Master of Science in International Business Administration
Teaching language
English
Languages
The "Data Science & Decision Support (DSDS)" and "General Management" tracks can be studied completely in English. Courses in the M&M, FACT, and FINE tracks will be held 50% in English and 50% in German, depending on the chosen courses. The Master's thesis can be written in English. In case of our double degree options, you will take courses in French or Spanish, too.
Full-time / part-time
full-time
part-time (study alongside work)
Mode of study
Less than 50% online
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter and summer semester
Application deadline
Application period for international students via uni-assist:
1 May to 30 May for the winter semester (semester start in October)
1 November to 30 November for the summer semester (semester start in April)
Application period for non-international students via Viacampus:
1 June to 15 September for the winter semester (semester start in October)
1 December to 15 March for the summer semester (semester start in April)
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
Yes
Description/content
In this programme, students can generally choose from a wide variety of courses according to their interests. Depending on the lecturers and the subject, courses are held in German, English or French.
The Master's programme has a modular structure, allowing for alternative ways of designing your individual study schedule. Depending on your personal academic interests, you can choose a field of specialisation ("track") as well as interdisciplinary support classes in Cultural Sciences and Law.
In contrast to the remaining tracks, the "Data Science & Decision Support (DSDS)" and "General Management" programmes are entirely held in English.
An integrated exchange semester at one of our 200 international partner universities is an essential part of the international dimension of our Master's programme. This usually takes place during the second or third semester.
Because of the excellent language education and the global diversity of students and staff as well as the extensive international partner university network, IBA is one of the most international study programmes available. The study programme has been accredited by the AQUIN for its high standard of education and received the Seal of Excellence from the DAAD and the Erasmus programme.
For more information, see: http://study.europa-uni.de/en/wiwi/master/programme/iba/warum-iba/index.html
Course organisation
The IBA Master's degree can be completed in four alternative tracks: FACT, FINE, DSDS and M&M. For those who do not want to specialise in any of these fields, the cross-sectional Master's programme (General Management) offers an alternative.
FACT
The FACT track is aimed at students pursuing management positions at consulting firms (auditing, tax and business consultancy), finance-oriented and capital market-oriented companies (investment banks, research departments, risk management departments of banks and stock markets), or corporation controlling. The studies are arranged around companies with an international orientation that are focused on Central and Eastern Europe.
FINE
Because of European integration and the process of globalisation, interdependencies between national economies (especially between the EU member states) have starkly increased. The FINE track generates a holistic understanding of the common market, international trade, and international financial markets as well as an understanding of European and international economic policies – especially monetary policy. Special emphasis will be put on the question of European integration, the European and international environment and energy politics, the international taxation competition, and the competition of social systems and their coordination within the EU.
M&M
The M&M track teaches the latest state of the theoretical discussion in the fields of management and marketing. It provides the participants with the necessary orientation that they will need in order to actively take part in shaping the changes evoked by the globalisation of markets. The target group of the M&M track are students who are interested in working for international companies and organisations – especially in Central and Eastern European markets.
DSDS
Our Vision: Learning from data and drawing the right conclusions
We live in a highly connected world, and data has become a key success factor in many businesses over the past decade. In addition, there is a growing number of companies pursuing a data-driven business model. Even the traditional manufacturing industry relies heavily on internal and external data to organise smooth processes and develop smart services and products. Data is important for managing businesses at all levels and creating value for customers. However, humans are unable to oversee the vast amounts of data available, and it is becoming increasingly impossible to draw conclusions without the help of powerful tools. "Learning from data" means applying or even developing methods of statistics, artificial intelligence, and optimisation. "Drawing the right conclusions" means finding the best decision model and eventually an optimal solution.
An essential part oft the international dimension of our Master's programme is a mandatory, integrated exchange semester at one of our international partner universities. This usually takes place during the second or third semester.
With a network of over 245 partner universities the world over, Viadrina actively supports you during the planning and organisational phases for your semester abroad. The high degree of international student mobility at Viadrina confirms the success of the international orientation of the university. The opportunity to acquire a sought-after double degree is possible with a select group of partner universities.
At the beginning of each winter semester, our international students present their home universities to give the German Viadrina students a first impression of the possibilities to choose from when going abroad themselves.
According to the International Student Barometer (ISB) ranking, the European University Viadrina is ranked first in Germany and sixth in Europe. The International Student Barometer, which is conducted by i-graduate, is the world's largest study of international mobile students.
Course-specific, integrated German language courses
Yes
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Pace of course
Mixed (e.g. fixed exam dates and duration, study content can be studied at any time)
Phase(s) of attendance in Germany (applies to the entire programme)
Yes, compulsory
Types of online learning elements
Blogs
Chats (with lecturers and other students)
Flipped Classroom
Online sessions
Online study material provided by institution
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution
Thanks to the publicly financed German university system, no tuition fees are charged. Therefore, you have the unique chance to receive high-quality education free of charge! However, some language courses might require a small financial contribution. An administrative fee of about 300 EUR per semester has to be paid. (This includes a contribution to the student union and a ticket for free public transport within the federal states of Brandenburg and Berlin for the whole semester.)
Costs of living
Student life in Frankfurt (Oder) is less expensive than in most other German university towns. In order to be able to live here with all the expenditures you can expect (health insurance, rent, etc.), you will need about 500-600 EUR per month. A dorm room here costs about 180 EUR per month, a meal in the student cafeteria costs about 3 EUR and a large beer in a pub costs 3 EUR.
Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university
The European University Viadrina has developed special financial support programmes for international students. Recipients receive approx. 150 EUR and do not need to pay part of the administration fees. http://www.europa-uni.de/en/studium/finanzierung/
Academic admission requirements
Application for admission to the Master of International Business Administration requires a successfully completed Bachelor's degree in the fields of business administration and/or economics. Please note that the programme is a consecutive Master of Science programme and not an non-consecutive MBA.
Besides a Bachelor's degree in the fields of business administration and/or economics, admission into the Master's programme generally requires a minimum of 30 ECTS credits in mathematics, statistics, business informatics, microeconomics or macroeconomics.
All applicants are required to submit the following form, provided by the Approval Committee, for proof of the required academic achievements with their application.
certified photocopy of the graduation certificate including transcript of records
translation of the graduation certificate
a functioning e-mail address (important)
proof of language skills / C1 level (see language requirements)
a (certified) copy of your passport, which clearly shows your name, date of birth and place of birth
English
A certificate of sufficient knowledge of the English language on the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is needed as an admission prerequisite, which can be done by providing proof of having successfully passed one of the following equivalent exams:
Except for the above-mentioned tests and certificates, we do not accept any other language certificate. Please arrange for the language certificate to be sent directly from the test institute to the admissions office. Copies – notarised or not – will not be accepted. The language certificate may not be older than three years.
German
Foreign students who have gained permission to enter a university in a language other than German need to prove their knowledge of the German language by taking the DSH 2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber) or an equivalent test (e.g., TestDaF with level 4 in all components). Students who already took the DSH but did not obtain the necessary level are allowed to improve their skills and re-take the DSH exam by the end of their first semester at the European University Viadrina. The Language Centre of the European University Viadrina offers adequate German courses and provides further concrete information: http://www.sz.euv-frankfurt-o.de/de/lektorate/deutsch/
Alternatively, students can be exempted from proof of German proficiency if they decide on the functionally-oriented study programme "Information and Operations Management (IOM)" or the "General Management" study option.
Technical equipment and programmes
Moodle
viacampus
eduroam
Zoom
Application deadline
Application period for international students via uni-assist:
1 May to 30 May for the winter semester (semester start in October)
1 November to 30 November for the summer semester (semester start in April)
Application period for non-international students via Viacampus:
1 June to 15 September for the winter semester (semester start in October)
1 December to 15 March for the summer semester (semester start in April)
At present, it is quite possible to find an acceptable and well-paid job in Berlin, which can be reached within one hour. Thanks to the semester ticket, the trip to Berlin and public transport within Berlin is free of charge for students at the European University Viadrina. Most of the big players in the consulting business such as KPMG, PwC, Ernst & Young, BCG and McKinsey as well as DAX companies such as Daimler, BMW and Siemens are represented in Berlin. Recently, the German capital was also recognised as one of the world's most important cities for start-up and Internet businesses such as eBay, Groupon, PayPal, and Zalando.
Accommodation
The European University offers very good and affordable student accommodation. Prices for a single bedroom in a three-room apartment start at approx. 160 EUR. Prices for a single apartment on campus start at approx. 215 EUR. All prices include a broadband Internet connection, electricity and warm water. Student residences are furnished. Each tenant has access to a well equipped common kitchen. Lockable refrigerators, washing machines and dryers are provided by the student service as well.
For information about the student residences in Frankfurt (Oder), please follow this link: http://www.studentenwerk-frankfurt.de/2011/lang_en/StandortFrankfurt/Downloads.StandortFrankfurt/ff_wohnanlagen_flyer_en.pdf.
For information about the Polish student residences in Slubice, please follow this link: http://dsslubice.amu.edu.pl/index_en.html.
Support for international students and doctoral candidates
Welcome event
Tutors
Accompanying programme
Cultural and linguistic preparation
Pick-up service
Buddy programme
Visa matters
European University Viadrina
The European University Viadrina lies on the River Oder, near to neighbouring Poland. This location has been instrumental in developing a close German-Polish connection; Viadrina is transforming itself into a German-Polish, European university.
Since its re-establishment in the year 1991, the European University Viadrina has adhered to a policy of bringing young people together from every corner of the world. This has proven to be successful: Viadrina has grown to become a lively, highly regarded member of the community of German and European universities.
Please follow this link for some impressions of the university's surroundings and further information: http://www.europa-uni.de/en/ueber_uns/multimedia/.
The European University Viadrina emphasises its international character in its cooperation with approx. 240 universities worldwide. The Business Faculty is in close contact with more than 140 cooperating business schools and universities around the world. According to the latest ranking by the German Centre for Higher Education (CHE), the European University Viadrina ranks among the top universities in the areas of study conditions, student support and support for international study units. The European University Viadrina is one of very few universities which can achieve this without having to charge study fees.
See the full ranking at: https://study.europa-uni.de/en/studieren/deine-uni/CHE-Ranking/index.html.
In order to support Viadrina students abroad, the Department of International Affairs at the European University Viadrina works together with the DAAD (the German Academic Exchange Service) and the Erasmus programme, thereby providing the best possible international experience for its students. Information on the Viadrina partner universities can be found at: https://www.europa-uni.de/en/internationales/Students/Outgoings/Exchange-studies/Partneruniversitaeten/index.html.
According to the International Student Barometer (ISB) ranking, the European University Viadrina is ranked first in Germany and sixth in Europe. The International Student Barometer ranking is conducted by i-graduate and is the world's largest study of international mobile students.
Frankfurt (Oder) lies in the heart of Europe on the River Oder and directly on the border with Poland, about one hour away from the German capital, Berlin. Frankfurt (Oder) has approx. 62,000 residents. The famous poet Heinrich von Kleist was born in Frankfurt (Oder) in 1777 and was a student at the town's university. The town is very proud of its famous son and has dedicated numerous buildings and parks to him (e.g., Kleist Museum, Kleist Forum and Kleistpark).
Take a walk along the River Oder and enjoy the view across the river to Poland. Just behind the university facilities lies Ziegenwerder island, with its lovely pathways. Leave the island and walk towards the city bridge that connects the two countries. This is an important border crossing. If you wish, you can cross the bridge and visit the Polish town of Slubice. Next to the border is the Collegium Polonicum, a joint study and research centre attached to the Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan/Poland and to the European University Viadrina.
The surrounding area of Frankfurt (Oder) is also worth a visit. Most popular with locals and students is nearby Lake Helenesee. Other interesting destinations include the Lebuse region and the Oder River's marsh to the north, the well-known spa Bad Saarow, Lake Scharmützel to the west, and the former Neuzelle monastery to the south.
Here you will find some pictures of Frankfurt (Oder) and the university buildings: http://www.europa-uni.de/en/ueber_uns/multimedia/fotogalerie/.
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