Studium Export-oriented Management - Studierender steht im Gang

International Business Management bachelor degree programme

(formerly Export-oriented Management)
International business in a nutshell: Do you enjoy communication? Do you like to travel? Are you open to other cultures? Are you interested in international business relations? Then this degree programme is the perfect choice for you.

We give you the skills and detailed knowledge of international business administration and economics that allow you to deal successfully with partners all over the world. It goes without saying that the programme is entirely taught in English, and on top of that you also study an additional foreign language.

The degree programme

Nowadays, many companies operate in an international environment – their suppliers, business contacts, consultants and clients are increasingly located abroad, as are their competitors, who also have an international focus, offering new ideas and business models from other countries that are changing markets constantly.

This means more and more Austrian companies are looking for opportunities abroad. The export sector, often referred to as the engine of economic growth, has expanded from 10,000 companies to over 60,000 in the last 20 years. This brings significant opportunities, but also some challenges.

Ideally equipped for tomorrow’s job market

The International Business Management bachelor degree programme has been designed specifically with these requirements in mind. You will examine ways in which you can head up and develop businesses with a view to building a successful future and learn how to effectively manage national and international projects and partnerships. Although the courses focus on international business activities, it goes without saying that the skills you develop can also be applied in the domestic market. We give our students the tools they need to handle complex situations so that they can skilfully address all kinds of challenges using the problem-solving approaches and strategies at their disposal.

Learning and developing skills and abilities that will give you a clear advantage in your day-to-day work play an important role throughout the programme. The skills modules are closely aligned with the learning modules: you will learn about the theory and practice behind a range of activities, including negotiations and concluding contracts, conflict and receivables management, getting your business in shape for audits and budgeting processes, as well as receiving valuable inputs related to discussions on objectives, performance assessment and employee management.

International focus from day one

International and intercultural learning is also very important to us. Here, the emphasis is on personal experience. This starts with the international atmosphere at home – you will work with fellow students from all over the world and regularly discuss international topics and best practice during the courses.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to spend the third semester abroad at one of our 170+ partner universities without having to put your studies on hold. The fourth semester also has an international element: an internship at a company of your choice abroad.

Tip

The dual degree we offer in conjunction either with the  Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland or the KEDGE Business School - Campus Bordeaux, France is a particularly attractive option. Besides obtaining a Bachelor of Arts from IMC Krems, you will also be awarded a degree from our partner institution.

On top of that, you have the chance to spend a semester at one of our international locations – Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Sanya in China or Hanoi in Vietnam.

Student stories

Business administration

Business administration focuses on how organisations and companies are managed. In other words, it examines business processes with the aim of providing insights into the planning, implementation and evaluation of responsibilities, approaches and objectives in different parts of a business.

Business administration covers topics including accounting and finance, marketing, human resources and logistics.

Core elements of the programme

In the International Business Management bachelor degree programme, we provide you with a broad range of business administration skills and know-how, with a focus on international activities.

This is the ideal preparation for capitalising on the opportunities and addressing the challenges of increasingly dynamic markets by implementing established and new business models, and adopting contemporary approaches.

What are the most important steps for successful international expansion? First of all, you have to ensure that you understand your counterparts, and take into account any potential cross-cultural differences. Then it’s all about building a relationship so that you can successfully conclude contracts and agreements and manage risks systematically. Finally, you need to actually run the business and solve problems.

Statistics underline the importance of exports in our globalised world: the number of exporters has increased from 12,500 in 2000 to over 60,000 today. Meanwhile, exports account for 60% of Austria’s gross domestic product. What’s more, many companies export more than 90% of their goods and services and could not exist if they operated solely on the Austrian market.

On the flip side, we also benefit from imports, such as bananas and coffee, but also in terms of energy, computers and software.

Many international organisations (such as the United Nations, OPEC and the OSCE) are based in Austria, while numerous international companies also have their European or southeast European headquarters in this country.

Studium Export-oriented Management - Studierende sitzen am Boden
Studium Export-oriented Management - Studierende mit Folder in der Hand
Studium Export-oriented Management - Studierende sitzen am Tisch

" On this programme you will have the opportunity to discover where your interests lie. You will gain a comprehensive overview of a range of industries and departments, putting you in a position to identify a company’s internal and external relationships. Foreign trade, marketing and sales, human resources, project business, or how about logistics? You decide on the focus of your degree with your choice of internship, electives and the topic of your bachelor paper. "

Programme director Christopher Schwand

A formula for success: theoretical knowledge + practical experience

The programme is built on three pillars.

  1. 1

    1. The basics

    Semesters 1-2

    At the beginning of your studies, you will gain an overview of business administration and economics and how to act sustainably in business. You will deal with subjects such as marketing, human resources management, accounting, logistics and law. Always with the opportunities and challenges in mind that come with internationalisation and international trade. Thus, we will start with a virtual journey around the world, with a wide variety of products and business sectors already in the first semester.

    Another important focus is developing an awareness of cultural differences. During the degree, you will acquire techniques for working as part of diverse teams. You can also select an additional foreign language, with a choice of Chinese, German, French, Italian or Spanish.

  2. 2

    2. Gathering experience abroad

    Semesters 3-4

    Advanced language skills and a good awareness of how practices can vary from culture to culture are important ingredients for a successful international career.

    Over the course of the programme, you will learn or improve your skills in your chosen foreign language – on top of your regular lectures, which are taught in English. You will spend semester 4 abroad, when you gain practical insights into the working methods of successful companies and how they function. You will also have the option of doing a semester abroad at one of our 170+  partner universities in semester 3. Our international spirit runs right through the programme!

  3. 3

    3. Advanced courses

    Semesters 5-6

    The electives in semesters 5 and 6 are a major reason why graduates of this programme can look forward to such excellent career prospects. From entrepreneurship and digitalisation to trade, project management and foreign markets – you have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your personal interests through your choice of elective.

    In the electives, you will look at the instruments and tools you have studied during the programme from an interdisciplinary perspective and apply them in projects and realistic case studies.

    You will also choose one of three specialisations, which each deal with a different export scenario – export of raw materials and goods, export of services, or megaprojects.
    In courses which build on what you’ve already learned, you will study advanced aspects of business administration and law and improve your computer and software skills. You will also develop your soft skills, working on areas such as negotiation techniques.

Curriculum

What can you expect from your studies? The curriculum provides an overview.
​​​​​​​Click on the individual courses for further information.

  1. CourseSWSECTS
    Sustainable Management and Entrepreneurship
    Principles of Management 23
    Sustainability and Ethics in Leadership 11
    Entrepreneurship 12
    International Business I
    International Marketing and Sales 23
    Doing Business Abroad: Exporting and Importing 23
    Accounting and Finance I
    Accounting I 24
    Intercultural Competence and Self Reflection
    Training Intercultural Competence and Self Reflection 22
    Rhetoric and Presentation 11
    Scientific Methods and Tools I
    Foundations of Empirical Social Research 11
    Qualitative Research Methods 22
    Business Mathematics
    Business Mathematics - Theory 12
    Business Mathematics - Exercises 12
    French I (Level A1) **
    French I (Level A1) ** 34
    French I (Level B1) **
    French I (Level B1) ** 34
    Spanish I (Level A1) **
    Spanish I (Level A1) ** 34
    Spanish I (Level B1) **
    Spanish I (Level B1) ** 34
    Italian I (Level A1) **
    Italian I (Level A1) ** 34
    German I (Level B1) **
    German I (Level B1) ** 34
    Chinese I (Level A1) **
    Chinese I (Level A1) ** 34
    German I (Level A1) **
    German I (Level A1) ** 34
  2. CourseSWSECTS
    HR and People Management
    Human Resource Management and Career Development 23
    Group Dynamics 11
    International Business II
    Procurement, Production and Logistics 23
    Doing Business Abroad: FDI 23
    Accounting and Finance II
    Accounting II 23
    Economics I
    Microeconomics 23
    Scientific Methods and Tools II
    Quantitative Research Methods 23
    Principles of Business Data Analysis 23
    Business Statistics
    Business Statistics - Theory 12
    Business Statistics - Exercises 12
    French II (Level A2) **
    French II (Level A2) ** 34
    French II (Level B1) **
    French II (Level B1) ** 34
    Spanish II (Level A2) **
    Spanish II (Level A2) ** 34
    Spanish II (Level B1) **
    Spanish II (Level B1) ** 34
    Italian II (Level A2) **
    Italian II (Level A2) ** 34
    German II (Level A2) **
    German II (Level A2) ** 34
    German II (Level B1) **
    German II (Level B1) ** 34
    Chinese II (Level A1/A2) **
    Chinese II (Level A1/A2) ** 34
  3. CourseSWSECTS
    Organisation Design and Corporate Management
    Organisational Theory and Development 23
    Processes, Audits and Reports in Purpose Driven Organisations 1.52
    International Business III
    International Project Management and Project Communication 23
    International Marketing Research and Market Entry 23
    Accounting and Finance III
    Managerial Accounting/Controlling and Decision Making 23
    Finance and Investment 1.53
    Crowd Funding and Alternative Finance 23
    Economics II
    Macroeconomics 33
    Law, Contracts and Negotiation
    Principles of Law 22
    Establishing Contracts and Negotiation 1.53
    French III (Level A2/A2+) **
    French III (Level A2/A2+) ** 22
    French III (Level B1/B2) **
    French III (Level B1/B2) ** 22
    Spanish III (Level A2/A2+) **
    Spanish III (Level A2/A2+) ** 22
    Spanish III (Level B1/B2) **
    Spanish III (Level B1/B2) ** 22
    Italian III (Level A2/A2+) **
    Italian III (Level A2/A2+) ** 22
    German III (Level A2/A2+) **
    German III (Level A2/A2+) ** 22
    German III (Level B1/B2) **
    German III (Level B1/B2) ** 22
    Chinese III (Level A2) **
    Chinese III (Level A2) ** 22
  4. CourseSWSECTS
    Practical Training
    Practical Training (20 weeks à 32 hours per week) 026
    Practical Training Coaching Seminar 12
    Artificial Intelligence Applications in Business
    Artificial Intelligence Applications in Business 22
  5. CourseSWSECTS
    Business Foundation and Management
    Entrepreneurship and Starting a Company 23
    Budgeting and Financial Management 23
    Key Account and Performance Management 22
    International Business IV
    Foreign Trade Techniques: Export Risk Management 23
    Supply Chain Management and Simulation 33
    Tender and Contracting 23
    International Law and International Relations I
    International Relations and Geopolitical Affairs 22
    International Business Law 1.52
    Scientific Methods and Tools III
    Bachelor Seminar I 13
    French IV (Level A2/B1) **
    French IV (Level A2/B1) ** 23
    French IV (Level B2) **
    French IV (Level B2) ** 23
    Spanish IV (Level A2/B1) **
    Spanish IV (Level A2/B1) ** 23
    Spanish IV (Level B2) **
    Spanish IV (Level B2) ** 23
    Italian IV (Level A2/B1) **
    Italian IV (Level A2/B1) ** 23
    German IV (Level A2/B1) **
    German IV (Level A2/B1) ** 23
    German IV (Level B2) **
    German IV (Level B2) ** 23
    Chinese IV (Level A2+) **
    Chinese IV (Level A2+) ** 23
    Elective: Future Markets
    Elective: Future Markets 13
    Elective: Digitalisation of Business
    Elective: Digitalisation of Business 13
    Elective: Export Market Metrics
    Elective: Export Market Metrics 13
    Elective: Sourcing and Customs Planning
    Elective: Sourcing and Customs Planning 13
    Elective: Artificial Intelligence Applications and Visualisation of Data
    Elective: Artificial Intelligence Applications and Visualisation of Data 13
  6. CourseSWSECTS
    International Business V
    International Financial Management 23
    Elective Case Seminar A: Export of Commodities and Goods 35
    Elective Case Seminar B: Export of Services 35
    Elective Case Seminar C: FDI and Engineering Projects abroad 35
    Economics III
    International Economics 23
    International Law and International Relations II
    International Strategies for Sustainable Development 23
    Community Management and Social Learning
    Community Management and Social Learning 13
    Scientific Methods and Tools IV
    Bachelor Seminar II and Bachelor Paper 18
    Bachelor Exam
    Bachelor Exam 02
    French V (Level B1) **
    French V (Level B1) ** 23
    French V (Level C1) **
    French V (Level C1) ** 23
    Spanish V (Level B1) **
    Spanish V (Level B1) ** 23
    Spanish V (Level C1) **
    Spanish V (Level C1) ** 23
    Italian V (Level B1) **
    Italian V (Level B1) ** 23
    German V (Level B1) **
    German V (Level B1) ** 23
    German V (Level C1) **
    German V (Level C1) ** 23
    Chinese V (Level A2/B1) **
    Chinese V (Level A2/B1) ** 23

Study abroad

Spend a semester or more at one of our 170+ partner universities. A unique experience!

The exchange semester

Key features

What makes our International Business Management programme so special? Here’s an overview.

Ideal preparation for the international stage

Would you like to study alongside people from all over the world? Go abroad for the exchange and internship semesters? Do you want to keep your options open after you graduate – whether you end up working at home or abroad? Then this international degree programme is the perfect choice for you.

You will receive a fundamental education in business administration and acquire a detailed understanding of economics and law. Another important part of the curriculum: foreign trade and negotiation techniques. You gain an overview of the various economic regions, learn or improve your skills in a foreign language and gather international experience. In addition to interpersonal skills, digitalisation and sustainability also feature prominently on the curriculum.

Explore the world

Interested in other cultures? Great – because your future managers will expect you to have the attributes for professional mobility. On this programme you have the chance to spend one or two semesters at one of our 170+ partner universities.

You will also spend the internship semester at a company of your choice abroad. This all means you have plenty of opportunities to polish your English language skills or brush up your knowledge of another foreign language. You’ll gain valuable cross-cultural experience along the way and can take time to explore your temporary home.

Practical training

The Practical Training Semester (PTS) is a core element of the curriculum, and gives you the chance to apply the knowledge you’ve acquired in a business environment. You get to know various company structures first-hand, and gain work experience that will stand you in good stead when you start work.

Linking content to real-world practice throughout the programme is very important to us. We have close ties with partners in industry, which helps us to predict domestic and international business and technology trends. Examples of best practice from our partners and projects implemented with them ensure lectures have a strong practical focus.

Career paths

Our International Business Management bachelor degree programme opens the door to a whole world of opportunities. Whether you decide to go abroad or work in Austria, you will be qualified to assume entry-level positions in a wide-range of industries and departments.

You have the choice of starting a career or enrolling for a full-time or part-time master degree.

A wide range of options will be open to you – at IMC Krems, for instance, you can register for the master degree programmes:

Alternatively, you can take a master degree in business at another Austrian or foreign university.

  • Potential entry-level positions
  • Marketing and sales
  • Foreign trade
  • Human resource management (HRM)
  • Product and project management
  • Purchasing and supply chain management
  • Controlling
  • Consulting
  • Finance and risk management
  • Public administration
  • International organisations/diplomatic service
  • Company foundation and start-ups
10 good reasons

What makes us special? We are more than happy to tell you about the aspects of our university, which we are especially proud of.

Krems

Friendly and cosmopolitan: The city attracts students from all over the world, who come to study, research and work together.

Service centers

Our university has removed a host of administrative hurdles, leaving you free to concentrate fully on your studies.

Advisory Service

Do you have questions regarding our degree programmes or the application? Contact our Prospective Student Advisory Service.

Find out more

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Opinions: International Business Management

Click through the videos of the degree programme.

Information events

Our team

Get to know the core team of our bachelor degree programme International Business Management.

  • Prof.(FH) MMag. Christopher Schwand | Head of Institute International Trade and Sustainable Economy / Programme Director International Business Management - IMC Fachhochschule Krems
    Prof.(FH) MMag. Christopher Schwand
    Head of Institute International Trade and Sustainable Economy / Programme Director International Business Management

    Head of Institute International Trade and Sustainable Economy / Programme Director International Business Management

    Prof.(FH) MMag. Christopher Schwand

    Core Competencies
    • Digital Business Transformation
    • Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

Application and admissions – the next steps

You've found a course that's a perfect fit? Great – you’ve already taken the most important step! We’ve put together an overview to guide you through the next steps.

What are the admission requirements for bachelor programmes?

To qualify for admission to a university of applied sciences bachelor degree programme, you must have an Austrian school-leaving certificate or an equivalent qualification.

Do you have a school-leaving certificate issued outside Austria?

We’ll check to make sure it’s equivalent to an Austrian certificate in accordance with section 4 of the University of Applied Sciences Studies Act (FHG) when you’ve sent us all the relevant documentation via our online application tool. If it is not an equivalent, you’ll receive information on the supplementary examinations you’ll need to pass. In a nutshell, you will have the option of completing a summer school and the necessary supplementary examinations at IMC Krems or look for an external provider. In that case, you might consider our cooperation partner, the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria: It offers a one-year International Foundation Programme which provides you with all the necessary qualifications you need in order to start your studies in Krems.

What proof of your language skills is required for our English-language bachelor degree programme?

We’ll assess your English language proficiency at your interview, so there is no need to provide additional evidence of your English skills. 

Important​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​
Do you still need to complete your military or alternative service?  If you’re a male Austrian citizen, we strongly recommend completing your compulsory national service before beginning your studies. This will allow you to finish your degree with no interruptions and start your career without delay afterwards.

 

Application interview

We would like to get to know you as a person:
As part of the online application you will have to write a statement of motivation and a short essay on a topic relevant to the degree programme. Predefined questions about your motivations as well as the requirements and topics for your essay can be found in the online application. You choose one of the suggested topics, conduct research to broaden your knowledge, deal with the issues and bring your own point of view to the essay. Your answers are to be entered in the fields provided.

Your statement of motivation and your essay form the basis for your application interview. Every applicant has an opportunity to introduce themselves in a face-to-face discussion, usually with the degree programme director. In addition to the personal introduction and your motivation to study, the applicant and the interviewer discuss the topic selected and the arguments used in the essay, as well as the topic’s relevance for the degree programme.

The application interview is held in the language of instruction of the degree programme and can take place either online via Microsoft Teams or in presence.

After the application interview, your statement of motivation, the essay and your performance throughout the interview are assessed on the basis of the content-related remarks, the manner in which they express themselves and the arguments used.
 

Interview dates

There is usually a selection of dates to choose from, with quotas allocated for each date. You can select a preferred date and time slot for your admission interview during the online application process. In order to still benefit from the full selection of dates, we recommend that you submit your application in good time.

Get an overview of the dates for your programme.

Admission Interview
29/04/202430/04/202402/05/202416/05/202417/05/202421/05/202427/05/202420/06/202421/06/202408/07/202409/07/2024

After you have successfully completed your online application, your application will be checked for completeness and correctness. As soon as this process is completed, we will inform you by e-mail and confirm the date for your admission interview. We will send you the Microsoft Teams Meeting Link in a separate e-mail a few days before the application interview date.

Application deadline for EU nationals / Extended application deadline 17/04/2024 / 15/08/2024
Application deadline for non-EU nationals
Application for the next study year possible from 01/12/2024
15/04/2024
Please note that the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems reserves the right to close the extended application period at any time without prior notice. We therefore recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
Apply now

You've decided for one of our degree programmes? First of all: congratulations and thank you for choosing us! We’ll be happy to guide you step-by-step through your online application.

Details

You would like to plan ahead and would like to know when your degree programme starts? Here you will find the answer!

Details

Questions about the degree programme?

Prospective Student Advisory Service


Do you have questions regarding the entry requirements, the admission procedure and more? Our Prospective Student Advisory Service is happy to help.

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Ask Simone

Ask Simone


Would you like first-hand information about the International Business Management degree programme? Contact Simone directly, she will be happy to answer all your questions about the study programme.

[email protected]