International Business Studies (BSc) FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

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.

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.

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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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No tuition fees

FAU does not charge tuition fees. However, each semester students must pay semester fees consisting of student services fees (72 EUR). The fee is subject to minor changes every year.

General guidelines on the average costs that can be expected are provided by the results of the social survey undertaken by the German National Association for Student Affairs in 2021:

According to this study, students who no longer live with their parents should have an average amount of 1,106 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details on average expenditure:

• Rent, including ancillary costs (in Erlangen, Nuremberg and surrounding areas): 410 EUR
• Food: 198 EUR
• Clothing: 46 EUR
• Travel costs (public transport and/or car): 89 EUR
• Study materials (depending on subject): 31 EUR
• Health insurance, doctors, medicine: 100 EUR
• Telecommunications: 31 EUR
• Leisure, culture, sports: 65 EUR

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

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.

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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

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.

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.

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 40,996 students and 276 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines – from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently go beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

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.

FAU is based in three cities – Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.

"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.

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.