MBA Modern Leadership As of the summer semester 2026
Important Information
The "Modern Leadership (MBA)" program is currently still undergoing the accreditation process. Official recognition can only be requested once accreditation has been successfully completed; therefore, the program can only commence after official recognition has been granted by the Ministry of Science, Research and Equality of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. At present, we expect the program to start in the summer semester of 2026. Request your information material now, and we will keep you informed.
Why an MBA in Modern Leadership – 8 reasons why this MBA hits the mark
The Modern Leadership MBA at NBS isn’t just another management degree. It is a precise response to eight global leadership challenges that will determine whether careers accelerate or stagnate in 2025. Companies are no longer looking for generalists. They are searching for leaders with conviction, adaptability, and strategic vision. This MBA was designed exactly for that.
- AI Leadership: 81% of hiring managers prioritize AI competence. Here, you learn to lead with AI – not just use tools.
- Change Management: Transformation is the new normal. 75% of organizations run three or more change initiatives at the same time.
- Agile Leadership: In connected markets, agility is mandatory. You learn how to think, decide, and lead teams with agility.
- Emotional Intelligence: Top performers excel because of EQ – a skill no AI can replace. And it is systematically developed here.
- Sustainable Leadership: ESG is the new ROI. You learn to design sustainability strategies that link business impact with societal impact.
- Digital Transformation: Organizations need leadership, not technology operators. You become the strategic navigator of digital transformation.
- Diversity & Intercultural Management: Leadership becomes global, adaptive, inclusive – and you are trained exactly for that.
- Strategic Thinking: Think in systems, not in silos – interconnected, agile, solution-oriented.
This is what we offer
✅ Our Master's degree in Modern Leadership (MBA) addresses the current and future requirements of the job market in a dynamic and globalized environment.
✅ It is the ideal combination of business management skills with specialized knowledge from the module groups Leadership, People & Culture and Business Planning.
✅ The Master's degree prepares students for various leadership and management positions in companies, the public sector and international institutions, particularly in the context of innovation and digital transformation.
✅ It teaches professional, methodological and social-communicative skills and generally provides access to doctoral studies and higher service (under specific conditions).
✅ The course requires a completed undergraduate degree with 210 ECTS credits and at least one year of subject-specific professional experience to ensure a high level of qualification.
✅ The flexible, part-time online course in the flipped classroom model lasts four semesters (90 ECTS).
✅ Teaching is provided by lecturers with practical experience and a doctorate with practical management experience.
✅ The model is based on an extensive self-study phase with online materials, supplemented by online attendance phases for in-depth study
✅ The degree program is offered as a flexible, part-time online course in the flipped classroom model and is designed for optimal studyability with a recommended workload of up to 30 hours per week.
✅ The entire course is taught entirely in English and dispenses with traditional written examinations in favor of more practical forms of assessment such as portfolios, project work and oral examinations.
The educational objectives of our MBA Modern Leadership
The MBA “Modern Leadership” at the Northern Business School (NBS) aims to train managers who have both sound business knowledge and modern leadership skills. Graduates should be able to lead companies and teams effectively in a dynamic and globalized environment.
Specific educational objectives include the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex and constantly changing challenges, integrating entrepreneurial, ethical and sustainable perspectives. A particular focus is on teaching skills in emotional intelligence, intercultural communication and conflict resolution in order to successfully lead and motivate diverse teams. Students also learn how to strategically manage digital transformation processes and drive the implementation of new technologies with a strong focus on agility and adaptability. Furthermore, they are enabled to develop a value-oriented leadership culture that promotes innovation and ensures the long-term competitiveness of the company. The training prepares them to make decisions based on sound analysis and at the same time to think creatively and visionarily in order to identify new growth opportunities. Overall, comprehensive technical, methodological and social-communicative skills are taught. Graduates of this degree course are also generally granted access to doctoral studies and, under specific conditions, to the higher civil service.
You can find detailed information about our part-time study model here: Teilzeit-Studium (German)
You can find the detailed content of the individual modules and the corresponding examination forms in the Module descriptions
Teachers
Prof. Dr. Jana-Michaela Timm
Professorship for Public Welfare-oriented Management in SMEs,
over 20 years of experience at the interface of science, sustainability and management - with sound expertise in interdisciplinary research, in advising companies on sustainable business model development, in university teaching and development as well as in responsible functions in policy consulting, funding allocation and public welfare-oriented organizational management
Career prospects
The MBA in Modern Leadership offers graduates excellent career prospects in a wide range of leadership and management positions. The program qualifies students for specialist and management careers, especially in companies that focus on innovation, transformation and sustainable growth. Graduates are predestined for key positions in large companies, corporations, international organizations or in strategic management consulting, where they support change processes. They are also suitable for roles in change management, digital transformation, personnel management and organizational development, especially in the management of diverse and international teams. They are also in demand as founders or managing directors in start-ups and medium-sized companies. Thanks to its interdisciplinary and global orientation, the degree course also qualifies students for management positions in non-profit organizations, the public sector or international institutions.
A key advantage is the interdisciplinary and practical orientation, based on the pillars of Leadership, People & Culture and Business Planning. The content taught focuses on modern, agile and empathetic leadership styles that go beyond traditional approaches. This ensures that graduates have the leadership, team and intercultural skills that are essential for an interdisciplinary manager, in addition to business knowledge. The high relevance for the job market is guaranteed by the close coordination with professional practice and the introduction of real challenges by lecturers with practical experience.
► Possible professions and career goals:
- Head of department
- Managing director
- Board positions
- Strategic management consultant
- Manager for change management and digital transformation
- HR manager (especially for diverse/international teams)
- Founder
- Manager in non-profit organizations
- Manager in the public sector
- Manager in international institutions
► Possible employers
- Large companies and corporations
- International organizations
- Strategic management consultancies
- Start-ups
- Medium-sized companies
- Non-profit organizations
- Public sector
✅ The Master's degree is designed as a continuing education course and is aimed at people who aspire to management positions.
✅ The degree course that fits into your life: With the part-time study program, you can continue to pursue your job!
✅ All the advantages of a private university at unbeatably low tuition fees: Small groups, individual support, excellent networking, career service!
The Master's degree is designed as a continuing education course and is aimed at people who aspire to management positions.
This Master's degree requires a high level of basic qualification, which enables an in-depth academic qualification.
The degree course that fits into your life: With the part-time study program, you can continue to pursue your job!
All professors and lecturers come from a practical background. There is no such thing as studying in an ivory tower here, everything is relevant to practice!
A lack of money is not a reason for not studying here - with a reverse intergenerational contract or scholarships, anything is possible!
All the advantages of a private university at unbeatably low tuition fees: Small groups, individual support, excellent networking, career service!
All facts and figures about the degree program
| Degree | ✔️ Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
| Time model and place of study | ✔️ Part-Time: 100% Online* ✔️ Examinations possible nationwide |
| Standard study period | ✔️ Part-Time: 4 Semester |
| ECTS-Credits | ✔️ 90 ✔️ Authorization for doctoral studies |
| Admission requirements | ✔️ At least 1 year of specialist professional experience |
| Start of lectures | ✔️ 15. March (Summer semester) or ✔️ 15. September (Winter semester) ✔️ Intensive Onboarding |
| Available new study places per semester | ✔️ Part-Time: 25 |
| Internship | ✔️ No |
| Semester abroad | ✔️ voluntary |
| NC | ✔️ No |
| Semester ticket | ✔️ Part-Time: no |
| Tuition fees Part-Time | ✔️ tbd |
| Funding of tuition fees | ✔️ Your studies with us won't fail due to money: ► Request sample calculations |
| BAföG-Eligibility | ✔️ Part-Time: no |
All facts and figures about the degree program
| Degree | ✔️ Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
| Time model and place of study | ✔️ Part-Time: 100% Online* ✔️ Examinations possible nationwide |
| Standard study period | ✔️ Part-Time: 4 Semester |
| ECTS- Credits | ✔️ 90 ✔️ Authorization for doctoral studies |
| Admission requirements | ✔️ At least 1 |
| Start of lectures | ✔️ 15. March (Summer semester) or ✔️ 15. September (Winter semester) ✔️ Intensive Onboarding |
| Available new study places per semester | ✔️ Part-Time: 25 |
| Internship | ✔️ No |
| Semester abroad | ✔️ voluntary |
| NC | ✔️ No |
| Semester ticket | ✔️ Part-Time: no |
| Tuition fees Part-Time | ✔️ tbd |
| Funding of tuition fees | ✔️ Your studies with us won't fail due to money: ► Request sample calculations |
| BAföG- Eligibility | ✔️ Part-Time: no |
Questions and answers
► What distinguishes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.)?
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) differs significantly from the other two degrees, as it is specifically designed for professionals who aspire to a leadership or management career. An MBA program focuses on business management topics, strategic corporate management and leadership, and is aimed not only at economists, but also at graduates from other disciplines who wish to acquire business management know-how.
*Information about new part-time study model online
We are currently in the process of expanding the existing degree program accreditation to include the online version described above. We expect this process to be completed and state approval to be granted before the start of the course. In addition, we have applied to the responsible supervisory authority for a trial run in case the regular approval process is delayed. If, contrary to expectations, the course does not receive extended accreditation, we will still be able to offer the course on the basis of the existing accreditation. In concrete terms, this means that instead of the flipped classroom model, we would run the course as a hybrid course (face-to-face and online live streaming of face-to-face events, you can then freely choose how you participate at any time).