HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
Scholarship for Future Entrepreneurs
Up to EUR 7,500 off your tuition
Funded by Entrepreneurs of HHL, the association of HHL entrepreneurs and executives.
- Full-time Master in Entrepreneurship
- New applicants
- Rolling award: apply early
Photo: HHL
HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
Why HHL
The university our association has supported for generations: the first business school in a German-speaking country, small classes, and a campus where founding a company is part of the program.
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1898
Where management education began
Founded in 1898 as the first business school in a German-speaking country, re-founded in 1992.
Source: Where management education began -
AACSB
Internationally accredited
In 2004 the first private business school in the German-speaking region accredited by AACSB International; reaccredited in 2024.
Source: Internationally accredited -
#1
For founders
Ranked first among small universities in Germany in the Stifterverband Gründungsradar 2025.
Source: For founders -
550+
Startups by alumni
Including four German unicorns: Trivago, About You, Lieferheld and IONIQ.
Source: Startups by alumni -
56
Nationalities on campus
862 students, 31 % of them international, and a network of 4,400 alumni in 28 chapters (September 2026).
Source: Nationalities on campus -
Leipzig
One campus, built for building
Minutes from downtown Leipzig, with the free 12-week HHL Digital Space incubator and the SpinLab accelerator.
Source: One campus, built for building
Who it is for
For prospective students who bring their entrepreneurial potential to HHL and want to start their own business after graduating, or have already started one. You study in the Master in Entrepreneurship and work on your venture in HHL’s curricular and extra-curricular programs.
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You are a founder, or about to be
You want to start your own business after HHL, or you have already started it.
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You bring a strong first degree
A first degree (at least 180 ECTS) with an above-average result; the program is open to all disciplines.
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You apply as a new student
The scholarship is only open to new applicants to the full-time Master in Entrepreneurship.
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You want to build at HHL
You will have the opportunity to introduce your business concept in at least one of HHL’s curricular and extra-curricular programs.
How it works
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Apply for your program
Submit your HHL program application on the application portal.
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Add the scholarship task
Upload it with your application, or email it to your Student Affairs Manager within 14 days.
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Meet us
A virtual interview with a representative of our association’s board.
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Get the decision
Together with your admission decision. Awarded on a rolling basis: apply early.
The scholarship task
Answer three questions, as slides or an essay (PDF, recommended up to 1,000 words):
- “What was/is your entrepreneurial journey? Tell us briefly about it.”
- “Do you have a business idea in mind? What kind of business are you going to start?”
- “How do you expect HHL to support you with working on your business idea and by starting your own business?”
Program deadline: June 30 (applicants from outside the EU: May 31). Full details on HHL’s scholarship page.
Your program
All programs start in September and are taught in English.
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Full-time Master in Entrepreneurship
M.Sc., 120 ECTS · 21–24 months
Full-time, Leipzig, English, open to all disciplines
Interested in another track? See the Scholarship for Women in Business.
Our scholarship holders
Our 2026 scholarship holder studies in HHL’s Master in Entrepreneurship. Every candidate meets a representative of our board in a virtual interview before the decision.
Who funds it
Entrepreneurs of HHL e.V. (until 2026 the Gesellschaft der Freunde der HHL e.V., on hhl.de still “Friends of HHL”) is the non-profit association of HHL entrepreneurs and executives, and one of the university’s shareholders. Our members pay for this scholarship, together with the Schmalenbach Scholars and student initiatives such as Accelerate@HHL.
A representative of our board interviews the candidates; HHL decides on admission. About us · Become a member
€7,500
maximum tuition reduction per scholarship holder
Request information
Tell us which program interests you. We pass your request to HHL Admissions, who will contact you by email about the program, the Scholarship for Future Entrepreneurs and your application.
Ready to apply? Go straight to apply.hhl.de.
Questions
Is the scholarship a loan?
No. It is a tuition reduction of up to EUR 7,500 on your HHL program.
When should I apply?
Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so an early application increases your chances. The program application deadline is June 30 (May 31 for applicants from outside the EU). Your scholarship application must be in before the program starts.
Do I need the GMAT?
Check the current admission requirements on the program page of the Master in Entrepreneurship, or ask HHL Admissions through the form below.
I am already studying at HHL. Can I still apply?
No. The scholarship is exclusively for new applicants; it is not possible to join it later during your studies.
Can I combine it with other HHL scholarships or financing options?
HHL offers several scholarships and financing options. Ask HHL Admissions which combinations are possible for your program; you can ask through the form below.
When do I hear back?
The decision is communicated together with your admission decision.