International Business Administration (B.Sc.)

The study

The International Business Administration (IBA) Bachelor's programme offers you the opportunity to study at a young and modern university with an international orientation and to learn, live and develop personally together with people from more than 40 nations. It is our declared aim to offer you an international and interdisciplinary study programme at a high academic level that prepares you for the demands of an international job market. Our more than 200 international university collaborations, which not only enable you to spend an integrated period of study abroad, but also to take part in attractive dual programmes with our partner universities, contribute to this in particular.

Studying at Viadrina provides you with more than just the standard knowledge of economics. Viadrina's location makes it an ideal place to acquire knowledge and skills in a European context, which will open up attractive career prospects for you, e.g. in European companies or European institutions. Living and studying in two countries, Poland and Germany, at the same time - studying at the renowned Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, which nevertheless remains a family-run university, makes it possible.

Career prospects

Every large company needs economists: Whether a listed global corporation, NGO, hospital or political party - they cannot do without commercial management. With us, you will gain in-depth insights into the corporate world during your studies. In courses with a practical focus, integrated internships and stays abroad, you can gain important experience and sharpen your awareness of the problems that are relevant in practice. Through this and with the support of our Career Center, studying at Viadrina opens up attractive career prospects in the international working world. In addition, the Viadrina Founders Center will support you during and after your studies in setting up your own business.

Our globally active alumni network viadrin@lumni also supports you during your studies and afterwards with numerous offers and contacts.

Course of study

The degree programme comprises modules from the core areas of business administration and economics, optional modules from the interdisciplinary area of cultural sciences and/or law as well as modules from the area of soft skills. In terms of content, the degree programme is divided into basic education in business administration and economics, specialisation, extracurricular and interdisciplinary qualifications and the bachelor thesis. The standard period of study is six semesters. The programme comprises 180 ECTS credits (hereinafter referred to as credits).

In the first three semesters, which serve as orientation, students should complete the modules of the basic studies and provide proof of proficiency in the foreign language module (CEFR level A2). The second study phase (4th to 6th semesters) is used for specialisation. As part of their specialisation, students expand their specialist knowledge; they acquire further skills in the area of extracurricular and interdisciplinary qualifications. The non-binding study plans provide examples of a sensible structure for the degree programme. (see annexes to the study-specific regulations)

In line with the international orientation of the degree programme, students must complete a semester lasting at least three months at a foreign university in the second stage of their studies (study abroad).

The module catalogue (see viaCampus) documents the modules with descriptions and credit transfer options. Multiple crediting of a module in the degree programme is excluded. Further credits not documented in the module catalogue are not possible! In principle, only one successfully completed course with six credits can be included in each module.

The courses offered are published each semester in the course schedule in viaCampus.

The modules of the basic studies (Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Grundlagenausbildung) provide orientation and lay the foundations for the rest of the degree programme. It is therefore recommended that you complete the modules from this area within the first three semesters. Please note that the modules are generally only offered every second semester. The teaching and examination language in these modules is English. The basic basic studies (Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Grundlagenausbildung) comprises the following 12 compulsory modules, each worth 6 credits:

  • Business Informatics
  • Business Taxation
  • Finance & Investments
  • Financial Accounting
  • International Management
  • Macroeconomics
  • Management Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Microeconomics
  • Production & Logistics
  • Statistics

Seven compulsory elective module groups are offered as part of the specialisation (Schwerpunktbildung). One to three compulsory elective module groups must be selected from the compulsory elective module groups on offer. Between three and six modules, each worth six credits, must be successfully completed in the selected compulsory elective module groups. The module catalogue specifies whether the modules in the compulsory elective module group must be chosen (compulsory modules) or can be chosen (elective modules). In an elective area, further business administration and economics modules that cannot be allocated to a chosen specialisation or non-business/economics modules worth up to 18 credits can be included. (Schematic illustration of the possible options for the design of the specialisation)

Students are recommended to complete at least one examination as part of the specialisation with a seminar paper.

Module groups

  • Accounting (minimum 18 credits, maximum 36 credits)
    Accounting is the language of business. In the "Accounting" module group, you will learn the language of business and companies. However, there are also several languages in accounting. In Germany, the principles of proper accounting under commercial law (GoB) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are primarily relevant in the context of external accounting. While in the basic modules "External Accounting" (GoB) and "Financial Accounting" (IFRS) they have learnt how a specific business transaction or a specific event is to be recorded in the form of an accounting record, the in-depth modules "HGB Accounting" and "International Accounting" deal with the specific application of the relevant accounting rules and questions of interpretation. Building on the "Internal Accounting" and "Management Accounting" modules, the "Controlling" module deals with the tools of controlling. The range of modules is supplemented by the two seminars in the field of sustainability reporting "Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reporting" and "Business Ethics and Sustainability Management".
    Students in this module group qualify for numerous opportunities for further education and career entry. The classic route into practice after completing a Bachelor's degree specialising in accounting is to join an auditing firm, where the knowledge acquired during the degree can be applied directly to auditing company financial statements for appropriate application of accounting rules or advising on accounting issues, and where there are numerous opportunities for further training. Students in the Accounting module group are also prepared for a further academic or part-time Master's degree programme.
    It is advisable to take at least one seminar if you are planning to write your dissertation in the field of accounting. Furthermore, it is recommended that you only study supplementary modules from other related disciplines within the Accounting module group if the core programme has already been fully exhausted or if individual courses are not offered or cannot be taken, e.g. due to stays abroad or semesters on leave.
    The module groups "Taxation" and "Banking & Finance" represent obvious combination options with the "Accounting" module group.

  • Banking & Finance (minimum 18 credits, maximum 36 credits)
    The modules in the "Banking & Finance" module group build on the basic training in the first stage of the Bachelor's programme. The content of the Finance and Investments and Macroeconomics modules is deepened and continued. In the compulsory modules Capital Market Theory and International Finance and Trade of the module group "Banking & Finance", knowledge and skills are taught which form the basis of the Banking and Finance profile. The compulsory elective modules in turn draw on the content of these compulsory modules, develop further concepts or supplement them.
    Students in this module group acquire academic skills. This enables them to fulfil academic and professional requirements, but in particular academic requirements in a professional environment (practical transfer of academic knowledge). They are prepared for professional activities with a financial requirements profile.
    In addition to an academic focus, students in the module group develop extracurricular skills that are relevant for entry into professional practice. These include the ability to communicate and work in groups as well as the ability to analyse and solve problems. Teaching almost exclusively in English qualifies students for a career in an international context.
    Students in this module group have access to a wide range of career entry opportunities. This extends across the industry and service sectors. Target employers include capital market-oriented industrial companies with their own financial staff departments, in which investment and financing decisions are prepared, or companies in the banking or insurance industry as well as consulting firms with a financial field of activity. Specifically, these are, for example, commercial and investment banks and asset management companies as well as management consultancies and companies in the financial advisory field (e.g. auditing firms).
    Students in this module group are also prepared for a further academic Master's degree programme through the in-depth modules. This is achieved by imparting methodological knowledge, including through the compulsory elective modules in applied statistics and econometrics, which ideally combine theory (models) and empiricism (data).
    The module groups "Quantitative Methods", "Economics", "Taxation" and "Accounting" represent obvious combination options with the module group "Banking & Finance". This allows you to achieve a professional specialisation (career in a line function). Combination with the other module groups in the module group catalogue results in a subject-specific generalisation (career in a cross-sectional function).

  • Economics (minimum 18 credits, maximum 36 credits)
    The "Economics" specialisation primarily teaches analytical and methodological skills for understanding economic and economic policy developments in Germany, Europe and the world.
    The specialisation is the ideal complement to more specific courses in the core subjects of business administration. The focus here is on the theory- and data-based understanding of fundamental incentives, restrictions on action and mechanisms of economic activity of companies, individuals and governments in global contexts.
    How are inflation, Donald Trump and China's rise to economic power connected? Why do married people earn more than unmarried people? Who benefits or harms from tuition fees? Do doctors discriminate against people with statutory health insurance? "Economics" teaches the skills to answer such questions.
    The "Economics" specialisation thus prepares students for managerial and advisory roles in companies, associations, international organisations and public administrations, which require a broader international, analytical and economic policy horizon.

  • Information & Operations Management (minimum 18 credits, maximum 36 credits)
    The course content of the "Information & Operations Management" module group prepares students to take on specialist or management tasks in central areas of a company such as purchasing, production, distribution and information processing or to work in consulting. The targeted use of information and communication technology is seen as a success factor. The educational objective of the module group "Information & Operations Management" is to enable students to master the diverse management problems in value creation in the most diverse branches of the industrial and service sectors.
    The core of the module group is the teaching of methods of planning, designing, managing and controlling material and information flows along the value chain as well as the conception and management of the information systems required for this. Concepts of both the strategic planning of value-added processes and the operational implementation of production and logistics processes are discussed.
    The modules in this module group deal with the most common planning problems in the various areas of production and logistics and the associated approaches to solving them, as well as methods for solving the problems using practical exercises and case studies. At the same time, typical business processes in production and logistics and the core information systems of a company, in particular for enterprise resource planning (ERP systems) and data analysis (business intelligence, business analytics) are discussed. Furthermore, project work, presentations and business games are used to provide students with the necessary social skills (such as the ability to work in a team, leadership skills and a confident presentation style) that a job in management requires.
    In addition to companies in the manufacturing and service sectors, future employers include management consultancies and software companies. Graduates with an IOM focus are also employed at the interface between the specialist department and the IT department, e.g. in the design and optimisation of business processes. Typical job profiles include supply chain manager, information manager (up to CIO), system analyst, project manager and management consultant as well as technical experts or consultants in key areas such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), production and logistics management, supply chain management (SCM) and customer relationship management (CRM).

  • Marketing, Management & Entrepeneurship (minimum 18 credits, maximum 36 credits)
    The "Marketing" specialisation prepares students for a career in the field of marketing in companies and organisations. Students are qualified for various positions in the field of consumer goods and business-to-business marketing in a wide range of industries and with the opportunity to specialise in areas such as advertising, sales, distribution or research and development. Students acquire the skills to analyse and understand markets, create marketing plans and implement them successfully. The theoretical and methodological training also enables students to analyse, structure and successfully handle previously unknown problems in these areas; it makes it easier for students to familiarise themselves with a specific working environment.
    The "Management" specialisation prepares students for management activities in companies and organisations, or to initially assist and advise such activities. At the core of the specialisation is the teaching of the central skills required for the successful management of companies and organisations. The main focus is on the management functions of strategy and strategic planning, organisation and leadership. Students learn, among other things, how strategies are systematically developed, where the limits of planning lie and what alternative control options are available; what formal design options exist for the organised division of labour and what significance and function the informal structure (corporate culture) has for the success of the system; how groups function and how they can be controlled; what it means to lead and what it means to be led; what motivates people and what demotivates them and how this can be influenced.
    The "Entrepreneurship" specialisation aims to provide students with an understanding of the framework conditions, concepts and models that are relevant to the entrepreneurial process and its critical reflection. In doing so, the specialisation helps students to grasp the complexity of entrepreneurship and to develop a multi-layered knowledge landscape in response to it. Among other things, students learn about seven entrepreneurial fields of knowledge (entrepreneurial individual, team, leadership, organisation, strategy, ecosystems and society) and work on various knowledge elements of entrepreneurship within these fields (e.g. entrepreneurial autonomy, opportunities, passion, failure, feedback, skills, motivation, value proposition, complementarities, etc.). The Entrepreneurship specialisation enables students to deal intensively with entrepreneurship and its social significance and to understand and practice entrepreneurship as a "way of thinking and acting" that is also highly relevant in many other areas of social life beyond the founding of a company.
    The university's focus on an international environment is also reflected in the training in the module group, where students are also prepared for activities in an international environment.

  • Quantitative Methods (minimum 18 credits, maximum 36 credits)
    The "Quantitative Methods" module group prepares students for a career in companies and organisations that focuses more on the statistical aspects of economics. The importance of quantitative methods in economics has increased continuously in recent years. Statistical methods are used, for example, to describe and predict developments on the financial markets, individual buyer behaviour, demographic developments or environmental risks. Due to the rapid increase in information, methods for collecting and analysing data are becoming increasingly important. In addition, the demand for statistically well-trained graduates is constantly increasing.
    This module group teaches advanced statistical methods that are required to analyse data sets. The aim is to qualify students to be able to work independently on empirical problems. Our courses, which mainly take place in small groups, help students to understand mathematical and statistical models and to apply them to economic issues. To do this, they need to know the conditions under which a procedure may be applied and they must learn to check to what extent these requirements are actually met. By analysing case studies, they should be qualified to formulate hypotheses and confirm or refute them using statistical methods. This gives students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the latest statistical software and to interpret the results of computer-aided data analysis accordingly. Working in groups strengthens social skills and the ability to work in a team and prepares students for their future careers, e.g. in the field of risk management or statistical data analysis.

  • Taxation (minimum 18 credits, maximum 36 credits)
    The "Taxation" module group provides students with the relevant skills for working in tax consulting or Wirtschaftsprüfung as well as in accounting or tax departments in companies. Students are given the tools to independently determine the tax burden for national and cross-border business transactions, to map it in the tax balance sheet and to be able to assess the effect of taxes on operational decision-making processes.
    The core points of the module group are income taxation in Germany with a focus on companies (business taxation), knowledge of the mapping of business transactions in the tax balance sheet (tax accounting) and the teaching of knowledge of international corporate taxation. In seminars, for example, practical case studies, methods for quantifying tax effects and tax burden structures in a national and international context and current tax policy reform projects are analysed and discussed from an academic perspective. Extensions in the direction of European law, foreign tax law or sales taxation provide the opportunity for further individual specialisation.

  • Elective area (maximum 18 credits)
    In the elective area, further usiness administration and/or economics modules that cannot be assigned to a chosen specialisation or non-business/economic modules worth up to 18 credits can be included. In principle, all courses from the Faculty of Cultural and Social Studiesant the Faculty of Law and courses from non-business/economics faculties at other universities are recognised as non-business/economics modules that are successfully completed with a graded and credit-recognised certificate of achievement. Language courses, soft skills and internships cannot be recognised.

The study-specific regulations dated 05.07.2017 (SSO 2017) will expire on 31.03.2025.
From 01.04.2022, newly enrolled students in the study programme will study in accordance with the SSO 2021.

Ten elective module groups are offered as part of the specialisation. Three compulsory elective module groups must be selected from the elective module groups on offer. Three modules, each worth six credits, must be successfully completed in the selected elective module groups.

Students are recommended to take part in a seminar as part of their specialisation, in which they can also deepen their intercultural skills, e.g. during an excursion.

Module groups

  • Accounting (18 credits)
    The content of the "Accounting" module group prepares students for (participating in) the preparation, consulting and auditing of annual and consolidated financial statements. Possible professions that can follow the training in this module include working (auditing and/or consulting) in an auditing company with the aim of obtaining the auditor's examination as well as working in the accounting department of an industrial company, a financial institution or an insurance company (preparation).
    The aim of the accounting courses is to provide students with a sound basic knowledge of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In the individual modules, the relevant capitalisation, liability and valuation standards are systematically developed. The aim is not only to learn the rules in detail (how to prepare the balance sheet), but above all to gain an understanding of why the balance sheet should be prepared in this way (classification in the overarching framework of principles). By working on case studies, the theoretical principles learnt are applied, discussed and evaluated and the practical relevance is thus directly established.
    Note on module crediting within the module group:
    The modules Financial Accounting (exam no. 1131) and Management Accounting (exam no. 1133) can be credited in the compulsory elective module group "Accounting", provided they were successfully completed before the winter semester 2014/2015.The modules Financial Accounting (exam no. 1131) and Management Accounting (exam no. 1133) can be credited in the compulsory elective module group "Accounting", provided they were successfully completed before the winter semester 2014/2015.

  • Banking & International Finance (18 credits)
    Studying the "Banking & International Finance" module group enables students to recognise and understand the interrelationships on global financial markets. The interactions resulting from the interaction between the central bank and the state on the one hand and the private sector on the other are analysed and explained. With regard to the private sector, the focus is on the commercial banking sector. A very important financial market is the foreign exchange market, where exchange rates are determined. Therefore, different models are introduced to explain the behaviour of exchange rates - i.e. exchange rate processes - and to forecast exchange rates.
    In the various modules, the basics for understanding international relationships are taught and their application to specific economic policy issues is practised.
    The participants acquire knowledge of various macroeconomic models in order to be able to competently decide which type of model is appropriate in which analysis situation. The ability to analyse different shocks that can occur in the domestic or foreign economy is taught. Graphical, verbal and formal methods are used as methodological analysis tools. This ability is important in order to be able to estimate potential reactions of the central bank, which in turn influence the profitability of the commercial banking sector and affect the state/government.
    The methods from statistics and econometrics are fundamental in order to be able to empirically test the hypotheses derived from the theoretical models. A combination of this module group with the Finance and Quantitative Methods module groups forms an excellent symbiosis, but is not mandatory. All modules can also be mastered very well without the knowledge and skills of the other module groups.
    The programme trains the ability to think analytically and strategically and thus prepares students for a variety of possible professions. These include jobs in commercial banks or the central bank, at national and international authorities, in management consultancies or auditing firms as well as in economic and research institutes.
    The module "International Monetary Economics" must be successfully completed (compulsory module).

  • Domestic Taxation (18 credits)
    The module group "Domestic Taxation" provides students with the relevant skills for working in tax consulting or Wirtschaftsprüfung as well as in accounting or tax departments in companies. Students are given the tools to independently determine the tax burden of business transactions, recognise it in the tax balance sheet and assess the impact of taxes on business decision-making processes. In the module group, students learn in detail about income taxation in Germany with a focus on companies (business taxation), knowledge of the mapping of business transactions in the tax balance sheet in theory (tax accounting) and practice (DATEV applications) and the interrelationships between taxes, accounting and financing in companies are analysed using a comprehensive practical case study (FACTs). Extensions in the direction of accounting, sales taxation or corporate taxation in a European comparison provide the opportunity for further individual specialisation.
    Project work, presentations and role plays are used in the module group to provide students with the necessary social skills, in particular the ability to work in a team, leadership skills and a confident presentation style, which future consultancy work requires. The chairs involved in the module group work together with renowned tax consulting firms from Germany and Poland. This ensures the practical relevance of the subject content, significantly increases the likelihood of good labour market opportunities, but also increases the workload!

  • European Taxation (18 credits)
    The content of the "European Taxation" module group prepares students for consultancy work for and in companies operating throughout Europe. They are therefore clearly related to the professional field (tax consultancy, Wirtschaftsprüfung and tax departments of international companies). The core elements of the module group are the teaching of tax law in Europe, in particular German and Polish foreign tax law, treaty law and European law (primary and secondary law) as well as the discussion of methods for quantifying tax effects and tax burden structures in an international context. In addition, tax (business taxation) and accounting-specific knowledge (tax accounting and international accounting) can be acquired and expanded.
    Project work, presentations and role plays are used in the module group to provide students with the necessary social skills, in particular the ability to work in a team, leadership skills and a confident presentation style, which future consultancy work requires. The chairs involved in the module group work together with renowned tax consulting firms from Germany and Poland. This ensures the practical relevance of the subject content, significantly increases the likelihood of good labour market opportunities, but also increases the workload!

  • European Economics (18 credits)
    Studying the "European Economics" module group enables students to recognise and understand economic interrelationships. The interactions resulting from the economic functions of companies, private households and the state are analysed and explained. Important issues include the function of money, economic and employment policy, the integration of national economies into the international trading system and the European integration process, as well as the decision-making behaviour of individual economic entities.
    The various modules teach the basics for understanding economic interrelationships and practising their application to specific economic policy issues. Students are taught the skills to understand and analyse the complexity of economic interdependencies with the help of a theoretical framework. In addition, methods from statistics, econometrics and applied economic research are taught in order to apply this understanding to specific issues. Informed decisions both in politics and by individual economic actors are thus prepared or made possible in the first place.
    An economics degree programme trains the ability to think analytically and strategically. In this respect, the degree programme prepares students for a variety of possible professions. These include jobs in the field of economic policy, at national and international authorities, in business associations and companies, in management consultancies, in economics departments of banks and large companies as well as in economic and research institutes.
    In addition to the modules listed, the course "Banking, bank regulation and risk management" (examination no. 6081) offered in the winter semester 2018/2019 can be credited within the compulsory elective module group "European Economics". Credit can only be awarded for the course "Banking, bank regulation and risk management" (examination no. 6081) taken in the winter semester 2018/2019.

  • Finance (18 credits)
    The "Finance" module group combines practical relevance and academic rigour. Students in this module group acquire academic skills and knowledge that can be used to fulfil academic requirements in the profession. They are therefore qualified both for professional activities and for further studies with a financial requirements profile. You will be familiarised with central methods of modern finance and will be able to apply these to practical professional problems on the one hand and academic issues on the other (practical transfer of academic knowledge). To this end, the individual modules of the module group develop the necessary basic financial management tools, which combine methods of microeconomics, mathematics and statistics. In addition to subject-specific qualifications, students' non-subject-specific skills are developed in seminars. These include teamwork skills in the context of group work and communication skills in the context of lectures. With modules also in English, students are qualified for a career in an international context.
    Students in this module group have a wide range of national and international career entry opportunities. This extends across the industry and service sectors. Target employers include capital market-oriented industrial companies with their own financial staff departments, in which investment and financing decisions are prepared, or companies in the banking or insurance industry as well as consulting firms with a financial field of activity. Specifically, these are, for example, commercial and investment banks and auditing firms as well as management consultancies and asset management companies.
    One of the modules "Applied Capital Market Theory" or "Capital Market Theory" must be successfully completed (compulsory module). Please note that the module "Applied Capital Market Theory" will no longer be offered until further notice.

  • Information & Operations Management (18 credits)
    The content of the "Information & Operations Management" module group prepares students to take on specialist or management tasks in central areas of a company such as purchasing, production, distribution and information processing or to work in consulting. The targeted use of information and communication technology is seen as a success factor. The educational objective of the module group "Information & Operations Management" is to enable students to master the diverse management problems in value creation in the most diverse branches of the industrial and service sectors.
    The core of the module group is the teaching of methods of planning, designing, managing and controlling material and information flows along the value chain as well as the conception and management of the information systems required for this. Concepts of both the strategic planning of value-added processes and the operational implementation of production and logistics processes are discussed.
    The modules in this module group deal with the most common planning problems in the various areas of production and logistics and the associated approaches to solving them, as well as methods for solving the problems using practical exercises and case studies. At the same time, typical business processes in production and logistics and the core information systems of a company, in particular for enterprise resource planning (ERP systems) and data analysis (business intelligence, business analytics) are discussed. Furthermore, project work, presentations and business games are used to provide students with the necessary social skills (such as the ability to work in a team, leadership skills and a confident presentation style) that a job in management requires.
    In addition to companies in the manufacturing and service sectors, future employers include management consultancies and software companies. Graduates with an IOM focus are also employed at the interface between the specialist department and the IT department, e.g. in the design and optimisation of business processes. Typical job profiles include supply chain manager, information manager (up to CIO), systems analyst, project manager and management consultant as well as technical experts or consultants in key areas such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), production and logistics management, supply chain management (SCM) and customer relationship management (CRM).

  • Innovation & Marketing (18 credits)
    The "Innovation & Marketing" module group prepares students for a career in the field of marketing and innovation management in organisations. Graduates are qualified for various positions in the field of consumer goods and business-to-business marketing in a wide range of industries and with the opportunity to specialise in areas such as advertising, sales or R&D. Graduates acquire the analytical skills to analyse and understand markets, manage new product developments and innovations and create marketing plans. The theoretical and methodological training enables graduates to analyse, structure and successfully handle previously unknown problems in these areas; it makes it easier for graduates to familiarise themselves with a specific working environment.
    The university's focus on an international environment is also reflected in the training in the module group, where graduates are prepared in particular for activities in an international environment.
    Simultaneous crediting of the modules "Business Plan Seminar Regional" and "Seminar: Introduction to Business Creation / Business Plan" in the study programme is not permitted.
    The module "Wir ham ja nix gehabt und datt bisken hamma hamma noch geteilt - Creativity and Entrepreneurship" (Prüf.-No. 6042) in the summer semester 2017 is not creditable in this module group.

  • Quantitative Methods (18 credits)
    The "Quantitative Methods" module group prepares students for a career in companies and organisations that focuses more on the statistical aspects of economics. The importance of quantitative methods in economics has increased continuously in recent years. Statistical methods are used, for example, to describe and predict developments on the financial markets, individual buyer behaviour, demographic developments or environmental risks. Due to the rapid increase in information, methods for collecting and analysing data are becoming increasingly important. In addition, the demand for statistically well-trained graduates is constantly increasing.
    The module group teaches advanced statistical methods that are required to analyse data sets. The aim is to qualify students to be able to work independently on empirical problems. Our courses, which primarily take place in small groups, help students to understand mathematical and statistical models and apply them to economic issues. To do this, they need to know the conditions under which a procedure may be applied and they must learn to check to what extent these requirements are actually met. By analysing case studies, students should be qualified to formulate hypotheses and confirm or refute them using statistical methods. Furthermore, students are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with current statistical software and to interpret the results of computer-aided data analysis accordingly. Working in groups strengthens social skills and the ability to work in a team and prepares students for their future careers, e.g. in the field of risk management or statistical data analysis.
    The module "Applied Statistics (Statistics 2)" must be successfully completed (compulsory module).

  • The Management Process (18 credits)
    The "Management Process" module group prepares students for management activities in companies and organisations, or to initially assist and advise them. At the core of the module group is the teaching of the central skills required for the successful management of companies and organisations. The main focus is on the management functions of strategy and strategic planning, organisation and leadership. Students learn, among other things, how strategies are systematically developed, where the limits of planning lie and what alternative control options are available; what formal design options exist for the organised division of labour and what significance and function the informal structure (corporate culture) has for the success of the system; how groups function and how they can be controlled; what it means to lead and what it means to be led; what motivates people and what demotivates them and how this can be influenced.
    The individual teaching modules (lectures, exercises, seminars) aim to develop students' technical, conceptual and social skills with regard to the successful fulfilment of these management tasks.
    The guiding principle of the programme is the "reflective practitioner", i.e. the practical manager who is able to make well-founded, ethically reflected, effective and efficient decisions on the basis of a sound knowledge base and to continuously develop further (lifelong learning).
    Simultaneous crediting of the modules "Business Plan Seminar Regional" and "Seminar: Introduction to Business Start-up / Business Plan" in the study programme is not permitted.
    The module "Occupy Frankfurt (Oder) - Space for your own notes" (Exam.No. 6057) can be credited in the module group if it was taken before the summer semester 2017. The course offered as part of the module "Wir ham ja nix gehabt und datt bisken hamma noch geteilt - Creativity and Entrepreneurship" (exam no. 6042) in the summer semester 2017 cannot be credited in this module group.

The extracurricular and interdisciplinary qualifications (Außerfachliche und überfachliche Qualifikationen) include language education, the module Scientific Work (Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten) and other soft skills and internships.

Proof of the foreign language module (CEFR level A2) should be provided by the end of the second semester, proof of the foreign language module (CEFR level B2) should be provided by the end of the fifth semester. Proof of language education is provided by language certificates in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, at least CEFR level A2 resp. CEFR level B2. Certificates issued at a German university in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages are recognised (application form for recognition). The responsible examination board decides on exceptions. Recognition requires the original language certificate to be submitted. English cannot be chosen as a foreign language in either module. For foreign students who have not proven their ability to study in German, German is compulsory as a foreign language in both modules. The Viadrina Language Centre offers numerous language courses and the corresponding examinations.

In the module "further soft skills" (Weitere Softskills), students are taught social skills in particular, such as communication skills, the ability to cooperate, a sense of responsibility and awareness of responsibility, and reliability. In addition, personal skills such as the ability to concentrate, the ability to learn, independent learning, perseverance and accuracy are also trained here. The Career Center, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the Founders Center and other facilities of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) offer numerous training courses, seminars and lectures for students every semester. You choose the necessary number of events from the range on offer in order to earn the credits required in the module. Offers and further information can be found in the Viadrina Compass.

Internships outside the university serve to introduce students to the problems and areas of responsibility of their future professional field. The internship must be related to the content of the business administration and economics degree programme. The focus of the activity must correspond to the (intended) business administration and economics programme and associated professional fields. Further information can be found in the Guideline for the implementation and recognition of student internships in the degree programmes of the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). The Career Center of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) is the central point of contact for all questions relating to internships. Among other things, it supports students in their search for an internship, organising an internship abroad and answering questions about internship contracts.

The study-specific regulations dated 05.07.2017 (SSO 2017) will expire on 31.03.2025.
From 01.04.2022, newly enrolled students in the study programme will study in accordance with the SSO 2021.

The extracurricular and interdisciplinary qualifications (Außerfachliche und überfachliche Qualifikationen) include language education, further soft skills and internships.

Proof of the foreign language module (CEFR level A2) should be provided by the end of the second semester, proof of the foreign language module (CEFR level B2) should be provided by the end of the fifth semester. Proof of language education is provided by language certificates in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, at least CEFR level A2 resp. CEFR level B2. Certificates according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages that have been issued at a German university are recognised (application form for recognition). The responsible examination board decides on exceptions. Recognition requires the original language certificate to be submitted. English cannot be chosen as a foreign language in either module. For foreign students who have not proven their ability to study in German, German is compulsory as a foreign language in both modules. The Viadrina Language Centre offers numerous language courses and the corresponding examinations.

In the module "Further soft skills" (Weitere Softskills), students are taught social skills in particular, such as communication skills, the ability to cooperate, a sense of responsibility and awareness of responsibility, and reliability. In addition, personal skills such as the ability to concentrate, the ability to learn, independent learning, perseverance and accuracy are also trained here. The Career Center, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the Founders Center and other facilities of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) offer numerous training courses, seminars and lectures for students every semester. You choose the necessary number of events from the range on offer in order to earn the credits required in the module. Offers and further information can be found in the Viadrina Compass.

Internships outside the university serve to introduce students to the problems and areas of responsibility of their future professional field. The internship must be related to the content of the business administration and economics degree programme. The focus of the activity must correspond to the (intended) business administration and economics programme and associated professional fields. Further information can be found in the Guideline for the implementation and recognition of student internships in the degree programmes of the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). The Career Center of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) is the central point of contact for all questions relating to internships. Among other things, it supports students in their search for an internship, organising an internship abroad and answering questions about internship contracts.

In the bachelor thesis, students demonstrate that they are able to independently apply scientific methods and write texts in their field of study that meet academic requirements.

The prerequisite for admission to the bachelor thesis is that the student has successfully completed creditable coursework and examinations amounting to at least 75 percent of the total credits required for the successful completion of the degree programme minus the credits for the bachelor thesis. This corresponds to 126 credits.

Please note that the individual professors may have additional requirements for a confirmation of supervision. You can only be supervised by these professors if you fulfil these requirements. Therefore, please check the websites of the individual professors in good time.

If you would like to write a final thesis at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, you must apply for supervision centrally and by the deadline.

Further information:

In keeping with the international orientation of the degree programme, students must complete a semester of at least three months at a foreign university in the second stage of their studies (study abroad).

With a network of over 200 partner universities worldwide, the University actively supports you in planning and organising a study visit to a foreign university. The high level of international student mobility at Viadrina confirms the success of the university's international orientation.

With selected partner universities, there is also the opportunity to acquire one of the coveted double degrees. In general, applying for and planning a double degree requires significantly more effort than a simple semester abroad. In particular, the study planning before and after the stay abroad should be well thought out so as not to lose time unnecessarily on your studies. It is also important to bear in mind that academic calendars may differ (e.g. in the case of Argentina). It is currently possible to obtain a double degree with the following partner universities:

At the beginning of each winter semester, exchange students present themselves and their home university as part of the International Day at the Viadrina. Students at the Viadrina who are interested in a semester abroad can get first-hand information about their university of choice here.

Please note that studying abroad generally requires the completion of the modules of the basic studies.

Studies abroad will only be recognised if at least 12 credits are earned and documented during this study visit. A period of study abroad within the meaning of the study-specific regulations is a stay at a recognised foreign university with the right to award doctorates. The credits to be recognised are generally not to be completed in the student's native language. Proof in the module "Foreign language (CEFR level B2)" is deemed to have been provided if modules totalling at least 18 credits in the foreign language are completed and proven during the study period abroad.

The recognition of coursework and examinations completed at a foreign university is governed by Section 12 of the General Study and Examination Regulations (ASPO). The Viadrina International Affairs department is your central point of contact for the recognition of foreign study and examination achievements at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics. It is not possible to have coursework and examinations recognised directly by the relevant professor without exception! In this context, please note the admission requirements defined by the professors for registering for the final thesis.

In justified exceptional cases, the responsible examination board may exempt students from completing the study abroad programme upon request. Students who do not study abroad must successfully complete the module group "Economics" (SSO 2021) or "European Economics" (SSO 2017) as part of the specialisation (Schwerpunktbildung) and successfully complete modules worth at least 18 credits as part of the specialisation, the language of instruction of which must not be German. Furthermore, these students must complete an international internship of four weeks as part of their degree programme. (cf. § 6 paragraph 9 of the study-specific regulations)

The European University Viadrina maintains cooperation programmes with numerous universities abroad. You are welcome to apply for one of these study places as part of our exchange programmes.

Weighting of grades in the overall grade: The overall grade of the degree is calculated as the average of the modules required for the degree and the final thesis, whereby the average (weighted arithmetic mean) of the grades weighted by credits is formed. Modules that have been graded as "passed" are not taken into account when calculating the overall grade. The overall grade is calculated to the first decimal place after the decimal point; all other places are cancelled without rounding.

Apply & enroll

Further education admissions certificate (A-levels or equivalent)

You need a German university entrance qualification (A level, high-school diploma or equivalent) or a foreign school-leaving qualification (A level, high-school diploma or equivalent) recognized as equivalent. If you have not obtained your degree in Germany, you can check on the online portal anabin whether it can be recognised as equivalent to the German A-levels.


Language skills

English is the predominant teaching and examination language in the first three semesters of the degree programme. English language skills are therefore expected. Applicants must have sufficient knowledge of English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) before starting the degree programme.

Proof of sufficient knowledge of English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is documented, for example, by successfully passing one of the following equivalent tests:

No German language skills are required for admission to the degree programme. For foreign students who have not proven their ability to study in German, German as a foreign language is compulsory in the degree programme.

If you wish to begin your studies in a higher semester, you must have the following knowledge of German:

  • for the 2nd semester = CEFR level A1,
  • for the 3rd semester = CEFR level A2,
  • for the 4th semester = CEFR level B1,
  • from the 5th semester = CEFR level B2.

Proof of German language proficiency must be provided by successfully passing one of the following equivalent tests: Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), Goethe certificate, Telc certificate.


Note on the requirements in mathematics

You don't have to be a maths ace to study business administration and economics. However, mathematical models are used in many areas such as market research, business decision theory and economic theory. Prospective students should therefore have an interest and a certain basic understanding of mathematical problems and preferably be able to

  • to be able to work independently, i.e. to structure given complex problems in such a way that a solution approach and a mathematical model can be found,
  • solve equations with variables in any form,
  • derive functions and
  • solve elementary optimisation problems.

While some universities offer special pre-courses in mathematics before the start of the degree programme, in which the basics of school mathematics are refreshed, at the Viadrina we repeat this content as part of the corresponding mathematics module. The responsible lecturers will provide you with the mathematical knowledge required for your studies within one semester.

The program is open admission.

Enrollment for the 1st semester is only possible for the winter semester.

German students and students with German citizenship should enroll online at viaCampus between June 1 and September 15.

Then send the following documents to the European University Viadrina by September 20:

  • the fully completed and signed application for enrollment (available on viaCampus after completing your online enrollment),
  • an officially certified copy of your university entrance qualification,
  • a proof of health insurance*,
  • a self-addressed and stamped envelope, size DIN A4, for sending the student ID (chip card) and your submitted documents,
  • if applicable, certificates of study from German universities showing the semesters of study and higher education you have completed to date,
  • if applicable, a certificate of exmatriculation from your last German university,
  • a proof of payment of the semester contribution (e.g. printout of the online transaction),
  • a copy of an identification document showing your full last name, first name, date of birth, address and validity date. You have the option to black out all other information. This copy of the ID is used exclusively for identification purposes and protects against identity theft.

If you are a professionally qualified person without a high school diploma, please submit the following documents as your university entrance qualification:

  • an officially certified copy of the secondary school leaving certificate,
  • an officially certified copy of the certificate of the completed vocational training suitable for the intended studies and
  • work certificates proving the required work experience (at least two years).


Notes on student health insurance

Proof of insurance status - either legally insured or exempt from compulsory insurance - is required for enrollment. To do this, contact a statutory health insurance company and have them either insure you (e.g. student) or exempt you so that your insurance status can be reported electronically to the European University. The chip card or a paper certificate will not suffice.

To report your insurance status, health insurance companies may require the Europa University Viadrina sender number: H0001747.

Students,

  • 30 years and older,
  • in continuing education programs,
  • who are enrolling for a doctoral degree,
  • are enrolled in college

do not receive a student rate. They may voluntarily purchase insurance at the regular rate. The electronic health insurance certificate is not required for these students.


All documents to be submitted that are not issued in German or English must also be submitted as a sworn translation in German or English.


 

Instructions for foreigners with a foreign school leaving certificate

Please apply from June 1 to July 15 at uni-assist e.V. Berlin. For more information, please visit:
https://www.europa-uni.de/de/internationales/Students/Incomings/Applying/Bachelor/index.html

 

German and foreign students can register for all higher semesters online at viaCampus ein from June 1 to September 15 (for the winter semester) and from December 1 to March 15 (for the summer semester).

Then send the following documents to the European University Viadrina by September 20 (for the winter semester) or March 20 (for the summer semester):

  • the fully completed and signed application for enrollment (available on viaCampus after completing your online enrollment),
  • an officially certified copy of your university entrance qualification,
  • a notification from the responsible examination board about the recognition of study and examination achievements and classification in a higher semester,
  • a proof of health insurance*,
  • certificates of enrolment from German universities showing the semesters of study you have completed so far,
  • a certificate of exmatriculation from your last German university (not required if you have previously studied in Berlin or Brandenburg or if you have not previously studied in the area covered by the German Basic Law),
  • a self-addressed and sufficiently stamped return envelope, size DIN A4, for sending the student ID (chip card) and your submitted documents,
  • a proof of payment of the semester fee (e.g. printout of the online transaction),
  • a copy of an identification document showing your full surname, first name, date of birth, address and validity date. You have the option to black out all other information. This copy of the identity document is used exclusively for identification purposes and protects against identity theft.


Notes on student health insurance

Proof of insurance status - either legally insured or exempt from compulsory insurance - is required for enrollment. To do this, contact a statutory health insurance company and have them either insure you (e.g. student) or exempt you so that your insurance status can be reported electronically to the European University. The chip card or a paper certificate will not suffice.

To report your insurance status, health insurance companies may require the Europa University Viadrina sender number: H0001747.

Students,

  • 30 years and older,
  • in continuing education programs,
  • who are enrolling for a doctoral degree,
  • are enrolled in college

do not receive a student rate. They may voluntarily purchase insurance at the regular rate. The electronic health insurance certificate is not required for these students.


All documents to be submitted that are not issued in German or English must also be submitted as a sworn translation in German or English.

Contacts & links⠀

Ingo Trenkmann

Student advisor

Office hours

Information on office hours can be found here.