Business Psychology, Bachelor of Arts

Dual studies @ IU International University of Applied Sciences 

👉 The Dual Bachelor's degree program in Business Psychology at IU is designed for school graduates with (specialized) high school diploma as well as professionals with relevant training who want to combine psychological and business expertise. The program combines self-study, face-to-face and online workshops with a fixed practical phase (around 20 hours per week) at a partner company. Typical fields of application are Human Resources, Organizational Development, Change Management, and Consulting. Study focuses include Psychology, Business Administration, Diagnostics, Labor Law, and practical projects in a business context. Study starts are possible three times a year, at multiple locations as well as on the virtual campus. The study fees are covered by the practice partner.

At a Glance

🏫 University IU International University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Erfurt (Germany)
Practical relevance, international orientation or maximum flexibility: IU International University (IU) prepares over 100,000 students for the global job market. It brings together under its umbrella more than 100 study programs offered in three independent university areas: the IU Dual Study Program, the IU Distance Learning Program and the flexible IU myStudium. IU offers students a network of renowned practical partners in the business world: more than 15,000 companies have already successfully cooperated with IU, including ZURICH Versicherungen or Motel One. IU, which was founded in 2000, is now represented in over 40 cities in Germany.
🎓 Field of Study EconomicsBusiness Psychology
📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 7 Semesters
🎯 ECTS 210 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Intercultural Psychology, Social Psychology, Reflection on Practice 1: Social Sciences, Psychology, Business Administration, Practical Project: Business Psychology in Practice, Introduction to Scientific Work for Psychology and Health, Marketing, Reflection on Practice 2: Social Sciences, Conflict Management and Mediation, Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Practical Project: Organisational Development, Business Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Reflection on Practice 3: Social Sciences, Consumer Behaviour, Personnel and Corporate Management, Practical Project: Communication for Practical Problem Solving, Fundamentals of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Statistics, Reflection on Practice 4: Social Sciences, Current Topics in Business Psychology, Labour Law I: Establishment of the Employment Relationship, Practical Project: Agile Project Management, Elective Area A, Elective Area B, Reflection on Practice 5: Social Sciences, Practical Project: Digital Business Models, Elective Area C, Reflection on Practice 6: Social Sciences, Practical Project: Sustainable Personnel Management, Reflection on Practice 7: IT & Technology, Practical Project: IT Excellence with Creative Prompt Techniques, Bachelor's Thesis.
📚 Electives Elective Area A, Elective Area B, Elective Area C, AI/Artificial Intelligence, Communication, Sustainability and Ethics, Management Skills
📍 Location Augsburg, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Nuremberg, or Virtual Campus
📅 Enrollment January 1st, April 1st, October 1st
🔗 More Info https://www.iu-dualesstudium.de

Who is a good fit for the Dual Study Programme in Business Psychology at IU?

Do you want to understand how people make decisions in an economic environment? Are you equally interested in psychological and business-related issues? The Dual myStudy Programme in Business Psychology at IU is aimed at all those who are passionate about human behavior in a business context. Typical target groups include:

  • High school graduates with a high school diploma (Abitur), technical college entrance qualification, or equivalent, who want to directly combine theory and practice
  • Professionals with a completed vocational training who want to further qualify academically and practically
  • People interested in Human Resources, personnel development, change management, organizational development, and business consulting
  • Anyone looking for career prospects at the intersection of psychology, business, and management, e.g. in human resources, marketing, or business consulting
  • Applicants who enjoy working independently, shaping new developments, and thinking interdisciplinarily

The study programme is suitable for you if you are both analytical and communicative, enjoy practical projects, and see your future in a key role between people and organizations.

What are the entry requirements? Overview of admission requirements

  • General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, or technical college entrance qualification: With these academic qualifications, you are directly admitted to the Dual Bachelor's programme.
  • Master craftsman's examination or completed advanced training: After successful completion - for example as a state-certified business administrator or as a technician - access is also possible.
  • Career path without Abitur: Even without a (technical) high school diploma, you can start if you
    • have completed at least a two-year vocational training and
    • have at least three years of full-time professional experience in the learned profession;
    • the professional qualification must be relevant to the desired degree programme (if unsure, IU will advise you individually).
    • You start in this case with a trial study programme.
  • Foreign qualifications: Here, an equivalency assessment (according to Anabin) is carried out; you must also demonstrate German language skills at level B2.
  • A consultation with IU's student counseling service is required before starting your studies (initial consultation).
  • There is no numerus clausus - there is no admission restriction.

The Dual Study Programme starts three times a year (January, April, October). You decide whether you want to study on campus (e.g. in Augsburg, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, or Nuremberg) or on the virtual campus.

Note: Your practical partner - a company of your choice or from IU's network - must be found before you start. The student counseling service will support you in your search and application.

What personal qualities are useful?

  • Interest in psychological and economic issues
  • Analytical thinking and communication skills
  • Independence as well as ability to work in a team
  • Commitment, dedication, and responsibility in studies and in the company
  • Willingness to gain practical experience (about 20 hours per week) at the practical partner
  • Basic digital skills and openness to innovative forms of learning

In addition, it is advantageous if you can work in a structured manner and react flexibly to new situations - both of which you will need repeatedly during your studies and practical phases.

Study Business Psychology Dual: Contents & Skills

In the dual Bachelor's programme in Business Psychology at IU International University, you will be specifically prepared to combine psychological expertise with economic fields of action. The following contents are at the core:

  • Foundations: Introduction to Psychology, Business Administration, Marketing, Social Psychology, and Intercultural Psychology.
  • Diagnosis & Methodological Competence: Psychological Diagnostics, Research Methodology, Statistics, and Data Analysis.
  • Application Orientation: Business Psychology, Consumer Behaviour, Personnel and Corporate Management, Conflict management, and Mediation.
  • Workplace & Organization: Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Labour Law, Organisational Development, Agile Project Management.
  • Practical Projects: Application of acquired knowledge in real corporate projects, such as in Communication, Sustainable HR Management, or AI Implementation in HR.
  • Specializations from the 5th Semester: Choose from modules like Psychology of Personnel Selection, Organizational Development and Digital Transformation, Leadership and Career Planning, Psychology of Purchasing Decisions, or Coaching and Personnel Development.

You will learn to transfer psychological principles to corporate processes, to analyze employees and customers effectively, and to create sustainable, motivating work environments. Additionally, you will have access to the learning AI Syntea and digital learning materials to support you in deepening your knowledge.

Organizational Structure and Study Model

The Dual myStudy programme combines self-study with face-to-face or online workshops, as well as intensive practical phases in companies. The following characteristics shape the course:

  • Study Structure: 7 semesters (standard period of study), a total of 210 ECTS.
  • Theory: Independent work with learning materials and interactive online tools, regular accompanying events on campus or virtually.
  • Practice: 20 hours per week with a practice partner of your choice, applying theory in the corporate context.
  • Innovative Learning: Support through learning AI Syntea - a digital study buddy for everyday learning.
  • Flexibility: Switch between campus locations and virtual campus, with study intakes three times a year.
  • General Studies: In the optional area C (from the 6th semester), you can freely choose modules from the IU distance learning catalogue, for example on AI, Communication, Sustainability, or other management skills.

Career Opportunities & Job Prospects

IU prepares you for versatile fields at the interface of psychology and economics. After graduation, various career paths are open to you:

  • Personnel Development and Organizational Development: You are in demand when companies realign themselves - as a Personnel and Organizational Developer, you support teams, mediate during restructuring, and promote executives.
  • Change Management Consulting: You advise companies in change processes, develop implementation concepts, and accompany the organization during ongoing transformations.
  • Recruiting and Talent Management: As a Recruiting Manager, you identify and recruit professionals, often through new digital channels and methods.
  • Other Opportunities: Work as an HR Generalist, Coach, Business Consultancy in the field of Occupational Psychology, Marketing Strategy focusing on Consumer Behaviour.

Thanks to the practical orientation and your specialization, you increase your chances of being hired by companies and position yourself optimally for attractive leadership roles.

Study Locations: Flexible On-Site or Virtual

You can complete the Dual Study Business Psychology at various locations or on the virtual campus:

  • Campus Locations: Augsburg, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Nuremberg.
  • Virtual Campus: Available nationwide, participation in live online events and digital exchange with lecturers and fellow students.
  • On campus, you can use modern spaces, lounges, and, if needed, the infrastructure (cafeterias, libraries) of other universities.

You will complete your practical phases nationwide with a practice partner of your choice, possibly with the support of IU's network with more than 15,000 partner companies.

Costs and Financing

The Dual Study at IU is free of charge for you as a student:

  • Tuition Fees: All fees are covered by your practice partner.
  • Additional Remuneration: Many practical companies additionally pay a monthly remuneration (depending on the company).
  • Material Costs: Online learning materials and AI-based tools are included in the offering.

You benefit from all the advantages of a private, state-recognized university without having to finance tuition fees.

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