International Business Studies, IBS (B.A.)

The study program International Business Studies qualifies specialists and managers for sustainable economic action in a globalized and digitized business world.

Thanks to the breadth of the internationally oriented economic education (business competencies, economic competencies, cultural and social competencies, and methodic/analytic competencies), graduates possess knowledge, skills and judgment, all of which make them attractive for employers, especially for internationally operating companies and organizations. With a focus on international economic relations, sustainable management, behavior-oriented corporate management, as well as the management of the ubiquitous digital transformation, the program takes into account essential future competencies, such as those emphasized by the OECD.

The graduates have broad practical experience and sharpened transfer skills. They can use media, technologies, information and data effectively, strategically and operationally. At the same time, they have developed skills that enable them to evaluate and interpret relevant course content. They are able to derive economically sound judgments from this, taking into account the scientific, social and ethical findings, and to independently design further learning processes.

By integrating future-oriented fields of competence, the program promotes students’ professional abilities and personality in a unique manner, which enables them to meet the demands of a global and digitalized business world in a professional way. Students are able to make consensus and dialog-based decisions and take action. They develop resilience in complex situations that require flexibility, ambiguity tolerance and personal responsibility.

The qualification goals and intended learning outcomes take into account the objectives of higher education as follows:

Scientific Qualification for Evidence-Based Action

Graduates

• have a broad and integrated knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of economics in an international context.
• have a critical understanding of legal, information and communication technology, business psychological and intercultural basics and methods and some in-depth knowledge in individually selected focuses and functional areas.
• critically question the most important theories, principles and methods of their specialist discipline. They assess problems on the basis of scientific theories and methods and critically reflect on the state of the specialist literature and current research in specialization areas.
• are trained in analytical and critical thinking. They diligently handle knowledge and facts and argue based on evidence. They are able to independently collect, evaluate and interpret relevant information and use it to derive scientifically sound judgments that take into account social, scientific and ethical knowledge.
• can apply relevant scientific research methods to a problem of their own choosing and develop, reflect on and assess problem solutions. They solve problems in complex contexts with professional plausibility and justify the correctness of their statements epistemologically.
• can present and defend knowledge and research results in writing (e.g. scientific reports and work) and orally (e.g. presentations) in a structured and understandable way.

Professional Qualification in an International Context

Graduates

• apply their knowledge and understanding in a practical manner, develop problem solutions and arguments in their specialist area, and develop them further.
• use media, technologies, information and data effectively strategically and operationally, and assess various creativity and innovation methods for the appropriate use in a professional context.
• work in projects and groups in a team-oriented and self-organized manner. They communicate adequately virtually and personally and collaborate in various teams (e.g. interdisciplinary, intercultural or mixed-age collaboration).
• have command of the English language at level C1 according to the European Framework of Reference. They write academic texts on challenging topics in English and use the language flexibly and effectively in an academic and professional environment.

Social Skills

Graduates

• have democratic and cosmopolitan judgment.
• justify diversity as an enrichment for society and economy.
• reflect on the consequences of their actions from the point of view of ethics and sustainability and take personal, societal and social responsibility.
• have intercultural competence in different cultural areas. On this basis, they act flexibly and contextually in an intercultural work environment and as a mediator between cultures.
• choose appropriate communication, cooperate in diverse groups and master methods of conflict moderation.

Social and Personal Skills

Graduates

• reflect on their behavior and derive knowledge from it for their development and their actions in company and society. They are able to act in a self-organized and responsible manner and to take responsibility in groups.
• are capable of dialogue and consensus, and are resilient in complex situations in which flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity and personal responsibility are required.

design (advanced) learning processes independently and are able to deepen their knowledge vertically, horizontally and laterally.

Before and during their studies, students also have access to various programs offered by the Business Department:

• Preparatory courses
• Jade Anker (mentoring program)
• Student initiatives

In addition, our International Office is always happy to answer questions and help you in any way they can. Feel free to contact them regarding study abroad possibilities, finding housing in Wilhelmshaven, language courses or help with Visa and immigration questions.

• Program directors

  Prof. Dr. Christina Hans

  Prof. Dr. Tim Nieberg

• Program coordinator

   

  IBS-Team Mail

  Maike Schulte M.A.

   

Please refer to the document “Admission requirements” or contact one of the program directors/coordinator.

You do not need to have knowledge of German prior to enrolling in the program. However, you will need to provide proof of language proficiency in German at the CEFR level of A1 by the end of the second semester.

Once you are here, we encourage you to take part in one of our German courses offered during the semester or the semester break and take the language test to fulfill the German requirements. Please contact our International Office for information on German courses.

With your application, you need to provide proof of language proficiency in English that is equivalent to level B2 on the CEFR. Please refer to the document “Admission requirements”.

Yes. As part of the study program, a mandatory internship semester is planned usually during semester four, which should be an internship in an international organization or an organization abroad. The internship should be completed in a country that is not your home country. You may spend an additional semester or a complete year abroad at a partner university in the fifth and/or sixth semester and do your specializations or part of your specializations there.

Yes, the internship is an integral part of the program and it is required for all students.

If you are a German student, you should do your internship in an international organization outside of Germany. Exceptions might be possible under special circumstances.

If you are not a German student, you can do your internship in an international organization in any country that is not your home country, including Germany.

We do not provide internship places for our students but rather expect them to search for suitable internships on their own. Of course, our program coordinator provides assistance and is happy to guide you in the process if you need help.

There are no tuition fees. However, students pay an administration fee of approximately 390 Euros that includes subsidized housing, student recreational activities, sports activities such as sailing, and the state-wide public transportation semester ticket.

Our International Office is always happy to help international students settle in.