International Business (B.Sc.)
Think globally, act internationally – your path to success with an International Bachelor degree.

Build Your Global Career with Intercultural Competence with our International Business Bachelor Degree
In an increasingly interconnected global economy, professionals who understand international dynamics and possess intercultural competence are in high demand. Our English-taught Bachelor in International Business provides the perfect foundation for a career in multinational companies.
This programme combines comprehensive business fundamentals with a global perspective and hands-on projects. You will learn how to analyse markets, develop strategies, and optimise business processes while keeping international challenges in focus.
With a flexible study model, an integrated semester abroad, and a network of global corporate partners, you will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Your journey into the world of international business starts here with your International Business Bachelor Degree – take the next step with International Business at CBS!

Learning content
Business Models
6
ECTS
You learn to understand the different types of business models for production, servicing, software development on concrete example. You also learn to analyze the strength and weaknesses of business models.
NXT GEN Insight: Everybody talks about Business Models. CBS not only teaches it in a separate class, but also built a whole study program on it.
Data Analysis & Statistics
6
ECTS
Hands-on practice to understand, summarize, and decode data; learn how to frame business questions to enable data analysis, how to use statistical methods and tools to read the story behind the data, and how to visualize your findings and proposed answers to real world problems.
NXT GEN Insight: At CBS we will not just show you statistical theory, but enable you to use your analytical competency to support your company in making and communicating good business decisions.
Marketing & Branding
6
ECTS
Marketing is essential in identifying the customer requirements, needs and wants. Branding plays an important role in today´s attention economy. In this course you learn the most modern marketing concepts as well as how to build strong brands, especially in a digital world, and how to measure its success.
Rhetoric & Presentation Skills, CV & Letter of Motivation
3
ECTS
Spreadsheets (& Financial Maths)
3
ECTS
Guest Lectures
1
ECTS
Throughout the semester, we invite at least 12 different company speakers to help you get a good understanding of the different industries and work requirements.
Financial Analysis
6
ECTS
Whether you want to take an investment decision as an investor, a credit decision as a bank or help to improve a company as a consultant, you need to be able to analyze the financials of a company. We teach you the language, ratios and all the tricks.
Global Management & Strategy
6
ECTS
Managers and consultants need a strong analytical mind as well as the ability to use tools and frameworks. In this class we teach you a range of tools & frameworks for analyzing companies and recommending solutions!
Product Management, Competition Analysis & Pricing
6
ECTS
The success of every great company starts with one more product, that generate so much customer benefit, that customers want to buy it. But one needs to find the right pricing for the product in the context of competition. We teach you all about it.
NXT GEN Insight: Product development cycles are fast. Designing, updating, improving or renovating a product needs competences. We wonder, why do you seldomly get this at other business school or universities?
Digital Literacy
3
ECTS
Profiles
3
ECTS
- Applied Mathematics
- Digital Marketing Tools
- Econometrics
- Innovation
- Intercultural Competence & (European) Business Culture
- Leader, Teams & Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- Website Development
- Self Mgt, Problem Solving Techniques & Resilience
- Language
Guest Lectures
1
ECTS
Throughout the semester, we invite at least 12 different company speakers to help you get a good understanding of the different industries and work requirements.
Accounting, Managerial Account & Taxation
6
ECTS
Accounting is important because it measures the success of a company. You will learn to make the according entries into the Balance Sheet and Income Statement. You’ll also discover what is important to be reported internally to a CEO/CFO and of course will understand taxes that drive decisions on locations.
NXT GEN Insight: Almost all business programs start with Accounting in the 1st semester. We don’t we first ask you to analyze companies’ annual reports before you put them together in parts yourself.
Digital Technology & AI
6
ECTS
The future is based on digital technologies. Databases, web services, apps, networks, cloud services, encryption, APIs, and so on. Learn and apply those technologies and become proficient in the use of modern AI tools.
NXT GEN Insight: This course will be your stepping stone to practical AI, machine learning, big data and more advanced studies of digital technology.
Sustainability, CSR & ESG
6
ECTS
Every company exists in a context of an environment, a society, a governing authority or an economy. Learn what decisions managers have to take and why it is actually more than sensible to run a sustainable company.
(Academic) Writing
3
ECTS
Students will be equipped with versatile writing skills applicable in academic and professional settings. It emphasizes audience analysis, research proficiency, and effective communication, while learning how to utilize AI tools for writing. Enhance your writing skills from essays, academic and professional reports, to social media and blog writing to prepare you for your multilingual profession.
Profiles
3
ECTS
- Negotiation Skills
- Project & Change Management
- Language
Guest Lectures
1
ECTS
Throughout the semester, we invite at least 12 different company speakers to help you get a good understanding of the different industries and work requirements.
HR & Organisation
6
ECTS
People are the most valuable resource to companies. Managers firstly must be up to date on the tools used, when it comes to recruitment, onboarding etc. Secondly, we will take a closer look at the place where HRM happens – the organisation.
NXT GEN Insight: The innovative approach of this module is to think and design HR Management and the organisation of a company, its structure, processes and incentive systems, together from the very beginning.
Sales & CRM
6
ECTS
Nowadays, in many cases more than 70% of the value of companies is generated from a company’s ability to sell. You learn a comprehensive approach to sales and the most effective sales methods and about customer relationship management tools.
NXT GEN Insight: Even though Sales & CRM are key to the success and value of any company a lot of other study programmes have not even put a lecture on it in the core — we did.
Profiles
3
ECTS
- Applied Mathematics
- Digital Marketing Tools
- Econometrics
- Innovation
- Intercultural Competence & (European) Business Culture
- Leader, Teams & Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- Website Development
- Self Mgt, Problem Solving Techniques & Resilience
- Language
Business Projects
6
ECTS
You will learn how to define project objectives, develop project plan/concept, formulate evidence-based recommendations, structure complex presentations, work under the set timeframe and collaborate in a project team.
This course will enable you to apply your knowledge in a real business situation and excercise your analytical/ project management/ interpersonal skills.
Guest Lectures
1
ECTS
Throughout the semester, we invite at least 12 different company speakers to help you get a good understanding of the different industries and work requirements.
Semester Abroad
24
ECTS
You will spend the fifth semester at one of our numerous partner universities abroad. Our International Office supports you in the selection & application process and coordinates the courses to be taken abroad with you in advance.
Profiles
3
ECTS
- Applied Mathematics
- Digital Marketing Tools
- Econometrics
- Innovation
- Intercultural Competence & (European) Business Culture
- Leader, Teams & Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- Website Development
- Self Mgt, Problem Solving Techniques & Resilience
- Language
Economics (with Mathematical Models)
6
ECTS
There are plenty of Economic Models. They determine the decisions companies must take. In this class we will discuss demand & supply curves, preference curves, equality models, economic cycles and prisoner dilemmas.
NXT GEN Insight: Out of Macro and Micro Economics we will teach you the most relevant models for businesses. In order to understand them better, we are modelling them in an applied manner with Mathematics.
Business Plan Writing & Pitching
3
ECTS
Should you ever want to be a manager, you probably not only have to explain a product or service, but also calculate its feasibility and profit contribution. For this you need a business plan and this course will help you to put one together.
Simulation Game
3
ECTS
In a business simulation game participants have to manage their own virtual company which operates in the same market as other participant-operated competitors. This involves making typical management decisions in realistic environments. Beside the deepening and active examination of subject-specific knowledge the simulation games also include the team environment, where interaction, communication and prioritization are of paramount importance.
Operations & Supply Chain
6
ECTS
Companies rely on a global network of partners, that has to be actively managed. In the context of increasing global challenges, you will learn how to succeed with necessary transformations along your supply chains in key Industries like resilience, sustainability or digitalization.
NXT GEN Insight: A company and its products or services can only be competitive, if their international supply chains and operations are well managed. Hence you will also learn how modern operations are best managed.
Industries
6
ECTS
Consulting:
- This course provides you with: strategic analysis tools, structured approaches to problem solving and decision making, approaches to communicating complex ideas and developing meaningful structured presentations.
- NXT GEN Insight: You will receive a consultant's toolkit that is a set of consulting tools and methods that can be universally applied in any business situation.
E-Commerce:
- You will learn to build and promote online stores and to monitor store performance. This class will help you to develop e-commerce solutions based on an understanding of latest Internet and technology trends.
Trade:
- International trade is the lifeblood of economies. You want to export/import products to/from international markets? Do you want to know how SMES & MNEs manage their international supply chain? Unlock the answers here!
Industries
6
ECTS
Corporate Finance:
- Companies exist because they can make things and provide services much more efficiently than individuals. To do so however, companies need money. Financing and Investments are two important pillars of corporate finance. How–and from whom–does a company raise money, how are returns from investments and their risks distributed, and how should the money raised be used, are some of the questions you will tackle in this course and more.
Entre-/Intrepreneuership:
- You want to turn an idea into a product? You want to understand the customer with Design Thinking? You want to understand how start-ups operate? You wonder how investors are evaluating companiesß All the answers will be provided in this lecture.
- NXT GEN Insight: We are the only Business School with an online planning tool from one of our professors: https://business-planner.online/
Emerging Markets:
- The emerging markets fuel nearly 50% of global trade. Why are countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa (BRICS) important for the world economy? How did they change the world supply chain & business models? Unlock the answers during this course!
Guest Lectures
1
ECTS
Throughout the semester, we invite at least 12 different company speakers to help you get a good understanding of the different industries and work requirements.
Thesis Tutorial & Empirical Work
3
ECTS
During the last semester of your studies, you will have to opportunity to study a question of particular interest to you in depth over a three month period. As part of the Thesis Tutorial you will learn how to link a question of practical business relevance to concepts learned during your studies, building an hypothesis, gathering data, and contributing new understanding to a topic of interest.
Thesis
12
ECTS
During your 6th semester you are working on your Bachelor thesis. You have 12 weeks to complete your thesis and the subject is freely selectible. A supervisor from CBS will support you and you can write the thesis in collaboration with a company as well.
Teil des Studiums ist ein Praktikum (10 ECTS) in Deutschland oder im Ausland. Unser Career Service unterstützt Dich bei der Suche nach einem geeigneten Unternehmen.
Why CBS UNIVERSITY
Your path to CBS
Starting your studies at CBS University of Applied Sciences is as unique as you are – and at the same time, completely hassle-free. With our user-friendly online application process, you can apply from anywhere, with no numerus clausus restrictions.
Instead of rigid admission requirements, we focus on a personal selection process that highlights your strengths and potential. Whether you choose a dual, part-time, or full-time programme, CBS University offers the perfect combination of theory and practice.

Admission requirements
The für dein Bachelor-Studium an der CBS University of Applied Sciences variieren je nach Studiengang . into your studies at CBSSciences is so Like yourself — and at the same time designed. With our easy to use Can you yourself apply, completely without . Instead of staring Waiting for you with us is a that is your strengthsand focuses on potential. Regardless of whether you opt for dual, part-time or full-time study, the CBSUniversity offers you the of
Deadlines
The application deadline is year round open, even before you graduate from high school. For dual study programs, you should sufficient lead time Plan so that we can find your suitable practice partner. The start of studies is flexible: in the winter semester or, for selected programs, also in the summer semester. One early candidature is particularly important for limited study places secure and apply for any necessary visas in good time.
funding
A dual or part-time study Is often used by the Practice partner financed, which is also a valuable occupational provides accompaniment. A full-time study On the other hand, can be achieved by numerous Funding opportunities like BAföG or stipends Personalize to give you an optimal connection of personal Development and academic To make the future possible.
WIE FINDE ICH MEINEN PERFEKTEN KARRIEREWEG?
Der Career Service und das Talent Development der CBS unterstützen dich dabei, dein ideales Partnerunternehmen zu finden. Mit 1:1-Coachings, Workshops und einem breiten Netzwerk an Unternehmenspartnern begleiten wir dich über deine gesamte Studienzeit hinweg. Gemeinsam entwickeln wir eine Strategie, die zu deinen Stärken und Karrierezielen passt.

HANDS-ON LEARNING AT ITS BEST
At CBS, we are committed to seamlessly integrating theory and practice, allowing you to apply your knowledge directly and gain valuable insights into the real working world.
Business Projects
Im Rahmen der Business Projects an der CBS International Business School haben Studierende die Möglichkeit, gemeinsam mit renommierten Unternehmen an realitätsnahen Projekten zu arbeiten. Diese praxisorientierte Lehrform verbindet theoretisches Wissen mit konkreten wirtschaftlichen Fragestellungen und gewährt tiefe Einblicke in berufliche Abläufe.
Unternehmenskooperation
Dank eines Netzwerks von über 1.300 etablierten Unternehmen aus diversen Branchen profitieren Studierende von exklusiven Einblicken in die Arbeitswelt. Diese Kooperationen eröffnen nicht nur spannende Perspektiven, sondern fördern auch die Entwicklung wichtiger Kontakte und bieten nachhaltige Karrieremöglichkeiten.
Praktikum/Berufserfahrung
Ob in Form von Pflichtpraktika, die fester Bestandteil vieler Studiengänge sind, oder durch die Integration von Berufserfahrung in duale und berufsbegleitende Programme: Du kannst dein Fachwissen direkt in der realen Arbeitswelt anwenden.
Course schedule and attendance times


Inspiration and Impact – What Our Alumni Say
Let yourself be inspired by the experiences of our alumni and discover how the Bachelor’s degree at CBS has shaped their professional and personal development.
FAQ: The most important questions about studying International Business
Here you can find answers to all important questions all around your International Business Studies. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at any time.
What is International Business?
The International Business programme provides a comprehensive understanding of global economic dynamics and prepares students for the challenges of international markets. Key areas of study include international management, intercultural communication, and global marketing.
Why should you study International Business?
A degree in International Business opens doors to a global career in multinational corporations, NGOs, or international organisations. You will develop expertise in management, strategy, and intercultural communication, equipping you to succeed in a dynamic and globally connected business environment.
How long does the International Business degree programme take?
The Interntaional Business degree programme typically lasts six semesters (three years) and leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
Is there an admission restriction (NC) for the International Business degree programme?
At CBS, there is no general Numerus Clausus (NC) for this programme. Admission is based on your academic qualifications, language proficiency, and motivation.
What are the admission requirements for the International Business programme?
You need a recognised university entrance qualification (such as Abitur or Fachabitur) and proof of English proficiency, which can be demonstrated through TOEFL, IELTS, or an equivalent test.
What does the International Business study programme look like?
The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical projects, including business cases and international networking opportunities. An integrated semester abroad and real-world projects with corporate partners are essential parts of the curriculum.
Where can I study International Business?
The International Business undergraduate programme is offered at our cologne campus.
What do you learn during your studies? What are the course contents of International Business programme?
The curriculum covers international management, finance, global marketing, supply chain management, intercultural communication, and business law.
What is the average salary after graduating from International Business degree programme?
The starting salary for graduates of the International Business degree depends on the sector and position and can range between 45,000 and 55,000 euros per year. With growing experience, salaries can rise significantly, particularly in management positions or international companies.
Can I study without a high school diploma (Abitur) or university entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife)?
Yes, under certain conditions, such as a completed vocational training programme and relevant work experience, it is possible to study without a traditional university entrance qualification.
Any questions? We're here to help
Do you have any questions about our bachelor's or master's degree programs? Our Student Advisory team is here to support you! Schedule your personal consultation—online or in person—for tailored, non-binding guidance on finding the right study program for you.
