International Business Administration

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: German English
Deadline: Jun 1, 2024
StudyQA ranking:4958 Duration:3 years
The first period - the period of orientation - comprises 12 modules and is taught entirely in English. It contains important basic lectures. Students obtain fundamental knowledge in business administration, economics, accounting, business informatics, mathematics as well as statistics. In addition to these study courses, students choose from a wide range of additional language courses, including German for international students, Finnish, French, Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Spanish. Students can either start an entirely new language study or deepen their existing language skills in order to obtain the European Unicert II language certificate.
For an inside view of the Viadrina language centre, visit:
http://www.sz.europa-uni.de/en/
Because of the excellent language education, the global diversity of students and staff as well as the extensive international partner university network, IBA is one of the most international study programmes available. The study programme has been accredited by the FIBAA for its high standard of education and received the Seal of Excellence from the DAAD and the Erasmus Programme.

Educational organisation

Basic studies
The basic studies modules are for orientation and provide the basis for the further study. The modules in this section are usually completed within the first three semesters.
  • Business Informatics
  • Business Taxation
  • Finance & Investments
  • Financial Accounting
  • International Management
  • Macroeconomics
  • Management Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Microeconomics
  • Production & Logistics
  • Statistics

Advanced studies
The second phase of your studies (fourth to sixth semester) is dedicated to creating a profile. Within the context of focus area education, students deepen their knowledge in three of the majors on offer, depending on the study programme. The following majors are available:
  • The Management Process
  • Innovation & Marketing
  • Information & Operations Management
  • European Taxation
  • Domestic Taxation
  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Quantitative Methods
  • European Economics

Each student is obliged to write a Bachelor's thesis at the end of the study programme, which proves his or her ability to adopt economic methods, understand academic literature, and write a paper according to scientific standards.

Study abroad unit(s)

Our double degree programmes for the Bachelor include: ICN École de Management, Nancy, France; Universidad Católica de Cordoba, Argentina; Manchester Metropolitan University, Great Britain; Sup de Co Montpellier, France
For more information, please take a look at:
https://www.europa-uni.de/en/internationales/Students/Outgoings/mehrfach/index.html

Internships

Students of the Bachelor's programme International Business Administration have to finish a 12-week internship before the registration of their Bachelor's thesis in the sixth semester. The Careers Centre at the European University Viadrina assists students finding an appropriate internship: http://www.europa-uni.de/en/struktur/zse/career_center/index.html
Once a year, the European University Viadrina organises the career fair "Viaduct", at which leading companies recruit our students and graduates for internships and jobs:
http://www.europa-uni.de/de/struktur/zse/career_center/viadukt/index.html

Forms of assessment

In total, students of the IBA Bachelor's programme have to attain 180 ECTS credits. Depending on the teaching time and the workload, courses are evaluated with four to six ECTS credits.
During the period of orientation, students' performance is assessed by written examinations. Assessment in the second part can comprise written or oral examinations as well as written papers with an appropriate level of detail.

Course objectives

In preparation for a dramatically and rapidly changing business environment, students of the Bachelor's programme International Business Administration acquire academic methods which empower them to recognise, formulate and eventually deal with microeconomic as well as macroeconomic problems. Students obtain essential skills and expertise enabling them to master contemporary business challenges. In addition, the modernisation of both disciplines - business administration as well as economics - is guaranteed through continuous exposure to current research issues.
The European University Viadrina has an international profile, which is emphasised through close international cooperation, a significant percentage of international students, and lecturers from reputable international universities.
Besides imparting the ability to think scientifically and act responsibly, fundamental knowledge about different language areas as well as cultural areas will be taught and internalised.
The international orientation of the European University Viadrina and particularly of the IBA Programme secures access to the international labour market and increases intercultural competencies.
Finally, an appropriate utilisation of modern information and communication systems provides optimal preparation for subsequent practice.

Language requirements

Applicants have to show proof of their English knowledge (level B2 CEFR). The required results are:
  • TOEFL (internet-based): minimum 80 points
  • IELTS: minimum 6.5 in all areas (academic only)
  • Cambridge Advanced: minimum A, or
  • Cambridge Proficiency: minimum C

Academic requirements

  • General qualification for university entrance from a German school or
  • an accepted comparable qualification from a foreign school
  • completed application form with certified copies of:
    • German higher education entrance qualification or equivalent transcript from a foreign school
    • passport (only pages with personal data, certification not necessary)
    • e-mail address (important!)
    • original copy of TOEFL report (or equivalent test, see language requirements), sent in directly by the testing institution to the address of the admission office
    • passport-style photo
    • curriculum vitae (not required for German applicants)
Note: your certificates and official documents, in languages other than German or English, have to be translated into German (by a certified translator). The translations, as well as all copies you hand in, have to be officially certified. Please send in the certified copy of the original documents together with its certified translation.

Enrolment fees

An administrative fee of about 230 EUR per semester has to be paid (incl. contribution to the student union and a ticket for free public transport within the federal states of Brandenburg and Berlin for the whole semester).

Costs of living

Student life in Frankfurt (Oder) is less expensive than in most other German university towns. In order to be able to live here with all the expenditures you can expect (health insurance, rent, etc.), you will need about 500-600 EUR per month. A dorm room here 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

At present, it is quite possible to find an acceptable and well-paid job in Berlin, which can be reached within one hour. Thanks to the semester ticket, the trip to Berlin and public transport within Berlin is free of charge for students at the European University Viadrina. Most of the big players in the consulting and assurance business such as KPMG, PwC, Ernst & Young, BCG and McKinsey, as well as DAX companies such as Daimler, BMW and Siemens are represented in Berlin. Recently, the German capital was also recognised as one of the world's most important cities for start-up and internet businesses such as Ebay, Groupon, PayPal and Zalando.

Funding opportunities within the university

The European University Viadrina has developed special financial support programmes for international students. Recipients receive approx. 150 EUR and do not need to pay part of the administration fees.
https://www.europa-uni.de/en/internationales/Students/Incomings/Costs-and-Financing/stip/index.html
http://www.europa-uni.de/en/studium/finanzierung/

Arrival support

Frankfurt (Oder) is situated 90km west of Berlin, right on the Polish border. Access to international destinations is secured via Berlin-Brandenburg (Schönefeld) airport. From Berlin central station there is a regular train connection to Frankfurt (Oder). Two trains arrive in Frankfurt (Oder) from Berlin every hour.
In Frankfurt there is a good public transport system. The European University Viadrina is a 10-minute walk from the station.
The International Business Administration team will support newly arrived students wherever possible with any difficulties they may encounter. To secure a safe arrival and prevent any inconvenience, we recommend that you arrive on weekdays before 5.00 pm.

Services and support for international students

The team at the European University Viadrina attaches great importance to its international profile. There are lots of institutions which help international students to cope with their new situation and deal with governmental as well as university regulations.
Tutors as well as staff at the International Office introduce new students to their new environment. There is also a student society called Interstudis (http://interstudis.esn-germany.de/; interstudis@europa-uni.de). Here, international students can participate in weekly meetings at a student pub, where they exchange views and experiences, arrange trips to other cities in Germany and make contact with other students. Finally, the "Fremde werden Freunde" ("Foreigners become Friends") initiative pairs inhabitants of Frankfurt (Oder) with individual international students. Through regular meetings, trips and other events, intercultural exchanges are nurtured.
In addition, the programme officer responsible for the Bachelor's programme and his team are available to support international students:
http://www.europa-uni.de/en/internationales/

Accommodation

The European University Viadrina offers very good and affordable student accommodation. Prices for a single bedroom in a three-room apartment start at approx. 160 EUR. Prices for a single apartment on campus start at approx. 215 EUR. All prices include a broadband internet connection, electricity and warm water. Student residences are furnished. Each tenant has access to a common kitchen, which is well equipped. Lockable refrigerators, washing machines and dryers are provided by the student service as well.
For information about the student residences in Frankfurt (Oder) please follow this link:
http://www.studentenwerk-frankfurt.de/2011/lang_en/StandortFrankfurt/Downloads.StandortFrankfurt/ff_wohnanlagen_flyer_en.pdf
For information about the Polish student residences in Slubice please follow this link:
http://www.dsslubice.pl/en/campus.html
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