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Business Administration

Bachelor

Passionate about business and commercial planning? Want to launch a successful international career? Then enrol now to the Bachelor of Business Administration study programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences. 

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Earn a degree that will elevate your international career prospects. Build a global network with students from over 140 countries around the world. 

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Overview

Start your online Bachelor in Business Administration

Megatrends such as globalisation, digitalisation, and cultural and social change have a lasting impact on companies. These changes require experts with great business administration expertise who understand how general business and companies work. Our online Bachelor programme in Business Administration offers a wide range of specialisation opportunities, so you can develop exactly the rights skills for succeeding in your dream career. 

You'll acquire fundamental knowledge in the management and finance-oriented business administration courses. Afterwards, you can pick the electives of your choice that suit your interests. Your comprehensive knowledge will open up new job opportunities in many industries and companies around the world – so there’s nothing standing in the way of your international career.

Start your Bachelor‘s in Business Administration on-campus programme

Megatrends such as globalisation, digitalisation, and cultural and social change have a lasting impact on companies.  

These changes require experts with great business administration expertise who understand how general business and companies work.  

Our Bachelor‘s programme in Business Administration offers a wide range of specialisation opportunities, so you can develop exactly the rights skills for succeeding in your dream career.  

You'll acquire fundamental knowledge in the management and finance-oriented business administration courses.  

Afterwards, you can pick the electives of your choice that suit your interests. Your comprehensive knowledge will open up new job opportunities in many industries and companies around the world – so there’s nothing standing in the way of your international career. 

This study programme is completely taught in English!

Your degree summed up

All the facts and figures about your study programme at a glance
Study model
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
180 ECTS
Language: English
Dual degree: Available
Study duration
36 - 72 months (depending on time model)
Start online studies: any time
Tuition fees
Starting from € 219 (US$ 235)* per month

*based on the exchange rate from 01.06.2023 09:05 AM (CEST)
Accreditation
180 ECTS - English
Accredited in line with German and European standards
ZFU 1114120c
Past education recognised
Save time and earn your degree faster by having your previous achievements/experience recognised
Study model
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
180 ECTS
Language: English
Dual degree: Available
Study duration
36 months
Tuition fees
Starting from € 348 (US$ 374)* per month

*based on the exchange rate from 01.06.2023 09:05 AM (CEST)
Accreditation
180 ECTS - English
Accredited in line with German and European standards
ZFU 1114120c
Past education recognised
Save time and earn your degree faster by having your previous achievements/experience recognised

Want to study this programme on campus?

You're currently looking at the Online Studies version of this programme. But don't worry, it's also available for On Campus Studies. Just reach out to our study advisors for more information on how to get started.

100 % flexible

You decide where and when you want to study

Versatile & Innovative

Your digital learning journey with personal support!

Top-Level Education

First-class study programmes with a recommendation rate of 96 %

German quality promise

All programmes are state accredited and recognized internationally. That's why 100,000 students have put their trust in IU.

Kickstart your career in Europe

Benefit from 18-month post study job seeker’s visa as an on-campus student and begin your career in Germany right

100% Flexibility

With IU you choose what, how and where you study. And depending on your preferred study format you can even start your first step towards your new career right away.

94% Job success

Our practice-oriented study programmes prepare you for your future career. This is why 94% of IU graduates find a job within 3 months after graduation.


Study contents

Online course overview

The online Bachelor programme in Business Administration at IU offers you the perfect mix of theory and practice. It addresses current economic trends with an international focus. You'll have the opportunity to specialise and to work on your soft skills during fascinating courses such as Collaborative Work or Intercultural and Ethical Decision-Making. 

During your Bachelor studies in Business Administration, you can pick the electives that allow you to focus on the industry-specific subjects of your choice. Additionally, you have the chance to develop your technical IT skills or even learn a foreign language. The study programme is taught in English to prepare you for an exciting international career.

The order of courses presented below is for the online studies model of this programme.

Course overview

The on-campus Bachelor‘s programme in Business Administration at IU offers you the perfect mix of theory and practice. It addresses current economic trends with an international focus.  

You'll have the opportunity to specialise and to work on your soft skills during fascinating courses such as Collaborative Work or Intercultural and Ethical Decision-Making.  

During your Bachelor studies in Business Administration, you can pick the electives that allow you to focus on the industry-specific subjects of your choice. 

 Additionally, you have the chance to develop your technical IT skills or even learn a foreign language. The study programme is taught in English to prepare you for an exciting international career. 

Semester 1

Module

ECTS

Academic Integrity and Writing for Business

5

Business 101

5

Managerial Economics

5

Introduction to Academic Work

5

Principles of Management

5

Global Corporations and Globalization

5

Semester 2

Module

ECTS

Business Mathematics

5

Organizational Behavior

5

Management Accounting

5

Supply Chain Management I 

5

International Marketing 

5

Statistics - Probability and Descriptive Statistics

5

Semester 3

Module

ECTS

Corporate Finance and Investment

5

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

5

International HR Management

5

Service Operations Management

5

Collaborative Work

5

Intercultural and Ethical Decision-Making

5

Semester 4

Module

ECTS

Digital Business Models

5

Sustainability

5

International Accounting

5

Research Methods

5

Corporate Governance and Strategy

5

Leadership 4.0

5

Semester 5

Module

ECTS

International Brand Management

5

Seminar: Current Issues in International Management

5

Supply Chain Management II

5

Agile Project Management

5

Electives A

10

Semester 6

Module

ECTS

Electives B

10

Electives C

10

Bachelor Thesis

10

Electives overview

Elective A

In your 5th semester, you'll need to choose an elective module, which you can choose from one of the following modules:

Module

ECTS

Managing People and Fundamentals of Business Psychology

10

Applied Sales

10

Online and Social Media Marketing

10

Business Intelligence

10

FinTech

10

Derivatives and Risk Management

10

International Finance

10

Agile Management and Global Sourcing

10

Personnel Psychology and Corporate Communication

10

Intrapreneurship

10

Elective B

In your 6th semester, you'll need to choose an elective module, which you can choose from one of the following modules:

Module

ECTS

Smart Factory

10

Introduction to Data Science and Programming with Python

10

IT Service Management

10

Fundamentals of Operations Research

10

Salesforce Platform Management

10

Salesforce Platform Development

10

Elective C

In your 6th semester, you'll need to choose an elective module, which you can choose from one of the following modules:

Module

ECTS

Managing People and Fundamentals of Business Psychology

10

Applied Sales

10

Salesforce Platform Management

10

Salesforce Platform Development

10

Business Intelligence

10

Online and Social Media Marketing

10

Fundamentals of Operations Research

10

Smart Factory

10

Introduction to Data Science and Programming with Python

10

IT Service Management

10

Foreign Language

10

Accounting and Financing

10

Agile Management and Global Sourcing

10

Personnel Psychology and Corporate Communication

10

Intrapreneurship

10

Studium Generale*

10

Internship*

10

*If you decide to take this elective, you will not qualify for the dual degree at LSBU.

Module guide

Module guide

Course schedules

Online Course schedule

On-campus Course schedule

Each course in this study programme has a live teaching session

At IU, we want you to feel supported, and to give you the best learning experience possible. 

In keeping with our mission, we now offer two-hour, monthly intensive live sessions in every course.The live events are recorded, so you can access them whenever you want. Each monthly session will cover all the course contents, so you only need to attend or watch it once. 

Admission

Entry requirements

The admissions documents must be provided in English or German. If they were not issued in one of these two languages, a translation is required. If you need to translate your documents, we can help refer you to our trusted translation partners. You can find more details here. 

General academic requirements

  • Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate such as A-Levels or IB Diploma and your transcript of records.
  • A subject-related higher education entrance qualification.

Depending on your qualifications, you might have to meet additional requirements, such as successfully passing a university entrance examination or one of the following programmes to make sure you are ready to study with us:

  • Bachelor Entrance Examination (included in Online Degree Saver Programme)

Please get in touch with our Study Advisory Team to find out the exact requirements applicable for your application.

General academic requirements

  • Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate such as A-Levels or IB Diploma and your transcript of records.
  • A subject-related higher education entrance qualification.

Depending on your qualifications, you might have to meet additional requirements, such as successfully passing a university entrance examination or one of the following programmes to make sure you are ready to study with us:

  • Bachelor Entrance Examination

Please get in touch with our Study Advisory Team to find out the exact requirements applicable for your application.

English language skills

Depending on your personal circumstances, you might be required to provide proof of your English language proficiency. Your skills would need to match the B2 level of the Common European Framework (CEF). 

We accept the following English language skills certificates*: 

  • TOEFL (minimum 80 points)* or  
  • IELTS (minimum Level 6)* or  
  • Duolingo English Test (minimum 95 points)* or 
  • Cambridge Certificate (minimum Grade B)*   

Is English your native language, or have you graduated from an English-speaking school or university? Then you do not need to prove your English language proficiency.  

Get in touch with our study advisors for more details. 

*Proof must be provided before the start of the study and must not be older than five years. 

Online degree saver programme

Apply for the online Degree Saver programme and receive a discount on your tuition fees. 

Please get in touch with our Study Advisory Team for more details. 

Earn a high school diploma and a Bachelor’s degree – at the same time!

Don’t have a high school diploma? Have one but your grade average doesn’t meet our admission requirements? We have a solution for you! 

With the High School Diploma Study Pathway, you can earn a high school diploma and start your online Bachelor’s degree at IU – at the same time.

Visit our High School Diploma Study Pathway page for more details. 

On campus

Start your career in Bad Honnef

Our campus in Bad Honnef is the perfect place for starting your life in Germany. Study and graduate in a region that's home to some of Europe's largest companies.

IU Bad Honnef

Just a 2-hour train ride away you’ll find yourself in Frankfurt, the country’s leading financial centre and home to the European Central Bank. The IU campus is also a short distance from Cologne, where a booming automotive industry lies, and Bonn, which offers a modern research-oriented scientific environment with an average salary of €65,000 a year.

What does it mean studying on Campus?

  • A mix of online self-study and on-campus learning (2-3 days per week) in Germany
  • Full time only
  • 2-4 intakes per year – programme dependent
  • Pre-set study sequence with some flexibility online
  • All programmes taught in English

Other perks:

  • Free online German language course
  • Online career services, job listings platform & virtual networking events
  • Internship module (optional)
  • 18-month post-study visa eligibility
Careers

Your Business Administration career outlook

After completing your Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, you’ll be ready to take on specialist and leadership positions in companies worldwide.  

Your expert knowledge can be applied in a wide range of roles in accounting, marketing, sales, HR or management departments.  

Team Meeting auf der Treppe

Business Manager

As a business manager, you would be responsible for monitoring all departments within a company and developing industry-specific solutions to increase sales and acquire new customers. You will draw up financial plans from an economic point of view and review projects regarding efficiency. As a business manager in a large company, you might present directly to the board of directors and convince them of your high level of consulting competence. In smaller companies, you can often make decisions independently and report to the management.  

Mann und Frau arbeiten an Tablet

Assistant Accountant

As an assistant accountant, you could work in finance and accounting—typically at a bank, an auditing company, or in the finance department of a company. You will be responsible for bookkeeping, the preparation of financial plans and reports, and the performance of administrative tasks. You are familiar with the company's internal guidelines and keep an eye on fluctuating government regulations regarding the recording of financial data. You maintain databases accordingly and ensure smooth overall operations of the business. 

Frau bei Gespräch

Business Developer

In your position as business developer, you are responsible for the further development and expansion of a company's business areas. As a central driver of growth and innovation, you are committed to the future-oriented alignment of your organisation. In doing so, you pursue central growth strategies within the framework of market development, product development, and diversification. You’re always on the hunt to bring in new business and optimise the status quo.

Your career enabler

94% of current IU graduates find a job within 3 months. Our practice based degrees stand out from the crowd and prepare you for a job at industry-leading companies.

Student reviews

This is what our students say

  • “The fact that I managed to study alongside my full-time job and also change to a new job with more responsibility was only possible due to IU’s flexible time model.”

    Anthony Hoffmann

    Graduate, Germany

  • “In my view, the flexibility makes a compelling case for learning online at IU. The wide range of elective modules to choose from also won me over. It means you can specialise in what you really want to do.”

    Philipp Kleingrothe

    Graduate, Germany

  • “The programme at IU gave me the flexibility I needed. During the degree, this became more important, because I was promoted to office manager. . . and I had to accommodate a responsible job. . . plus studies, partner, family and friends.”

    Edeltraut Schwartz

    Graduate, Romania

Read our success stories
Personal counselling
Have any questions?

Visit our FAQ page or get in touch with our Study Advisors. You can also find information about the application process under our Become a Student page.

Personal counselling
Have any questions?

Visit our FAQ page or get in touch with our Study Advisors.

*Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM CET

All our study programmes include the following benefits

  • Teaching and study material
  • Marking of your end-of-module exams
  • Free 4-week trial
  • Monthly live and recorded tutorials
  • Use of the online campus
  • Individual study coaching
  • Online exams
  • Career coaching
  • Learn English for free
  • Teaching and study material
  • Marking of your end-of-module exams
  • Individual study coaching
  • Online exams
  • Career coaching
  • Learn English for free
  • On-campus tutorials, 2-3x week
  • Access to all on-campus services
Recognition

Recognition of previous achievements

Have you already completed a training course, studied at a university or gained work experience? Have you completed a course or a learning path through IU LinkedIn Learning, and earned a certificate? Then you have the opportunity to get your previous achievements recognised, and complete your studies at IU sooner.

  • Save time: Skip individual modules or whole semesters!

Even before you apply for a study programme, we’ll gladly check whether we can take your previous achievements into account: 100% online, no strings attached. Simply fill in our recognition application form, which you can find under the content section of each study programme's webpage, and upload it via our upload section. You can also e-mail it to us, or send it via post.

Send an email to study@iu.org to find out which previous achievements you can get recognised. You can get your previous achievements recognised during your studies.

Do you need help with your application for recognition? Our student advisors will be happy to help. Simply arrange a personal call-back appointment.Arrange a personal video consultation appointment to discuss recognition

Recognition files

Guide to recognition

Individual application for recognition

Why IU International University of Applied Sciences is the best choice

Your Studies Are Flexible and 100% Online

Schedule when you want to learn and study 100% online. At IU you have the possibility to complete your degree fully from home, whether full-time or part-time. You can even take your exams online whenever it suits you. 

Accredited & Globally Recognised

IU is accredited and certified with a seal of approval from the German Accreditation Council. All IU study programmes, materials, and services meet high internal and external quality standards, which are regularly reviewed and updated. We can also provide you with an official Europass Diploma Supplement once you graduate, to ensure that your degree is recognised anywhere in the EU.

You Gain Full Support

We provide you with innovative learning tools, digital study material, tutorial videos, live teaching sessions, student advice and support. You also have 24/7 access to our large online library. Your tutors are always available to answer your questions. Our study coaches are also available to help at any time. 

The Ideal Mix of Theory & Practice

Our programmes provide you with essential theoretical knowledge and focus, above all, on practice-oriented studies designed to best prepare you for your future career. Thanks to our great variety of electives you can specialise in the specific areas that match your personal goals.

Accredited & Globally Recognised

IU is accredited and certified with a seal of approval from the German Accreditation Council. All IU study programmes, materials, and services meet high internal and external quality standards, which are regularly reviewed and updated. We can also provide you with an official Europass Diploma Supplement once you graduate, to ensure that your degree is recognised anywhere in the EU.

The Ideal Mix of Theory & Practice

Our programmes provide you with essential theoretical knowledge and focus, above all, on practice-oriented studies designed to best prepare you for your future career. Thanks to our great variety of electives you can specialise in the specific areas that match your personal goals.

Hybrid Studies = More Flexibility

By combining in-person tutorials 2-3 times per week with 24/7 access to online study materials, you get to benefit from a more flexible study schedule. This allows you to work alongside your studies, or combine other activities, with relative ease. 

You Gain Full Support

We provide you with innovative learning tools, intimate campuses, easy access to lecturers, live teaching sessions, student advice services, and career support. You also have 24/7 access to our large online library. Your tutors are always available to answer your questions – and so are our study coaches.  

Sounds good? Start your free 1-Month trial

Apply now

Sign your contract, start your studies – and if you want to stop, cancel in the first month without being charged at all.

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