Are you already studying International Business Administration (IBA) and would like to find out more about the other study options available? Within this programme, you can study either on a traditional full-time basis or through a cooperative study programme. Each degree programme offers both a traditional and a cooperative option. In the cooperative model, you integrate your studies closely with a partner company: you gain professional experience, earn your own salary and have a good chance of being offered a permanent position after graduation.

How the 12-week model
works Both study options begin with approximately twelve weeks of lectures, followed by approximately two weeks of examinations. In the traditional programme, this is followed by a second on-campus phase at the university. 
In the cooperative programme, you spend around twelve weeks at the company instead. → The 12-week model in detail

We offer the following degree programmes as cooperative programmes

• Digital Business Management – cooperative (B.A.)
• International Business with Logistics and International Trade – cooperative (B.A.)
• Global Trade Management – cooperative (M.A.)
• Entrepreneurship – cooperative (M.A.)

Would you like to change your study option?
It is generally possible to switch between the traditional and cooperative study models in either direction. However, this is only possible up to a certain semester: for Bachelor’s programmes, up to and including the third semester; for Master’s programmes, up to and including the second semester. The switch can only take place at the start of the semester and requires a new application to be submitted by the deadline via the Worms University of Applied Sciences applicant portal. The deadlines set out in ‘Applications & Deadlines’ apply.

Switching
from the traditional to the cooperative study programme To make the switch, you will need a cooperation agreement with a partner company of Worms University of Applied Sciences, just as you would for a new application to the cooperative programme. To find out how to find a suitable company and how the cooperative application process works in detail, please see ‘Your path to the cooperative study programme’ below.

Switching
from a cooperative to a standard degree programme If you lose your partner company or wish to switch for other reasons, apply for the standard degree programme. This programme has restricted admission, so you will not automatically be offered a place. Seek advice at an early stage.

The practical phases you have already completed as part of your cooperative study programme will be assessed, but may not always be fully recognised. This may result in your degree programme taking longer. Inform your partner company and the IBA degree programme of your plans at an early stage; both you and the company can seek individual advice on this matter.

The following applies
to both pathways: comparable academic achievements already completed will be assessed upon re-enrolment and recognised where possible. You should submit your application via the Application for Recognition of Academic Achievements.

You can find the information leaflets on changing degree programmes here: Bachelor’s: Information on changing degree programmes (PDF) and Master’s: Information on the Programme Switch, in English (PDF).

Your path to a cooperative study
programme You apply twice: first to one of our partner companies, then to Worms University of Applied Sciences with your contract. You can find available places in the job board on the mycampus app and directly on the individual websites of our partner companies. All the steps and deadlines are explained in the ‘Cooperative Application Process’ accordion on the Orientation & Application page. A 
concise guide: the handbooks for the cooperative Bachelor’s programme (PDF) and the cooperative Master’s programme (PDF).

Bachelor’s Team: iba-bachelor@hs-worms.de Master’s Team: iba-master@hs-worms.de

You can contact the IBA Secretariat by telephone on +49 6241 509-176. You can find all contact persons under Contact & Community.

The work placement semester is an integral part of the degree programme, in both the traditional and dual study models. You will apply your knowledge within a company and gain professional experience. Many students find their future employer here, or the topic for their final dissertation.

In the traditional degree programme, you choose your own placement, either in Germany or abroad.

In the dual study programme, you always complete the work placement semester at your dual partnership company. There is no need to look for a placement yourself.

• Bachelor’s: in the 5th semester, at least 20 consecutive weeks, prerequisite: 90 ECTS
• Master’s: in the 3rd semester, at least 20 weeks, 30 ECTS

You can find your roadmap – from gathering information and looking for a placement right through to completion – in the ‘Practical Semester’ accordion on the ‘Study & Study Organisation’ page.

Bachelor’s team: iba-bachelor@hs-worms.de Master’s team: iba-master@hs-worms.de Dual study programme: iba-dual@hs-worms.de

Whether it’s a place on a work-study programme, an internship, a part-time student job or a dissertation: here you’ll find the latest opportunities from our partner companies and other employers.

• Job board in the mycampus app: Worms University of Applied Sciences’ central job board. → Go to the job board
• Job Board in the Moodle course: opportunities specifically for IBA students. → Bachelor’s | Master’s
• Career Centre: advice on applications and starting your career. → Visit the Career Centre

You’ll find an overview of our dual study partner companies further down this page.

Bachelor’s Team: iba-bachelor@hs-worms.de Master’s Team: iba-master@hs-worms.de Dual study programme: iba-dual@hs-worms.de

At the IBA, you gain practical experience not only through the dual study programme and your work placement semester. You also work closely with companies as part of your modules:

• Company projects: You’ll tackle real-world problems posed by partner companies, for example through case studies, project work or your final dissertation.
• Field trips: You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look during company visits.
• Guest lectures and workshops: Industry professionals share insights into their day-to-day work.

This helps you establish initial contacts with potential employers, often as early as the first semester. You can find current examples further down this page and on our social media channels.

Learning Workshop and FIEGE Logistics Laboratory

The field of logistics is characterised by a high degree of complexity and interdisciplinarity. To convey this diversity in a clear and practical way, the International Business Administration (IBA) programme utilises two interconnected learning spaces: the Logistics and Trade Learning Workshop and the Logistics Laboratory.

In the learning workshop, students gain an understanding of logistical processes and challenges in a playful and interactive way. Using a DIY store chain as an example, they take on various tasks, ensure product availability in the branch whilst keeping track of stock levels. Through hands-on engagement with material and financial flows, they gain an understanding of the interconnections between logistical processes and develop their communication and negotiation skills.

The Logistics Laboratory complements this practice-oriented approach through collaboration with dual-track logistics partners from the business world. Since its introduction in 2011, the cooperation model between the IBA degree programme and the partner companies has been continuously developed and deepened. The aim is to apply the theoretical foundations taught at the university to specific, practice-relevant logistics issues and to jointly develop solutions to real-world challenges.

Both learning environments combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, thereby creating a versatile learning environment. They promote an understanding of complex logistical interrelationships, strengthen key professional skills and inspire students’ enthusiasm for logistics. At the same time, they help companies prepare young professionals for the growing demands of a dynamic industry.

The learning workshop in the video

Expert opinions

“At the 2016 network meeting of the German Business Simulation Association, Prof. Dr Sebastian Herr presented the ‘Logistics and Retail Learning Workshop’ he had developed. Experts from universities and companies were impressed not only by the diversity of the content that can be taught (including a holistic understanding of the value chain in retail companies), but also by the learning workshop’s pedagogical concept. Essentially, this is an innovative business simulation approach in which participants acquire practical, real-world skills for logistics and supply chain management through an experiential and authentic learning process. Various content modules build logically upon one another and, through tasks of appropriately increasing complexity, consistently provide participants with well-balanced scope for action and decision-making, so that they are confronted with new, motivating problem-solving scenarios in line with their expanding abilities. Central to learning success are the appropriate transfer and reflection modules in this learning workshop.”

Willy C. Kriz, Professor at FHV University (Austria) for Simulation Game Design, HR/OB, Leadership and Change Management

“The ‘Logistics & Retail Learning Workshop’ at Worms University of Applied Sciences is a suitable teaching and learning concept for developing students’ communication and cooperation skills. Using realistic game scenarios, the workshop simulates the flow of goods and logistics chains from production right through to the end customer, bringing ‘textbook knowledge’ to life. By enabling students to adopt different perspectives and roles in various game situations, they gain both detailed knowledge and a comprehensive overview. This offers learning pathways that, on the one hand, delve into depth and, on the other, place the topics and content in a direct practical context that ties them together. The ‘common thread’ here becomes a Lego brick that makes its way from production to consumption. In particular, playful learning in a group setting offers a wealth of opportunities to engage very intensively with the subject matter and discuss it. Through playful role-play, informal discussions on the sidelines, or mutual support and questioning, participants directly communicate and reflect on their experiences. This takes place in a very close-knit and familiar atmosphere, where it is possible to ask questions in a different way and receive different answers from other people than is usual in conventional teaching and learning scenarios. The ‘Logistics & Trade Learning Workshop’ can be characterised as a space for collective and collegial learning, where learners become teachers and teachers become fellow learners. This enables the workshop to simultaneously address and develop students’ subject-specific, social and methodological skills.”

Dr Eike Hebecker, higher education teaching coach and consultant, spokesperson for the Wissenschaftscoaching network (www.wissenschaftscoaching.de)

Your contacts

Prof. Dr Christian Reuter: christian.reuter@hs-worms.de Prof. Dr Sebastian Herr: sebastian.herr@hs-worms.de

Creating knowledge. Transferring knowledge. Sharing knowledge.

Success requires stability. That is why our shared success is built on a solid foundation with three pillars. This ensures that we can always deliver the best possible solution to meet your needs. Whether you have specific consultancy queries, require general information or wish to develop new skills within your organisation: we help you bring your visions to life. 

We empower your organisation to implement an active, continuous improvement process as quickly as possible, without relying on our long-term support.

To this end, we provide you with

• measurable results from workshops and projects
• implemented solutions that function reliably and sustainably
• enthusiastic partners who can independently build on what has been achieved
• trained staff with specialist and methodological expertise

As a business, you benefit from Worms University of Applied Sciences’ strong practical focus, fresh thinking and a tailored mix of students and lecturers in our teams, enabling us to deliver the best possible results for you.

Our team

consists of lecturers, staff and students from Worms University of Applied Sciences. We are proud of our team. Why? For us, initiative and a sense of responsibility are key cornerstones of any successful endeavour. The members of our team are keen to take on responsibility through their work and want to make a difference. This is the best way to achieve both your goals and ours. It takes two to make a team. We are one part of the team. Work with us and become the other part.

Your contacts

Prof. Dr Benno Feldmann: benno.feldmann@hs-worms.de