Business Administration

What will you learn?

In this three-year programme, you learn about management principles and practices, market influences, operations, finance and communication, and more. Because of this broad knowledge, you can analyse complex business problems from different perspectives, and easily cross different boundaries that may exist within and between organisations. Among other topics, you will learn about:

• Operations. Learn how businesses optimise their practices.
• Finance. Understand how businesses are financed, and how to judge the profitability of investments.
• Accounting. This skill set gives you the ability to systematically understand the financial activity of a business.
• Marketing. You will be introduced to the basic concepts of marketing, learning how companies attract and keep their customers

What kind of jobs can you get?

Because of the broad and generic first two years of the program, you are not limited to a singular area of expertise, not even after your one-year specialisation. Of course, a specialisation in for example finance helps when you want a career in finance.

Your degree could lead to an international career in:

• Consultancy. Use your expertise to help businesses optimize their activities.
• Marketing and sales. Find the best ways to sell your company’s products or services.
• Shipping. By its very nature a global business, shipping companies are always looking for candidates with an international perspective.
• Finance. Steer investments and ensure profitability.
• Management. The skills you gain from this degree are an excellent fit for someone with leadership ambitions.

The list is almost endless. You can even start your own company.

Programme structure

The academic year at BI is divided into two semester, one in the autumn and one in spring. There are exams at the end of each semester. This programme structure provides an overview of which courses you will be taking and when you will be taking them.

During the third year of the programme, you will take courses from aspecialisation of your choosing. Select the specialisation to see which courses they contain.

Finance

An economy’s financial markets are critical to a country’s overall development. Therefore, the finance industry is universally important, as it is essential to value creation, resource allocation, poverty reduction, and growth in a country. As one of the few, Norway’s financial system coped well with the global financial crisis, proving that the Norwegian financial industry is among the most efficient in Europe, with cutting-edge expertise and a great platform for research and development.

BI’s internationally renowned Finance faculty prepares you for an industry that is facing rapid change, digitalisation, automation, new competency requirements, increased innovation and new market entrants. Additionally, you will benefit from excellent links to key financial institutions and employers, the backbone of the Norwegian economy.

International Business

International Business (IB) matters are among the top two or three issues on a CEOs' strategic agenda as they consider the international environment critical to their firm’s future success. IB is about companies engaging in cross-border economic activities such as trade, and it plays a crucial role in the economy as one of the best anti-poverty, pro-growth and pro-development tools in history. However, we must recognise the existent problems in the global economy, which require a real response and leadership.

Norway is an exemplar global citizen, where leadership joins generosity and a true commitment to globalisation. Leadership - being a founding member of the World Trade Organisation and an influential player in the international community. Generosity - having donated many billions, Norway is one of the largest contributors in helping least-developed countries tackle their trading infrastructure constraints by building the skills and capacity necessary to trade.

BI prides itself in having world-class faculty, close links to the international business community, and a participatory teaching style. The International Business specialisation combines these characteristics with a tailored programme of electives you can handpick, an internship at a leading institution, or an exciting exchange experience.

Shipping management

Ships transport more than 90% of the world’s trade. Shipping is one of the most important sectors in the global economy, and Norway is one of the world’s largest and most advanced maritime nations in the world. Norway is an advocate for high international standards in the global shipping industry, and BI complements this with a leading Shipping Management programme that prepares you for the challenges faced by the transport sector today.

Application Documents

1. Transcripts

Transcripts and certificates from all previous academic education should be submitted. Copies of transcripts and degrees should be certified as true copies and include an overview of the grade scale used, indicating best and poorest grade and last pass grade. Transcripts not in English or a Scandinavian language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

All applicants are required to send an official Transcript of Grades from every school and/or university they have attended.

2. English test

For all international and Norwegian applicants

A satisfactory English language test is required for all applicants, with minimum scores:

• TOEFL – 550 (paper based) or 78 (internet based)
• IELTS Academic – 6.0
• Pearson PTE Academic test - 55
• University of Cambridge, Certificate in Advances English - B
• The European Language Certificate (telc), telc English B2-C1 University

Institution code TOEFL: 0529

We give exemptions from the English test for the following applicants:

• Students who have completed International Baccalaureate Diploma programme and have achieved IB Diploma or IB Diploma programme course results issued by IBO
• Students who have completed their high school in the USA, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Ireland or the UK
• Students who have completed a Bachelor degree in one of the above mentioned countries

In the section for the English test, please submit a word document stating that you are applying for exemption based on the background that pertains to you.

3. Letter of motivation

In the Letter of Motivation you should explain what your ambitions/dreams are and how this relates to your choice of programme at our school. We would also like to know why you want to study in Norway. The Letter of Motivation should be about 1 page.

4. CV/Resume

A short CV/resume listing your education (school name, degree, and dates, and number of years) and work experience (employer's name, type of work, time of duration, dates, etc.) as well as personal information, including extra-curricular activities. Most importantly, include your full postal/mailing address and your e-mail address. The CV must be typed.

5. Letter of recommendation

A letter assessing the applicant's character, traits, strengths and abilities is also required. This letter of recommendation will provide us with insight when evaluating the applicant's competency and potential for a Bachelor’s degree programme. This letter cannot be written by anyone who is a member of the applicant’s family or circle of friends. Please note that recommendation letters older than three years will not be accepted.

6. Copy of passport

All applicants must include a certified true copy of their passport showing nationality, name and valid dates. Please provide certified true copies of previous residency permits to Norway as well.

7. Financial plan

All international applicants must submit a personal financial plan. The financial plan is a general overview of how you intend to finance your degree and living expenses. Please click on the link to download the financial plan template.

• Bachelor International Scholarship