International Business Administration (IBA) degree programmes are structured as a 12-week model. Students attend lectures in a 12-week block, followed by a 2-week period of examinations.
If students have chosen to follow a traditional full-time degree programme, they will then attend university for another three weeks, during which they will have more opportunities to focus on completing a specific individual module.
Students who have chosen a cooperative degree programme will undertake a 12-week period of work experience after their examinations. The 12-week model makes it possible for students on cooperative programmes to spend more time within a company and they will learn the educational content taught during the second period of face-to-face learning during their work experience instead.
The advantages for students
Better learning!
- Block courses enable innovative formats for learning
- Some subjects are easier to learn as part of a block course (e.g. languages, international project management)
- Intensive learning makes it easier to retain knowledge in the long run
- A focus on methodological subjects opens up a different way of studying and counteracts ‘bulimic learning’
Reduced workload!
- The semester itself comes to a quicker end
- There is a focus on one module during the second period of face-to-face learning
Reduced exam stress!
- Having one less module during the first period of face-to-face learning means that the amount of material remains constant during this period
- Topics to be covered during the second period of face-to-face learning can sometimes be broached during this first period
- Students will take their written examination immediately after their lectures rather than after 12 weeks
Networking opportunities!
- Students will have direct contact with their fellow students currently working within a company, as well as to company representatives
International teachers!
- Top-level teachers can come from abroad to teach some lectures as part of a block course
Studying abroad with the 12-week model
- Use this list for information on the compatibility of the 12-week model with the semesters at Hochschule Worms’ partner universities abroad.
- Please consider the different semester dates in place at foreign universities when planning. You can find detailed information on the semester dates used at each partner university on their own individual website.
- Hochschule Worms’ partner universities are listed on the following page on the website for the International Center at the Hochschule Worms: “Overview of all Partner Universities”.
- For students on cooperative programmes, please note that some lectures may start whilst you are still undertaking your work experience. If this is the case, you may have to take holiday, or similar, to attend. It will come down to an individual agreement made with your partner company as to whether a period of residence abroad can be included as part of your programme.
- General information on spending a semester abroad as part of an International Business Administration (IBA) programme can be found under “Studying abroad” on moodle.