate program students.
• Union Investment Real Estate GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate investment company participating in student excursions, mentoring, and real business challenges.
• Procter & GambleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined EBS Sustainability Partner Circle January 2025, collaborating on sustainability education and research initiatives.
• R+V VersicherungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance company signed cooperation agreement May 2024 for collaboration in insurance studies, risk management education, and student engagement.
• Tetra PakminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld market leader in food processing packaging collaborating on sustainability initiatives and corporate responsibility education.
• KPMGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped exclusive ESG expert training program with EBS University for professional development of KPMG staff and clients.
• New York University (NYU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched joint research center (EBS & NYU Research Center) October 2025. EBS expertise contributes to NYU Law Democracy Project on 'Parteien-Paradox' (Party Paradox).
• European Central Bank (ECB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBS Law School students visit ECB Frankfurt for practical insights into central banking and monetary policy.
• Ripple's University Blockchain Research InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndowed professorship for blockchain research at EBS Law School (December 2025). Supports digitalization and law research.
• VolkswagenStiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman foundation funding research project at EBS Law School in 2023.
• Friedrich-Naumann-StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolitical foundation providing doctoral scholarships to EBS Law School students. Supports political education and liberal democracy promotion.
• RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational professional body accrediting Master in Real Estate program since 2013. Re-accredited every 5 years with annual monitoring. Sets global standards for real estate professionals.
• SRH HoldingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit foundation group (SRH) acquired EBS University in 2016. SRH operates 17 universities and 22 hospitals across Germany with 17,000 employees. Provides institutional backing, shared services, and strategic direction. Revenue ~1.3 billion EUR (2023).
• BRYTERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal tech company partnered to open BRYTER Center for Digitalization and Law (July 2022), advancing digitalization in legal research and education.
• HS SimpliConminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiated new Master Scholarship program (SimpliCon Scholarship) June 2026 supporting outstanding master's students at EBS.
• GILT (Global Institute for Learning and Teaching)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation initiative launched with EBS University January 2024 for educational innovation collaboration.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: Private German business school specializing in finance, management, and consulting. Directly comparable to EBS Business School as a private institution serving similar student segments with overlapping finance and management programs; based in the Rhine-Main region.
• Munich Business School: Private business school in Munich offering Bachelor and Master programs in business administration. Directly comparable to EBS as a smaller-scale private German business school with English-language programs and international student focus.
• GISMA Business School: Private business school in Germany offering master's and MBA programs. Comparable to EBS as a private institution serving similar student segments, though with different ownership (part of Global University Systems) and somewhat different positioning.
• ESMT Berlin: Berlin-based private business school founded by leading German corporations. Comparable to EBS as a top German private business school with strong executive education and master's programs, competing for similar corporate partnerships and faculty talent.
• Mannheim Business School: Private business school affiliated with University of Mannheim, offering MBA and master's programs. Comparable to EBS as a top-ranked German private business school (often ranked #1 in Germany by FT), competing for master's students and corporate partnerships.
• HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management: One of Germany's oldest private business schools, founded 1898. Comparable to EBS as a private German business school with strong entrepreneurship focus, AACSB accreditation, and similar master program portfolio competing in the FT rankings.
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management: Germany's leading private business school, founded 1984, with AACSB accreditation and consistently higher FT rankings than EBS (often top 30 globally). Directly comparable as a German private business university competing for similar students, faculty, and corporate partnerships.

Regional players

• University of St. Gallen (HSG): Leading public business university in German-speaking Switzerland, consistently ranked top 5 in Europe by FT. Comparable to EBS as a German-language business university with similar programs and AACSB accreditation, but serving the Swiss market and benefiting from public funding.

Broad incumbents

• INSEAD: Global top-tier business school with campuses in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. Comparable to EBS at the broader category level (AACSB-accredited private business school, FT-ranked) but operates at much larger scale and targets global executive audience rather than German-specific market.

Others

• SRH Hochschulen (parent's other universities): Other universities within SRH Holding's portfolio of 17 institutions. While not direct competitors to EBS's premium positioning, they share SRH's shared services platform and represent internal benchmarks for cost efficiency and program scaling within the same ownership group.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-business-school

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 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 EBS University of Economics and Law