Entrepreneurship

Academic background: Bachelor’s degree in business, STEM or other

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s from an accredited institution with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits. This should be in a business-related field, STEM, or another subject, that demonstrates a relevant background in entrepreneurship, for example, through electives, a thesis, or practical experience.

If the degree was obtained outside Germany, the university must be listed as “H+” in the [Anabin](https://anabin.kmk.org/db/institutionen) database to confirm its equivalence to a German higher education institution.

Practical experience: Minimum 3 months, maximum 6 years

The program is designed for candidates with no more than six years of postgraduate work experience. Applicants must have at least 12 weeks (480 hours) of practical experience in a business-related role. This requirement can be fulfilled before the start of your studies at WHU. Please submit a certificate or official letter from your employer that includes your name, position title, start and end dates, a brief description of your responsibilities, as well as the company stamp and an official signature.

Pitch deck: Present your business idea

Applicants must submit a 10-slide pitch deck describing a business idea. We recommend structuring your pitch deck around the following key elements: Title & Overview, Opportunity, Problem, Solution, Business Model & Financials, Market, Competition, Team, and Next Steps/Planning.

For further guidance, see _[The Only 10 Slides You Need in Your Pitch](https://guykawasaki.com/the-only-10-slides-you-need-in-your-pitch/)_ from Guy Kawasaki. You may also refer to the books _The Art of the Start 2.0_ by Guy Kawasaki and _Get Backed_ by Evan Baehr and Evan Loomis.

English proficiency: IELTS or TOEFL

We require one of the following test scores (valid for two years; online formats are accepted):

• IELTS Academic: min. 7.0
• TOEFL iBT: min. 100 (Code: 0682)

This requirement is waived if your entire bachelor's degree or secondary education was taught in English (proof required). We do not accept alternative tests such as Duolingo English Test or TOEIC.

You can apply now without a test score and submit it later. If admitted, your offer will be conditional until the score is received.

International experience: Recommended

Candidates from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland applying for the 90-credit track are required to provide proof of international experience of approximately three months before the start of their studies at WHU. Accepted forms of experience include internships or exchange semester abroad, language courses, summer schools, or comparable international activities. For all other candidates, such experience is not mandatory but will enhance your application, as internationality is one of our core values.