Who is the Bachelor of Business Administration (FOM) suitable for?
You are addressed if you are interested in economic contexts and want to start or advance your career in management, marketing, controlling, or business management. The degree programme is aimed at both career starters looking for a broad business education and professionals and trainees who want to further qualify academically parallel to work or training. Typical participants are commercial employees, trainees, junior executives, or career changers from other industries who want to acquire or deepen their business know-how. The programme is designed to flexibly combine study and work - for example, in day, evening, or Saturday studies or completely digital.
What are the admission requirements?
The main formal admission requirements for the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.A.) at FOM are:
- Abitur (German university entrance qualification) or Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification, general or subject-related).
- Alternatively, admission without Abitur is possible:
- With a completed vocational training and at least three years of professional experience thereafter, or
- with an advanced training qualification such as specialist or master craftsman.
- You must currently be employed (full-time or part-time) or be in training, an internship, a trainee program, or voluntary service.
Sufficient knowledge of German is also required, as the programme is conducted in German. If you are not currently employed, individual consultation with FOM is recommended.
Personally, you should bring the following:
- Interest in economic issues and the interaction of various areas of a company.
- Self-organization and the willingness to reconcile work, training, or personal commitments with the requirements of a part-time study programme.
- Communication skills, teamwork, and motivation to familiarize yourself with topics such as digital transformation, project management, or personnel management.
- According knowledge of mathematics, logic, and English are helpful but not mandatory - corresponding preparation courses are offered.
- Responsibility and perseverance for a 180 ECTS credit point programme with a standard study period of 7 semesters.
What content does the Business Administration (B.A.) degree program at FOM convey?
In the Bachelor's degree program Business Administration (B.A.), you will develop a comprehensive foundation in business administration. The program covers central areas of company operations and promotes an understanding of economic processes. The focus is on:
- Business Fundamentals: Introduction to management, corporate management, controlling, and accounting
- Market Analysis & Marketing: Methods for market observation, target group addressing, and marketing strategies
- Finance & Budgeting: Financial planning, investment calculation, and cost management
- Human Resource Management: Concepts of leadership, team development, and personnel processes
- Project Management: Planning and controlling projects, quality management
- Entrepreneurial Decision-Making: Decision-making under uncertainty, entrepreneurial thinking
- Digital Transformation: Influence of digital technologies on business models and processes
- Intercultural Competence: Communication across cultural boundaries, aspects of international management
- Specialization Options: Choice of focuses such as digitalization, sustainability, or artificial intelligence
Upon completion of the studies, you will have methodological skills in analyzing, strategically planning, and operationally implementing economic tasks. You will be capable of independently managing projects, planning budgets, and effectively leading teams.
How is the structure and organization of the program designed?
The Bachelor's degree program typically lasts seven semesters and offers maximum flexibility through various time models and study formats:
- Study Models: Choose between Campus Study+ at over 30 locations in Germany and the Digital Live Study with streamed lectures from the FOM Studios.
- Annual Start: Start of studies either in the summer semester (March) or the winter semester (September).
- Flexible Time Models: Daytime studies, evening and Saturday studies, or mixed forms.
- Switching Option: Before each semester, you can choose new study models and individual modules and flexibly switch between presence and online.
- Scope of Studies: Total of 180 ECTS points.
- Semester Breaks: In August and from mid to late February.
- Individual Adjustment: Advance calculation of credits from training or studies possible - shortens the duration of studies and reduces costs.
- Additional Offers: Digital preparatory courses, free basic modules before the semester starts, block seminars, and specialization options.
- International Options: Summer academies and spring schools at partner universities in Australia, the USA, and South Africa (credits are transferable).
The program is tailored to professionals and apprentices. Thanks to multiple time models, it can be combined with jobs, training, or personal commitments. Additional offers enable targeted deepening in current topics such as sustainability or digitalization.
Which career paths does the Business Administration (B.A.) degree open up for you?
With a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, you are qualified for diverse roles in business, administration, and non-profit organizations. Typical career paths for graduates include:
- Management and Leadership Positions: Entry into team leadership, project management or middle management levels
- Marketing & Sales: Positions in marketing and communication departments, sales management
- Finance & Controlling: Roles in accounting, financial controlling, and budget planning
- Human Resource Management: Activities in HR, recruiting, and personnel development
- Business Consulting: Entry into consulting firms or as an in-house consultant
- Specialized Tasks: e.g., digitalization, sustainability, international business development
- Science and Further Education: Access to master's programs and further qualifying programs
The degree is nationally and internationally recognized. FOM graduates, according to their own surveys, are in demand in the business world. By crediting additional qualifications or modules abroad, you can further refine your profile. According to NAFSA (2024), intercultural and digital skills are particularly in demand internationally.
What are the costs - and how can you finance your studies?
The total costs for the Business Administration (B.A.) degree program at FOM are composed as follows:
- Tuition Fees: 42 monthly installments of 365 euros each (total of 15,330 euros)
- Examination Fees: One-time 500 euros at the end of the studies
- Total Investment: Total of 15,830 euros for the complete bachelor's program
Overview of Financing Options:
- Tax Deductibility: Tuition fees, examination fees, as well as expenses for literature, travel costs, and work materials are generally tax deductible.
- Crediting Previous Achievements: Recognition of previous qualifications reduces both study time and costs.
- Break Regulation: You can take up to two semesters of leave free of charge.
- Financial Support: In personal or financial emergencies, individual payment arrangements are possible.
FOM is a non-profit university. The tuition fees are completely invested in teaching, research, and modern infrastructure. Studying at FOM stands for quality and flexibility - with a high success rate and a strong connection between theory and practice.
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