Das Bild zeigt vier Personen, die um einen Laptop herumstehen und gemeinsam an einem Projekt arbeiten. Eine Frau mit lockigem Haar sitzt und schaut konzentriert auf den Laptop, während die anderen drei, zwei Männer und eine Frau, um sie herumstehen und ebenfalls auf den Bildschirm blicken. Die Gruppe wirkt engagiert und in eine Diskussion vertieft, möglicherweise arbeiten sie an einer Präsentation oder einem kreativen Projekt. Die Umgebung ist modern und entspannt, mit einem Sofa im Hintergrund und einer schlichten Einrichtung. Die Kleidung der Personen ist lässig und spiegelt eine informelle, aber produktive Arbeitsatmosphäre wider.
On-campus study

Master Brand Strategy

Our Master’s programme Brand Strategy is perfect for students who are passionate about brands and want to advance their career in this exciting field.


on-campus study | English | 90 ECTS  | without numerus clausus | monthly € 745,-

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

You will learn to understand consumers and expand your strategic competencies.

In the rapidly changing business & brand landscape, digital technology has become an integral part of branding.

Our programme equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this dynamic environment.

More info?

Get your info material now and find out everything you need to know about our Master’s programme Brand Strategy:

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

University degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Credit Points

90 ECTS Points

Application and start of the study program

Application deadline summer semester (EU):
March 15, 2025
Application deadline (non-EU citizens):
December 15, 2024

Start of summer semester:
April 2025

Format of the study program

English-language on-campus study program
Full-time

Duration of studies and tuition fees

3 semester (18 months)
from € 745,- per month

Admission requirements

Option 1: Academic degree/Bachelor's degree with at least 210 ECTS

Option 2: Academic degree/Bachelor's degree with at least 180 ECTS and professional experience/acquisition of 30 CP during the Master's programme at BU by attending courses, participating in practical projects and/or working in the research laboratory.

English language skills at least B2

Dates & info events

11.12.

Consulting

Info event for Brand Strategy (M.A.)

Course of study

Discover the main stages of your studies using our sample progression chart.

Course content

Our Master’s programme in Brand Strategy is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in branding, with a strong focus on digital technology.

The coursework helps students to increase their knowledge necessary to succeed in a variety of branding-related careers, such as brand management, digital marketing, business consulting, and many more.

  • Branding Study Subjects

  • Practice Project

  • Electives for individual focus

  • Brand Strategy

  • Brand Thinking

  • Digital Marketing Technologies

Choose 2 Electives

  • Digital Branding

  • International Brand Communication

  • Creative Concepting & Storytelling

  • UX Strategy

  • Brand Entrepreneurship

  • Agile Product Development

  • Market Data Science

  • Consumer Behavior

  • Digital Customer Experience

Choose 2 Electives

  • Marketing AI

  • Brand Pricing & Brand Equity

  • Creative Leadership

  • Creative Technology & Tools

  • Business Modelling & Financial Planning

  • Growth Hacking & Platform Economy

  • Integrated Practice Project

  • Master Thesis

Your electives - your specialisation

In addition to the flexible selection of our electives, you can also combine them in such a way that you specifically focus on digital branding or design innovation in our Brand Strategy master's programme.

Digital Branding (focus)

In the digital branding specialisation, you will learn how to use the potential of AI, marketing and sales effectively for digital channels and understand how product development, marketing and sales intertwine in the digital world.

To do this, combine the electives in the first semester

  • Digital Branding

  • International Brand Communication

and the electives in the second semester:

  • Marketing AI

  • Brand Pricing & Brand Equity

Design Innovation (focus)

In the Design Innovation specialisation, you will learn how to design exciting digital products and services. You will deepen your knowledge of storytelling and UX strategy in order to work in the international brand industry.

To do this, combine the electives in the first semester

  • Creative Concepting & Storytelling

  • UX Strategy

and the electives in the second semester:

  • Creative Leadership

  • Creative Technology & Tools

Our practice and project partners

Professional goals & career prospects

Our Master in Brand Strategy provides advanced knowledge and practice-oriented skills in the development and implementation of long-term brand strategies. You will learn how to position brands for the long term, develop competitive strategies and recognize trends early on to ensure a brand's relevance on the market. The focus is on in-depth analysis, strategic planning and the ability to lead and train interdisciplinary teams.

At the end of your studies, you will have exciting career goals such as brand strategist, brand development consultant, strategic planner, head of brand strategy or innovation manager , with a focus on areas such as:

  • Developing long-term brand strategies and optimizing market positioning.

  • Analyzing consumer behavior to adapt strategies.

  • Carrying out competitive analyses and developing differentiation strategies.

  • Integrating trends and technological developments to ensure brand relevance.

  • Leading strategy workshops and training internal teams on brand development.

Application

For the regular start of studies in the winter semester (1st October), you must apply by 15th September. For the regular start of studies in the summer semester (1st April), you must apply by 15th March.

  • First academic degree/ Bachelor’s degree with at least 210 CP ECTS or 180 CP ECTS + working experience/ acquisition of 30 CP during your Master studies at BU through attending courses, participation in practice projects and/or research lab.

  • English language proficiency (IELTS min. 5.5/TOEFL min. 72), min. B2

We need the following application documents from you

  • Completed application form including photo

  • Higher Secondary School Certificate

  • Bachelor Degree Certificate, Transcript of Records, Grading System of the University (Diploma Supplement)

  • Master Degree Certificate, Transcript of Records, Grading System of the University (Diploma Supplement) (if available)

  • Copy of valid ID card/passport

  • Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent of proof)

  • A current CV in tabular form and chronological order

  • Motivation Letter

  • Proof of working experience, letters of reference

After we have checked your application documents, our student advisory service and our head of degree program look forward to getting to know you in a personal interview and finding out more about your individual background, your professional attitude and your personal goals in connection with your studies.

After successfully completing the interview, you will be admitted to the programme.

Fees and charges

As a state-recognised university in private sponsorship, the Brand University of Applied Sciences is financed exclusively by tuition fees.

Tuition fees for students from Germany and the EU:

  • 745 € per month

  • 890 € Euro one-time enrollment fee

  • 200 € Euro one-time examination fee

  • Total fees: 14,500 €

Tuition fees for students from countries outside the EU*:

  • 1,140 € per month

  • 1,150 € Euro one-time enrollment fee and examination fee

  • Total fees: 21,670 €

*Exceptions can be made if you have a long-term residence permit for the EU.

  • It can be a good idea to get in touch with the  Counselling Centre-for-study-financing in order to inform yourself about possible options to finance your studies. You can find more information here.

  • You can obtain funding according to the Federal Law on Support in Education (BAföG).

  • In addition, students of Brand University of Applied Sciences can receive financial support from foundations or financial institutions in Hamburg and beyond.

  • At the federal level the Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW) offers the “KfW Student Loan”.

Whether you need an entry visa for Germany or not depends on your country of origin. Please follow the link to check the requirements that apply to you.

If you need a student visa, please contact the German embassy in your home country in order to apply (find embassy near you).

Your visa will be valid for three months. Within this time frame, you have to convert your visa into a residence permit. Please note that a three months tourist visa cannot be converted into a residency permit for the purpose of studying.

It may take several months for a visa to be issued. Please make sure to check the visa processing times in your home country.
In any event, it is important to apply for a visa as soon as you have received your letter of admission from Brand University of Applied Sciences.

A student visa requires proof of financing. More specifically, you must provide proof that you have at least 11,208 € to live and study in Germany for a year. The money must be deposited in a blocked account at a reputable financial institution

YOUR UNIVERSITY: BRAND UNIVERSITY

Creating added value through brands - this is what the Brand University in the heart of Hamburg stands for. And this is exactly what makes BU a university whose alumni are highly sought-after professionals in the marketing world, and whose alumni are in high demand.

With us, you will benefit from interdisciplinary teaching with practical relevance and an international focus - thanks to strong partners from Asia. Your studies combine Western and Eastern branding philosophies in a unique way.

Eine idyllische Szene in der Speicherstadt von Hamburg mit Blick auf einen historischen Backsteinbau und eine Brücke über einen Kanal. Im Vordergrund fährt ein Boot durch das Wasser, und im Hintergrund ist die Kirche St. Katharinen mit ihrem markanten Turm zu sehen. Diese Umgebung, die für ihre architektonische Schönheit bekannt ist, bildet den inspirierenden Standort der Brand University of Applied Sciences.

Voices from the study program

“Thanks to the international focus, I was able to experience globally networked learning with experts and students from different countries. I not only broadened my professional perspectives, but also built up valuable international networks that opened up new opportunities for me on a global level.”

Cornelius Gesing
Master graduate

“The practical projects with renowned brands gave me direct insights into the real business strategies of leading companies. This enabled me to deepen my expertise and gain valuable experience that has significantly enhanced my CV.”

Lynn Treudler
Master graduate

“By focussing on strategic brand management, I gain a deeper understanding of the development and positioning of brand strategies. This will make me more attractive as a brand specialist on the labour market and increase my career opportunities in this field.”

Nikolai Bockholt
Lecturer (Creative Technologist, Google)

Personal study advice

Do you have any questions? We will be happy to advise you: whether it's about choosing your degree programme, the application process, admission requirements or your financing options.

Luis Bolbrügge

Brand University: awarded, accredited and certified

Get your information material about the degree program

Simply fill out the form and receive your free information package about the degree program. Our student advisory service will advise you without obligation.