CBS International Business School

Name

CBS International Business School

Legal name

CBS Cologne Business School GmbH

Website

https://cbs.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Business and Secretarial Schools (611410)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Private higher education
• Dual study programs
• Business school degrees
• MBA programs
• University preparatory courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Dual Studies: Dual study program where employer practice partners cover tuition fees, allowing students to study at no cost while gaining practical work experience. The '0-Euro-Studium' model generates revenue through agreements with corporate practice partners who sponsor student education.
2. Tuition Fees - Full-time and Part-time Programs: Revenue from tuition fees for full-time bachelor's, master's, and MBA programs, as well as part-time and continuing education programs for working professionals.
3. Study Prep and Foundation Programs: Revenue from Prep4University Studienkolleg programs that prepare international students for German university admission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CBS International Business School is a private German higher education institution that delivers practice-oriented Bachelor, Master and MBA degree programs across Business, Social Sciences, Health and Education through dual study, part-time and full-time models. It also runs the Prep4University Studienkolleg to prepare international students for German university admission, with instruction delivered across 10 German campuses and supported by a network of corporate practice partners.

Product overview

CBS University of Applied Sciences (formerly CBS International Business School and EU|FH) is a multi-campus private university in Germany offering practice-oriented academic education across four subject areas: Business (Wirtschaft), Social Sciences (Soziales), Health (Gesundheit), and Education (Pädagogik). The institution operates 10 campuses across Germany (Köln, Berlin, Mainz, Rheine, Solingen, Hamburg, Neuss/Düsseldorf, Rostock, Stuttgart) and provides study programs in three study models: Dual (dual study with practice partner), Berufsbegleitend (part-time while working), and Vollzeit (full-time). The portfolio includes Bachelor programs (B.A., B.Sc.), Master programs (M.A., M.Sc.), MBA programs (60 and 120 ECTS), and the Prep4University Studienkolleg. Specializations span Finance, Logistics, Marketing, HR Management, Technology Management, Entrepreneurship, Sales, Supply Chain, Business Psychology, and more. The Business School division offers English-language programs for international students. The institution also offers innovative models like NXT GEN Bachelor and NEW ERA Master, plus the Kompass-Studium orientation program. A key differentiator is the '0-Euro-Studium' model where practice partners cover tuition fees for dual students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prep4University: Studienkolleg (pre-university college) program for international students

Products and services

• General Management mit Spezialisierungen (B.A.) Dual bachelor program combining general business management with selectable specializations including Finance, Logistics, Marketing, HR Management, Technology Management, Entrepreneurship, and Sales, targeted at prospective bachelor students.
• Betriebswirtschaftslehre (B.Sc.) Full-time business administration program (B.Sc.) focused on economic fundamentals and practical application through internships and projects.
• International Business (B.Sc.) Bachelor program focused on international business operations, global markets, and cross-cultural management competencies.
• Wirtschaftsinformatik (B.Sc.) Dual study program combining business administration with information technology, qualifying graduates for roles at the intersection of IT and business.
• Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen (B.Sc.) Dual study program combining engineering with business economics, preparing graduates for roles bridging technical and commercial domains.
• Soziale Arbeit und Pädagogik (B.A.) Bachelor program focused on social work and pedagogy, preparing students for careers in social services and educational institutions.
• Angewandte Ernährungswissenschaft (B.Sc.) Applied nutritional science bachelor program in the health sector, offered dual at Campus Köln.
• Physician Assistance (B.Sc.) Program training physician assistants who support doctors and perform delegatable medical tasks; available at Campuses Berlin and Stuttgart.
• Dentalhygiene und Präventionsmanagement (B.Sc.) Program focused on dental hygiene and preventive management in the health sector.
• Business Development Management (M.A.) Master program focused on business development strategies, market expansion, and growth management.
• Digitales Projektmanagement (M.Sc.) Dual study master program combining project management with digital transformation competencies.
• Sales Management und Vertriebspsychologie (M.Sc.) Program combining sales management with sales psychology, focusing on customer behavior and commercial success.
• Management und Unternehmensführung (M.Sc.) Master program focused on general management and corporate leadership.
• Strategic Management (M.Sc.) Master program focused on strategic analysis, management consulting approaches, and corporate strategy development.
• International Business and Management (M.Sc.) Master program focusing on international business operations and cross-border management.
• Business Psychology and Management (M.Sc.) Program combining business psychology principles with management competencies.
• Digital Marketing (M.Sc.) Master program focused on online and digital marketing strategies, e-commerce, and digital brand management.
• Global Finance (M.Sc.) Master program focusing on international finance, global financial markets, and corporate finance.
• Strategy and Consulting (M.Sc.) Master program focused on strategic consulting methodologies and advisory skills.
• Supply Chain and Logistics (M.Sc.) Master program focusing on supply chain management, logistics optimization, and operations.
• Wirtschaftspsychologie (M.Sc.) Program combining business and psychology, focusing on workplace behavior and organizational psychology.
• Strategisches Management und Transformation (M.Sc.) Master program focused on strategic management and organizational transformation.
• Pädagogik und Erwachsenenbildung (M.A.) Master program focused on pedagogy and adult education, qualifying graduates for educational institutions.
• International Management (MBA) 120 ECTS Full MBA program (120 ECTS) in International Management, offered in English at Campus Köln, targeted at professionals seeking an internationally oriented management degree.
• International Management (MBA) 60 ECTS Accelerated MBA program (60 ECTS) in International Management, one-year fast-track option for professionals seeking quicker completion.
• Studienkolleg Prep4University University preparatory college program (W-Kurs and T-Kurs) helping students gain university entrance qualification for German higher education, targeted at international applicants.
• CBS Business School (English-language programs) English-language Business School division at CBS Campus Köln offering full-time bachelor and master programs (including Betriebswirtschaft und Management, International Business, Business Psychology, Finance and Management, Digital Marketing, Global Finance, etc.) targeted at international and English-speaking students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Study without Numerus Clausus barriers - potential counts more than grades
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Ernst Klett AG / Stuttgarter Klett GruppeflagshipOthersParent company and part of the Klett Group, a leading European education company active in 24 countries. Klett Group operates educational institutions from kindergartens to universities, as well as educational publishing. CBS is an integral part of the Klett Group's higher education offerings.
• UPScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner for CBS dual study programs, providing students with practical work experience while studying business-related programs.
• IBMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner offering dual study opportunities and practical training for CBS students in technology and business fields.
• Forvis MazarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner in auditing and consulting, providing practical training opportunities for dual study students.
• REWE GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner in retail sector, offering dual study positions for CBS students in business and management programs.
• VodafonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner for dual study programs, providing telecommunications industry experience and training opportunities.
• RTL DeutschlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBS students completed a Business Project developing streaming strategies, AI integration in programming, and brand positioning for RTL and RTL+.
• DeloitteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBS students developed strategic future scenarios for the insurance industry in a Business Project conducted at Deloitte headquarters in Cologne.
• Bayer AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest lecture provider at CBS on digital transformation, AI and Smart Operations, and Humanocracy in global product supply.
• SAPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest lecture provider on New Work, distributed leadership, and psychological safety in modern organizations.
• 1. FC KölnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest lecture on professional football economics, revenue models, sustainability, and the FC Sustainability Dashboard.
• Union InvestmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness Project partner where students developed strategies for attracting and retaining Generation Z talent.
• STRÖERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest lecture on transformation, AI, corporate culture, and strategic growth of a digital media group.
• Douglas GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest lecture on market strategy, omnichannel retail, and talent acquisition at Europe's leading premium beauty retailer.
• SamsungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBS alumnus provided guest lecture on Product Marketing, innovation strategies, and target group management.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IU Internationale Hochschule: Large private German university offering flexible bachelor/master/MBA programs with strong online and dual-study models. Comparable in segment breadth, NC-free access, and corporate-partner-driven dual programs.
• HFH Hamburger Fern-Hochschule: Private state-recognized distance-learning university focused on berufsbegleitende bachelor/master programs — overlaps with CBS's part-time and digital delivery segments.
• SRH Hochschule (SRH Universities): Private, state-recognized university with multiple German campuses offering practice-oriented bachelor, master, and dual programs in business, social, and health fields — directly comparable portfolio breadth to CBS.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Private German university group with practice-oriented programs in business, psychology, health, and design across multiple campuses — overlaps directly with CBS's four thematic pillars.
• ISM International School of Management: Private business-focused university with multiple German campuses (incl. Köln), offering AACSB-accredited bachelor/master/MBA programs in English and German — closest direct competitor on international business school positioning.
• FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management: Germany's largest private, practice-oriented university focusing on berufsbegleitende bachelor/master programs for working professionals. Direct competitor for CBS's part-time and dual-track business programs across multiple German cities.
• PFH Private Hochschule Göttingen: Private German university with strong dual-study and practice-oriented business and technology programs; comparable on the corporate-partner dual-study model CBS uses.

Regional players

• FH Aachen / TH Köln (public Fachhochschulen): Public German universities of applied sciences in CBS's home region; tuition-free and directly compete for the same NC-impacted applicant pool that CBS targets with practice-oriented models.
• Hochschule der Wirtschaft (HdW): Network of public-private partnership business schools in NRW providing practice-integrated bachelor programs — competes with CBS for employer-sponsored dual-study placements in the same regional corporate market.

Broad incumbents

• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht: Established German private business and law university with strong MBA and executive education brands. Overlaps on premium business/MBA programs but is more elite/elite-priced than CBS.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtiktok.com/@cbsuniversity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJHNduX3nBqZuE3aSVyIrxQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/cbsUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbs-international-business-school

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 CBS International Business School