BA International Business Administration

The International Business Administration program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to succeed in today's rapidly changing, global business landscape. This English-taught program emphasizes the study of international firms, the integration of technology across all business areas, and the impact of cultural and economic factors on business operations. With a strong emphasis on both theory and practical application, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical components of international business and management, including management practices, information technology, and the global economic and cultural context. By blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience and scientific methods, the program provides students with a well-rounded education that prepares them to meet the challenges and opportunities of the global business world.

The undergraduate program at Constructor University is a three-year, 180-credit-point program designed to prepare students for a wide range of career paths.

The “4C Model” is the program's backbone, with disciplinary content grouped into three themes according to study years: CHOICE-CORE-CAREER. Additionally, the “CONSTRUCTOR Track”, an integral part of the program, runs parallel throughout the program. It provides students with multidisciplinary content and essential skills such as argumentation, data visualization, societal engagement, and communication.

The curriculum allows students to tailor their education to their goals and to explore different fields of study, with the flexibility to change their major within the first year. Moreover, the programs include a mandatory internship and a study-abroad opportunity in the fifth semester to provide students with hands-on experience and a global perspective.

Year 1

The first study year is characterized by a university-specific offering of disciplinary education that builds on and expands upon the students’ entrance qualifications. Students select introductory modules for a total of 45 CP from the CHOICE area of a variety of study programs, of which 15-45 CP will belong to their intended major. A unique feature of our curricular structure allows students to select their major freely upon entering Constructor University. The team of Academic Advising Services offers curricular counseling to all Bachelor students independently of their major, while Academic Advisors support students in their decision-making regarding their major study program as contact persons from the faculty.

To pursue International Business Administration as a major, students take the following mandatory (m) CHOICE modules (30 CP):

• CHOICE Module: Introduction to International Business (m, 7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Introduction to Finance and Accounting (m, 7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Microeconomics (m, 7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Macroeconomics (m, 7.5 CP)

The combination of business administration and economics allows students to understand the interactions between the activities of individual firms and their economic environments.

The remaining CHOICE modules (15 CP) can be selected in the first year of studies according to interest and/or with the aim to allow a change of major until the beginning of the second year, when their major choice becomes fixed. For a major change option please refer to the Handbook.

Year 2

In their second year, students take a total of 45 CP from a selection of in-depth, discipline-specific CORE modules. Building on the introductory CHOICE modules and applying the methods and skills acquired so far , these modules aim to expand the students’ critical understanding of the key theories, principles, and methods in their major for the current state of knowledge and best practice.

To pursue International Business Administration as a major, at least 30 CP from the following mandatory elective (me) CORE modules need to be taken:

• CORE Module: Applied Project Management (me, 7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: International Strategic Management (me, 7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Digital Transformation and Information Economy (me, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: Design Thinking, E-Business & E-Services (me, 2.5 CP) OR Entrepreneurial Challenges and Creative Solutions’ (me, 2.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Entrepreneurship and Innovation (me, 7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Marketing (me, 7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Organization and Human Resource Management (me, 7.5 CP)

The remaining 15 CP can be selected according to interest and/or with the aim of pursuing a minor in a second field of studies, or students complement their studies by taking all of the above listed mandatory elective CORE modules. For more details, please refer to the Handbook.

Year 3

During their third year, students prepare and make decisions for their career after graduation. To explore available choices, and to gain professional experience, students take a mandatory summer internship. The third year of studies allows IBA students to further sharpen their profile with a selection of different specialization modules that can be combined to enhance their specific understanding of innovation processes, managerial capabilities or market transactions, but also focuses on the responsibility of students beyond their discipline (see CONSTRUCTOR Track).

The fifth semester also opens a mobility window for ample study abroad options. Finally, the sixth semester is dedicated to foster the research experience of students by involving them in an extended bachelor’s thesis project.

The third year of studies allows IBA students to take Specialization modules within their discipline, but also focuses on the responsibility of students beyond their discipline (see CONSTRUCTOR Track).

At Constructor University, students are provided with a unique opportunity to boost their employability through a mandatory two-month internship worth 15 credits. This opportunity usually takes place during the summer between the second and third year of study, providing students with the chance to gain practical experience in a professional setting. Through this internship, students can apply the knowledge and understanding they have gained from their major to real-world contexts, evaluate the significance of their major in the employment sector and society, reflect on their personal role in employment and society, and make informed career decisions. For students interested in starting their own company, an alternative to the full-time internship is offered in the form of a start-up option, which allows them to focus on developing their business plan.

The CONSTRUCTOR Track is another important feature of Constructor University’s educational model. The Constructor Track runs orthogonal to the disciplinary CHOICE, CORE, and CAREER modules across all study years and is an integral part of all undergraduate study programs. It provides an intellectual tool kit for lifelong learning and encourages the use of diverse methodologies to approach cross-disciplinary problems. The CONSTRUCTOR track contains Methods, New Skills and German Language and Humanities modules.

Methods

Methods and skills such as mathematics, statistics, programming, data handling, presentation skills, academic writing, and scientific and experimental skills are offered to all students as part of the Methods area in their curriculum. The modules that are specifically assigned to each study programs equip students with transferable academic skills. They convey and practice specific methods that are indispensable for each students’ chosen study program. Students are required to take 20 CP in the Methods area. The size of all Methods modules is 5 CP.

To pursue IBA as a major, the following Methods modules (15 CP) need to be taken as mandatory modules:

• Methods Module: Applied Calculus (m, 5 CP)
• Methods Module: Applied Statistics with SPSS (me, 5 CP) or Methods Module: Applied Statistics with R (me, 5 CP)
• Methods Module: Qualitative Research Methods (m, 5 CP)

Furthermore, IBA students must choose either

• Methods Module: Econometrics (me, 5 CP) or
• Methods Module: Data Collection and Empirical Research Methodologies (me, 5 CP)

New Skills Modules

This part of the curriculum constitutes an intellectual and conceptual tool kit that cultivates the capacity for a particular set of intellectual dispositions including curiosity, imagination, critical thought, and transferability. It nurtures a range of individual and societal capacities, such as self-reflection, argumentation and communication. Finally, it introduces students to the normative aspects of inquiry and research, including the norms governing sourcing, sharing, withholding materials and research results as well as others governing the responsibilities of expertise as well as the professional point of view. Students in this study program are required to take the following modules in their second and third year:

• New Skills Module: Logic (m, 2.5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Causation and Correlation (m, 2.5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Argumentation, Data Visualization and Communication (m, 5 CP)

Furthermore, they must choose either

• New Skills Module: Linear Model/Matrices (me, 5 CP) or
• New Skills Module: Complex Problem Solving (me, 5 CP)

as well one of the following modules:

• New Skills Module: Agency, Leadership and Accountability (me, 5 CP) or
• New Skills Module: Community Impact Project (me, 5 CP).

German Language and Humanities Modules



German language abilities foster students’ intercultural awareness and enhance their employability in their host country. They are also beneficial for securing mandatory internships (between the 2nd and 3rd year) in German companies and academic institutions. Constructor University supports its students in acquiring basic as well as advanced German skills in the first year of the Constructor Track. Non-native speakers of German are encouraged to take 2 German modules (2.5 CP each), but are not obliged to do so. Native speakers and other students not taking advantage of this offering take alternative modules in Humanities in each of the first two semesters.

With its clear focus on the management of firms in international business activities, students acquire solid labor-market qualifications for careers in a broad range of businesses, especially international and internationalizing firms. In the last years, our graduates obtained internships and positions in a variety of leading companies, including Bosch, Deloitte, KPMG or PwC.

The IBA program has taken our graduates onto a rich diversity of career paths. The academic rigor of the program prepares students for highly ranked graduate programs, such as IE Madrid or University of Amsterdam. 

All applicants must show an adequate command of the English language to enroll at Constructor University. An applicant’s English language ability (non-native speakers) may be demonstrated through language proficiency test scores.

You will qualify for an English proficiency waiver if you:

are a native English speaker OR

have been instructed exclusively in English for a minimum of 6 years OR

have scored 600 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section OR

have scored 9 or higher on the ACT Writing section

English Language proficiency tests accepted by Constructor University and the minimum scores/grades:

• TOEFL (Paper-based): Minimum Score: 575

• TOEFL (Internet-based): Minimum Score: 90

• MELAB (Michigan Test): Minimum Score: 80

• IELTS (British Council): Minimum Score: 6.5

• GCSE (British General Certificate of Secondary Education): Minimum Score: A or B

• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Minimum Score: A, B, C and C1 pass

• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): Minimum Score: A, B, C

• Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE – extended): Minimum Score: A

• International Baccalaureate English A Lit / Lang & Lit: Minimum Score: 6, 7

• SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: Minimum Score: 600

• ACT Writing: Minimum Score: 9

• Duolingo English Test: Minimum Score: 110

• Pearson PTE Academic: Minimum Score: 58