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 |
Culture, business, economics and languages
The interdisciplinary degree programme in B.A. International Cultural and Business Studies programme combines business administration and economics with up to two applied foreign languages and a cultural region of your choice. It is the only one of its kind in Germany. Why study ICBS in Passau?
- Choose from six cultural regions: America and the British Isles; the French-speaking world; the Ibero-Roman cultural region; East and East Central Europe; South-East Asia; and the German-speaking world.
- Twelve foreign languages to choose from: Business English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Czech, Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and German as a Foreign Language.
- Integrated study or internship abroad, excursion or study project in the chosen cultural region.
- Valuable practical experience through a compulsory internship and a compact seminar on intercultural business communication.
- Students have the opportunity to gain a double degree in Argentina.
For details, please consult the Academic Advice Service's infosheet [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. The skills and knowledge you gain during this programme will serve you particularly well in multinational organisations with people from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
This bachelor's degree also gives you access to master's-level study, which in turn will qualify you for executive-level positions or doctoral study. The University of Passau also offers a master's degree that builds on this degree – the M.A. International Cultural and Business Studies.
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
Infosheet on the programme (for students who started the programme on or after winter semester 2020–21).
For details, please consult the Academic Advice Service's infosheet [German content].