Business and Engineering

MODULE UNITS
To guarantee a general management education, all MBA students take seven "General Management" module units. In these units, they acquire international management skills in general and develop a diversified economic way of thinking. Combined with practical elements, the courses support the development of analytical and strategic competences as well as soft skills for leadership positions.

The MBA students choose a focus on "Asia" or "Central and Eastern Europe" or "Western Europe" for training in international business activities. This choice defines the fourth module. Language training in Mandarin, Russian or German will complete the education.
In addition, students can choose a variety of special MBA electives. They can also enrol for the entire range of electives on offer within the department of business administration. The electives are voluntary lessons of course and are not taken into account for grading.

MODULES / COURSES
The MBA programme "International Business with Focus on Asia, Western Europe or Central and Eastern Europe" is a purely postgraduate programme. High-potential students have a minimum of one year of work experience and complete the curriculum during a very work-intensive phase of three semesters.
As regards the working conditions of the programme, the management has decided to award an average of 20 credit points per semester. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.fhws.de/mba
Lectures are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays, so that students can study part-time.

Educational organisation

MODULE OVERVIEW
MBA PROGRAMME "International Business with Focus on Asia, Western Europe or Central and Eastern Europe"

Semester I
Module 1 Language Competence
Course 1 Language Competence German/Mandarin/Russian

Module 2 Managing International Business
Course 1 International Management
Course 2 International Economics

Module 3 Strategic Competences
Course 1 Strategic Management
Course 2 Operations Strategy

Module 4 Intercultural Management
Course 1 Organisational Behaviour
Course 2 Cross Cultural Management
Course 3 Human Resources Management

Semester II
Module 5 Doing Business Western Europe / Asia / Central- and Eastern Europe
Course 1 Culture, History, Economy
Course 2 Negotiation Skills / Business Strategies
Course 3 Case Studies (Visiting Companies)

Module 6 Managing International Markets
Course 1 International Marketing
Course 2 Market Research

Module 7 International Trade Competences
Course 1 International Law
Course 2 International Logistics

Module 8 International Finance and Accounting
Course 1 International Accounting
Course 2 International Finance

Semester III
Module 9 Knowledge Transfer and Application
Course 1 Business Game
Course 2 International Project Management
Course 3 Preparing Scientific Papers

Module 10 Master's Thesis

Overall Target
At the end of the study programme the Master's thesis is a scientific paper which aims to promote the student's ability to work in an independent scientific manner. Students must be able to make use of the knowledge acquired within the MBA study programme. The thesis must underline the independence of the student's work, and the intellectual profoundness and the workload required to complete it.
Subject
The thesis must deal with a relevant scientific task referring to the subject of business administration. Students choose a subject which is within the context of the modules taught in the curriculum. It has to be presented to an instructor of the MBA programme or to a professor of the faculty. The student must choose a first or second tutor from a company or another organisation for his/her thesis. This must be approved by the board of examiners.
Milestones
During the kick-off event students are given an initial short briefing concerning the main data about how to write the thesis. Students are free to choose the semester in which they wish to write the thesis. The recommended period is the third semester. During the third semester students will have two meetings within a colloquium to present the status of the thesis and to discuss the results. At the end of the third semester each student presents his/her thesis to the other students in a final meeting.

Final MBA Graduation

Study abroad unit(s)

To accentuate one of the main targets - the education of experts for the Asian, Western and Eastern European region - all MBA students spend a four-week block of instruction time abroad at the beginning of the second semester.
Depending on their chosen focus, participants visit the MBA partner university either in Taiwan or in Russia. Students can use this intensive study period to learn about and to live in direct contact with the foreign culture and to gain precious international experience. In daily lessons, Module 4 "Doing Business in Asia or Central and Eastern Europe" is completed here.

Forms of assessment

Final exam, mid-term exam, classwork, report

Course objectives

Our prime target is to shape managers, not just MBAs (in reference to Mintzberg). The objectives are in detail:

• Training of management generalists with Asian, Western European or Central and Eastern European focus
• Development of leadership competences, networking abilities and international project management know-how
• Delivery of a practice-oriented education via project work and case studies and balancing of academic knowledge and practical competences
• Acquisition of intercultural competences via group work in multicultural teams
• Familiarisation with the different languages of the powerhouses of this world via intensive language training in Mandarin, Russian or German
• Training of soft and hard skills
• Advancement of enthusiasm for lifelong learning as an important cornerstone for professional and personal success. A Chinese proverb tells us: "When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people."
• Delivery of an internationally accepted qualification which is becoming increasingly important in a global world
• Integration of students into a strong alumni network

Language requirements

As the main course language is English, candidates must have a very good knowledge of the English language. One of the following tests must be passed:
TOEFL: 500-549 points (paper-based)
173-212 points (computer-based)
61-78 points (internet-based)

TOEIC: 541-600 points

IELTS: Modest User Band 5
Competent User Band 6

APIEL: Score 3

Academic requirements

Our admissions process aims to bring together a diverse group of participants with a variety of abilities, experience and academic backgrounds. To enter our MBA course the following is required:

• You should be internationally minded in your approach to business and management
• You should have completed a degree at a German university or comparable education at a foreign university/college in an economic, engineering, technical or related course of study
• You should have at least one year of work experience in an area close to your field of study after graduation

Application Documents
The following documents are required:

• The application form (blank is available on the web page http://www.fhws.de/mba or will be supplied by the management) must be completed with information concerning personal data, employer data, professional position data, areas of management, computer background, expectation regarding the MBA programme, education and experience, letters of recommendation (optional) and payment regulations
• In addition to the application form, candidates are asked to write a letter of motivation which points out their personal enthusiasm and individual goals for the study course
• A curriculum vitae (CV) and a photo must be included
• Copy of the first degree, passed English test and, if available, a copy of references

Costs of living

Costs of living in Würzburg:
You should budget costs for accommodation for three semesters in the amount of 400 EUR per month.
Other costs of living: 400 EUR
At the partner university in Taiwan or Russia:
You can expect flight costs in the amount of 800 EUR and rent of approx. 200 EUR in a dormitory.

Job opportunities

Internship, temporary job

Arrival support

On the first two days of the MBA studies, students participate in a coaching module where students become familiar with each other and learn how to work in a team.
Students are briefed on the following issues:

• presentation of the faculty
• overview of the study programme (curriculum, milestones, organisation, further services)
• special basic skills (especially report writing, presentation skills, project work)
• milestones for the Master's thesis
• preparation for the upcoming team training
• guidance service for living in Würzburg (especially for international students)

Services and support for international students

Visit http://www.studentenwerk-wuerzburg.de/ or http://www.fhws.de/mba

Accommodation

Accommodation is available through the Student Services Office or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 400 EUR.
See http:///www.studentenwerk-wuerzburg.de
Private accommodation can be found on the internet at: http://www.mainpost.de/anzeigen/immobilien/suchen or http://www.immobilienscout24.de