Business Administration and Digital Enterprise Management

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Digital Enterprise Management at Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for the dynamic and increasingly digital world of business. This interdisciplinary course combines foundational principles of traditional business management with innovative approaches to digital transformation, providing students with the skills necessary to excel in various roles within modern enterprises. Throughout the program, students will explore core areas such as marketing, finance, human resources, and strategic management, while also gaining practical knowledge of digital technologies, data analytics, e-commerce, and information systems. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of quantitative methods, problem-solving skills, and real-world project experiences to foster critical thinking and decision-making abilities. Students are encouraged to develop entrepreneurial thinking, innovation competencies, and leadership qualities essential for managing digital change in organizations. The program's diverse coursework is complemented by internships and industry collaborations, offering students valuable insights into current market trends and business practices. Graduates of this program will be equipped to pursue careers in various sectors, including digital marketing, consulting, project management, IT management, and corporate development. The program also lays a solid foundation for those interested in further academic pursuits or entrepreneurial ventures, emphasizing lifelong learning and adaptability. With a focus on internationalization and practical application, the Bachelor in Business Administration and Digital Enterprise Management aims to produce forward-thinking, digitally savvy business professionals capable of shaping the future of global enterprises.

Educational organisation

Business Administration/DEM BSc semesters and courses (The acronym in brackets shows which language is used)
English (ENG), German (GER), German as a Foreign Language (GFL)

FIRST SEMESTER
General Skills and Competencies (ENG)

• Social and Methodical Competencies (ENG)

German as a foreign language I (GFL)
General Business Administration (ENG):
Module: Foundations of General Management I (ENG)

• Foundations of Accounting (ENG)
• Managerial Processes, Functions and Decisions I (ENG)

Economics (ENG):
Module: Foundations of Economics I (ENG)

• Introduction and Microeconomics (ENG)

Quantitative Methods
Module: Mathematical Foundations for Business (ENG)

• Mathematics I (Analysis/Lin. Algebra) (ENG)
• Mathematics II (Mathematics of Finance) (ENG)

Module: Computers in Business - Foundations (ENG)

• Computers in Business - Foundations (ENG)
• Computers in Business - Applications Hands-on-Training (ENG)
• Computers in Business - Applications Hands-on-Training (ENG)

SECOND SEMESTER
German as a foreign language II (GFL)
General Business Administration (ENG)

• Managerial Processes, Functions and Decisions II (ENG)

Economics
Module: Foundations of Economics II (ENG)

• Macroeconomics (ENG)

Module: Quantitative Methods I (ENG)

• Descriptive Statistics (ENG)
• Operations Research I (ENG)

Digital Enterprise Management - Major (ENG)

• Digital Business-Applications (ENG)

Web-Interface Design

• Web-Interface Design (HCI, HTML5 + XML, PHP) (ENG)

THIRD SEMESTER
German as a foreign language III (GFL)
General Business Administration
Module: Foundations of Management Accounting

• Management Accounting (ENG)

Module: Economics

• International Economics (ENG)

Module: Advanced Studies and Applications in Economics

• Scientific Writing; Media Competence and Information Research (ENG)

Module: Quantitative Methods II

• Inferential Statistics (ENG)

Operations Research II (2)
Module: Business Process Management and Transactional Processing Systems

• Business Process Management and Transactional Processing Systems (ENG)

Module; Electronic Markets, EDI & EAI

• Electronic Markets, EDI & EAI (ENG)

FOURTH SEMESTER
Module: General Skills and Competencies

• Communication Skills (GER)
• Presentation Techniques (GER)

General Business Administration
Module: Financial Management

• Financial Accounting, Investments and Finance I (ENG)
• Financial Accounting, Investments and Finance II (ENG)

Economics
Module: Advanced Studies and Applications in Economics

• Seminar in Economic Policy (ENG)

Module: Law

• Business Law (GER)

Module: Business Process Management and Transactional Processing Systems

• Programming (ENG)
• Database Systems (ENG)

Module: Project Management:

• Methods of Project Management (GER)
• IS-Project (GER/ENG)

FIFTH SEMESTER
General Business Administration
Module: Business Management

• Management Simulation (GER)

Internship Semester:

• Internship Digital Enterprise Management (GER)
• Accompanying course of the internship - Digital Enterprise Management (GER)

SIXTH SEMESTER
General Business Administration
Module: Business Management

• Strategic Management (ENG)

Module: Management in Specific Industries

• Industries - Electives (GER/ENG)

Module: Ethics and Social Responsibility

• Ethics and Social Responsibility - Electives (GER/ENG)

Digital Enterprise Management - Elective Module
e-business and Supply Chains (3)
a) Digital Business Models

• Internet of Everything (ENG)
• Organisational Networks (ENG)
• Anything Relationship Management (ENG)

b) Digital Technology Solutions

• Mobile Solutions (ENG)
• Smart Factory (ENG)
• Big Data Management (ENG)

IT-Project

• Project Work (GER)

SEVENTH SEMESTER
General Skills and Competencies

• Labour Market Bridge (GER)

Seminar Business Information Systems

• Seminar (GER)

Capstone Digital Enterprise Management

• Current Topics in Digital Enterprise Management (GER)

Case Studies (GER)
Finals

• Scholarly Colloquium (GER)
• Oral Examination in the major Digital Enterprise Management (GER)

Thesis (GER/ENG)

Internships

In the fifth semester, students must complete an internship in Germany. We will assist students with finding an appropriate internship.

Forms of assessment

Written exams, seminar papers, student research projects, oral exams, Bachelor's thesis

Course objectives

The Digital Enterprise Management degree programme prepares students for an exciting and highly communicative profession, during which they will be involved in intensive dialogues with people from specialised departments in order to provide them optimally with IT solutions in an innovative environment. Graduates can expect outstanding career prospects on the labour market with high, non-cyclical growth levels as well as an above-average income. Excellent graduates have as well the option to continue their academic career in our Master Information System (MSc) programme. Our German-language degree programme "Business Information Systems", which is managed by the same team as the new Digital Enterprise Management programme, ranks year after year among the top five programmes nationwide. Our Master's programme, Master Information Systems (MSc), ranks second in Germany in the Eduniversal Best Masters ranking system.

Language requirements

English language level of B2/C1 (B2 with at least one aspect C1) based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (= min. TOEFL iBT score 95 (or equivalent)). There are no access requirements for the German language level.

Academic requirements

The requirements for admission include a general / specialised higher education entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife, Abitur / Fachgebundene Hochschulreife), cf. Sec 8.7, or foreign equivalent.

Enrolment fees

An administrative fee of about 148 EUR per semester has to be paid (incl. contribution to the student union and a ticket for free public transport within the City of Pforzheim for the whole semester).

Costs of living

Pforzheim is less expensive than more prominent German university towns (e.g., Munich or Frankfurt). You will need approx. 500-700 EUR per month including health insurance, rent, food, etc. A dorm room costs about 180 EUR per month, a meal in the students' cafeteria about 3 EUR, and a large beer in a pub 3 EUR.

Job opportunities

Many renowned companies are linked to Pforzheim Business School. Due to the location in between Stuttgart, Karlsruhem and Mannheim, Pforzheim Business School is located in a very powerful economic region. Well-known companies like Siemens, Bosch, Sap, HP, and IBM offer internships and jobs for highly qualified students.

Arrival support

We are happy to assist our new students. Before arrival, a welcome package with relevant information will be sent to admitted students. Through a buddy system, our students are supported from the beginning of the programme. We provide hands-on information prior to arrival: Pforzheim Survival guide, housing list, steps to enrolment, and orientation sessions at the beginning of every semester.

Services and support for international students

Individual mentoring and coaching of students is offered by DEM faculty members. Continuous support is guaranteed throughout the year by the academic DEM office team members.
Through our buddy system, senior students support new students from the beginning of the programme.
The Institute of Foreign Languages of Pforzheim University cooperates intensively with the DEM and guarantees suitable classes in German as a foreign language at all levels, based on an entrance level test. Counselling services for job applications in Germany and support for students with applications and CVs from senior lecturers of the Institute of Foreign Languages are also offered. The International Programmes Office of Pforzheim University supports students with accommodation and visa issues. Pforzheim University student initiatives GEMINI (exclusive support for international students) and CAMPUS X (on-campus company fairs) also traditionally give support for international students.

Accommodation

The student union offers accommodation in student dorms around the campus (via Studentenwerk Karlsruhe). Many private rooms are also available in the city of Pforzheim and the surrounding area. The university provides lists of private rooms and apartments via the International Programmes Office.