International Programmes 2024/2025

International Business Studies (BSc) International Business Studies (BSc)

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg • Nürnberg

Degree
Bachelor of Science in International Business Studies
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

All compulsory courses are conducted in English. Beyond that, each student can acquire fluency in at least one foreign language, e.g. English, French, Spanish. German can also count towards this requirement for non-native speakers.

Programme duration
6 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Application deadline

15 July

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

The Bachelor’s degree in International Business Studies (BSc) is the perfect start to a professional career in international business. The three-year programme provides you with all of the essential knowledge you need to understand and analyse the international business environment. The distinct international perspective of the programme reflects the growing importance of multinational operations and emphasises the comparative study of business strategies and policies. The programme consists of core and elective modules in a variety of fields, such as international business, international economics, and international politics, with all courses conducted in English. The international perspective is complemented by a mandatory semester abroad that is integrated into the curriculum.

Please visit the course website.

Course organisation

Course of study

The programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of business administration in an international context. Students acquire the skill set to succeed in an international environment in business, government, or academia. Particular attention is given to the growing importance of multinational operations and to a comparative approach in the study of business strategies and policies.

The programme usually takes six semesters, and teaching is conducted in English.

Compulsory courses

The compulsory component of the programme includes three subject areas:

  • International Business (40 ECTS) provides the basics of business administration with respect to an international context.
  • International Economics (20 ECTS) provides an introduction to basic economic models and methods as well as key concepts in international economics and economic policy.
  • International Politics, Law, and Society (20 ECTS) extends the perspective to include a view on institutions relevant for addressing international issues.

The subject-specific perspective is supplemented by the cross-cutting core area Tools (15 ECTS) dedicated to statistics and data analysis, which provides the essentials for quantitative analysis.

The core area Reflection (10 ECTS) broadens the perspective to practical aspects in the current international business environment, and it enables students to practice intercultural competencies through participation in various forms of cross-cultural training. From an academic perspective, students not only learn how to contribute to debates through their own papers and presentations but also by responding to the work of their peers.

Elective courses

  • Electives (25 ECTS): This comprises five courses of 5 ECTS each that can be freely chosen from a variety of courses concerning topics in international business, international economic studies, and international politics. You may choose interdisciplinary courses from other departments within the university.
  • Languages (15 ECTS): Each student must acquire fluency in at least one chosen language, e.g. English, French, Spanish. German can also count towards this requirement for non-native speakers.
  • Study Abroad (20 ECTS)

Study abroad

Studying abroad enables students to obtain first-hand experience and obtain insight into how business issues are viewed and discussed in another country and at another university. Students can choose among partner universities around the world.

Please visit the course website.

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International elements
  • Language training provided
  • International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
Course-specific, integrated German language courses
Yes
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
Yes
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

FAU does not charge tuition fees. However, each semester students must pay semester fees consisting of student services fees (67 EUR). The fee is subject to minor changes every year.

Costs of living

According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, students in former West Germany who no longer live with their parents have an average amount of more than 930 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. The study shows that approx. 25 per cent of the students asked have less than 700 EUR while 10 per cent have more than 1,300 EUR per month. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details regarding average expenditures:

  • Rent, including bills (in the Erlangen-Nuremberg area): 325 EUR (250 to 600 EUR)
  • Food: 168 EUR
  • Clothing: 42 EUR
  • Transport (public transport and/or car): 94 EUR
  • Learning materials (depending on the subject): 20 EUR
  • Health insurance, doctors, medicine: 80 EUR
  • Telecommunications: 31 EUR
  • Leisure activities, culture, sports: 61 EUR
Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

https://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies

Academic admission requirements

The academic admission requirement is a higher education entrance qualification. Moreover, admission is organised via a numerus clausus procedure.

Language requirements

A high level of English (at least level B2 CEFR) is required because all compulsory courses are conducted in English, and English may also be needed during the exchange semester.

Application deadline

15 July

Submit application to

Please use the DoSV for registration and the CAMPO online application portal to submit your application. Kindly note that applicants are required to hand in paper copies of several documents. Please inform yourself in a timely manner which documents are required and whether you need to provide a certified copy. Please find more detailed information upon submitting your application to CAMPO.

Possibility of finding part-time employment

According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, around 63 per cent of all "first-time students" have a regular job – and not just during the holidays. On average, they work around eight hours a week for an average wage of 10 EUR per hour. Students can have a "450 EUR job" or work as a student trainee in a company or as a student assistant at the university – both during and outside the lecture period. Information on the legal conditions relating to part-time jobs for students is available in the brochure "Jobben" (part-time jobs) published by the German National Association for Student Affairs. FAU’s job portal is also updated regularly with new advertisements for part-time jobs.

Accommodation

The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.

It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Specialist counselling
  • Tutors

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Content Bild

Founded in 1743, FAU has a rich history. It is a strong research university with an international perspective and one of the largest universities in Germany with 39,657 students, 272 degree programmes, 4,000 academic staff (including over 624 professors), 243 million EUR third-party funding, and partnerships with universities all over the world. Teaching at the university is closely linked to research and focuses on training students in both theory and practice to enable them to think critically and work independently. The research itself also strikes the perfect balance between a theoretical approach and practical application.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.

University location

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.

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