Business Administration (International Management)

The International Management (IM) programme is a generalist type of practice-oriented course, based on academic principles. As a Business Administration degree course it imparts sound knowledge and skills in management, marketing, information systems, economics, mathematics, statistics and law. Communication and languages are also key elements of the curriculum.

Modules:

1The Business Administration bachelor degree programmes are modular in concept, and generally each module is composed of a number of courses.

2A module is a time-limited tuition and study unit with a specific thematic or content-related focus. It imparts specific skills defined by the learning aims of its courses.

3The module is an assessment unit and is generally concluded after one semester.

4The following types of module are offered:
a) Compulsory modules (Pflichtmodule): these are obligatory;
b) Core-elective modules (Wahlpflichtmodule): a certain number of these must be chosen from a specific group of modules;
c) Elective modules (Wahlmodule): can be freely selected from the range offered by School of Business of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) or other universities.

5The appendix contains the list of Business Administration modules available. Additional information can be found in the individual module descriptions.

Studying International Management means studying in English...

From day one, every possible communication regarding the degree course – lectures, assignments, administration – is conducted in English. Gaining the invaluable experience of being able to think and act in English at ease is certainly the foremost distinctive feature of the degree course.

...and abroad:

Many other crucial factors contribute to a unique academic experience, for example the close contact with exchange students from all over the world, who study alongside Swiss students and work with them on business projects in small groups. Or facing the challenge of functioning in a foreign environment oneself: every IM student is required to study at least one semester at a university abroad.

A regular Swiss Business Administration degree course

Despite its distinct profile, International Management is a regular Swiss Business Administration (“Betriebsökonomie”) degree course. A successful programme in its own right since 1999, the change to the Bologna Bachelor mode offered the opportunity to take the demands of a new global workplace into consideration as well as combine the key assets of the existing “Betriebsökonomie” and International Management programmes. The “best of both worlds” was merged into one degree course, with a German and an English version: “Betriebsökonomie” and International Management in Olten share the same curriculum.

International Business Practice

Throughout the curriculum, reference to international business practice is paramount. During their final year of studies, students are themselves exposed to such practice by working on business projects provided by companies with international challenges. As a unique feature of this effort to link theory with practice, every year, two project groups of IM students organise seminars on doing business in China and India – including the search for sponsors to finance the study trip to either destination for a group of selected students from various degree programmes taught at University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland.

Studying in English – or German

Of the total 180 ECTS credit points to be achieved, 21 can be studied in German, thus creating even more attractive opportunities for shaping one’s personal academic profile.

Qualification and Assessment Requirements:

Full-time study:

1The bachelor degree programme is divided into an assessment stage, a development stage and a consolidation stage.
2The assessment stage is composed of the first semester’s modules. To pass the assessment stage, all 30 ECTS credits from the first semester’s modules must be obtained. The assessment stage must be concluded within three semesters of entry to the programme.
3The development stage is composed of the modules in semesters two to four. Modules in the development stage are only open to students who fulfil the conditions described in the relevant module specifications.
4The consolidation stage is composed of the modules of semesters five and six. Modules in the consolidation stage are only open to students who fulfil the conditions described in the relevant module specifications.

Part-time study (‘berufsbegleitend’):

1The bachelor degree programme is divided into an assessment stage, a development stage and a consolidation stage.
2The assessment stage is composed of the first semester’s modules. To pass the assessment stage, all 21 ECTS credits from the first semester’s modules must be obtained. The assessment stage must be concluded within three semesters of entry to the programme.
3The development stage is composed of the modules in semesters two to six. Modules in the development stage are only open to students who fulfil the conditions described in the relevant module
specifications.
4The consolidation stage is composed of the modules of semesters seven and eight. Modules in the consolidation stage are only open to students who fulfil the conditions described in the relevant module specifications.

Duration of study:

The standard duration of a bachelor degree programme is 3 years(6 semesters) of full-time study. The standard duration of a part-time bachelor degree programme is 4 years (8 semesters). The studies take correspondingly longer if they are interrupted.