Head to head

Durham University Business School vs ESB Business School

The Durham University Business School and ESB Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.

Durham University Business School versus ESB Business School Master in Management, compared on ranking, tuition, salary, selectivity and class profile.
Metric Durham University Business School ESB Business School
FT ranking 2025
QS ranking 2025
Tuition £33,500 Public — no programme tuition; ~€199 per-semester contribution + €50 registration (EU/EEA). Non-EU/EEA students: Baden-Württemberg state tuition may apply — confirm on ESB's page
Median salary
Employment rate
GMAT range
Duration 1 year 15 months (90 ECTS; +~6 months with an integrated internship) — winter-semester (autumn) intake
Class size
Average age
International
Female
Location Durham, UK Reutlingen, Germany

The short version

  • Geographically they are a different bet entirely: Durham University Business School in UK, ESB Business School in Germany.

Rankings and salary are only part of the decision — fit with your target career, location, language, and cost of living usually matter more. Read each program in full before deciding.

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Frequently asked

Which is more affordable, Durham University Business School or ESB Business School?
Tuition is £33,500 at Durham University Business School and Public — no programme tuition; ~€199 per-semester contribution + €50 registration (EU/EEA). Non-EU/EEA students: Baden-Württemberg state tuition may apply — confirm on ESB's page at ESB Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Durham versus Reutlingen, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Do you need the GMAT for Durham University Business School or ESB Business School?
Durham University Business School has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; ESB Business School has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE. Test policies change each cycle, so confirm the current requirement on each school's own admissions page before assuming you can skip it.
Should I choose Durham University Business School or ESB Business School?
There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Durham, UK versus Reutlingen, Germany), the language of instruction, and your budget. Read both full profiles, weigh fit over a handful of ranking places, and if you are still torn, our admissions guide walks through building a shortlist you can defend.