Structure of studies until SoSe 2022

The Bachelor's program initially consists of a three-semester compulsory program comprising 15 modules with a total of 90 credits, in which fundamental subject and key competencies are taught (basic modules). In detail, the following achievements are to be made in the course of this:

• 3 modules in BWL with a total of 12 SWS
  (BWL I, II and III with 6 cp each)
• 3 modules in VWL for a total of 12 SWS
  (VWL I, II and III with 6 cp each)
• 2 modules in law for a total of 8 SWS
  (Law I and II with 6 cp each)
• 2 modules in Accounting for a total of 8 SWS
  (Rewe I and II with 6 cp each)
• 2 modules in Business Mathematics for a total of 8 SWS
  (Math I and II with 6 cp each)
• 2 modules in Statistics for a total of 8 SWS
  (Statistics I and II with 6 cp each)
• 1 module in Information Systems for a total of 4 SWS
  (Information Sciences I)

The  courses of the basic modules are usually held with an attendance time of 4 SWS (semester hours per week = the hours offered per week in the subject over the current semester). In addition, tutorials amounting to 2 SWS (occasionally intensive tutorials amounting to 4 SWS) are offered as support in the basic modules.

Assessment:

Each grade of a foundation module flows into the overall grade of the foundation modules with the same measure. The arithmetic mean of the overall grade of the basic modules is 20% of the final grade.

The second study phase comprises a further four semesters (4th-7th semester) with a total workload of 120 credits. The specialization study with a share of 60 credits in the second phase provides a broad qualification profile in three subject categories to be chosen. The core studies are supplemented by a practical module worth 12 credits. In addition, 18 credits are to be earned in a further elective area, in the course of which interdisciplinary key competencies are to be acquired as well as methodological and subject knowledge can be expanded and individually supplemented. Accordingly, special emphasis is placed in the second study phase on the teaching of key competencies through interdisciplinary modules and the deepening of methodological competence.

In the specialization program, three main areas of study must be selected and maintained throughout the rest of the program. Two major fields of study (each worth 24 credits) and one minor field of study (worth 12 credits) must be taken. In each of the selected major fields of study, two compulsory modules (each worth 6 credits) and one compulsory elective module (worth 12 credits) must be successfully completed. In the chosen minor field of study, a compulsory elective module worth 12 credits must be completed.

The three major fields of study are chosen from the following offer, whereby major field of study 5 must be chosen as (one) major or minor field of study:

• SP 1. Finance, Accounting, Controlling and Taxation
• SP 2. management and marketing
• SP 3. business informatics, supply chain and innovation management
• SP 4. environment and sustainability
• SP 5. economic behavior and governance 

Emphasis Credits:

a) Examination achievements

• 2 compulsory modules in the first chosen major
  (total 2 x 4 SWS = 2 x 6 credits)
• 2 compulsory modules in the second chosen major
  (total 2 x 4 SWS = 2 x 6 credits)
• 1 compulsory elective module in the first chosen major field of study
  (total 8 SWS = 12 credits)
• 1 elective module in the second chosen major field of study
  (total 8 SWS = 12 credits)
• 1 Compulsory elective module in the chosen minor field of study 
  (total 8 SWS = 12 credits)
• 1 module Methods 
  (total 4 SWS = 6 credits)
• 1 Module Business Ethics 
  (total 4 SWS = 6 credits)
• 1 module Business Psychology
  (total 4 SWS = 6 credits)

b) Course achievements (i.e. achievements that do not count towards the final grade)

• 1 elective module especially for the acquisition of interdisciplinary competencies (total of 12 SWS = 18 credits, with at least 6 credits in interdisciplinary key competencies).

Assessment:

To calculate the overall grade of the advanced modules, an arithmetic mean of the examination performances is formed, whereby the grade of each individual examination performance is weighted by the credits awarded for this performance. The overall grade of the advanced modules is included in the final grade as an arithmetic mean of 60%.

A total of 18 CP must be earned in module B23. These consist of 12 CP in the elective area and 6 CP in the area of key competencies. The 12 CP of the elective area can be achieved by all Bachelor courses of the University of Kassel. The 6 CP in the area of key competencies are to be earned through modules with interdisciplinary content and opportunities to acquire key competencies. This means that the key competencies are to be earned in modules whose subject focus is NOT economics. The framework for key competencies can be used as a guide.
An exemplary list of possible key competencies can be found here.

For the recognition of modules completed at other universities, the recommendations of the respective subject examiners and the examination board are decisive, whereby the examination board decides on the formal recognition. The responsibilities of the subject examiners for the individual modules are as follows.

For recognition, the sheet for the "Recommendation for recognition of a service rendered away fromhome" must be completed separately in duplicate for each service to be recognized. Furthermore, a description of the service to be credited must be attached for a recognition. Further information can be found in the information sheet on the recognition of services rendered abroad.

• Within the framework of the modules of the 4th to 7th semester, at least one module or partial module examination must be taken in the form of a seminar. A seminar is characterized in particular by active participation in the discussion as well as the type of examination: presentation with written elaboration.
• At least 6 CP of the basic and advanced modules must be completed in English. If focus 5 is chosen as the main focus, 12 CP must be completed in English.
• A maximum of one module or partial module examination from the modules B16 - B22 can be subsequently rebooked in the module B23. Reverse rebooking is not possible.

The internship module includes subject-related internships totaling 360 hours of full-time employment and a practice report. The internships can be provided in up to 2 parts in different organizations. However, each of the two parts must be at least one month. The internship module consists of 12 credits.

Subject-related internships or completed apprenticeships (professional training) may be recognized upon request for up to 180 hours. A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in a prominent or managerial position can be recognized upon application with up to 360 hours. In this case, the practical report would still have to be prepared.

The practical report will be reviewed by the supervisor and graded "pass" or "fail".

Evaluation:

The practical module is not included in the final grade, but is a prerequisite for obtaining the Bachelor's degree.

• The Bachelor thesis and the oral colloquium totaling 12 credits form the final module.
• The bachelor thesis can be started at the earliest after completion of all 15 basic modules and proof of 150 credits.
• The topic is assigned in the 5th semester at the earliest. The processing time is 8 weeks from the day of notification.
• The submission deadline can be extended by a maximum of 4 weeks.
• The thesis must be submitted in two bound written copies and one electronic copy to the examination board.
• The thesis may be submitted in English or another language by arrangement.
• To present and defend the Bachelor thesis in a colloquium. The colloquium should take place no later than 10 weeks after submission. The candidate is admitted if the written Bachelor thesis has been evaluated with at least "sufficient". The duration of the colloquium is 30 to a maximum of 60 minutes. A colloquium graded with "not sufficient" can only be repeated once. The final module is considered passed if both parts have been evaluated with at least "sufficient".

Assessment:

The result of the bachelor thesis is included in the grade of the final module to 75% and the result of the colloquium to 25%. The overall grade of the final module flows into the final grade with 20% .

The growing internationalization of the professional field of economists is taken into account by the Economics program at the University of Kassel through a variety of opportunities to complete parts of their studies abroad. The Department of Economics maintains more than 40 Erasmus cooperations in 18 countries of the European Union. A semester or a whole year abroad has to be planned carefully and in the long term. There are different ways to study abroad.

1. Free Mover = University abroad of your choice independent of the relationship with the University of Kassel.
   (possibilities of cooperation, financing and recognition of achievements may be omitted)
2. Partner university abroad
   (depending on the relationship with the University of Kassel, benefits and funding are made possible, example would be a partner university outside the department).
3. University cooperation abroad
   (the partnership agreement usually eliminates tuition fees, example is the exchange program in the USA with Wisconsin and Maryland).
4. Erasmus program, guaranteed ECTS participation and waiver of tuition fees. The Erasmus program in particular offers students the opportunity to study abroad with significant advantages:

• Study at a partner university, no tuition fees.
• ECTS participants, European Credit Transfer System enables the crediting of achievements abroad,
• one semester or two semester stay,
• existing cooperations offer already existing experiences and possibilities (e.g. housing market),
• in addition, there is the possibility to take a leave of absence during the semester abroad (the stay abroad has no disadvantage for the study time, i.e. the number of semesters is stopped during the leave of absence).

Depending on the country and language, different department coordinators (Erasmus coordinators) are available as contact persons:

• English-speaking: Prof. Dr. Bischoff

Numerous other offers are available independently of the department at the International Office . This offers as a first contact point the possibility to get an overview of different countries, universities and programs:  International Office -Study and Internship Abroad

For more information about the cooperation with the Department of Business and Economics, please contact Erasmus coordinator Prof. Dr. Ivo Bischoff.