ESB Business School

What ESB Business School does

ESB Business School is a faculty of Hochschule Reutlingen (Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences), a public university established under German state law in Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, and supervised by the Ministry for Science, Research and Art Baden-Württemberg. The school specialises in international business administration, offering Bachelor (International Business; International Management Double Degree across 12 country tracks), Master (European Management Studies, Global Management and Digital Competencies, International Accounting Controlling and Taxation, International Business Development, Consulting & Business Analytics, International Retail Management, Consulting & Sales Management), and MBA programmes (full-time, part-time, and a specialised variant for officers and professionals). The IMX programme — with 135 study places per year spread over 12 partner countries including the US, Canada, Brazil, China, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain — is the structural centrepiece of the offering, augmented by the flagship German-French EMS master delivered with EM Strasbourg Business School and recognised by the Deutsch-Französische Hochschule.

The school is instruction-led rather than technology-led. Its core platform is the curriculum, credit-recognition framework, and operational interfaces (HisinOne admission portal, Hochschulstart) tied to the parent university, with no disclosed proprietary software, AI/ML product, APIs, or SDKs. Service-layer components include the Career Center, the Alumni-Verein, and the Leadership Talent Academy. Revenue mechanics are dominated by state appropriation flowing through Hochschule Reutlingen, with negligible tuition for German and EU students (199.30 EUR semester contribution, exchange students 119.30 EUR) and 1,500 EUR/semester tuition for non-EU international students set at the Baden-Württemberg level. Continuing education and part-time masters, plus corporate cooperation fees via the Career Center, represent the more discretionary revenue layer. The school operates 40+ practice-experienced professors and serves roughly 1,500 degree students and 200+ continuing-education participants, drawing on a network of 100+ partner universities in 40+ countries and a student community of 70+ nationalities.

Name

ESB Business School

Legal name

Hochschule Reutlingen / Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences

Website

https://esb-business-school.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ESB Business School is a public faculty of Hochschule Reutlingen delivering international business education — Bachelor, Master, and MBA programmes with double degrees across 100+ partner universities in 40+ countries — to roughly 1,500 degree students and 200+ continuing-education participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Business School

NAICS

Business and Secretarial Schools (611410), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN), Marketing, Sales & Brand Management Schools (EDAHAHAE), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Business school programs
• International business education
• Management degree programs
• Executive education
• Double degree programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Reutlingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Semester Contributions: Students pay semester contributions including student union fees. Regular students pay 199.30 EUR per semester, exchange students pay 119.30 EUR. Non-EU international students in Baden-Württemberg pay 1,500 EUR per semester.
2. International Partner Fees: Additional enrollment and administrative fees at partner universities. EM Strasbourg Business School charges approximately 170 EUR.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ESB Business School delivers internationally-oriented business higher education programmes as a faculty of Hochschule Reutlingen. Its core offerings include a Bachelor of Science in International Business, a Bachelor-level International Management Double Degree (IMX) with partner universities in 12 countries, multiple Master-level programmes (European Management Studies, Global Management and Digital Competencies, International Accounting Controlling and Taxation, International Business Development, Consulting & Business Analytics, International Retail Management, Consulting & Sales Management), and three MBA formats (full-time, part-time, and one for officers). Programmes are delivered on-campus in Reutlingen and at partner universities abroad, leading to dual degrees and AACSB-recognised credentials.

Product overview

ESB Business School offers a comprehensive portfolio of internationally-oriented business education programs as part of Hochschule Reutlingen. The portfolio consists of Bachelor programs (International Business, International Management Double Degree with partner universities in 12 countries), Master programs (European Management Studies, Global Management and Digital Competencies, International Accounting Controlling and Taxation, International Business Development, and part-time professional programs in Consulting & Business Analytics, International Retail Management, and Consulting & Sales Management), and MBA programs (Full-Time, Part-Time, and specialized programs for officers). The school is AACSB accredited and maintains partnerships with over 100 universities in more than 40 countries across 5 continents, serving 1,500 students and 200+ continuing education participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Business (IB) - BSc

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates receive dual degrees recognized in Germany and partner countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• École de Management de l'Université de Strasbourg (EM Strasbourg Business School)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEM Strasbourg Business School is the primary partner for the European Management Studies (EMS) MA programme. Students study two years in Germany and France, receiving dual Master degrees. The programme includes integrated practical phases and is recognized and financially supported by the Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH).
• North Carolina State University (NCSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAACSB-accredited partner university for the German-American IMX programme. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Students receive Bachelor of Science in Business Administration upon completion.
• Elon UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAACSB-accredited partner university for the German-American IMX programme. Located in Elon, North Carolina, USA. Students receive Bachelor of Science in Business Administration upon completion.
• Brock University (Goodman School of Business)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAACSB-accredited partner university for the German-American IMX programme. Located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Students receive Bachelor of Business Administration - Co-op International upon completion.
• Fundação Getulio Vargas - EAESP (FGV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-Brazilian IMX programme. Located in São Paulo, Brazil. Triple-accredited business school considered one of the most important universities in South America for business studies.
• University of International Business and Economics (UIBE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-Chinese IMX programme. Located in Beijing, China. Students receive Bachelor in Management upon completion. China is the world's largest economy and Germany's most important trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Lancaster University Management SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-English IMX programme. Located in UK. Ranked among top 100 universities worldwide. Note: Lancaster has requested to pause intake for WS 2026/27 but plans to resume the double-degree programme.
• NEOMA Business School (Campus Reims)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-French IMX programme. Located in Reims, France. France is Germany's largest foreign trade partner. Students receive Bachelor International Business Management (CESEM). DFH provides mobility scholarships.
• Dublin City University (DCU) Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-Irish IMX programme. Located in Dublin, Ireland. DCU is considered the most innovative university in Ireland and ranked among top 50 under 50 globally by QS.
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Piacenza)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-Italian IMX programme. Located in Piacenza, Italy in the strongest economic region of northern Italy near Milan and Turin. Students receive Laurea di primo livello in Economia Aziendale and Master Universitario di 1° livello in International Management.
• Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-Mexican IMX programme. Located in Puebla, Mexico. Instruction is in Spanish and English. Students receive Bachelor in International Business Administration upon completion.
• Avans School of International StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-Dutch IMX programme. Located in Breda, Netherlands. Netherlands is among the top five export nations worldwide. Instruction in Breda is in English. The school has been awarded the FIBAA Premium seal.
• Jagiellonen Universität (Jagiellonian University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-Polish IMX programme. Located in Krakau, Poland. One of Europe's oldest universities. Germany is Poland's most important trading partner for many years. Students receive Dyplom Licencjacki upon completion.
• ICADE - Universidad Pontificia ComillascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the German-Spanish IMX programme. Located in Madrid, Spain. One of the highest-ranked universities in Spain. Students receive Grado en Administración y Dirección de Empresas, Mención Internacional upon completion.
• IPBS Network (International Partnership of Business Schools)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerESB Business School is a member of IPBS, one of the largest networks in international higher education. This network facilitates the double-degree programmes and provides access to partner universities worldwide.
• Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German-French University provides recognition and financial support for the EMS programme and German-French IMX programme. Students receive a special certificate and mobility scholarship of 3,000 EUR.
• Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• ALDI SE & Co. KGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• Beiersdorf AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• Robert Bosch GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• Boston Consulting Group GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• Capgemini InventminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• Deloitte Consulting GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• Deutsche Bahn AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• EY - Ernst & Young GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• KPMGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• PwCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• Procter & GambleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner listed in sitemap - company recruiting at ESB Business School
• Somfy GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSomfy is the global leader in drive and control technology for sun shading and building opening systems. They are a corporate cooperation partner of ESB Business School. Headquartered in Cluses, France, they employ 6,880 people globally.
• SET Management Consulting GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAward-winning management consulting boutique with expertise in strategy, business transformation, and performance management. They recruit from ESB Business School and offer opportunities for students and graduates.
• MLP Finanzberatung SEminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent financial services company focused on providing advice to academics. They are a cooperation partner of ESB Business School with 2,400 consultants serving 730,000+ clients.
• RSM Ebner StolzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the largest independent middle-market assurance and consulting firms in Germany. Part of RSM International providing services in 120 countries with 500 offices worldwide. Cooperation partner recruiting at ESB.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mannheim Business School: German business school affiliated with University of Mannheim offering internationally oriented bachelor, master, and MBA programmes. Directly comparable as a German university-based business school competing for the same international bachelor/master student pool.
• ESCP Business School: Pan-European multi-campus business school with a German campus in Berlin offering trilingual and double-degree programmes across Europe. Closely comparable trilingual European business school positioning and AACSB accreditation.
• EM Strasbourg Business School: University-of-Strasbourg-affiliated French business school and ESB's flagship partner for the EMS dual master's programme. Directly comparable as a public-university European business school with AACSB-equivalent accreditation and bilingual French/English/German positioning.
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: German business school focused on finance, management, and continuing education, with a notable international student body and corporate partner network. Closely comparable programme mix and AACSB-accredited standing to ESB.
• IESEG School of Management: French business school with a Lille/Paris campus, AACSB/EQUIS accreditation, and a large international cohort. Comparable as a continental European business school competing in the international bachelor and master segment.
• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht: Private German business and law university with international bachelor/master programmes and a partner university network. Directly comparable as a German business school targeting the same international student and corporate recruiting market.
• NEOMA Business School: French AACSB/EQUIS/AMBA-accredited business school and ESB's IMX partner for the German-French double degree. Comparable international bachelor/master programme mix and DFH-supported German-French academic mobility.
• HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management: German private business school offering bachelor, master, MBA, and executive programmes with strong international orientation and double-degree partnerships. Comparable in programme portfolio, international focus, and AACSB accreditation.
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management: Top-ranked German private business school with strong international exchange and double-degree networks, AACSB/EQUIS/AMBA accredited. Competes with ESB for international applicants and corporate recruiting partnerships in the DACH region.

Regional players

• International School of Management (ISM): Private German business school with multiple campuses and an English-taught international bachelor/master portfolio. Comparable programme mix and German-market positioning but operates as a private, for-profit provider rather than a public-university faculty.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ESBBusinessSchoolRT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esb-business-school-reutlingen-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/esb.business.school
• TikToktiktok.com/@esb.business.school
• Xx.com/esbreutlingen
• Facebookfacebook.com/263725615777

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 ESB Business School