International Business and Economics (IBE) Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

The Bachelor’s programme in International Business and Economics offers a unique combination of economics and business administration with a strong international and quantitative focus. It is designed for students who want to understand how global markets work and how firms make strategic decisions in a complex economic environment.

A key strength of the programme is its emphasis on analytical and quantitative skills. Students learn how to work with data, apply econometric methods, and develop evidence-based solutions to real-world economic and business challenges. This skill set is highly valued in today’s increasingly data-driven global economy.

By integrating perspectives from economics and management, the programme provides a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between firms, markets, and public policy.

The programme is taught entirely in English and includes the study of an additional foreign language, including German studies for internationals. Students benefit from an international classroom, close interaction with faculty, and excellent opportunities to gain international experience through partner universities and internships.

Graduates are well equipped for international careers in consulting, finance, public institutions, and global companies, or for pursuing a Master’s degree at leading universities worldwide.

IBE Module Descriptions

The International Business and Economics programme consists of a sequence of required courses of an economic and managerial nature, with a theoretical, analytical, and interculturally oriented approach.

The programme comprises two parts: compulsory modules and compulsory elective modules. Compulsory studies start from the first semester and go through the fourth semester. Modules offered: Micro- and Macroeconomics, Principles of Management, Financial Accounting, Statistics, Game Theory, Mathematical Methods, Marketing Performance Management, Financial Management, Decision & Strategy, International Economics, Economic Policy, Econometrics, Principles of International Management, Productions, Logistics and Management Science, English at an academic level, a second foreign language, and German (DAF) for international students.

Students will specialise during their fifth and sixth semesters by choosing compulsory elective courses in international business or global economics, including a project seminar. These compulsory electives can also be taken at a cooperating partner institution abroad. Credits earned during the study abroad period will be recognised, and an advisory service is offered. A special feature at our school is the so-called CoMeT module. In this module, students may gain credits for their volunteer work by applying business and economics skills at one of the student organisations at the university or in the city of Magdeburg. Special regulations will apply.

A written Bachelor's thesis and a corresponding seminar that includes a presentation will round off the undergraduate study programme.

Students should expect a weekly workload of approx. 20 hours of classroom studies and at least 20 hours of independent self-study in our full-time study programme. Forms of classroom instruction include on-campus lectures, tutorials, and seminars.

To assist students during the study programme, the faculty provides academic Bachelor's advisory services.

There are no integrated internships during the Bachelor's studies, as we are focusing on research methods. However, students are highly encouraged to complete a self-organised internship at the end of their studies. The faculty believes it is valuable to gain professional experience within German and international workplaces. Internships must be organised independently https://www.isp.ovgu.de/IBEApplication.html. Furthermore, student organisations, such as AIESEC, Enactus, and others, are active on campus. These organisations and the University Career Service Centre provide opportunities and assistance to both German and international students.

Applicants must provide a university entrance qualification that is recognised in Germany. Additionally, the programme requires fluent English skills, either in written and oral format.

IBE Requirements

Currently, the semester fee is 311.30 EUR. It covers services offered by the "Studentenwerk" (student union) and the student representatives. Enrolled students receive the "Deutschlandsemesterticket" for free use of public transport throughout Germany, along with student discounts in the campus cafeteria and more.

A minimum of 992 EUR per month must be budgeted for accommodation, cost of living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses. In comparison with many other towns and cities, the rental prices in Magdeburg are still relatively low. There are no tuition fees for the majority of programmes, and the semester fee already includes the cost of bus and tram travel within Magdeburg. The following link provides a fair picture of the cost of living in Magdeburg: Finance.

Our Career Service Centre provides on-campus workshops as well as job and internship search assistance for students.
A job fair exclusively for students is offered every semester.

The "Studentenwerk" (student union) in Magdeburg manages the on-campus halls of residence (mostly one- to four-room apartments). Currently, the monthly rent ranges from 200 EUR to 500 EUR per room (approx. 12 to 35 square meters), depending on the size and furnishing. Rooms in the halls of residence are limited in number. The accommodation application can be found on the website of the Studentenwerk.
The Studentenwerk assists all new students in finding adequate accommodation, either on or off campus. Private accommodation is available on the Magdeburg accommodation market. However, fully furnished units are in somewhat short supply.

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) was founded in 1993 and is one of Germany's youngest universities. It was formed by a merger of the existing technical university, the teacher training college, and the medical school. The university now comprises nine faculties and about 12,600 students and is becoming increasingly more important as a centre for education and research. It plays an important role in the regional capital of Magdeburg, which is developing into a centre for business, scholarship, and culture. The university is a member of many organisations and committees. It is named after Otto von Guericke (1602 to 1686), Magdeburg's famous citizen, whose pioneering research into the vacuum brought him renown well beyond Germany's borders. The university aspires to teach and research in the tradition of this great scientist, philosopher, and engineer and to continue with his humanist work.

At the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, students can choose from more than 100 study programmes in various areas of study and specialisation. There are also many possibilities to combine different subjects across faculties. To open up to qualified students from all over the world, the Otto von Guericke University is vastly expanding its offers of programmes taught in English. The conditions for students are ideal, with modern laboratories, experimental workshops, and clinics equipped with high-performance computers and an excellent staff-student ratio. The offer of a sound, thorough education, combining a high level of theoretical expertise with practical experience, makes Magdeburg an attractive choice.

In recent years, research at the university has gone through a decisive change, from applied research to innovative, fundamental research. Among the many areas represented, the neurosciences, immunology, non-linear systems, new materials, processes and products, computational visualistics, social transformation, communication, and culture deserve a special mention. The university hopes to make a significant contribution to economic and social development in Magdeburg and the surrounding area through its research. Equally, disciplines such as humanities, economics, and management, which have been established more recently at the university, have already made their mark on our research profile. Special emphasis is placed on close cooperation between teaching staff and students.

The Otto von Guericke University is a proud member of the European University Alliance EU GREEN, which is aiming to be your gateway to sustainability. Together, we aim to be a broad European hub for education, research and innovation in sustainability that goes beyond the consortium borders and acts globally to provide solutions to local or regional challenges, which can be replicated at a global level.

Magdeburg also attracts students because it offers accommodation with either a single bed or twin beds in its halls of residence.

Take a virtual trip through our international campus!

As the capital of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg is the seat of the state parliament and administration. The town is more than 1,200 years old and has about 242,000 inhabitants. Its excellent location on the River Elbe and its proximity to Berlin, Hanover, and Leipzig have proven to be a significant asset to the city. In the 19th century, the town developed into an important industrial and trade centre. Nowadays, another quite distinctive feature of Magdeburg is its considerable research and innovation potential at the university, the Max Planck and Fraunhofer research institutes, and the university of applied sciences, which are all located in close proximity to each other. Magdeburg offers an extensive park and garden landscape, a rich cultural and sports life, and an ideal atmosphere for being a student. Please visit the website: www.magdeburg.de.