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International Business Management, B.A.

Hochschule Furtwangen / Furtwangen University (HFU), Schwenningen campus · Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany

100% taught in EnglishApply direct to the university, not the CAOGrades-basedTuition-freeMaths requirementStudy abroad
Duration3.5 years
StartsAutumn 2027
EntryGrades-based
Deadline (EU)15 Jul 2027
EU semester fee 2026/27€352 / yr

About the course

A seven-semester (210 ECTS) business degree taught entirely in English on the Schwenningen campus, made up of about 60% business studies, 30% languages and 10% soft skills. It includes a compulsory study-abroad semester and an internship semester. Students also choose a regional track: French-speaking world, Spanish-speaking world, China, or Germany/EU.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • German rules (KMK/ZAB) say the Leaving Cert gives direct university entry only with the right subject mix: six general subjects, at least two at Higher Level H5 or better and the other four at O6/H6 or better, including two languages and Maths. For business courses you also need Higher Level Maths at H5 or better. HFU asks for a qualification equivalent to the German Abitur and publishes no rule specific to Ireland, so confirm with admissions.
  • No German is needed to enter. The French-speaking and Spanish-speaking tracks require at least two years of school study of that language (A2 level). The China and Germany/EU tracks need no previous knowledge.
  • English: applicants normally need TOEFL iBT 72, IELTS 6.0, TOEIC 785 or a Cambridge certificate, but citizens of Ireland are exempt, so Irish students do not need an English test.

How to apply

  1. Check your subjectsMake sure your Leaving Cert meets the German rule for business: two Higher Level subjects at H5 or better, two languages, and Higher Level Maths at H5 or better.
  2. Choose your regional trackDecide between the French-speaking, Spanish-speaking, China or Germany/EU tracks. The French and Spanish tracks need two years of school study (A2) in that language.
  3. Apply by 15 July 2027Apply through the application link on the HFU programme page for the October 2027 intake (15 January for a March start). Ask admissions how to apply before your Leaving Cert results are out.
  4. Enrol and budgetIf offered a place, enrol and pay the €176 semester fee. Arrange housing in Villingen-Schwenningen and plan for the study-abroad and internship semesters.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 15 July for the winter semester (October start) and 15 January for the summer semester (March start). These are the deadlines currently published on the programme page; confirm the 2027 dates before applying..

Costs

  • No tuition for EU students. All students pay administration and student services fees of €176 per semester (about €352 a year). The €1,500 per semester tuition fee is for non-EU students only, so it does not apply to Irish citizens.
Irish students pay only the €176 semester fee, not the €1,500 non-EU tuition. You need Higher Level Maths at H5 or better for entry to a German business course, and the 15 July deadline is before Leaving Cert results day, so check with admissions how they handle this.

At a glance

CountryGermany
CityVillingen-Schwenningen
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaUniversity online portal
PlacesNot published
EntryGrades-based
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Checked against the official Furtwangen University website: September 2026 (2027 entry). Deadlines and fees are the ones currently published; confirm them for 2027. Always confirm details with the university before applying.