Business – International Business Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University

Courses are held in English. Additionally, there are opportunities to participate in curricular and extracurricular German language courses.

The programme enables students to gain basic knowledge in the fields of economics, business administration and intercultural management with a focus on relevant international dimensions. The programme is distinctive in its integration of practical business skills with global concerns and cultural awareness, thus equipping students well for their future careers in any modern company or organisation. The course content can be clustered into four fields of study:

1. Economics & Law (Accounting, Marketing, Sales, Controlling, Finance, Business Law, etc.)
2. International Business (Marketing, Strategic Management, Production and Logistics, etc.)
3. Intercultural Management (e.g. Cultural Intelligence, Leadership, Teamwork, Communication, Negotiations, Country Profiles, etc.)
4. International elective courses in the subfields mentioned above

The programme follows a practice-integrated dual study format. Each semester consists of one academic (theoretical) phase at the university and one practical phase at a partner company, which alternate on a regular, quarterly basis. A defining feature of the dual study programme is the contractual employment of students by a partner company for the entire duration of the programme. This ensures the systematic integration of academic studies and professional practice. For international students, the programme offers a structured pathway combining higher education with regular employment in Germany.

During the phases in the partner company, students rotate between different departments and are given the opportunity to experience the practical application of the theory learnt in the theoretical phases on campus. This combination of an internationally-oriented business education coupled with the application-oriented phases with the dual partner defines the unbeatable uniqueness of this programme!

Graduates are employed in various functional areas of work, usually with an international component and very likely in the company in which they received their training (takeover rate: 80%), or in one of the hundreds of small and medium‑sized companies that form the backbone of the Black Forest region as a thriving economic system in which deep expertise, spirit of innovation, artisanal precision and high-technology traditionally come together. Students can look forward to interesting projects, high quality teaching, close mentoring and early management responsibility combined with a monthly payment adequate for rent and living expenses!

The programme starts 1 October.

Application is always possible, but please apply as early as possible to ensure that all the paperwork (especially your visa) will be completed in time! Usually, this takes up to half a year, which means that you should apply by the end of April at the latest for the following winter semester (which starts 1 October).

According to federal law, universities in Baden-Wuerttemberg are required to charge tuition fees of 1,500 EUR per semester for international students who are non-EU-residents.

International students with a German university entrance qualification are not required to pay these fees.

There might be some exemptions: more information.

The programme is divided into quarterly alternating theoretical and practical phases. During the theoretical phases, you will be on campus for three months, attending lectures and taking exams. You will then enter a three-month practical phase with your dual partner, during which you will work in different departments. The theoretical phases are organised in different modules consisting of teaching and learning units that are either compulsory or elective components of your schedule. Core modules ensure a sound basic education, while elective modules offer the possibility to choose units according to your own interests. There might also be the opportunity to carry out a theoretical semester abroad.

For detailed information about the contents, workloads, forms of teaching and examination, please check the website ("Modules by semester") and/or the module handbook of the programme.

General focus on international dimensions, global concerns and cultural awareness in most of the modules of the curriculum

Yes, but not specified

According to federal law, universities in Baden-Wuerttemberg are required to charge tuition fees of 1,500 EUR per semester for international students who are non-EU-residents.

International students with a German university entrance qualification are not required to pay these fees.

There might be some exemptions: more information.

127.50 EUR (80 EUR administrative fee + 37.50 EUR student services fee + 10 EUR student union fee)
The semester contribution is subject to change and can differ from one year to another.

Approx. 900 to 1,000 EUR

Admission will be open to all without any discrimination on the basis of race, caste, creed, national origin or gender, provided the applicant fulfils the entrance requirements of the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW).

International degree seeking students with a non-German university entrance qualification need either

• their academic credentials checked for equivalency through DHBW
• complete one successful year in their home country
• complete a preparatory course (Studienkolleg)
• take an entrance examination

This entrance examination consists of a written test through TestAS (180-250 min., minimum score to pass: 100 of 200 points in each of the two modules) and an oral examination in the form of a (remote) personal interview with two examiners from the university (30 min, minimum score: 100 of 200 points).

Further clarification: If you do not have or cannot provide an university entrance qualification or if your academic credentials are rated as non-equivalent to such qualification, you can still be accepted by passing the entrance examination!International degree seeking students with a German university entrance qualification (“Abitur” or “Fachhochschulreife”) are admitted under the same conditions as German nationals.

Important: Enrolment at the university is only possible after a contract with a partner company („dual partner“) of the university has been signed. This means that your application documents will be forwarded to our partner companies. If a dual partner is interested in your application, they will contact you and invite you to an (online) job interview.

During the interview, they will typically want to get to know you as a potential employee. For a detailed description of the application process including the documents you need to prepare and send, see our website.

A work permit or work visa is not required for the enrolment, as the practical phase at the partner company is an integral part of the dual study programme.

A good command of English is mandatory, which means at least B2/C1 level according to the CEFR.

If the official language or one of the official languages of your country of origin is English, no language certificate will be necessary.

If your completed high school education took place in English, no language certificate will be necessary.

If you already completed a first degree studies in English, no language certificate will be necessary.

If none of the above applies to you, you need a language certificate. We accept the following English proficiency tests and scores:

• TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 84 (new score: 4.5)
• IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5
• PTE with a minimum score of 63
• Cambridge English with a minimum score of 170

Proficiency in German is not mandatory, but it will increase your opportunities to find a partner company. You should at least be willing to learn German, as this will give you an advantage in terms of being integrated into society as well as the work environment.

Application is always possible, but please apply as early as possible to ensure that all the paperwork (especially your visa) will be completed in time! Usually, this takes up to half a year, which means that you should apply by the end of April at the latest for the following winter semester (which starts 1 October).

No

As this is a practice-integrated dual study programme, you will be employed by one of our partner companies ("dual partner") and get a monthly payment of approx. 1,000 to 1,400 EUR.

Advantages of the dual study programme for international students:

• contractual employment with a partner company including a monthly salary throughout the study period
• no requirement for a blocked account due to regular income from employment
• high retention and employment rates with partner companies after graduation
• personal integration supported by small study groups and a high level of academic training and administrative support

For more information about this type of study, see https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/universities/dual-studies/.