Bachelor’s Degree Study

International Studies in Management

Eine Studentin sitzt am Tisch in einem Seminarraum

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Study model: full-time study
Cost: semester contribution
Admission restricted: yes (1st–6th semester)
Duration of study: 6 semesters
Start of study: winter semester
Study location: Bielefeld
Faculty: Bielefeld School of Business
Application period: 1 June–15 July

Admission requirements

Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or an equivalent school leaving certificate or educational background that qualifies you for higher education. Foreign-language requirements:

  • At least five school years of English and French/Spanish
  • Or at least three school years of French and at least three school years of English
  • Or at least two school years of Spanish and at least three school years of English

As a rule, proof of your language skills can be provided by the school leaving certificate.
All options for admission (with Abitur/Fachabitur, with foreign certificates, with professional qualification, change of study programme/university etc.) can be found under “Application” (green button).
Please note: Our applications page and the information on preparatory courses and start of studies are available in German only. If you plan to apply with a school leaving certificate issued abroad, please visit our information page for international degree-seeking students.

Study objectives

The bachelor’s degree study International Studies in Management (ISM) will prepare you for a career with a strong international character. You will acquire business expertise that is geared to the international market. The practical orientation of this study programme will enable you to apply scientific methods to specific problems. At the same time, you will acquire skills in teamwork, communication, project management and presentation. Studying in small learning groups is an essential feature of this study programme. We put special emphasis on individual profile development and will support your studies individually. You will be guided and advised by an ISM team consisting of the study programme’s director and lecturers.

Course of study

The first two semesters will be completed at HSBI. During this time, you will study the principles of business administration as well as English and French or Spanish. Additional language courses can be taken externally. In the third and fourth semesters, a year abroad at a foreign university (preferably a partner university of HSBI) will ensue, which you must complete at one stretch. In principle, studies at our partner universities are free of charge. Courses are coordinated with the partner universities and integrated into the study programme. In the fifth semester, you will return to HSBI. In the sixth semester, you will complete a three-month practical project. This should be done abroad again or have an international focus. After that, you will write your thesis. In the first semester, lectures will be held in German. From the beginning of the second semester, courses at HSBI will be taught in English.

Study content

1st semester

  • Principles of Business Administration
  • Mathematics for Economists
  • External Accounting
  • Principles of Business Information Systems
  • Compulsory Elective Module: 1st Language

2nd semester

  • Managerial Finance
  • Economics
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Managerial Statistics
  • Compulsory Elective Module: 1st Language

3rd + 4th semester

  • Two semesters abroad at a partner university

5th semester

  • International Taxation
  • International Human Resource Management and International Business Law
  • International Marketing
  • International Finance
  • Compulsory Elective Module: 2nd Language

6th semester

  • Internship
  • Bachelor Thesis
Professional fields

Graduates of the bachelor’s degree study are trained to fulfil demanding management and specialist tasks in internationally operating companies and organisations. They bring motivation, international experience and strong communicative skills. Graduates will work in sales, marketing, finance and accounting, controlling, organisation and data processing, human resources, in the social and educational sector, in auditing and tax consultancy.

Partner universities

Bielefeld School of Business has numerous partnerships with other universities worldwide. A current overview of the partner universities can be found here. (link to German page)

Double-degree option

Currently, three universities partner with us in a double-degree programme. We have special relationships with these universities both in the academic and research fields, which we see as strategic partnerships:

  • Université Paris Est-Créteil/France (in French)
  • University of Cagliari/Italy (in English)
  • Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague/Czech Republic (in English)