International Business
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The International Business programme focuses on preparing students for global markets and international business and trade, with teaching delivered in English in Hamburg.
The programme is designed to build practical and academic skills for careers in international business, supported by the Hamburg business environment.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Academic research and writing to support analytical business coursework.
- Core business law and taxation topics to understand legal and tax frameworks.
- Business statistics and quantitative methods for data-driven decision-making.
- Financial accounting and financial management for international perspectives on business finance.
- International economics and globalisation, plus microeconomics and market studies.
- Elective themes such as corporate sustainability and digital transformation in accounting.
- Intercultural business communication and intercultural project work to apply business concepts in diverse settings.
- International strategy and management topics to connect analysis with managerial decision-making.
- Applied topics such as international supply chain management to connect business strategy with operations.
Curriculum
Module handbook bachelor programme International Business, B.Sc. with CP (credit points) per module and semester placements.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 5 modules | Foundations of management (FOMA) | 6 | 30 |
| International management (INTM) | 6 | |||
| Intercultural business communication (ICBC) | 6 | |||
| Financial accounting (FIAC) | 6 | |||
| Business mathematics (MATH) | 6 | |||
| Semester 2 | 4 modules | Academic research and writing (ARAW) | 9 | 30 |
| Programming and data organisation (PADO) | 6 | |||
| Business law and taxation (BLAT) | 9 | |||
| Microeconomics and market analysis (MEMA) | 6 | |||
| Semester 3 | 5 modules | Financial management (FIMA) | 6 | 30 |
| International marketing (INMA) | 6 | |||
| International supply chain management (ISCM) | 6 | |||
| Management accounting (MAAC) | 6 | |||
| Business statistics (STAT) | 6 | |||
| Semester 4 | 5 modules | Intercultural project work (INPW) | 6 | 30 |
| International corporate finance (ICFI) | 6 | |||
| Macroeconomics and country studies (MACS) | 6 | |||
| Quantitative methods in international business (QMIB) | 6 | |||
| One elective: International accounting (INAC) or Digital economics (DIEC) or Digital transformation in accounting (DITR) or Corporate sustainability (COSUS) | 6 | |||
| Semester 5 | 1 module | Internship (INSH) | 30 | 30 |
| Semester 6 | 4 modules | International controlling (CONT) | 6 | 30 |
| Empirical research methods (EMRM) | 9 | |||
| International economics and globalisation (INEG) | 6 | |||
| International organisation and human resource management (IOHR) | 9 | |||
| Semester 7 | 3 modules | International business and trade law (IBTL) | 9 | 30 |
| International strategic management (ISMA) | 9 | |||
| Bachelor thesis (BATH) | 12 | |||
| Total | Core modules across Semesters 1–6, Internship (Semester 5), electives in Semester 4, and Bachelor thesis (Semester 7) | 210 CP | ||
Career outcomes
- You build internationally relevant business foundations (research, statistics, accounting, finance) that translate directly into roles in trading, finance, and business analytics.
- You develop decision-making skills using quantitative business methods, preparing you for analyst and junior strategy positions in global companies.
- You gain practical competence in international business law and taxation, which supports early career pathways in compliance, corporate legal-adjacent roles, and business operations.
- You strengthen intercultural communication and project-based learning, giving you skills employers look for in multinational teams.
- You develop global business awareness through topics like international economics, globalisation, and multinational enterprises, supporting career growth in international business functions.
Employability rate
International Business graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 85% and an unemployment rate of about 15%, reflecting consistent demand for business and analytics skills across private-sector industries.
Together, these figures point to a generally stable career outlook for business roles in areas such as finance, management, marketing, and international operations.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for Master’s entry | International applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, ideally in International Management or International Business, or in an economic-sciences field with a strong international emphasis. The Bachelor’s must be based on studies with a minimum of seven semesters and at least 210 ECTS. If your Bachelor’s is based on 180 ECTS, you may be enrolled under the condition that you acquire 30 ECTS within the first year at HAW Hamburg (subject to capacity). |
| Relevant economic content and research methods module | Applicants must have successfully completed courses with a total of at least 60 ECTS that focus on economic issues from an international perspective, and the profile of the degree programme must be classified as economics. You must also have successfully completed a module on empirical research methods in economics totalling at least 5 ECTS, where modules on statistical principles and quantitative methods are not creditable. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | Conditional | Admission depends on whether your previous studies include at least 60 ECTS of economics from an international perspective and a qualifying empirical research methods module (at least 5 ECTS), as assessed during application review. |
Language requirements
Teaching language is English. Depending on your prior education, you may be asked to demonstrate English language proficiency when applying to HAW Hamburg’s International Business programme.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 397 / per semester | Semester contribution for winter semester 2026/27: €397.00 including semester ticket and Germany-wide rail pass; includes an administrative fee of €50.00. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants must show they can finance their stay in Germany. For most study stays, you will need to be able to cover living costs and other required expenses in addition to the HAW Hamburg semester contribution/fees.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | May 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | June 15, 2026 |
| 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
Prepare your application eligibility documents
Check that your Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) meets the programme’s international-applicant entry requirements, including the minimum study duration/ECTS and the economics and empirical research methods components. Gather your degree certificate and transcript documents, plus any module/course information needed to show your achieved ECTS and content fit. If your documents require a preliminary review process for international applicants, complete that step early to avoid delays in the main application window.
Submit the online application within the published window
Submit your application online during the official application period for the winter semester. The application system is activated only during the application period, so applications outside the window are not possible. Upload all required documents in your application account and complete submission as instructed by the admissions office.
Complete required preliminary checks (for international applicants)
International applicants are asked to have certificates checked in advance by the preliminary review process for foreign qualifications, and to request the required VPD documentation for the application. Then complete your application form at myHAW and upload the necessary documents there to submit your application. Make sure you finish these steps in time so your application package is complete by the deadline.
Admissions decision and next steps
After your submission, the admissions process reviews your qualifications for programme-specific eligibility criteria. If you are admitted, follow the instructions provided by HAW Hamburg for enrolment and any remaining formalities. Keep track of deadlines for any required follow-up documents or procedures after admission.