International Programmes 2023/2024

International Business and Economics (IBE) International Business and Economics (IBE)

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg • Magdeburg

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

Courses & examinations are held exclusively in English. Students receive English language education at a university level & will be awarded the UniCert 4 German university certificate upon completion.

A foreign language (10 credits: 2 semesters) is included in the study programme. For international students, several levels of German as a Foreign Language (DAF) classes are offered to IBE students. Usually 2 semesters = 1 language level.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
6 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study

The study programme will start on 1 October. Newly enrolled students have to take part in the mandatory introduction week. During this week, students will learn how to organise their class schedules by following the programme structure and e-learning portals. They will also receive important information about the school's class and exam registration rules as well as discover options for networking activities, etc.

Application deadline

International degree holders:
15 July for the following winter semester

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

Students seeking a first academic degree in the field of business and economic studies are welcome.

This programme is taught exclusively in English and provides preparation for career opportunities in the diverse fields of management, such as managerial communication, organisational behaviour, international management, human resource management, banking and finance, and economics.

Students will be introduced to the basics of economics, managerial theories, and business decision-making. To complete the curriculum, students receive English language education for research at an academic level. Additionally, German as a foreign language is included in the programme for international students. Classes are very diverse, with roughly 80 students coming from Germany and approx. 40 other countries around the world.

This Bachelor's programme prepares graduates for managerial and entrepreneurial occupations within foreign or multinational companies, consultancy firms, banks and financial institutions, and international non-profit organisations. Additionally, graduates will be equipped to continue their academic careers in an economics and management Master's programme.

IBE Details, Module Descriptions

Current information

The IBE programme is an in-person study programme. It is required to be present on-campus starting with the first semester. Enrolment has to be done electronically. Students should aim to arrive no later than 1 October to take part in language classes. Attendance in language classes is strictly enforced. It is not advisable to postpone modules to a later semester.

Course organisation

The International Business and Economics programme consists of a sequence of required courses of economic and managerial nature and is theoretical and mathematically oriented.

The programme comprises two parts: compulsory modules and compulsory elective modules. Compulsory studies start from the first semester and go through the fourth semester. Modules offered: Micro- and Macroeconomics, Principles of Management, Financial Accounting, Statistics, Mathematical Methods, Marketing Performance Management, Financial Management, Game Theory, International Economics, Economic Policy, Introduction to Econometrics, Principles of International Management, Business Decision Analysis, English at an academic level, a second foreign language, and German (DAF) for international students.

Students will specialise during their fifth and sixth semesters by choosing compulsory elective courses in international business or in international economics, including a project seminar. These compulsory electives can also be taken at a cooperating partner institution abroad. Credits earned during the study abroad period will be recognised, and a study abroad advisory service will be offered.

A written Bachelor's thesis and a corresponding seminar that includes a presentation will round off the undergraduate study programme.

Students should expect a weekly workload of approx. 20 hours of classroom studies and at least 20 hours of independent self-study. Forms of classroom instruction include lectures, tutorials, and seminars.

To assist students during the study programme, the faculty provides academic advisory services.

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A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Language training provided
  • Training in intercultural skills
  • International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
  • Content-related regional focus
  • Specialist literature in other languages
Integrated internships

There are no compulsory internship requirements. However, students are encouraged to complete a voluntary internship during the course of their studies. The faculty believes it is valuable to gain professional experience within German and international workplaces. Internships must be organised independently. Furthermore, the AIESEC and ERASMUS programmes and the University Career Service Centre provide opportunities and assistance to both German and international students.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
Yes
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
Yes
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

Currently, the semester fee is 155.20 EUR. It covers services offered by the "Studentenwerk" (student union) and the student representatives. Enrolled students receive a semester ticket for free use of public transport, student discounts in the campus cafeteria, etc.

Costs of living

A minimum of 861 EUR per month must be budgeted for accommodation, cost of living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses. In comparison with many other towns and cities, the rental prices in Magdeburg are still relatively low. There are no tuition fees for the majority of programmes, and the semester fee already includes the cost of bus and tram travel within Magdeburg. The following link provides a fair picture of the cost of living in Magdeburg: Finance.

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements

Applicants must provide a university entrance qualification that is recognised in Germany. Additionally, the programme requires fluent English skills (spoken, listening, writing) proven with a recognised valid test with a required minimum level.

IBE Requirements and Details

Language requirements

Proof of advanced English skills (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge) is required. A detailed, updated list of recognised test options and minimum scores is available on the programme's website (IBE's checklist).

German skills are not required for this study programme but are important for getting around in Germany and employment in Germany. Applicants are advised to study German at an A1 or A2 level before their arrival in Germany. Language studies in the programme can progress to the DSH examination, which enables students to be eligible to qualify for application to a Master's study programme conducted in German.

Application deadline

International degree holders:
15 July for the following winter semester

Submit application to

www.uni-assist.de

Possibility of finding part-time employment

It is possible to find a part-time job as a research or student assistant at one of the faculties or in the university administration (maximum: 80 hours per month). Other opportunities are student jobs at different companies, restaurants, and shops. Information on how to find a job can be found on our website: Career Service.

Accommodation

The "Studentenwerk" (student union) in Magdeburg manages the on-campus halls of residence (mostly one- to four-room apartments). Currently, the monthly rent ranges from 200 to 370 EUR per room (approx. 12 to 35 square meters), depending on the size and furnishing. Rooms in the halls of residence are limited in number. The accommodation application can be found on the website of the Studentenwerk.
The Studentenwerk assists all new students in finding adequate accommodation, either on or off campus. Private accommodation is available on the Magdeburg accommodation market. However, fully furnished units are in somewhat short supply.

Career advisory service

Our Career Service Centre provides on-campus workshops as well as job and internship search assistance for students.

A yearly job fair that is exclusively for students is offered.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme
  • Specialist counselling
  • Cultural and linguistic preparation
  • Tutors
  • Accompanying programme
  • Visa matters
  • Help with finding accommodation
  • Support with registration procedures
General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

Our school provides a buddy programme (SIMP-SON), a website, and a student advisory service office (ISP Office) exclusively for students enrolled in study programmes conducted in English. A year-round integration programme is part of the mentoring and includes intercultural workshops, weekly counselling hours, English-guided tours and trips, and networking events with fellow students. To participate in the mentoring programme, students need to apply ahead of time to be paired with a student in a more advanced semester. SIMP-SON

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

Content Bild
The School of Economics and Management at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg © Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) was founded in 1993 and is one of Germany's youngest universities. It was formed by a merger of the existing technical university, the teacher training college, and the medical school. The university now comprises nine faculties and about 14,000 students and is becoming increasingly more important as a centre for education and research. It plays an important role in the regional capital of Magdeburg, which is developing into a centre for business, scholarship, and culture. The university is a member of many organisations and committees. It is named after Otto von Guericke (1602-1686), Magdeburg's famous citizen, whose pioneering research into the vacuum brought him renown well beyond Germany's borders. The university aspires to teach and research in the tradition of this great scientist, philosopher, and engineer and to continue with his humanist work.

At the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, students can choose from more than 90 degree courses in various areas of study and specialisation. In addition to these, a range of postgraduate courses are offered. There are also many possibilities to combine different subjects across faculties. The conditions for students are ideal, with modern laboratories, experimental workshops, and clinics equipped with high-performance computers and an excellent staff-student ratio. The offer of a sound, thorough education, combining a high level of theoretical expertise with practical experience, makes Magdeburg an attractive choice.

In recent years, research at the university has gone through a decisive change, from applied research to innovative, fundamental research. Among the many areas represented, the neurosciences, immunology, non-linear systems, new materials, processes and products, computational visualistics, social transformation, communication, and culture deserve a special mention. The university hopes to make a significant contribution to economic and social development in Magdeburg and the surrounding area through its research. Equally, disciplines such as humanities, economics, and management, which have been established more recently at the university, have already made their mark on our research profile. Special emphasis is placed on close cooperation between teaching staff and students.

Magdeburg also attracts students because it offers accommodation with either a single bed or twin beds in its halls of residence.

Take a virtual trip through our international campus!

40% Internationals enrolled at the School of Economics and Management
35 Countries that are home to our IBE internationals

University location

As the capital of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg is the seat of the state parliament and administration. The town is more than 1,200 years old and has about 234,000 inhabitants. Its excellent location on the River Elbe and its proximity to Berlin, Hanover, and Leipzig have proven to be a significant asset to the city. In the 19th century, the town developed into an important industrial and trade centre. Nowadays, another quite distinctive feature of Magdeburg is its considerable research and innovation potential at the university, the Max Planck and Fraunhofer research institutes, and the university of applied sciences, which are all located in close proximity to each other. Magdeburg offers an extensive park and garden landscape, a rich cultural and sports life, and an ideal atmosphere for being a student. Please visit the website: www.magdeburg.de.

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