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Ein Mann steht mit dem Rücken zu einer grauen Wand und blickt lächelnd in die Kamera. | © FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol

International Business Studies

Bachelor's degree program

Practical and part-time: Enhance your international business skills and let your personality shine as a leader. The perfect blend for your career!

Overview

  • Qualification Level:

    Stufe 1, Bachelor
  • Price:

    Euro 363,36* (excl. Student Union-fees) each semester
  • Academic Degree:

    Bachelor of Arts in Business (BA)
  • Academic Program:

    Part-time
  • Language:

    65% German, 35% English
  • Remote Options:

    E-Learning min. 20 % online
  • Exchange Semester:

    Study trip and excursion in the 4th and 6th semester**
  • Admission Requirements:

    General admission requirements

Note:

Employment with a company is not required for the part-time study program.
Class times: primarily from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.
* More information for international students can be found in the Links & Downloads section.
** Travel costs must be paid by the student or covered by a grant.

Program Description

Eingang der FH Kufstein Tirol vom Gebäude B, mit dem Namen der Fachhochschule als Schriftzug darüber stehend. | © FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol
Drei Personen sitzen an einem Tisch, und ein Mann dieser Gruppe zeigt mit seinem Stift in die Richtung der Kamera, wo sich ein Whiteboard befindet. | © FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol
Ein Bücherregal, auf dem drei Reihen von Büchern sind. | © FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol

Digital and international – this is the future of the working world. As things get reinvented, companies are actively seeking managers eager to shape these major transformations. There are plenty of challenges to tackle, from digitization and sustainability to artificial intelligence!

In the ever-evolving world of digitization and sustainability, our bachelor’s degree program equips you to be a strategically-minded manager. We emphasize key skills such as analytical thinking, strategic planning, and effective communication. Our teaching approach enhances your communication skills, flexibility, and creativity – all crucial for success in tomorrow's interconnected job market. With a strong international focus, including study trips to leading companies, you'll gain valuable insights and build cultural competence. Our graduates are sought after across various business fields, including project management, marketing, HR, controlling, and finance, thanks to their comprehensive expertise. By studying on weekends (Friday and Saturday), you can continue advancing your career while preparing to become a future leader. Your path to strategic excellence starts here – flexible, practical, and centered on your personal growth.

Study Focus

  • 39 %

    Expert knowledge in economics and management

  • 11 %

    Expertise in digitalization & sustainability

  • 13 %

    International Skills (incl. trip abroad)

  • 12 %

    Social Skills & Languages 

  • 25 %

    Practical knowledge transfer & Bachelor thesis

What You Will Learn

  • Communication skills: Perfecting communication and teamwork

  • Digitalization & sustainability: basic knowledge for future challenges

  • Language skills: intercultural communication for international contexts

  • Strategic understanding: penetrating economic contexts

  • Methodological competence: structured solutions with quantitative methods

  • Practical experience: gaining professional expertise through projects

  • Practical knowledge transfer: effective application of concepts in the professional field

Popular Occupational Fields

  • Marketing, product management, sales
  • Controlling, finance and accounting
  • Personnel and organizational development
  • Project management and business development
  • Consulting
  • Management / Start-up
  • Can be used in all industries, company sizes and types

Career Opportunities

  • 16% of domestic SMEs

    active in cross-border online sales

  • 20,000 new jobs per year

    in Austria through digitization

  • 53% of exports

    of Austrian GDP

  • > 160 Hidden Champions

    in Austria

The path to the Bachelor's Degree

Ein Weg durch den Park, welcher zur FH Kufstein Tirol führt. | © FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol

 
The part-time Bachelor’s degree program fosters skill development through challenging tasks that blend practical experience with academic rigor, while emphasizing self-organization and proactive engagement. It prepares students to navigate VUCA challenges (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) effectively.

Special features:
  • 1st year of study (VUCA-Basic): Clear guidelines, support in the first few semesters.

  • 2nd year of study (VUCA-intermediate): More self-organization through practical projects, application orientation.

  • 3rd year of study (VUCA-pro): More independence for maximum openness and flexibility.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students with sufficient qualifications from Austrian commercial academies and higher occpuational profile schools with an economic focus (Germany and Austria) can receive credit for the following courses from the first semester:

  • Introduction to Business Administration
  • Introduction to Accounting and Finance

To apply for credit, they must submit a request directly to the Director of Studies.

Director of Studies

© FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol

Prof. (FH) Dr. Peter Dietrich

Director of Studies Bachelor / Master International Business Studies

Curriculum

Digitalization & Sustainability Competences

Digital Transformation & Artificial Intelligence I: Basics & Tools
  • Semester 3
  • 4 ECTS

• Introduction and history of the development of digitization • Basic concepts and basic theories of digitization • Overview of the factors influencing Markets & Companies through digitization • First digital application and implementation methods in a business context • Overview of the connections between digitization and classical business-related management functions (marketing, sales, HR, RandD, etc.)

Details
Trends in International Finance (E)
  • Semester 2
  • 3 ECTS

The students are able to: •build up financial knowledge related to current financial technologies. • understand and interpret financial articles. • understand and classify current trends in practice. • strengthen their analytical skills.

Details
Digital Transformation & Artificial Intelligence II: Markets & Companies
  • Semester 2
  • 4 ECTS

• Development and change of markets, industries and business models through digitization • Influence of digital trends on customers, competitors and market performance • Effects of digitization on classical business concepts of: Companies, organization, management, culture, etc. • Reflection and adaptation of classical business theories and models to digitization (life cycle, value chain, 5-forces, etc.)

Details
Start-up & Entrepreneurship
  • Semester 5
  • 3 ECTS

• Basics of entrepreneurship • Entrepreneurship in the individual phases of foundation and growth • Entrepreneurship perspectives • Business model and business model elements • Application of analysis tools (e.g. Porters Five Forces, McKinsey-Portfolio, BCG-Matrix, Business Canvas)

Details
Trends in International Business (E)
  • Semester 1
  • 3 ECTS

• Presentation of the currently most important and most discussed trends in business • Development of theories, models, methods and solutions for these current trends • First application examples and best practices for these trends • Mutual exchange and presentation of contents and solutions

Details
Sustainability in Business & Society
  • Semester 6
  • 4 ECTS

• Ethics and morals in theory and practice • Discussion of orthodox management approaches (among others: principal agent theory, shareholder value approach) from an ethical perspective • Soft- vs. hard-law and its influence on the sustainability of management decisions • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Details

international competence

Business English I
  • Semester 1
  • 6 ECTS

The language module integrated into the degree program curriculum is designed according to the methodological principles of a communicative, action-oriented approach. The competence level of the module is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and a central objective is that students increase their communication skills by at least one level. In addition, there is a clear focus on acquiring academic and business-oriented skills in the target language. B2-C1+ Independent language use to expert, fluent communication skills

Details
Business English II
  • Semester 2
  • 6 ECTS

AThe language module integrated into the degree program curriculum is designed according to the methodological principles of a communicative, action-oriented approach. The competence level of the module is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and a central objective is that students increase their communication skills by at least one level. In addition, there is a clear focus on acquiring academic and business-oriented skills in the target language. B2-C1+ Independent language use to expert, fluent communication skills

Details

International Business & Management Competences

BUSINESS STUDIES I: Introduction
  • Semester 1
  • 3 ECTS

• Fundamentals and classification of ABWL • Fundamentals of corporate management: Location decisions, inter-company con-nections, corporate constitution, organization, personnel management • Basics of monitoring and cross-connections to Accounting & Finance • Selected topics on service provision: Innovation management, carefully-selected marketing content

Details
Accounting & Finance I: Introduction
  • Semester 1
  • 4 ECTS

• Posting records, accounts, account assignment • Structure of balance sheet and profit and loss account • Posting of business cases • Cost type, cost center and cost unit accounting • Contribution margin and application • Modern cost accounting systems

Details
Introduction to law
  • Semester 1
  • 2 ECTS

• Legal bases (step-by-step structure of the legal system) • Private law • Commercial law • Sub-areas of commercial law (unfair competition, internet law, insolvency law, etc.)

Details
Managerial Economics: Markets & Prices
  • Semester 1
  • 6 ECTS

• Economic growth, social inequality and ecological conditions • Efficient allocation of scarce resources • Market model and market equilibrium • Strategic interaction and social dilemmas • Elasticity and pricing • Welfare analysis in case of state intervention

Details
Applied Business Mathematics
  • Semester 1
  • 5 ECTS

• Linear and quadratic functions • Elementary financial mathematics • Differential calculus • Linear systems of equations • Analysis of functions with two variables • Optimization with Lagrange function

Details
Business Statistics
  • Semester 2
  • 5 ECTS

• Basic concepts of statistics • Univariate and multivariate data description • Basics of probability theory and theoretical distributions • Estimation procedures and statistical tests • Software like MS Excel (in-depth) and/or SPSS/R (on an illustrative basis) • Gini coefficient and Herfindahl index

Details
Political Economics: Growth & Money
  • Semester 2
  • 4 ECTS

• Interpretation of gross domestic product and consumer price index • Measurement of economic growth and inflation • Tasks of central banks in relation to money supply and interest rate setting • Impact of monetary and fiscal policy • Aggregated demand and aggregated supply • Systemic crises related to the financial sector and environmental pollution

Details
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION II: Supply Chain Management
  • Semester 2
  • 3 ECTS

• Production theory, planning and organization of production • Logistics in the company (procurement, storage, transport) • Supply chain management internally and externally

Details
Accounting & Finance II: Accounting
  • Semester 2
  • 3 ECTS

• Structure of balance sheet, P and L and cash flow statement • Valuation principles for assets • Risks in debt capital • Balance sheet ratios

Details
Human Resource Management & New Work (E)
  • Semester 2
  • 4 ECTS

• Classical and new approaches in HRM • Trends and changes in the world of work (work processes, work methods, coopera-tion, leadership, etc.) • Methods for the analysis and design of human resource management processes and of New Work • Case studies and cases on HRM and New Work

Details
Controlling
  • Semester 3
  • 3 ECTS

• Theoretical basis of controlling • Planning and control • Information procurement • Organization of controlling • Digitalization in controlling

Details
Finance & Investment (E)
  • Semester 1
  • 3 ECTS

• Valuation methods for bonds and shares as well as financing and investment deci-sions of companies (including discounting methods, e.g. net present value, internal rate of return) • Interest rates and the significance of interest rate developments on international financial markets • Valuation of bonds and shares

Details
International & Environmental Economics
  • Semester 3
  • 3 ECTS

• Globalization, international investment and migration • Classic and modern trade theories • Market failures, externalities and emissions trading • Economic effects of climate change • Taxation of foreign trade and CO2 emissions

Details
Organizational Psychology & Change Management
  • Semester 3
  • 4 ECTS

• Organizational theories • Leadership, teamwork, conflicts • Organizational climate and culture • Attitudes, emotions and personality • Change management models • Methods and tools of change management • Communication in the change management process • Phases in the change management process

Details
Trends in International Marketing (E)
  • Semester 3
  • 3 ECTS

• Based on current literature on marketing and marketing-related areas, topics are selected and treated on a case-by-case basis. • The choice of topics is made either by the students or by the respective course directors • In some cases, experts and practitioners from the business world are used to pre-sent specific questions from their companies

Details
Omnichannel Customer Management
  • Semester 3
  • 3 ECTS

• Theoretical and practical fundamentals of the omnichannel ecosystem • Interaction between omnichannel and corporate strategy • Customer behavior, customer analysis and customer journey • Omnichannel strategies in connection with a company's marketing mix

Details
Marketing & Customer Experience (E)
  • Semester 3
  • 5 ECTS

• Significance and basics of marketing • Basic principles of market research • Customer benefit, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty • Marketing mix factors • Product vs. service marketing • Importance of brands in marketing

Details
Market Research & Customer Insights
  • Semester 4
  • 5 ECTS

• Significance of market research and integration into the marketing process • Customer and markets as objects of market research • Planning and implementation of market research projects • Creation and programming of questionnaires • Basic qualitative and quantitative analysis methods • Application of statistical software (SPSS, R, Stata) for data analysis • Interpretation of results and derivation of recommendations for action - Options and sources of secondary market research (e.g. Big Data)

Details
Management & Strategy I
  • Semester 4
  • 6 ECTS

• Introduction to strategic corporate management • Core topics of strategic management: Navigation system, competitive strategy, mission statement, value creation • Analysis and design of the strategy process in a company • Essential strategy methods (value chain, 5-forces, etc.)

Details
International Politics
  • Semester 5
  • 3 ECTS

• Introduction and basics in political science with an international focus • Political history of ideas and reflection of current international tendencies • Political systems and their influence on society and economy • Discussion and classification of current political issues

Details
Management & Strategy II
  • Semester 5
  • 6 ECTS

• "Holistic strategic management" in the sense of combining strategy with: Organiza-tion, productivity, leadership, culture, change, etc. • Linking strategy with current issues • Development and adaptation of strategic methods • Application and implementation of strategic issues for your own company

Details
Current Topic
  • Semester 6
  • 4 ECTS

Current subject areas and questions are offered in order to give students the oppor-tunity to expand or supplement the regular IBS curriculum.

Details
International Business Experience (E)
  • Semester 6
  • 2 ECTS

• Independent preparation and organization of an excursion to the surrounding for-eign countries in coordination with the course management • Optional: Company visit, attendance of a conference or a workshop and direct ex-change with acting players and conceptual development of a relevant problem

Details

Methodological & Scientific Competences

Academic Methods
  • Semester 2
  • 2 ECTS

• Characteristics, rules and basic principles of science and scientific work • Scientific theory and methodological principles of scientific research • Overview of the research method observation, questioning, content analysis and experiment • Using word processing programs to write formally correct scientific papers • Overview of databases and other ways to find literature sources • Editing and critical discussion of articles from professional journals

Details
Exploratory research methods
  • Semester 4
  • 3 ECTS

• Basic principles of qualitative social research • Survey methods in qualitative interviewing and observation • Qualitative selection procedures and content analysis • Group discussion and interviewing • Combination of methods

Details
Scientific Topics in International Business Studies
  • Semester 5
  • 4 ECTS

• Current trends in practice and research in International Business Studies • Development and careers of topics and methods • Research in databases

Details
BA-Camp
  • Semester 6
  • 1 ECTS

• Topic development and preparation in the context of a poster and an exposé • Presentation and discussion of a poster in small groups • Poster and exposé creation

Details
Internship
  • Semester 6
  • 4 ECTS

• Finding one's way around when starting out in the professional world • Supplementing theoretical knowledge with practical activities • Processes, workflows and situations in the professional environment • Confidence in implementing acquired knowledge • Min. 100 working hours in full employment

Details
Bachelor Thesis Seminar
  • Semester 6
  • 10 ECTS

• Advancing the knowledge of scientific work with regard to the development and implementation of a research design as well as the structuring of the editing pro-cess. • Regular meetings to discuss the current status and progress of the Bachelor thesis with the accompanying academic supervision • Information on the final Bachelor examination

Details

Implementation Competences

Thinking - Problem solving - Deciding
  • Semester 2
  • 3 ECTS

• Basics of thinking • Reflecting, justifying and arguing • Phases of problem solving • Decision algorithms

Details
Learning Organization & Knowledge Management
  • Semester 3
  • 2 ECTS

• Types of learning for organizational learning • Measures of organizational learning • Elements of knowledge management • Knowledge management (strategy perspective, HRM perspective, IT perspective)

Details
Agile project management & practical project I
  • Semester 4
  • 6 ECTS

• Project planning and organization • Project cooperation and implementation • Project performance • Key figures of project management • "Business idea development" practical project • Structuring using Business Model Canvas • Development of a business plan

Details
Digital Transformation & Artificial Intelligence III: Communication & Practical Project
  • Semester 5
  • 5 ECTS

• Impact of digitization on communication and information using proven concepts (stakeholders, etc.) • Importance and change of project management in the digital age • Elaboration of a practical project focusing on digitization using a specific company • Toolbox for the implementation of digital topics

Details
Finance Lab (E)
  • Semester 1
  • 3 ECTS

• Basics of modern portfolio theory • Risk and return profiles of selected asset classes • Properties of shares, bonds, indices, options and futures

Details
Effective leadership and self-management
  • Semester 6
  • 3 ECTS

The students: • know the basics of management theory. • understand the main principles, tasks and tools of effective leadership. • are familiar with the topics of self-management, self-motivation and general lead-ership of their own person. • are capable of diagnosing and developing leadership skills.

Details
Business Simulation Game (E)
  • Semester 2
  • 2 ECTS

• Operational functions (production, marketing, logistics, supply chain management) • Market analyzes and market developments • Use of analysis tools (SWOT, benchmark, market shares, cost and contribution margin analyses, etc.) • Development of strategies • Controlling and key figures

Details

social skills

Teambuilding & Teamwork
  • Semester 1
  • 1 ECTS

• Basic information on communicative processes and effects • Fundamentals of cooperation, negotiation, conflict resolution as well as group dynamics and team leadership • Self-efficacy, self-control, resilience, self-management, work-life balance

Details
Communication & presentation technology
  • Semester 1
  • 3 ECTS

• 5 axioms of communication, message and value square • Theoretical introduction to presentation and argumentation techniques (analog and remote) • Application of the discussed contents • Feedback and reflection of one's own presentation achievements (individually and in the group) and the achievements of fellow students

Details

Language, Communication and Cultural Skills

Study Trip (E)
  • Semester 4
  • 3 ECTS

• Independent preparation and organization of the trip in coordination with the man-agement of the course • Visits to companies, courses at partner universities as well as lectures and events with the aim of gaining in-depth knowledge of the economic and socio-cultural spe-cifics of the country and its economy

Details
Cross Cultural Management (E)
  • Semester 1
  • 3 ECTS

• Concept of culture and cultural models • Sensitization to international and multicultural working environments - Building on culture-specific characteristics according to Hofstede, Trompenaars, Thomas, etc., the meaningful use of management tools adapted to cultural charac-teristics is developed in order to be able to work successfully in international teams and to contribute to the solution of intercultural conflicts

Details
Study regulations to download

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to work while studying?

No, there is no obligation to work or to be active in the industry. The course offers you the opportunity for further development, even if you are working in another profession or are not currently working.

Unlike a dual study program, there is no binding contract with a company. Many students also use the course during parental leave or for professional reorientation.

Should you reduce your job to study?

As the course is offered on Friday afternoons and Saturdays, it is generally possible to work full-time. However, due to the amount of study required for the examinations, we recommend a reduction to approx. 80%.

Studying at the FH Kufstein means being able to prepare for the challenges of the future in a familiar, modern environment. And the best thing about it - the most beautiful mountains in Austria are just around the corner."
© FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol

Margit Heiland

Student

The international focus opens up many new and relevant perspectives. In the course of my studies, I have not only grown professionally, but also personally.
© FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol

Christina Hubner

Graduate

We give you the tools you need to take the next step in your career. In our part-time degree programme, we put your practical skills on a solid theoretical foundation.
© FH Kufstein Tirol
© FH Kufstein Tirol

Peter Dietrich

Director of Studies