You want to create your own brand, your own business?
Bring your ideas. We will help you transform them into business models – and create brands with purpose.
In our master’s programme Brand Innovation with focus on Entrepreneurship you will learn what constitutes meaningful and sustainable business models. You will also make your own idea market-ready.
In small teams and a creative atmosphere you’ll learn what innovative ideas are all about, familiarise yourself with disruptive technologies, meet mentors and like-minded people and make valuable contacts for your professional path.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation – what you will learn:
Making the breakthrough, rethinking things, building a more efficient, user-friendly, better future – that’s what the founders and makers of today are working on.
Your Start
To help you become one of them, we’ll begin with the basics: What does a good business idea look like? A good pitch? And how do I write a business plan?
Your Financing
In addition to the basics of brand positioning, we’ll speak about the money. We will discover different business models and ways to finance a startup, learn to understand financial success indicators and apply agile techniques of product development.
Your Why
Successful startups solve real problems, strong brands hit a nerve. We will look at sustainable development and global challenges such as production and consumption, climate change or energy efficiency. We’ll learn how innovation processes work and how you can use them for yourself.
Your How
AI, VR, AR, Blockchain and Big Data: We will train you in digital tools and disruptive technologies.
Increase sales, dominate markets: You’ll get valuable input in terms of growth hacking and Google Analytics.
We will also talk about exit.
Your Skills
In small groups you will also upgrade your soft skills such as creativity, innovative and analytical thinking. Our dedicated professors, who are internationally experienced and successful strategists, consultants, designers, founders and executives, are committed to help you get the most out of your experience here.
Your Practice
In boot camps and practical projects, you’ll find solutions to real problems of well-known companies, agencies and startups – both in Hamburg and abroad, if you wish.
Study flexibly: You can also attend modules in Marketing & Innovation and Design & Innovation.
“Do you dream of your own company, your own brand? If you’re passionate about turning your ideas into business models and developing brands with purpose, you’ve come to the right place.“
What is the Brand Innovation master’s programme about? How do digital technologies affect our future? How do I position my brand successfully? Get to know the Brand Innovation course in the video preview that gives you a first brief insight into the topics that await you in the programme.
Leading brand companies and established agencies are waiting for your input. You can apply your new knowledge in real projects with our partners such as Leica, Frosta or Beiersdorf. Contribute your ideas and expand your professional network by making valuable contacts.
In each semester you will take three mandatory modules, which are taught together for all specialisations.
In addition, you will take two elective modules per semester, which correspond to your study specialisation.
The order of semester contents depends on the individual start of study.
The programme Brand Innovation with focus on Entrepreneurship & Innovation prepares you for complex strategic tasks in brand-leading companies.
Learn more about the career opportunities a degree in Brand Innovation open up for you.
Digital Marketing Strategist
Digital Marketing Strategists develop innovative marketing strategies for brands and companies. Their task is to detect trends among customers so that new technologies can be picked up by companies in marketing. This enables them to strengthen the connection to their customers. Should my company have a TikTok account? This is a question a digital marketing strategist might ask himself.
What skills does a Digital Marketing Strategist need?
Analytical and strategic thinking, interest in technologies and innovation, customer orientation
This is what Digital Marketing Strategists are also called:
Digital Strategist, Innovation Strategist
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are founders, owners of companies. Sometimes they also work as Business Developers for big companies. However, they are more than managers. Entrepreneurs are characterized by their ability to promote innovative ideas that are ahead of their time. They pursue a vision and drive it forward with their company. They take responsibility for this and out of everyone in their comapny bear the most risk. In recent years, various types of entrepreneurship have developed, such as social entrepreneurship, ecopreneurship or high-tech entrepreneurship.
What skills does an Entrepreneur need?
Creativity, commitment, willingness to take risks, business management knowledge, interest in innovation, analytical and strategic thinking
This is what Entrepreneurs are also called:
Founder, Business Developer
Business Developer
Business developers are responsible for the strategic and operational development of companies. They develop business ideas to open up new business fields, products and customer groups. As they deal with future-oriented issues of their company, they often work with trend forecasts and apply their creativity to think ahead. Business developers work on strategies and draw up business plans. To do so, they must always be up to date in their own business area and regularly dare to think outside the box.
What Skills does a Business Developer need?
Creativity, curiosity, analytical and strategic thinking, business management knowledge, customer orientation, interest in innovation, sense of trends, communication and negotiation skills
This is what Business Developers are also called:
Business Development Manager
Start-up Consultant
Start-up consultants are experts who advise founders and help them to make their start-up a success. If a founder has an idea but has no experience with founding a business, the Start-up Consultant provides the expertise. He is usually not a part of the team, but only provides advice on a temporary basis to give a neutral perspective from outside. They do this, for example, in the form of method coaching, the evaluation of business plans or by conducting market research.
What skills does a Start-up Consultant need?
Analytical and strategic thinking, customer orientation, business management knowledge, interest in innovation, strong communication skills
Brand Manager
Brand Managers are responsible for the creative concepting, strategic planning and coordination of brand development. Their goal is to build a distinctive and attractive brand image that will attract loyal customers and increase sales. To achieve this, Brand Managers need to know the market well, conduct competition and target group analyses and always keep an eye on the overall brand image. In companies they often work very closely with the production, marketing and sales departments.
What skills does a Brand Manager need?
Business management knowledge, strong communication skills, creativity, analytical and strategic thinking, a sense for trends.
This is what Brand Managers are also called:
Marketing Manager, Brand Specialist, Brand Consultant
Online Marketing Manager
Online marketing managers position companies in the digital media. This includes, for example, the conception and implementation of online marketing campaigns, search engine advertising (SEA) and optimization (SEO), social media management and e-commerce management. In large companies, the various areas are often taken over by several people who specialise in more detail and are then called, for example, Social Media Managers or E-Commerce Managers.
What skills does an Online Marketing Manager need?
Economic understanding, analytical thinking, creativity, sense of trends, basic technical understanding.
This is what Online Marketing Managers are also called:
Digital Marketing Manager
Creative Strategist
A creative strategist is a mixture of strategically acting media planners and creative concept developers. They often work in advertising agencies and are responsible for the strategic planning of advertising campaigns. On the one hand they conduct target group and market analyses. On the other hand they produce the campaign and work together with graphic designers and copywriters.
What skills does a Creative Strategist need?
Analytical and strategic thinking, creativity, business management knowledge, customer orientation
Growth Hacker
Growth Hackers are specialists for growth strategies. Their goal is to use the simplest and most cost-effective means possible to let a company, a product or a channel grow quickly. To achieve this, they use their network, creativity and curiosity to develop little tricks, so-called hacks, with which they increase reach and conversion. Growth Hackers are part of the marketing team. Working as generalists with a strong product focus they are often also familiar with web development and data analysis, but the focus can vary depending on their skills.
What skills does a Growth Hacker need?
Creativity, curiosity, analytical and strategic thinking, empathy, technical know how, networking
Being a student in the Brand Innovation Master’s programme at Brand University is both challenging and rewarding. The professors come from a variety of backgrounds and there are always opportunities to profit from their practical experience in the industry. The student body is diverse with students from many countries and different levels of practical experience in different industries – this truly makes working in teams a unique and enriching experience.
The programme is tightly scheduled, aimed to gain your M.A. in only three semesters. The workload as well as group work make a certain amount of time management and self-organisation essential. The often times practical and workshop-like classes lead to high participation. You really learn and acquire skills almost automatically opposed to solely “cramming” for exams and forgetting a lot afterwards.
Finally, even during digital corona times, there have been a number of guest-speakers who share their invaluable insights with the students. They have answered all questions from students and even given individual advice. To conclude: This university definitely pushes you and expects its students to try their very best.
Michael Balogh, Slovakia
People bring this up a lot, but really, it was the first thing I have noticed. The class was truly international! There were 10+ nationalities in a class of ~30 people. It makes our studies very insightful as we discuss different cultural approaches in marketing or branding.
It is absolutely clear that the professors and lecturers have an appropriate level of knowledge and experience they are passing on to students. Each of them brings something different to the table. For example, one of our lecturers is a marketing ex-executive with 25 years of experience at a multibillion-euro company or, a professor who works at a company that specializes in customer research. Their hands-on experience with what they teach translates into a useful ability to link theory with practice.
My view is that, this high degree of a practical setting will come a long way. Matter of fact, it is not just the information that is practical here. Our exam projects are as well. To make a few examples, we created a functioning chatbot in one class, and in another class, we cooperated with a massive external partner to innovate their brand. But, one more thing I need to highlight here about our professors is, they are very friendly. It always feels as if it was just some people with good vibes who came to talk about things they love doing, but on a professional level.
It is said, “practice makes perfect”, and in my view, Brand University puts the P in practice!
Ella Göbel, Germany
When looking for a suitable business master’s programme, the focus was on two decisive factors. On the one hand, it was very important to follow my interests and abilities, but on the other hand, I also wanted to find a university that actively challenges me and prepares me for my future working life. After my B.Sc. in Business Psychology, I did not want to do a general business master’s degree – but a specific degree programme with a future. Accordingly, I chose BU and the M.A. Brand Innovation programme. Here, you do not just follow theory, you combine it with a lot of practical knowledge at the same time.
For us students, it is the perfect exercise to be in one class with so many different nationalities, so that you can also further educate culturally and linguistically. The possibility of choosing different modules per semester creates an individual foundation for each of us.
With a lot of commitment and understanding on the part of the university, no questions remain unanswered and there is always a contact person available. You really feel well taken care of and noticed. I am glad that I chose BU.
Dóra Timar, Hungary
At Brand University’s Master program, I experienced a welcoming international study environment with students from various backgrounds and cultures around the world. I come from Hungary, but previously studied in Denmark and lived in Britain for a while, and now living in Germany by being an international soul myself, I decided to study at BU to widen my horizons.
The courses are interesting and unique. Some of the subjects were practice oriented with real business partners that put us into real working environment situations as well as were inspirational for future career paths.
Last but not least, the teachers and professors were always ready to help and encourage us to learn more by stepping out of our comfort zone to reach high potentials.
Maximilian Suhr, Germany
The Brand University on the beautiful Elbe River in Hamburg teaches how to develop unique brands. All professors at the university have many years of industry experience and know what they are teaching. Also, the lecturers support you during your studies. The networking and the cooperation with well-known companies and brands, such as the DFB or Moia, distinguishes the BU!
However, the Brand Innovation program is no walk in the park and the semesters are intense. However, it is worth it, and the studies are fun. The international fellow students have different backgrounds and come from other countries. It’s beneficial to get different perspectives when developing new ideas.
María del Rocío Gil Rodríguez, Mexico
Three and a half years ago I came to Germany, directly after finishing my studies in my homeland Mexico, with the goal to start a life here and at the same time develop professionally in the field of advertising and design. After a long way learning the language and adapting to the culture, I decided that it was time to update my skills and explore new fields related to my studies in advertising, design and production, in order to transform myself into a high-performance professional that adds value.
I chose Brand University to start my master studies, since the University and especially the Master program has a very strong international spirit, which fits me perfectly as I love to be in contact with other cultures and to get to know new ways of thinking. The master program has offered me a new way of seeing the world of Brands through the eyes of technology and new trends in the market, in addition to offering me structured knowledge in the area of marketing and market research, which perfectly complement my background in design and creativity.
One of the most important values that Brand University offers to me as a student, is the close work with real clients and companies with which we can work during the semester in different projects and at the same time gain some professional experience. The University has a very close relationship with their students, and they are in constant communication with them, this has led me to be part of the student council as a spokesperson for the master’s program and part of the master’s audit committee.
During my studies at BU, I have developed new skills, especially in the area of research, as well as created a network not only with all my classmates, who have very diverse backgrounds, but also with my professors who are mostly experts in their fields and active professionals. All in all, the knowledge I have obtained at BU as well as the university’s concern that we develop ourselves in an environment that is similar to the professional reality, along with the diversity of students and constant exchange of ideas, make me feel confident and prepared for my future professional career.
Following admission requirements apply to the Master’s programme:
first university degree in a related field …
with at least 210 CP
with 180 CP and relevant professional experience of 30 months worth 30 CP
with 180 CP and relevant professional experience of 15 months worth 15 CP, and acquisition of 15 CP through additional studies at Brand University
with 180 CP and acquisition of 30 CP through additional studies at Brand University
or
first university degree in a non-thematic area ….
with at least 210 CP and a completion of a topic-related bridging course
with 180 CP and relevant professional experience of 30 months worth 30 CP and a completion of a topic-related bridging course
with 180 CP and relevant professional experience of 15 months worth 15 CP, and acquisition of 15 CP through additional studies at Brand University and a completion of a topic-related bridging course
with 180 CP and acquisition of 30 CP through additional studies at Brand University and a completion of a topic-related bridging course
English language proficiency
A proof of English language proficiency at B2 level of an internationally recognised English language test must be provided, e.g. TOEFL (min. 72 ponts) or IELTS (min. 5.5 points).
Application deadlines
Applicants who do NOT need an entry visa for Germany:
September 15th and March 15th
Applicants who need an entry visa for Germany:
June 30th and December 15th
Please note: In case your application documents are not complete due to the current situation, it is possible to hand in later the missing documents.
Application process
After we examine your application documents, our application manager Milena Goossen and our course director Michael Kress are happy to meet you in a personal interview and to learn more about your individual career, your professional attitude and your personal goals in connection with your studies.
After successfully completing the interview, you will be admitted to the programme.
Brand University of Applied Sciences is a state-approved private university and is fully funded by tuition fees.
Tuition fees for students from Germany and the EU:
890 Euro per month 890 Euro one-time enrollment and examination fee
Total fees: 16910 Euro
Tuition fees for students from countries outside the EU*:
1140 Euro per month, 1150 Euro one-time enrollment and examination fee
Total fees: 21670 Euro
*Exceptions can be made if you have a long-term residence permit for the EU.
Fees for Master’s Cooperation Programmes you will find here.
Credit Points (CP):
The duration of the standard full-time study programme with 90 CP is 18 months. By recognition university and/or non-university competences, you can study in the Fast Track and shorten it to 9 or 12 months.
If youhave to collect further CP in addition to the credit points (CP) you gained within your first degree (due to the admission requirements), we offer a programme for the crediting of academic achievement.
You will have the opportunity to collect the additional 30 ECTS during the standard period of study and divide the associated workload between the three semesters.
The total costs for the 30CP is 1350 Euro.
This fee can be reduced individually by creditable professional experience.
Student Service Hamburg
Brand University cooperates with the Studierendenwerk Hamburg (City of Hamburg Student Services). The student is required to additionally pay the fees for the service.
In 2022, these will amount 85 Euro for the Studierendenwerk and 184,80 Euro for the HVV semester ticket (public transport ticket for one semester).
Financing
You can obtain funding according to the Federal Law on Support in Education (BAföG).
Your contact for all financing questions is the Advisory Center of Student Finance.
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”.
Your contact person
Do you have questions about our degree program? We are happy to advise you.
