Business Administration International Management

Program Description: Business Administration International Management at Pforzheim University

The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a specialization in International Management at Pforzheim University is designed to prepare students for the dynamic and competitive global business environment. This comprehensive program combines core business administration principles with an international perspective, equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in multinational organizations and diverse cultural settings. The curriculum emphasizes managerial competencies, strategic thinking, and intercultural communication, fostering versatile professionals capable of leading in global markets.

Throughout the program, students will study a wide range of subjects, including financial accounting, marketing, human resource management, operations management, and organizational behavior, all integrated within an international context. Special focus is placed on understanding cross-cultural differences, international trade regulations, and global economic trends to enable students to make informed decisions in international settings. Courses are taught by qualified faculty members with extensive industry and academic experience, ensuring that students receive practical knowledge complemented by theoretical foundations.

The program includes opportunities for practical learning through internships, project work, and study trips abroad, enabling students to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and develop valuable international networks. Additionally, students may benefit from exchange programs with partner universities around the world, broadening their intercultural competencies and global outlook.

Graduates of this program will be prepared for a variety of careers in international business, including roles in management, consulting, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. They will possess a solid foundation in business principles alongside specialized skills in international management, making them highly competitive in the global job market. The program also serves as a stepping stone for those wishing to continue their education through master's studies in related fields.

Pforzheim University’s Business Administration International Management program is committed to delivering a balanced education that promotes leadership, innovation, and intercultural understanding. Students are supported throughout their academic journey by dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and an active university community focused on the development of future global business leaders.

Educational organisation

MBA IM semesters and courses
[The numbers in brackets show the credits (ECTS)]

First Semester / Foundations [For non-business graduates]

Foundations in Accounting & Finance (6)

• Foundations in Financial Accounting
• Corporate Finance and Financial Analysis

Foundations in Marketing (6)

Foundations in Business Functions

• Human Resources Management (3)
• Information Management (3)
• Global Sourcing and Supply Chain Management (3)

Foundations in Economics (5)

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics

Research Methods I

• Scientific Writing and Literature Research (1)

Management Skills I

• Presentation Skills (1)
• Negotiation Skills (1)

Company Experience I (1)

Second Semester / Advanced Business Topics & Specialisations
[Business graduates may start here]

Innovation and Business Dynamics I

• Innovation Management I (5)

Sustainable Globalisation I (5)

• International Economics
• Sustainable Development

International Business Development ( 5)

Accounting & Finance in an International Context

• Business Controlling in an International Context (5)

Research Methods II

• Business Analytics (3)

Management Skills II

• Project Management (2)

Management Skills Electives (in total 4 ECTS credits):

• Decision Making (2)
• Change Management (2)
• Leadership (2)
• Cross-Cultural Management (2)

Company Experience II (1)

Third Semester* / Individual Concentration / Study Abroad Semester

*Third semester: exchange semester for students with a first degree from a German university; optional for international students

Strategic Management (ECTS credits: 5)

Innovation and Business Dynamics II

• Innovation Management II: Product Development & Design (5)

Sustainable Globalisation II

• Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Management (5)

Company Experience III (2)

ELECTIVES
(in total 15 ECTS credits):

• Company Project / Project Work (6)

• Marketing
  • Entrepreneurial Marketing (3)
  • Brand Management (3)
  • Customer Relationship Management (3)
  • Service Marketing (3)
  • B2B-Marketing (3)

• Consulting
  • Management of Consulting Services (3)
  • Business Model Innovation & Management (3)
  • Process Management (3)

• Accounting & Finance
  • International Financial Reporting Standards (6)
  • Advanced Corporate Finance (3)

• European Perspectives
  • European Financial Markets (3)
  • European Economics & Political Relations (3)

Fourth Semester / Simulation & Thesis

Thesis

• MBA Thesis (ECTS credits: 20)

[four months / typically written in cooperation with a company or an institution]

Business Planning & Management Simulation (ECTS credits: 8)

• Business Planning (3)
• Management Simulation (5)

All Semesters / Languages

• Optional: German as a Foreign Language / Second Foreign Language

Study abroad unit(s)

An exchange semester (third semester) is mandatory for students who have a first degree from a German university and do not have professional experience abroad. An exchange semester is optional for international students.

Partner universities:
Europe

• France Business School, Clermont, France
• Grenoble Ecole de Management, Grenoble, France
• Instituto Superior de Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa (ISCTE) Lisbon, Portugal
• Moscow International Higher Business School MIRBIS, Moscow, Russia
• University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey

Americas

• Fundação Getulio Vargas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudio Superiores de Monterrey (EGADE), Mexico
• University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA
• University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA (double degree specialising in Energy Management possible)
• Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA), Caracas, Venezuela

Asia/Pacific

• University of Macao, China
• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, India
• Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, India
• Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Internships

• An eight-week period between semesters two and three offers a time frame for internships.
• Students are encouraged to write their thesis with a company/an institution in semester four. Through company contacts, visits, and projects, students are supported in finding an appropriate internship.

Forms of assessment

First semester: 30 ECTS
Class participation, written exam, assignment, presentation

Second semester: 30 ECTS
Class participation, written exam, oral exam, assignment, presentation

Third semester or semester abroad: 30 ECTS
Class participation, written exam, assignment, presentation, project

Fourth semester: 30 ECTS
Thesis, class participation, presentation

Course objectives

Upon successful completion of the Pforzheim MBA International Management programme, you will ...
... have profound expertise in the leadership principles and management skills needed to successfully lead in organisational contexts (Responsible leadership in organisational contexts)
... be capable of developing innovative and effective solutions for complex tasks in an unfamiliar and volatile business environment (Creative problem-solving skills in a complex business environment)
... be able to apply appropriate research methods and tools to concrete questions in order to derive compelling and innovative findings (Applied research skills)
... be able to gauge a company's potential for innovation and change, to stimulate innovative processes, and to manage the implementation of innovation (Management of innovation)
... be able to identify, analyse, and handle the challenges of global sustainability as well as develop awareness for social and corporate responsibilities (Management for global sustainability and for social and corporate responsibilities)

Language requirements

TOEFL 100 (Internet-based), 250 (computer-based), 600 (paper-based), or equivalent
IELTS 7.0
Not necessary if first degree was taught in English

Academic requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Two years of post-Bachelor, full-time work experience
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT 550 is expected)
• TOEFL score: 100 (iBT)/IELTS (7.0)/proof of Bachelor's degree taught entirely in English
• Letter of motivation plus essay on extracurricular activities
• Personal interview

Application forms for download can be found on our website http://www.hs-pforzheim.de/mba

Enrolment fees

148 EUR per semester
The fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Pforzheim area.
First study semester: an additional 20 EUR for the student ID-card

Costs of living

Approx. 600-700 EUR per month to cover personal expenses

Job opportunities

For individual students, jobs as student assistants are available.

Arrival support

• Through a buddy system, our students are supported from the beginning of the programme, and a pick-up service upon arrival is included.
• We provide hands-on information prior to arrival: Pforzheim Survival guide, housing list, "steps to enrolment"
• Orientation sessions at the beginning of every semester

Services and support for international students

• Individual mentoring and coaching of students by MBA faculty members
• Continuous support is guaranteed throughout the year by the academic MBA office team members.
• Buddy system: senior MBA students support new students from the beginning of the programme.
• The Institute of Foreign Languages of Pforzheim University cooperates intensively with the MBA and guarantees, based on an entrance-level test, suitable classes in German as a foreign language at all levels.
• Counselling services for job applications in Germany and support for students with applications and CVs from senior lecturers of the Institute of Foreign Languages

Further support:

• 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) give support for international students as well.
• Central student services unit of the Pforzheim University Business School

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.