Business with international orientation and languages

Operating worldwide

In this degree programme, we combine traditional business administration with an international focus and intensive language training. You will be able to choose one of four regional specialisations within the first two weeks of your semester. Would you like to combine Chinese, French, Spanish or German with English?
As an international student without previous knowledge of German, Germany will automatically be your regional specialisation.

ECTS: 210 ECTS
Programme duration: 7 semesters
Campus: Schwenningen
Faculty: HFU Business School
Programme begins: winter semester (October)
Application deadline: 15 July (winter semester)
Entry requirements: university entrance qualification, English (TOEFL ibt 79, IELTS 6)
Teaching language: English
Accreditation: yes

Global tools We'll prepare you for your international career! You will develop a solid, practical understanding of business issues, models and processes and become a management professional
Open your mind We attach great importance to intercultural communication, teamwork and developing your negotiation skills. The multicultural environment of our degree programme provides the ideal setting for this.
100% in English Teaching takes place entirely in English. Refine your business English! German as a second language or another foreign language of your choice will ensure that you can express yourself well anytime, anywhere.
I'm packing my suitcase... ... and going abroad! Gain international experience during your semester abroad. German-speaking students also spend their internship semester abroad. This is how you make global contacts for your future!

Apply now for IBM!

Details of the programme

100% taught in English - IBM is a forward-looking, practice-oriented degree programme that teaches broad business management skills from a global perspective. We teach you all the theoretical, practical and social skills you need to enter the international business world. In addition to foreign languages, we also attach great importance to teaching you soft skills such as teamwork and planning skills.

60% Business studies
30% Languages
10% Soft skills

Start in Schwenningen

You' be studying for seven semesters at the HFU Business School, before completing your bachelor's degree. You'll spend the first four of these on the Schwenningen Campus. This is where we provide you with the solid fundamental business knowledge you need as a basis. After that, your first international experience awaits you – a semester of study and an internship abroad are an integral part of the IBM degree programme.

Out into the world

Your internship semester comes up in the fifth semester! German-speaking students look for a company abroad where they can apply the theoretical knowledge they've gained during their foundation studies. International students complete their internship semester in Germany. For your sixth semester, you choose one of our partner universities worldwide and study in your dream country for a semester!

On the home straight

You return to HFU Business School in the seventh semester. Now you have more in-depth subjects such as "International Business Strategy" – but this semester is mainly about your thesis. You choose the topic yourself – our students often work on specific tasks from companies, during which they naturally establish very close contacts.

You must have the following language skills to study IBM:

English: approximately 7 years of school English (CEF B2/C1) or TOEFL iBT79 points plus

Language skills in the regional focus you want to choose:
Francophone world: 2 years of school French or equivalent knowledge
Hispanic world: 2 years of school Spanish or equivalent knowledge
China: no previous knowledge necessary

Download file:Selection Procedure Regulations

Tuition fees

The Baden-Württemberg state government introduced tuition fees of €1500 / semester for non-EU students in the 2017/18 winter semester. You can find more information about this at External link opens in a new window:https://career-start-bw.com.
In addition, there are administrative, student union and student services fees totaling €155/semester (from winter semester 2024/2025).

IBM Study and Examination Regulations (SPO):

This study programme is taught 100% in English.
Would you prefer to study bilingually in German/English? Then click here for our Internal link opens in the same window:International Business(IBW) degree programme.

Ready for take-off?

With the know-how and skills we teach you on your way to your bachelor's degree, the doors to the world of work are open to you! During your internship semester and perhaps also during your thesis, you have already had the opportunity to make contacts with companies - this often pays off now.
Whether you are a financial analyst in Zurich, a key account manager in Mexico City, an entrepreneur in Shanghai, a purchasing manager in Toulouse, a controller for sporting goods in Cape Town, or Head of Global CSR in Germany - you have the best chance of landing your dream job anywhere in the world!
Our graduate network also offers exciting contact opportunities. Our successful graduates stay in touch with each other, even after they've completed their degree, whether they are working at home or abroad. HFU Business School graduates are employed by companies such as Microsoft, McKinsey, Siemens, Bosch, IBM, Daimler, Accenture, Swiss Re and BMW, have participated in high potential trainee programs at EADS, Deutsche Telekom, E.ON and Siemens, and have even founded their own successful companies.

A taste of campus life

Business with international orientation and languages (I4635)

Business with international orientation and languages (I4636)

Business with international orientation and languages (I4637)

Business with international orientation and languages (I4638)

HFU Business School

Welcome to the HFU Business School where business is our business! Our degree programmes are designed to prepare you to take on responsibility in companies. At our school you'll meet an unusually large number of international fellow students; transcultural competence is important to us. We prepare you for exciting and future-oriented tasks – and are also happy to send you abroad.

Internal link opens in the same window:Find out more about the HFU Business School

As a university of applied sciences, our mission is not only to provide excellent teaching, but also to generate innovations in the field of research.
Internal link opens in the same window:To the current research projects