Business Administration – Rethinking Business with Professional Experience

Bachelor of Arts

Is it important to you to gain practical experience in socially and ecologically sustainable companies during your studies? Would you like to contribute to an economy that benefits people in the long term? Do you want to develop your personality while you learn?

Then the state-recognised business administration programme “Rethinking Business” is the right choice for you! We offer you more than conventional business administration courses do. We combine professional business knowledge and skills with artistic methods and philosophy as well as ethics and integrate practical examples into our teaching. By broadening your horizons, you sharpen your perception and learn how to view challenges and issues from different perspectives – and solve them.

During your studies, you will spend a total of 60 weeks at one of our numerous partner companies and gain professional experience – just like in a dual course of study. Another advantage: your partner company pays your tuition fees.

The Department of Business Management is on Facebook and Instagram.

Special Features

The combination of business administration with modules from art and the Studium Generale is unique. You develop personally and socially through practical exercises in art. You learn to train your perception and to become involved in the economy creatively and with the commitment to help solve social challenges.

Students from all disciplines learn together in the Studium Generale, a supplementary cultural studies programme that is an essential part of all degree courses at Alanus University. The lectures and seminars encourage students to reflect upon cultural and philosophical issues and thus find and form their own position in the social context.

Partner Companies

The Bachelor's programme emphasises practice. In the seminars, projects are offered in cooperation with companies, providing you initial insight into hands-on business. You spend your lecture-free time actively working at a partner company. In total, you spend 60 weeks gaining professional experience with your partner company during your studies.

We’re happy to support you in searching for a partner company as well as assisting you in contacting companies that are not yet cooperation partners of Alanus University.

Overview of current business cooperation partners.

Funding

The programme is free of charge if your studies are approved by a business partner that contributes to the scholarship fund. In general, you will also receive a small salary during the practical phases of the programme (2.5 months per semester).

Approximately 215 € per semester for the NRW transportation ticket, a one-time enrolment fee of 300 €, and an exam fee of 300 € upon registration for the Bachelor’s programme should be planned.

BAföG: The business administration programme can be funded through BAföG.

More general information on financial aid for the programme is available under funding.

Admission Process

We look forward to receiving your written application via e-mail (PDF). For the first phase of the admission process, we require the following documents:

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum vita
  • Letter of Motivation

In your Letter of Motivation, please include why you are especially interested in this particular programme at Alanus University.

As soon as you have received an invitation for a personal interview, we would like to ask you to compile the following documents and bring them with you to the appointment:

  • Officially certified copies of general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or advanced technical college entrance qualification. If you have not yet graduated, a copy of the two most recent school reports suffices for the admission procedure. (Officially certified and stamped German translation of foreign certificates is required.)
  • A passport photo for the student I.D.
  • Certificate of registration from a German health insurance provider to submit to the university. This can be requested free of charge from the insurance provider. A copy of the insurance card is not sufficient.

If you have private or European health insurance abroad, we require an exemption from the statutory health insurance obligation in Germany. This will be issued by any statutory (German) health insurance company upon request.

  • Declaration on Tuition Fees
  • Scholarship Application including the signed Information Sheet on Financing Studies
  • Foreign applicants require proof of sufficient German language skills (TestDaF 4 or an equivalent certificate)

Admission Requirements

Admission is not limited, i.e. not subject to numerus clausus.

Admission depends on meeting one of the following requirements:

  • General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
  • Advanced technical college entrance qualification (or equivalent) plus passing the entrance exam at Alanus University
  • At least 2 years of commercial vocational training followed by at least 2 years in a relevant profession
  • At least 2 years of vocational training followed by at least 3 years of work experience in the non-commercial sector plus passing the entrance exam at Alanus University
  • Career advancement training (master craftsman, technician, mid-level commercial clerk)

Semester Abroad

The degree programme is specially designed to enable students to spend one semester (e.g. the 3rd semester) at a university abroad. Alanus University cooperates with numerous universities in Brazil, Mexico, Egypt and the USA.

Your tuition fees do not change during the semester abroad, i.e. the cooperation between the partner university and Alanus University does not result in any additional tuition fees.

More information is available from the International Office at Alanus University.

Career Prospects

Graduates are qualified for immediate career entry in their professional field. If you made a positive impression on your partner company during the practical phases, there is a possibility that you will be offered a regular position. In addition to the numerous opportunities in business, such as marketing, sales, controlling, human resources or logistics, you can also work in project management, NGOs or associations.

Some of our alumni become entrepreneurs, founding their own business during their studies or shortly thereafter in order to pursue their plans independently.

Alternatively, you can apply for admission to a Master's programme at Alanus University or another university in Germany or abroad.

You are welcome to contact our Alumni Association.

Reviews

Reviews of our programme on Studycheck

Paula Kühne / Graduate Bachelor’s Programme “Business Administration – Rethinking Economy” with professional experience
I like the interdisciplinary programmes at Alanus University. You have the opportunity to learn and exchange ideas on topics outside your own subject - that's a great enrichment. I particularly like the subjects in the Studium Generale and the art modules. The degree programme is not only career training but also personal learning.

Joseph Nörling / Graduate Bachelor’s Programme “Business Administration – Rethinking Economy” with professional experience
I’m fascinated by the combination of business content with philosophy and art in the Bachelor’s Programme Business Administration at Alanus University. This interdisciplinarity not only helps students gain a new perspective on economic activity, but also matures them personally and as human beings. I can recommend the programme to anyone who wants to discuss controversial topics in business and is interested in the holistic development of his or her own personality.

Florian Spathelf / Graduate Bachelor’s Programme “Business Administration – Rethinking Economy” with professional experience; founder & managing director of mein spielzeugkiste.de
I recommend studying at Alanus University to anyone who sees a future in business – not conventionally, but in the creative, alternative and above all innovative areas of a company.

Kira Meise / Graduate Bachelor’s Programme “Business Administration – Rethinking Economy” with professional experience; employee at Alnatura
A mixture of business fundamentals, art, philosophy and corporate practice. If you like, you can add a pinch of anthroposophy. Rounded off by individual, critically thinking and creative fellow students, the result is a wonderful approach to studies that focuses on education rather than rote learning.

Videos

Studiengangsclip

Alumni-Clip

Special Features

The combination of business administration with modules from art and the Studium Generale is unique. You develop personally and socially through practical exercises in art. You learn to train your perception and to become involved in the economy creatively and with the commitment to help solve social challenges.

Students from all disciplines learn together in the Studium Generale, a supplementary cultural studies programme that is an essential part of all degree courses at Alanus University. The lectures and seminars encourage students to reflect upon cultural and philosophical issues and thus find and form their own position in the social context.

Partner Companies

The Bachelor's programme emphasises practice. In the seminars, projects are offered in cooperation with companies, providing you initial insight into hands-on business. You spend your lecture-free time actively working at a partner company. In total, you spend 60 weeks gaining professional experience with your partner company during your studies.

We’re happy to support you in searching for a partner company as well as assisting you in contacting companies that are not yet cooperation partners of Alanus University.

Overview of current business cooperation partners.

Funding

The programme is free of charge if your studies are approved by a business partner that contributes to the scholarship fund. In general, you will also receive a small salary during the practical phases of the programme (2.5 months per semester).

Approximately 215 € per semester for the NRW transportation ticket, a one-time enrolment fee of 300 €, and an exam fee of 300 € upon registration for the Bachelor’s programme should be planned.

BAföG: The business administration programme can be funded through BAföG.

More general information on financial aid for the programme is available under funding.

Admission Process

We look forward to receiving your written application via e-mail (PDF). For the first phase of the admission process, we require the following documents:

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum vita
  • Letter of Motivation

In your Letter of Motivation, please include why you are especially interested in this particular programme at Alanus University.

As soon as you have received an invitation for a personal interview, we would like to ask you to compile the following documents and bring them with you to the appointment:

  • Officially certified copies of general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or advanced technical college entrance qualification. If you have not yet graduated, a copy of the two most recent school reports suffices for the admission procedure. (Officially certified and stamped German translation of foreign certificates is required.)
  • A passport photo for the student I.D.
  • Certificate of registration from a German health insurance provider to submit to the university. This can be requested free of charge from the insurance provider. A copy of the insurance card is not sufficient.

If you have private or European health insurance abroad, we require an exemption from the statutory health insurance obligation in Germany. This will be issued by any statutory (German) health insurance company upon request.

  • Declaration on Tuition Fees
  • Scholarship Application including the signed Information Sheet on Financing Studies
  • Foreign applicants require proof of sufficient German language skills (TestDaF 4 or an equivalent certificate)

Admission Requirements

Admission is not limited, i.e. not subject to numerus clausus.

Admission depends on meeting one of the following requirements:

  • General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
  • Advanced technical college entrance qualification (or equivalent) plus passing the entrance exam at Alanus University
  • At least 2 years of commercial vocational training followed by at least 2 years in a relevant profession
  • At least 2 years of vocational training followed by at least 3 years of work experience in the non-commercial sector plus passing the entrance exam at Alanus University
  • Career advancement training (master craftsman, technician, mid-level commercial clerk)

Semester Abroad

The degree programme is specially designed to enable students to spend one semester (e.g. the 3rd semester) at a university abroad. Alanus University cooperates with numerous universities in Brazil, Mexico, Egypt and the USA.

Your tuition fees do not change during the semester abroad, i.e. the cooperation between the partner university and Alanus University does not result in any additional tuition fees.

More information is available from the International Office at Alanus University.

Career Prospects

Graduates are qualified for immediate career entry in their professional field. If you made a positive impression on your partner company during the practical phases, there is a possibility that you will be offered a regular position. In addition to the numerous opportunities in business, such as marketing, sales, controlling, human resources or logistics, you can also work in project management, NGOs or associations.

Some of our alumni become entrepreneurs, founding their own business during their studies or shortly thereafter in order to pursue their plans independently.

Alternatively, you can apply for admission to a Master's programme at Alanus University or another university in Germany or abroad.

You are welcome to contact our Alumni Association.

Reviews

Reviews of our programme on Studycheck

Paula Kühne / Graduate Bachelor’s Programme “Business Administration – Rethinking Economy” with professional experience
I like the interdisciplinary programmes at Alanus University. You have the opportunity to learn and exchange ideas on topics outside your own subject - that's a great enrichment. I particularly like the subjects in the Studium Generale and the art modules. The degree programme is not only career training but also personal learning.

Joseph Nörling / Graduate Bachelor’s Programme “Business Administration – Rethinking Economy” with professional experience
I’m fascinated by the combination of business content with philosophy and art in the Bachelor’s Programme Business Administration at Alanus University. This interdisciplinarity not only helps students gain a new perspective on economic activity, but also matures them personally and as human beings. I can recommend the programme to anyone who wants to discuss controversial topics in business and is interested in the holistic development of his or her own personality.

Florian Spathelf / Graduate Bachelor’s Programme “Business Administration – Rethinking Economy” with professional experience; founder & managing director of mein spielzeugkiste.de
I recommend studying at Alanus University to anyone who sees a future in business – not conventionally, but in the creative, alternative and above all innovative areas of a company.

Kira Meise / Graduate Bachelor’s Programme “Business Administration – Rethinking Economy” with professional experience; employee at Alnatura
A mixture of business fundamentals, art, philosophy and corporate practice. If you like, you can add a pinch of anthroposophy. Rounded off by individual, critically thinking and creative fellow students, the result is a wonderful approach to studies that focuses on education rather than rote learning.

Videos

Studiengangsclip

Alumni-Clip

The most important thing at a glance

Course Language
Please note that our teaching language is German.

Course Duration
6 semesters (full-time)

Course Start
The programme can be started in Autumn Semester (September) or Spring Semester (March).

Degree
Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts

Tuition Fees
The programme is free of charge if your studies are approved by a business partner that contributes to the scholarship fund.

Financial Aid
More details available under Funding.

Contact
Department of Business Management
Telephone: +49 2222 93211600
Please send me more information via e-mail.
Contact form

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