HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management’s history and tradition is a story of pioneering success that goes back to the 19th century. Leipzig’s entrepreneurs realized the need of educating business men to prepare them for the upcoming changes and challenges in a world becoming more globalized with its international trade. The foundation of Handelshochschule Leipzig in 1898 marks the birthplace of management education and is the first business administration faculty in German-speaking countries. Since those early days, the “honorable merchant” is recognized in the school’s emblem. Eugen Schmalenbach is one of the Handelshochschule first and most prominent alumni, also well-known as the founder of today’s business administration as an academic field in science and research.

Where it is today
750+ students in 6 programs
60+ nationalities on campus
2500+ alumni in 10+ chapters
280+ start-ups, 4 unicorns
130+ partner universities

Throughout the 20th century Handelshochschule Leipzig again faced a time of continuous changes. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Handelshochschule Leipzig was finally re-founded in 1992 to train a new generation of business leaders – a generation who will be actively engaged to form transformation in the reunited country.

Today, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management is a prestigious university with doctoral and habilitation rights and was the first private German Business School with AACSB accreditation. In addition, with more than 250 startups founded by HHL Alumni, their business school is the top address for entrepreneurship in Germany.

The HHL family consists of a wide variety of members from different countries, speaking multiple languages, bringing enriching backgrounds, renowned expertise, various responsibilities and diverse focuses.

HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management looks back to a long tradition, deeply rooted in the region of Saxony while at the same time enjoying a highly international reputation. HHL is known for its mixture of innovative, international and individual approaches by students, staff, faculty and alumni.