Business Administration & Management, Bachelor of Arts

Who is the Business Administration & Management degree at CBS suitable for?

The Bachelor's degree in Business Administration & Management at CBS University of Applied Sciences is aimed at prospective students who want a solid education in economics and later wish to work in management, business consulting, marketing, human resources management or related fields. The programme primarily appeals to those looking for on-campus studies in Cologne, seeking a recognised Bachelor's degree and valuing practical relevance as well as specialisation options (such as controlling, international management or business psychology). The degree is suitable both for school-leavers with the general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) and for applicants with a Fachhochschulreife or equivalent qualification who want to combine a broad business administration foundation with diverse specialisation options and practical orientation at a modern, internationally focused university.

Admission requirements at a glance

• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or
• Subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or
• Fachhochschulreife (advanced technical college entrance qualification) or
• An equivalent recognised qualification (e.g. a university entrance qualification for professionally qualified applicants in accordance with the regulations of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia)

A numerus clausus (NC) is not required. The selection of applicants takes place as part of a personal selection procedure. This procedure primarily assesses your strengths, motivation and potential. After submitting your application documents (including proof of university entrance qualification – the current certificate is sufficient if the final certificate is not yet available), you will either be admitted directly to the degree programme or invited to a selection interview with the university. Applications are accepted throughout the year; you can start your studies in the winter or summer semester (limited places, early application recommended).

Personal requirements for the Business Administration degree

• Interest in economic contexts: You should enjoy understanding and analysing economic processes, markets and corporate structures.
• Analytical thinking: Careful evaluation of figures, statistics and economic data is part of many modules.
• Team skills and communication strength: Numerous study contents and practical projects require working in groups.
• Initiative and motivation: Independent work and commitment help you successfully complete your studies.
• Openness to new perspectives: Foreign language skills (English is part of the curriculum), intercultural competences and the willingness to think outside the box are advantageous – especially with regard to the international focus and choice of specialisations.
• Willingness for practical experience: A mandatory internship is part of the programme; you should be prepared to gain practical experience early on.

Detailed Course Content

In the Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration & Management at CBS University of Applied Sciences, you receive a broad education in business fundamentals, combined with practical projects and the opportunity for individual specialisation. The programme comprises 180 ECTS and is modularly structured. Topics you can expect include, among others:

• Fundamentals of Business Administration: Introduction to economics, human resource management & corporate leadership, mathematics, statistics, business law, accounting and financial reporting
• Specialisations in Management and Subject Areas: Cost & performance accounting, investment & financing, microeconomics and macroeconomics, commercial and corporate law, business informatics, strategic management, innovation & digitalisation
• Practical and Methodological Competence: Empirical & scientific work, quantitative methodological skills, project management, procurement & logistics, marketing & market research, business simulation game, business project
• Soft Skills and Interdisciplinary Competences: Communication & conversation techniques, teamwork & team development, moderation & sales discussions, self- & time management, training camp for young professionals
• Language Proficiency: English (multiple times in the curriculum), second foreign language with a focus on culture & management
• Specialisations: From the third semester, you select two specialisations, for example:
  • Controlling & Financial Management
  • Digital Management
  • Real Estate Management
  • International Management
  • Logistics & Supply Chain Management
  • Marketing Management
  • Corporate Management & Human Resources
  • Economic Psychology
• Bachelor’s Thesis: In the final semester, you write an academic thesis in which you demonstrate your professional and methodological competences.

A mandatory internship (10 ECTS) is integrated into the programme and provides you with initial practical experience in companies at home or abroad.

Course Structure

The full-time Business Administration & Management programme lasts six semesters and is campus-based in Cologne. You study primarily on-site while also benefiting from digital learning components. The programme starts in the winter and summer semesters.

• The first two semesters are dedicated to acquiring fundamentals of business administration and methodologies.
• From the third semester, you deepen your knowledge through self-chosen specialisations and work on practice-oriented projects.
• Throughout the course, you will encounter regular practical phases: business simulation game, business project and internship.
• Language courses (English and a second foreign language) as well as soft skills are an integral part of every semester.
• The programme concludes with the bachelor’s thesis in the sixth semester.

Career Prospects & Employment Opportunities

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration & Management, you qualify for diverse professional fields in companies across all industries. Typical areas of employment include:

• Marketing Management: Development and implementation of marketing strategies, brand building and product positioning
• Human Resource Management: Recruiting, personnel development, HR strategy for companies
• Project Management: Planning, control and monitoring of (inter)national projects
• Process Management: Optimisation of business processes and introduction of new management procedures
• Consulting and Business Advisory Services: Analysis and consulting of companies on strategic or operational issues
• Other Fields: Controlling & finance, logistics, sales, management positions in SMEs or international corporations

Through the selectable specialisations, you can tailor your personal profile and prepare your career entry optimally. The internship integrated into the programme as well as collaboration with renowned corporate partners facilitate your career entry and offer valuable networking opportunities.

Place of Study

The programme is conducted at the CBS University of Applied Sciences campus in Cologne. The location offers a modern learning environment, close support by lecturers and access to a large network of corporate partners.

Costs and Financing

The tuition fees amount to 5,850 euros per semester (a total of 35,100 euros for the full standard period of study of six semesters). This results in a monthly fee of 975 euros.

• Financing options: CBS supports you through advice on BAföG, scholarships as well as financing solutions and provides information on dual or part-time study options.

Practical partners and an individual career service can offer you additional support during your studies and for your later career entry.