International Exchange Programmes

The Department of Cooperative Studies has exchange programmes with several universities in the Erasmus area as well as overseas. We are very pleased that you are interested in attending our Department as an exchange student.

Business Administration

Berlin Study Semester

In this study semester, visiting students join our cooperative studies programme for a 12-week theory phase. The cooperative studies programme is distinguished by its strong interlinking of academic theory and practical real-life skills across a range of sectors. Many lecturers on this programme also have considerable experience in private enterprise. The German students on the cooperative studies programme are permanent trainees in the companies where their practical training phases are held. Since the cooperative studies format involves a heavy workload, students need to be strongly commitment and motivated. The courses are compact and work-intensive.

Students on the English stream can select modules from the following areas:

  • Soft Skills (e.g. Intercultural Communication)
  • Modules on general issues and topics in business administration and economics
  • Specialisation modules in Service Management and International Business Administration

As an option, students may also participate in German-language programmes (e.g. tourism, trade, industry, facility management, and banking).
Students can acquire up to 28 credit points for the theory phase.

    Summer semester: 31 October
    Winter semester: 30 April

      • Very good English skills (at least equivalent to B2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference); TOEFL ITP 543 points,; TOEFL iBT 87 points; ELSA 383 points; IELTS 5)
      • Very good German skills (if participation in ‘German stream’)
      • Very good academic performance

        Fall Term (August/ September/ November)

        • 3rd year Modules

        Spring Term (February/ April/ March)

        • 2nd and/or 3rd year

        Berlin Study Plus

        On the basis of the Department’s cooperative studies programme, we also offer an exchange programme with integrated work experience.

        This allows foreign students from selected partner universities to first join the 12-week theory phase during one of the semesters at the Department of Cooperative Studies. Afterwards, students may then opt to take an internship lasting 8–12 weeks with one of the Department’s partner companies. During the internship, students also attend the academic course to support them in writing the required Project Paper.

        Students on the English stream can select modules from the following areas:

        • Soft Skills (e.g. Intercultural Communication)
        • Modules on general issues and topics in business administration and economics
        • Specialisation modules in Service Management and International Business Administration

        We also strongly recommend taking a German-language course.

        As an option, students may also participate in German-language programmes (e.g. tourism, trade, industry, facility management, and banking).

        Students can acquire up to 28 credit points for the theory phase.

        he internship is arranged with one of the Department of Cooperative Studies’ partner companies and can be in a range of sectors (e.g. manufacturing, service sector, internet or tourism as well as the non-profit sector).

         During the internship, students are required to write a Project Paper. Students are assigned a tutor for the Paper, which needs to have a solid theoretical basis. An internship seminar also encourages reflection on the theoretical level behind the practical application of business knowledge. The close cooperation and intensive support provided for students during the practical phase – both from the university and the company – ensures that the internship provides a valuable experience of the working world.

        The allocation of an internship depends on the availability of the participants and the respective requirements of the companies.

        Students can apply autonomously and directly to the companies through the Internship Exchange.
        Internship Seminar max. 14 Credits

        Summer semester: 31 October

        Winter semester: 30 April

        • Hand in a motivation letter + CV describing your profile and the area/industry you would like to do your internship
        • Very good English skills (at least equivalent to B2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference); TOEFL ITP 543 points,; TOEFL iBT 87 points; ELSA 383 points; IELTS 5)
        • At least basic German skills (A1)
        • Very good knowledge of German (when participating in German-language modules)
        • Excellent academic performance
        • At least 5th semester of business related studies
        • Internship contract (can be handed in later)

        Computer Science

        Combined theory-practice semester
        Berlin study semester (21 credits)

        • 12 weeks of study in the computer science program
        • English Modules: Artificial Intelligence, Graphics, Operating Systems, Project Management

        +

        Internship (14 credits)

        • High quality internships with project work in close cooperation with long-standing partner companies
        • Practical Work in a Company either in the Field of  Software-Engineering or in the Field of System Administration
        • Credits granted for internship and project related assignment

        Admission requirements

        • Very good English skills*, basic German skills
        • Very good academic performance
        • At least third year of computer science related studies

        Please note, the dual study format requires a comparatively high workload.

        * At least equivalent to B2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference); TOEFL ITP 543 points; TOEFL iBT 87 points; ELSA 383 points; IELTS 5

        Internships are organized in one of the cooperating companies

        • Close coordination with respect to contents and project work
        • Documentation of project supervised by a lecturer from the BSEL
        • Regular internship seminars to reflect application of theoretical contents
           

        Assignments are allocated based on

        • Availability
        • Matching of skills of applying student and requirements of the company
           

        Internship in long-standing cooperating companies from different fields, e. g.

        • Industrial companies
        • Software Development companies
        • Research facilities
        • Service companies
        • Public administration