Summer School & Study Trips

Broaden your horizon during our summer school or during a customzied study trip

Join a summer school at a top-ranked business school in Germany and enjoy our high-class business and management education. Meet people from all over the world and increase your professional network through discussions with experienced practitioners. Our school is one of the most renowned and internationally-oriented business schools in Europe. We consistently hold top positions in national and international rankings and are amongst the few German institutions to hold all three major international accreditatios in business and management: AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. We offer study programs from undergraduate to doctoral level.

Besides our regular Summer School, we are happy to put together a short program specifically customized to the participants’ needs and preferences. Teaching in English is a given and welcoming international visiting students is one of our greatest pleasures.

I highly recommend the Summer School. The balance between lecture time and leisure time is perfect. The company visits as well as the cultural activities are an amazing experience. Studying in the unique environment of a palace is a golden opportunity, I would highly endorse.

Helena Callens, student at KU Leuven / Photo: Business School

Studierende mit Lernmaterialien an Tisch

Such an intoxicating, enjoyable, and well-structured program. The experience brought together cultures from all corners of the world in delivering a memorable, yet high-quality learning environment.

James Smith, student at Umeå University / Photo: Business School

I have gained so many insights into German business, made life-long friendships and been inspired for my future career – all in just three weeks. This summer school program is a must for any student considering a future career in Europe!

Emma Logan, student at Queensland University of Technology / Photo: Business School

Campus, Companies, Culture

Credit: Fakultät BWL

Program Overview

Our Summer School traditionally rests on three pillars: campus, companies, and culture. Enjoy world-class education in our renowned business school, gain corporate insights when visiting the headquarters of successful companies in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, and broaden your cultural knowledge by visiting world-famous sights.

Credit: Fakultät BWL

Campus

Discover what studying at Germany’s leading business school is all about. Mannheim Business School is considered to be one of the leading institutions of its kind in Europe and is continuously ranked as Germany’s #1. Furthermore, we are the first German institution to be accredited by AACSB, EFMD and AMBA, the leading associations of business education institutions worldwide.

Credit: Fakultät BWL

Companies

The MBS Summer School takes you directly into the heart of Germany’s business world by integrating visits to a diverse array of companies that are thematically matched to the specific module topic. With more than 50% of Germany’s top 500 companies – such as BASF, Daimler, Lufthansa and SAP – based within a 150-kilometer radius of Mannheim, our region is one of the most important economic centers in the European market and serves as an ideal location for your international mobility experience.

Credit: Fakultät BWL

Culture

During the guided cultural activities and excursions integrated into each module, you will have the chance to immerse yourself in the rich heritage and vibrant culture of Germany! From guided tours to hands-on experiences with local traditions, the MBS Summer School offers a unique opportunity to explore the heart of Europe. Whether you're tasting regional specialties or discovering hidden gems, you’ll enrich your global perspective and gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and charm that define German culture.

Our Summer School at a glance

Application: from December 2026 until 30 April 2027
Time of program: 28 June to 16 July 2027 (dates subject to change)
Target group: graduate and advanced undergraduate business students
Number of participants: max. 30 students per module
Structure: three modules taking place one after another (can also be attended individually)
Form of assessment: active class participation, in-class examination
Credits: 3 ECTS per module
Language: English

More information about the Summer School Program

Modules in our Summer School 2027

Person mit kurzen Haaren und hellblauem Hemd sitzt mit aufgestütztem Ellenbogen und lächelt. Im Hintergrund sind weitere sitzende Personen mit Laptops

Credit: Alexander Grüber

Doing Business in Germany – Mindset and Market Dynamics in Europe’s Largest Economy

Module 1

28 June – 2 July 2027

This module provides participants with a comprehensive overview of doing business in Germany, exploring the cultural, economic, and policy-related factors that shape the German business environment. Through interactive sessions, business cases, and discussions, participants will gain insights into Germany’s regulatory framework, business culture, communication styles, and key industry trends. In addition, the module examines the specific German mindset, financial behavior, regional differences, social characteristics, and consumer behavior that influence both corporate practices and market dynamics.

Lecturers: Alexander Pfisterer, Dr. Nina Landauer

Tisch mit Laptops auf denen getippt wird sowie Block und Stift

Credit: Anna Logue

Artificial Intelligence in Business: From Core Concepts to Business Impact

Module 2

5 – 9 July 2027

Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, compete, and create value. This course combines a solid understanding of AI foundations with a practical, business-oriented perspective on its application. Participants will learn to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, distinguish meaningful innovations from hype, and evaluate the potential of different AI technologies and tools. Through relevant business use cases, they will explore how AI can address real business challenges, improve processes, support better decisions, and unlock new opportunities for value creation. The course equips participants with the ability to identify promising applications and make informed decisions about where and how AI can create meaningful business impact. The module will conclude with group-based case work, in which participants solve real-world AI-related business challenges and present their proposed solutions.

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Florian Stahl, Emanuele Natale MSc.

Person steht auf Treppe, dahiner sind verschwommene Schatten

Credit: Felix Zeiffer

Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Design Thinking for Novel and Sustainable Business Models

Module 3

12 – 16 July 2027

In an era of rapid technological advancements, shifting customer preferences, evolving market dynamics, and growing environmental and societal challenges, maintaining competitive advantage and fostering sustainable growth is increasingly challenging. Navigating this complex business landscape requires an entrepreneurial mindset defined by proactivity, uncertainty tolerance, and innovativeness. This mindset is essential not only for startup founders but also for leaders striving to drive innovation and success within established organizations. This course equips students with the theoretical foundations and practical tools needed to identify entrepreneurial opportunities and develop novel and sustainable business models. Particular emphasis is placed on design thinking as a human-centered and iterative approach to identifying problems, generating innovative solutions, and translating them into viable business opportunities. Students will learn to develop, evaluate, and refine entrepreneurial ideas while considering their economic, environmental, and social implications. By working in teams to develop and pitch their own sustainable business models, participants will gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurial problem-solving, business model design, and venture creation. Additionally, the course offers insights into recent global and local trends shaping entrepreneurship and innovation, preparing students to create value and thrive in an evolving business environment.

Lecturers: Dr. Baris Istipliler, Dr. Andrew Isaak