StudyQA — Bachelor: International Cultural and Business Studies

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The programme consists of five module groups:

A) Intercultural core module
B) Regional cultural studies
C) Business and economics
D) Subject-specific foreign language training
E) Profile module

A) The intercultural core module imparts the principles of intercultural communication and an understanding of the global cultural and business interrelationships.

B) You choose from one of the seven cultural regions offered and attend courses in cultural studies, history, and/or geography. You can also choose from linguistics or literary studies and political science, sociology, art history, or philosophy. You will usually write your thesis on a topic from module group B.

C) In the business and economics module group, you acquire the methodological basics by studying courses such as mathematics, business administration, statistics, and business accounting. Using this as a basis, you will then develop key competences in business administration and economics. Moreover, you will choose examination modules from management or economics.

D) You will choose two of the following foreign languages: Chinese, Czech, English (business English only), French, German for speakers of other languages (level 5 only), Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, or Vietnamese. The English language option requires advanced existing English language skills; however, no prior knowledge is required for the other languages. Any existing language skills that students may have are determined using placement tests and taken into account when you are assigned to the relevant course. The subject-specific language programmes allow you to choose between a business/economics focus or a cultural studies focus.

E) The profile module allows you to set an individual focus according to your interests. There are three ways to arrange your stay abroad:
1) an internship abroad of at least three months in length,
2) an internship abroad (two months or more) plus an eight-day excursion or study project in your chosen cultural region,
3) study abroad for at least one semester at a foreign university plus complete an internship abroad or in Germany (one month minimum) plus an eight-day excursion or study project in your chosen cultural region.

Educational organisation

Your performance throughout the programme is evaluated by way of module assessments. In order to obtain the degree, you must pass a certain number of prescribed modules. However, you will be given the freedom to decide at which point in your degree programme you wish to complete specific modules.
This also means that you need to rely on your organisational skills as you will have to put together your own timetable every semester, avoiding timetabling conflicts between courses that may be administered by different faculties. Nonetheless, the student committees and other units of the university will be on hand to advise you on timetabling issues and module selections.
One special feature of this programme is that you have a double degree option, offered in co-operation with the Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Study abroad unit(s)

Students must do one of the following three:

a minimum two-month internship abroad
one study abroad semester
work as a foreign teaching assistant abroad

In addition to the above, students must:

complete a minimum of a one-month internship in Germany or abroad
undertake a minimum of an eight-day field trip in a country in the chosen cultural area

You are responsible for preparing and making all necessary arrangements as well as completing the formalities for your internship/work experience or study abroad. However, you may contact the International office for assistance in selecting scholarship programmes as well as advice and guidance.

International Office
Innstrasse 41
94032 Passau
Phone: +49 851 509 ext. 1160, 1161 or 1162
Website: http://www.uni-passau.de/en/international/

Internships

Students are required either to do an internship abroad for at least two months, to study at a university abroad, or to work as a foreign teaching assistant for one semester. Furthermore, an internship of at least one month in Germany or outside of the country is required.
The university's Careers Service and the alumni organisation "Kuwi Netzwerk International" help students enrolled in the degree programme to look for and organise the obligatory internships.
You are responsible for searching for an internship, clarifying the outline, and making all necessary arrangements. Internships enable you to gain valuable work experience in a selected occupational field whilst still at university; they also allow you to apply the knowledge and skills you acquire in your studies. They are an invaluable tool for reflecting upon your career aims and establishing contact with potential future employers.
For more details, please see:
http://www.uni-passau.de/en/careerservice/
http://www.kuwi.de/

Forms of assessment

Courses and seminars operate on the assumption that students will do a good deal of preparation and follow-up work outside of the classroom. They will receive some support from the respective lecturers but, nevertheless, conduct this work independently.
Modules are assessed during or at the end of each semester. European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits are awarded when the respective module has been passed and the required coursework submitted. Assessments and coursework are usually graded. The forms of assessment include written and oral examinations, student presentations and written reports, essays and papers, or a combination of the above. A thesis must be written as part of the programme.

Course objectives

A: Basic knowledge of cultural studies and intercultural communication, basic rhetorical and intercultural skills

B: Cultural studies in one cultural area (of student's own choosing), knowledge acquired includes chosen elements of Intercultural Communication; Area Studies; Literature; Linguistics; History; History of Art; Sociology; Politics; and Geography

Apart from factual knowledge, students acquire a set of key social competences by virtue of the importance attached - in the internal organisation of the course - to students taking responsibility for their own work. Examples include the following:

Mobility: through international experience, along with the ability to interpret different economic and cultural realities
Communicative competence: in addition to foreign language competence and a thorough knowledge of the country, specialist training is provided in management, intercultural communication, and presentation skills
Teamwork: seminars on how to collaborate effectively in groups and teams, field trips

C: Fundamentals of Business Administration are acquired, e.g., Accounting, Production & Logistics, Marketing, Organisation, Human Resource Management, Taxes, Cost Accounting, Investment & Finance, and Business Computing

D: A high level of written and oral competence in two foreign languages for professional purposes - the two languages can be chosen from among the following: Chinese, Czech, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, or Vietnamese

E: Practical competence in intercultural communication through a period of study spent abroad for a minimum of three months, and practical work experience geared to the student's subsequent professional career through an internship at home or abroad and through a field project to be organised by the student in their specialist area

Language requirements

Advanced knowledge of German, evidenced by a DSH-2 or TestDaF 4×4 certificate, is required.

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

A recognised university entrance qualification (e.g., German Abitur or a foreign equivalent).

Enrolment fees

The enrolment fee amounts to 70 EUR per semester. This comprises the student association contribution of 52 EUR and the semester bus pass, which costs 18 EUR.

Costs of living

As a bare minimum, you should budget for about 660 EUR per month for accommodation, food, transport and other activities. Your actual expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle. Here is a breakdown of typical monthly expenses:
Rent: 180-350 EUR
Food: 150-250 EUR
Public transport: included in the semester contribution
Books/other: 50-100 EUR

Job opportunities

For international students, a dedicated career adviser is on hand. The iStudi Coach will answer all of your questions about finding work or placements in Germany or abroad.
http://www.uni-passau.de/en/istudi/
Please note that students from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit at the national job centre if they would like to work more than 240 half-days per year. Students from EU member countries do not require a work permit.

Funding opportunities within the university

In general, scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic performance; applicants' financial situations are only taken into consideration to a minor degree and scholarships (especially those from the university) are not usually awarded before the commencement of studies. If you intend to apply for a scholarship while you are still in your home country, please contact the German Embassy or the German Consulate at your earliest convenience.
http://www.uni-passau.de/studium/waehrend-des-studiums/kosten-finanzierung/stipendien/

Arrival support

Twice a year, at the beginning of each semester before lectures start, the International Office holds orientation weeks for new international students. These are designed to help students settle in, make new friends quickly, and get to know important contact people. All international exchange students are required to attend the orientation weeks, and attendance is strongly recommended for international degree-seeking students.