B.A. International Cultural and Business Studies
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) |
|---|---|
| Duration and credits | 6 semesters; 180 ECTS credits |
| Starts in | October (winter semester) |
| Language of instruction | German; includes individual modules taught in two foreign languages |
About the programme
Are you keen to give your studies an international orientation and do business, languages and culture fascinate you? The interdisciplinary B.A. International Cultural and Business Studies programme combines knowledge of economics and business with one or two applied foreign languages and a focus on a cultural region. The University of Passau also offers a master's degree which builds on this bachelor's degree. Both degree programmes have been accredited and carry the Seal of Quality of the Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany.
For details, please consult the Academic Advice Service'sinfosheet [German content].
Features
- A combination of business, economics, cultural studies and languages that is unique in Germany
- Choose from six cultural regions: America and the British Isles; the French-speaking world; the Ibero-Roman cultural region; East-Central Europe; South-East Asia; and the German-speaking world
- Integrated study or internship abroad and a field trip or study project in the chosen cultural region
- Practical orientation due to the compulsory internship and workshops
- Double-degree option in Argentina
Those graduating with a degree in International Cultural and Business Studies enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities in trade and industry, tourism, banks, insurance companies, cultural organisations, public administration and the media industry.
Depending on your individual profile and chosen study focus, you may work in sales, customer relationship management, purchasing, marketing, human resources, public relations, organisational management or coaching/professional development.
This bachelor's degree gives you access to master's-level study, which in turn will qualify you for executive-level positions or doctoral study.
This programme comprises four module areas:
Module Area A: International Cultural and Business Studies Principles
This introductory module group teaches the principles of intercultural communication and management as well as imparting a global understanding of the interrelationships between culture and business. Furthermore, you will acquire basic knowledge in cultural studies theories and methods.
Module Area B: Cultural Area Studies
In the Cultures, Texts and Media focus modules, you will choose one of the six available cultural regions and attend courses in cultural studies, literature or linguistics, or on the history and politics of your chosen cultural region. Furthermore, you choose a further socio-historical subject in the History, Society and Space focus area. You will write your dissertation on a topic chosen from module area B.
Module Area C: Business and Economics
In the Business and Economics module group you will acquire a methodological foundation by studying courses such as mathematics, statistics and business accounting. Building on this, you will specialise either in examination modules from the areas of management (business administration) or economics. If a sufficient number of examiners are available, you may be permitted to write your dissertation on a topic derived from module area C.
Module Area D: Foreign Languages and Applied Interculturality
You will choose one or two of the following foreign languages: Chinese, Czech, Business English, French, German as a foreign language, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Thai. The English language option requires good English language skills; however, no prior knowledge is required for the other languages. Any existing language skills are determined using placement tests and taken into account when you are assigned to the relevant course. For all languages except English, you can choose between the business/economics and cultural studies track.
The practical module, Applied Interculturality, enables you to hone your intercultural skills during a stay abroad and to set individual priorities according to your own priorities.
For further details, please consult the Academic Advice Service's infosheet (German) and the module catalogue (German).
This degree programme starts in the October (winter semester) each year.
With abitur or European qualifications
Prospective students with a higher education entrance qualification from Germany or the EEA region (e.g. German abitur or the Austrian matura) can enrol directly for this degree programme during the enrolment period.
Prospective students with non-EEA qualifications
You will need German language skills at level B2 CEFR or higher to study this degree programme, as that is the main language of instruction for this programme. Therefore, you will have to provide a recognised German language certificate such as DSH-1 or TestDaF 3×4 with your application, unless German was the language of instruction for your secondary school education (e.g. Abitur at a German international school).
The University of Passau has set up a German language teaching unit, German Courses Passau, which offers a selection of preparatory language programmes tailored to the needs of international students. These range from summer courses to a full academic year and cater to learners of all levels.
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