International Management (BSc)
Hamburg School of Business Administration · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
International Management (BSc) at HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration is a dual, fully English-taught bachelor programme that combines business administration with practical experience in a partner company. You alternate between theory phases at HSBA and practical phases in your company to apply what you learn directly to real business situations.
The programme starts on 1 October of each year and runs for six semesters (three years), awarding 180 ECTS. It develops your international business knowledge and intercultural skills, while also allowing you to set focus areas in your third year and complete your degree with a bachelor thesis.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Build your business foundations with Business Mathematics, Principles of Accounting, Business Statistics, Business Economics, Principles of Finance, and Business Psychology.
- Develop quantitative and methods skills through Fundamentals of Digital Systems, Science and Trends, Quantitative Methods, and Operations Management and Operations Research.
- Start the international management track with an early focus on international context and strategy via Science and Trends and related modules.
- Advance core business and international management knowledge with modules such as Strategy and Innovation, Marketing Management, Organisation and Organisational Behaviour, and Sustainability.
- Select your minor (three modules, 18 ECTS) in the 5th and 6th semesters, then progress through specialisation content during the 3rd study year.
- Choose elective modules (including Elective 1 and Elective 2) and study trips as part of the degree structure.
- Complete the Bachelor Thesis (12 ECTS), supported by academic and applied work from your business practice.
- Consolidate your major and elective choices into a final written thesis and required presentation/colloquium components as defined in the course and exam schedule.
Curriculum
BSc International Management (HSBA) is structured as a six-semester dual program combining compulsory core modules, elective/general electives, a 3-module Minor in the 3rd year, specialisation modules, and the Bachelor Thesis, totaling 180 ECTS.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core Module Credits | Business Mathematics | ||
| Principles of Accounting | ||||
| Fundamentals of Digital Systems | ||||
| Science and Trends | ||||
| Business Statistics | ||||
| Business Economics | ||||
| Principles of Finance | ||||
| Marketing Management | ||||
| Strategy and Innovation | ||||
| Quantitative Methods | ||||
| Operations Management and Operations Research | ||||
| Organisation and Organisational Behaviour | ||||
| Project Management | ||||
| Business Psychology | ||||
| Sustainability | ||||
| Semester 2 | Elective Modules | Elective 1 | ||
| Elective 2 | ||||
| General Electives/Study Trip | ||||
| General Electives/Study Trip | ||||
| General Electives/Study Trip | ||||
| Semesters 3–4 | Minor and Specialisation Modules (credit blocks shown in the study and exam plan) | Minor - Modul 1 | ||
| Minor - Modul 2 | ||||
| Minor - Modul 3 | ||||
| International Management 1 | ||||
| International Management 2 | ||||
| Competitive Strategy and Pricing | ||||
| International Financial Reporting | ||||
| International Trade and Regional Studies | ||||
| International Sales and Key Account Management | ||||
| Management Game | ||||
| Semester 5 | Bachelor Thesis (integrated examination, Bachelor Thesis and Colloquium) | Bachelor Thesis | ||
| Semester 6 | Total programme credits as published in the course and exam schedule | |||
| Total | All programme blocks in the course and exam schedule: core modules, elective modules, Minor modules, specialisation modules, and Bachelor Thesis | |||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with practical business-management knowledge developed through HSBA’s dual co-op model, so you can move into business roles with company-relevant experience.
- Because the degree is fully taught in English, you can position yourself for international business environments where English is the working language.
- The International Management focus helps you build skills for roles in strategy, finance, trade/accounting, and sales/key account contexts across industries.
- By completing electives and a minor, you can steer your profile toward areas such as digitalisation, customer and market insights, finance, or sustainable innovation.
- Your specialisation modules and the final thesis help you demonstrate applied competence, which strengthens your readiness for graduate hiring by partner companies and other employers.
- The structure supports clear progression from core business fundamentals to deeper international-management specialisation, helping you grow toward responsibility-focused roles over time.
Employability rate
Graduates of international business and management programmes in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 85% and an unemployment rate of about 15%, reflecting ongoing demand for business graduates alongside normal entry-level competition.
Together, this points to a stable career outlook when you leverage internships, company practice, and strong business English skills.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| University entrance qualification (foreign school-leaving certificate or equivalent) | International applicants need a higher education entrance qualification for university study (for example a school-leaving qualification that qualifies you for third-level study in your home country). HSBA explains that it also considers international school-leaving certificates such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the European Baccalaureate (EB). |
| Good grades in Mathematics and English | International applicants are expected to provide good grades in Mathematics and English. HSBA states that these are assessed as an equivalent of a 10-point average based on two senior-grade school reports or a 9-point average in advanced courses (and the German-language programmes require an additional German grade, while English-taught International Management does not list an extra German admission requirement). |
| Assessment for applicants with foreign educational qualifications | If you do not meet the admission grades from your school reports, HSBA indicates that there are entrance exams available and that it recommends a “Bewerberzertifikat” for applicants with a foreign educational qualification. HSBA states that the “Bewerberzertifikat” is issued when you submit the required documents for a contribution towards expenses. |
| Study agreement with a company (dual/co-operative requirement) | HSBA’s dual bachelor model requires a study agreement with a company where you complete the practical parts of the programme. The application process starts with applying to a company and then the company and HSBA carry out admission/document checks. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | Direct match | HSBA describes BSc International Management as a dual degree combining theory at university with practical training in an associated company, with a curriculum focused on international management and business basics. |
Language requirements
HSBA requires proof of English proficiency for the BSc International Management, and it also expects international applicants to have a good knowledge of German for the dual (company) study part in many cases.
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 825 / per month | For HSBA dual Bachelor programmes, the tuition fee is 825 EUR per month (study fees for the dual Bachelor programmes). |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants usually need to show they can cover their living costs in Germany. HSBA also notes that a company cooperates in the dual degree model and that students can receive a monthly salary while studying.
- Proof of financial resources for living costs for the purpose of your German student visa/entry (follow the official German immigration guidance).
- Evidence that you are covered through the cooperative study model (company salary and partial tuition coverage, where applicable), as described by HSBA.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Apply to a co-operative company and complete the selection process
For the dual/co-operative bachelor, you apply directly to a company that offers a study place for this programme. HSBA explains that the company selection process can include job interviews and other assessment steps, depending on the company. During this stage you should prepare your application documents for the company requirements.
Submit your documents for HSBA admission checks through the company
After you are accepted by the company, HSBA states that the company sends the study agreement together with your application documents for admission/document checks. HSBA then requests and checks the required proofs (including your university entrance qualification and grades in Mathematics and English, and language evidence). HSBA indicates that you will receive matriculation documents once all requirements are fulfilled.
Complete enrolment and start on the official study start date
HSBA states that once you submit all required documents and fulfil the admission requirements, you will be enrolled in the cooperative degree programme. HSBA indicates that studies start on 1 October. You will also need to provide proof of health insurance as part of the enrolment process.