Business Administration: Branch of Study International Business Administration
Bachelor’s degree programme
Starting in the winter semester 2026/27, the Bachelor’s programme Business Administration will feature a new curriculum. One new element is the choice of a minor worth 30 ECTS credits, which you are free to select yourself. This allows you to tailor your studies to your personal interests and set your own individual academic focus.
Starting in the winter semester 2026/27, the Bachelor’s programme Business Administration will feature a new curriculum. One new element is the choice of a minor worth 30 ECTS credits, which you are free to select yourself. This allows you to tailor your studies to your personal interests and set your own individual academic focus.
Successful managers possess broad business knowledge in various areas: Accounting, Taxation, Controlling, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Logistics, Information Systems. The Bachelor’s programme in Business Administration will qualify you as a versatile all-round talent. You will learn how to guide companies on the road to success. And at the same time we will show you how to get your own start-up into pole position.
There’s no admission procedure, so register for the Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration now and get ready to launch your stellar business career!
Fact Box
Duration: 6 semesters
ECTS credits: 180
Level of qualification: Bachelor’s degree
Degree: Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Prerequisites: General university entrance qualification, knowledge of German B2
Special admission procedure: No
Language of instruction: German, some English
Curriculum (PDF)
Range of courses
ECTS credits: 180
Level of qualification: Bachelor’s degree
Degree: Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Prerequisites: General university entrance qualification, knowledge of German B2
Special admission procedure: No
Language of instruction: German, some English
Curriculum (PDF)
Range of courses
Contact
Student Guidance Service
E-mail: studieninfo [at] aau [dot] at
Office of the Programme Director
Website of the Programme Director
E-mail: spl-abw [at] aau [dot] at
Student representatives
E-mail: oeh [dot] abw [at] aau [dot] at
To achieve economic success you need a sound theoretical foundation based on state-of-the-art scientific know-how. And you need the determination to roll up your sleeves, come up with ideas and translate them into action. With us, you will be supported in both! The Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration will furnish you with the ideal toolbox that will accompany you on your way up the career ladder – in an established company, in your own start-up, or in the public sector.
Here, you will become an internationally qualified all-rounder – with a strong background in the following areas: Do you have the right instincts to market products and services globally? Are you really awesome at spotting what a company could do in a way that is both new and different? Do you have the potential to become an interculturally skilled HR professional? Or are you more of a numbers person who wants to know which key figures will lead to success? We cover these and all other important fields of business. Our branch of study “International Business Administration” includes an additional package comprised of business language courses and a mandatory period spent abroad.
Do you feel concerned that your academic knowledge might be of limited practical use and that you would be “educated without regard to the market”? We’ve got good news for you: Here you will learn not only from internationally renowned experts in the field of research, but also from top practitioners operating in the world of business. Around 40 percent of our lecturers are highly successful in the professional field. Get started on developing your personal “Circle of Excellence” while you are still studying and pursue your studies accompanied by ambitious idea generators and energetic movers and shakers.
Curious what the Bachelorstudium in Business Administration: Branch of Study International Business Administration is all about?
Term dates & deadlines
Winter semester 2026/27
General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
6 July 2026 – 5 September 2026
Summer semester 2027
General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
8 January 2027 – 5 February 2027
Why study Business Administration at the University of Klagenfurt?
Our student Christian has the answer to your question!
You are special. So are we.
This is what makes the degree programme so special
- Practical AND theoretical: Professionals in business administration don’t simply do stuff, but rather: they know exactly what to do. And they know that whatever they do leads to success. With the knowledge you learn here in Klagenfurt you will be state of the art, and can put what you have learned straight into practice. To give you a taste of the genuine business atmosphere while you are still studying, you can complete an internship – the hours will be credited as part of your studies!
- International setting: More young international people study at Klagenfurt University than at other universities. Spanish, Russian, English, Chinese – we offer a wide range of language classes to help you prepare for your career, wherever you choose to live and work. The branch of study “International Business Administration“ prepares you for your stellar international career.
- We will accompany you on your journey. Are you nervous about disappearing among the masses of students at a large university? That won’t happen to you here in Klagenfurt. For us you are not just one among many, you are special, even in our so-called “large-scale” degree programmes. We want to know who you are, what moves you and what you want to achieve. That’s why we offer very good supervision arrangements, small seminars and compact working groups.
Focused studies. Our core topics
- Accounting: The performance of a company is expressed in figures. We introduce you to bookkeeping and financial accounting.
- Business Information Systems: In the era of digitalisation, the technical arms race has long since begun. Nowadays, a company’s success is largely determined on the basis of the best information systems. As a digital native you already have many advantages: We will teach you about the essential IT tools.
- Taxation: Companies want to operate in a “tax-friendly” way. Here in Klagenfurt you will learn the most important basics of business tax theory and tax law. For those who would like to work as a tax consultant at a later date, this degree programme offers those important first training steps.
- Controlling and Strategic Corporate Management: Just how well a company performs can be measured by a wealth of data. Controllers keep an eye on the key metrics and are therefore able to inform the decisions of corporate management.
- Corporate Finance: How can companies optimise their capital structure? What dividend policy should be pursued? How are decisions on investments made and how is the value of a company determined? In this area, you will receive answers to these questions and many more besides.
- Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship: Admittedly, there are those who get together with friends to tinker on a new product in their garage, make a pitch for a million-dollar investment and then triumph on the world market. To bring innovations to market, you also need luck. We will provide you with the knowledge you need to ensure your entrepreneurial fortune is lasting. In addition, we will show you how growing or established companies can embark on something new by innovating their business models or using new technologies and processes.
- Marketing and International Management: Products and services have to be marketed in order to ultimately find consumers – regionally as well as globally. We introduce you to market-oriented business management.
- Non-profit Management: Non-profit organisations should also be run profitably – to maximise environmental, human rights or educational benefits. We can show you what to pay particular attention to when dealing with NPOs.
- Human Resources, Management and Organisation: While flat hierarchies dominate in one company and people tend to be on familiar terms, at another, strict processes might help to ensure clear structures. Very often a company’s approach to its staff and the way it defines itself as an organisation is critical to its success. We can show you what human resources management is really all about.
- Production Management and Logistics: How do you deliver emergency supplies to disaster areas? What are the global networks that shape the production of goods? We take a closer look behind the global supply chains.
- Public Management: It’s not only private companies that need to be well managed, the public sector needs good managers too.
- Economics: In any given society, goods and factors of production are produced and distributed, but we, as human beings, also act “economically”, i.e. we generate benefits for the individual or for a community.
- Law: We will teach you the fundamentals of law that you will later use in your professional work in the business sphere.
- Sociology: The individual is not alone in the world. Neither can the economy be detached from society. Gain a deeper insight into our social behaviour.
Your skills are our mission. This is what we can teach you
We help you to acquire scientific skills, and you can use them to good effect. Business decisions often have far-reaching consequences: They determine the economic success of companies and public institutions – and ultimately affect people’s jobs. Those who make knowledge-based decisions have a clear advantage!
- Everything you need for the practical setting. Around 40 percent of our lecturers are highly successful in the professional field. We make sure that you can apply the knowledge you have gained in practice.
- Triumph with soft skills. The world of work needs team players who can work creatively and purposefully, regardless of subjects and cultures. In our seminars you will learn how to boost inspiration and efficiency in group work. Here you will learn to become a moderator and manager of projects.
- Reaching for the sky after graduation. Many of our graduates enter professional life straight after their Bachelor’s degree. However, others are eager for more. At the University of Klagenfurt, we are able to offer you Master’s degree programmes, which are specially tailored to you: Business Administration but also International Management (in English) and Media and Convergence Management (in English).
Where we are and how we are seen
- The capital in the south of Austria
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee is a city of about 100,000 inhabitants and the capital of Carinthia, set in a region known for its stunning lakes, mountains, and forests. - We are distinguished by our students!
The University of Klagenfurt has received two Global Student Satisfaction Awards from Studyportals (The Global Study Choice Platform). In addition, on StudyCheck.de – the largest German-language student review platform – 97 % of students recommend the University of Klagenfurt.
- We are AACSB accredited!
Since 2023, the Faculty of Management, Economics and Law has been accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Less than 6 % of business schools worldwide earn this distinction. - Top quality is our standard!
The University of Klagenfurt is committed to high-quality standards. Our quality management is EVALAG-certified, we maintain the highest environmental standards (EMAS certification) and are a family-friendly university (State quality label “hochschuleundfamilie”).
Best prospects. Your professional opportunities
After completing your Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, you can work in a wide range of professional fields, including the following areas:
- Versatile all-round talent with enhanced decision-making skills: The Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration qualifies you to take on roles as a responsible, reflective and critical decision-maker and facilitator in the sphere of business.
- Create your own start-up: The degree programme equips you with all the tools you need to start your own business. Be your own boss and turn your business idea into reality or start your career in an international start-up!
- Innovation Management: Companies need innovations in order to remain competitive internationally. As an innovation expert, you will develop new business models, launch new products on the market or establish new processes within the company.
- Finance: How much is a company worth? Which key figures are interesting for investors? How do you put together a portfolio? Here, you will gain an understanding of the tools that will allow you to easily answer such questions in your professional life and apply the respective instruments in a beneficial way!
- Accounting: The economic situation of a company must be presented in the annual financial statements and other reports according to specific rules. In the field of accounting, you will learn the language that enables you to understand and depict operational relationships in this particular form – an indispensable skill as a business economist.
- Taxation: Tax issues play an important role in business practice. Our business taxation studies will give you an overview of Austrian corporate taxation and prepare you for a career in tax consultancy or in a company’s tax and accounting department.
- Human Resources Management: As an HR manager, you know how to design efficient processes for recruiting, selecting and developing staff. Your expertise will enable you to support companies and other organisations in optimising their organisational structures and processes. In this key role, you will make a significant contribution to shaping a dynamic working environment in which continuous training, precise personnel decisions and efficient organisational structures are essential.
- Marketing/Advertising: Are you interested in market-orientated company management, (digital) marketing and advertising? As a marketing manager, you are responsible for your company’s entire marketing planning and corporate communications. We will provide you with the necessary expertise.
- Production and Logistics: What is produced and where? And how does it get from A to B – and ultimately to the customer? If you can keep a cool head and take well-founded decisions in the midst of the ever more complex global network, you too will join the corporate ranks of the high-flyers.
- Public Business Administration: In the public sector, you can use your knowledge of public management to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the provision of public services and thus contribute to the common good – whether in public administration, public companies or the healthcare sector.
- Nonprofit Management: Use your knowledge to get involved in the third sector! You can make a significant contribution to one of the many organisations that focus on social good rather than maximising profits.
- Controlling and Strategic Management: Companies rely heavily on people who know how and with which appropriate instruments a company can be managed purposefully and effectively. On the one hand, this relates to the short-term ” figures”, but also to the company’s longer-term strategy. As a graduate in business administration, you are ideally prepared.
Stories & news about the degree programme
You’ll soon discover this: There are many interesting facts, stories and news updates regarding this degree programme.
Programme structure
In Klagenfurt you can study at your own pace. To help you follow your path with confidence, we keep it clear of (bureaucratic) stumbling blocks and barriers. If you wish to reach your goal quickly and efficiently, we will always be there to support you. Our recommended course of study will guide you through the semesters. You work your way through the curriculum – making the most of opportunities to broaden your horizons and without wasting time. If you would like to know which courses await you before you start, take a look at the wide range of seminars and lectures.
Main areas
Programme structure: a tabular overview
| Subject | Designation | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required subjects (Pflichtfächer) |
Introductory orientation period (STEOP)
|
10 |
| General Business Administration | 36 | |
| Accounting | 16 | |
| Economics | 16 | |
|
Fundamentals of Law
|
8 | |
|
Methods in the Social and Economic Sciences
|
16 | |
| Sociology | 8 | |
|
Introduction to Gender Studies
|
1 | |
|
Business English
|
4 | |
| Elective Subject I (Gebundenes Wahlfach I) | Choice of two subjects as specialisation (12 ECTS credits each)
|
24 |
| Elective Subject II (Gebundenes Wahlfach II) | Choice of one subject as specialisation
|
12 |
| Elective Subject III (Gebundenes Wahlfach III) | Business Languages | 12 |
| Options (Freie Wahlfächer) | 9 | |
| Bachelor’s thesis including an exclusive tutorial |
6+2 | |
| Total ECTS credits |
180 |
Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)
The introductory and orientation period (STEOP) grants students an overview of the key elements of the degree programme and of the course of studies ahead. Thus, it provides a factual basis for your personal evaluation of the choice of degree programme.
As students must successfully complete the introductory and orientation period in order to continue their studies, it is recommended that this stage should be scheduled during the first semester. The introductory and orientation period comprises the courses “Introduction to Business Administration”, “Economics 1: Introduction to Economics”, and “Basic Principles of Public and Private Law”. Prior to completing the STEOP, additional courses worth up to 22 ECTS credits may be taken.
Non-binding recommended course of study (first year)
The recommended course of study outlined below shows you an exemplary list of the courses you should attend in the first two semesters in order to create a good knowledge base and take the necessary examinations if you want to complete your studies within the minimum period of study. Certain courses are only offered once per academic year, but examinations can be taken on specific dates throughout the year. Some courses are offered in parallel at different time slots during the week so that there are enough places for all students – decide on a course here and register for it.
In the appendix to your curriculum (PDF), you will find a detailed version of the non-binding recommended course of study that goes beyond the first two semesters.
1st semester (Starting in the winter semester)
| DESIGNATION | SUBJECT | ECTS CREDITS | COURSE TITLE | TYPE OF COURSE |
| STEOP (Introductory and orientation period) | Required subject 1.1 | 4 | ABWL I: Einführung in die Allgemeine Betriebswirtschaftslehre | VO |
| Required subject 3.1 | 2 | Volkswirtschaftslehre I: Einführung in die VWL | VO | |
| Required subject 4.1 | 4 | Grundbegriffe des öffentlichen Rechts und des Privatrechts | VO | |
| General Business Administration | Required subject 1.3 | 4 | ABWL III: Entrepreneurship und Innovation | VO, VI* |
| Required subject 1.5 | 4 | ABWL V: Public & Nonprofit Management | VO, VI* | |
| Accounting | Required subject 2.1 | 2 | Externes Rechnungswesen I | VO, VI* |
| Required subject 2.3 | 2 | Internes Rechnungswesen I | VI* | |
| Economics | Required subject 3.4 | 4 | Volkswirtschaftslehre IV: Wirtschaftspolitik | VO, VI* |
| Law |
Required subject 4.3 | 4 | Einführung in das Unternehmens- und Gesellschaftsrecht | VO, VI* |
| Total | 30 |
* Compulsory attendance
** Parallel courses are offered
| DESIGNATION | SUBJECT | ECTS CREDITS | COURSE TITLE | TYPE OF COURSE |
| General Business Administration |
Required subject 1.2 | 4 | ABWL II: Personal und Organisation | VO, VI* |
| Required subject 1.6 | 4 | ABWL VI: Marketing Grundlagen | VO, VI* | |
| Required subject 1.7 | 4 | ABWL VII: Einführung in Produktion, Logistik und Beschaffung | VO | |
| Accounting | Required subject 2.4 | 4 | Internes Rechnungswesen II** | KS* |
| Economics | Required subject 3.3 | 6 | Volkswirtschaftslehre III: Makroökonomik** | VC |
| Law | Required subject 4.2 | 4 | Öffentliches Wirtschaftsrecht | VO, VI* |
| Methods in Social and Economic Sciences | Required subject 5.1 | 4 | Methoden I: Mathematik | VO, VI* |
| 2 | Methoden I: Mathematik** | KS* | ||
| Total | 32 |
* Compulsory attendance
** Parallel courses are offered
Studying abroad
The Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration prepares you for a career in the international business arena. We will teach you the necessary knowledge of English as a business language – in the branch of study “International Business Administration” you even get an extra helping of additional language courses. No matter whether you want to work in the management of a local company with an international focus, or whether you are drawn to a non-profit organisation in Amsterdam, New York or Bangkok: This degree programme will give you the best possible preparation. In the branch of study “International Business Administration” you will complete a compulsory semester abroad at one of the University of Klagenfurt’s more than 250 partner universities worldwide. You need not worry about your finances – we offer plenty of scholarships. You will find everything you need to know about studying abroad on our Study Abroad page.
Internship
You can substitute open electives worth a total of 6 ECTS credits with relevant practical work experience. This must be assigned to the selected subject cluster (guided elective subject I). The internship must be completed within a span of 8 weeks (with a minimum of 20 hours per week). A written work experience report is a prerequisite for the successful completion of the internship. Please refer to section 15 of the curriculum for more information.
Learning goals
| Graduates will be/have: | Graduates will be able to: |
| business knowledge | … explain the basic principles of business. |
| an interdisciplinary mindset | … describe interdisciplinary relationships (e.g. business-economics, business-technology, business-law, business-sociology, etc.). |
| skilled at solving business problems | … identify a business problem and select appropriate solutions/methods. |
| Business English skills | … demonstrate the Business English skills required in today’s global economy. |
| academic literacy | … research business problems by drawing on their academic skills. |
Admission
Admission to the degree programme must take place before the end of the general admission period (winter semester: 5 September | summer semester: 5 February).
A late admission until 31 October (winter semester) or 31 March (summer semester) can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Prerequisites
You do not have to go through a special admission procedure to start the Bachelor‘s degree in “Business Administration” in Klagenfurt. Simply enrol and get stuck in!
You only have to meet the following conditions, which also apply to all other programmes:
- General university entrance qualification (e.g. Matura)
- German language skills at level B2 (CEFR)
Prospective students who apply for admission to a German-language degree programme and whose first language is not German must provide evidence of German language proficiency no lower than level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the time of application.
German courses and exams are offered as part of the VAAU preparatory course by the Language Center German in Austria.
The first steps are always … accompanied!
We won’t abandon you, especially at the start of your studies!
- Here in Klagenfurt, you will get to know your fellow students during the Welcome Days – and you will make new friends in the very first week; friends you will share memorable experiences with in the years to come.
- You will never be a mere (matriculation) number here: Our courses have a limited number of participants and so our lecturers will soon get to know you. We encourage and challenge you, in every way you need!
- Your degree starts with the so-called “Introductory phase (STEOP)”. No matter which school you attended or which qualifications you bring with you to the university: We will get you to the level you need in order to study successfully in the semesters ahead. In addition, the technology preparation courses will help you to rapidly progress on the road to success in your studies!
The world is your own!
The Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration prepares you for a career in the international business arena. We will teach you the necessary knowledge of English as a business language – in the branch of study “International Business Administration” you even get an extra portion of language courses. No matter whether you want to work in the management of a local company with an international focus, or whether you are drawn to a non-profit organisation in Amsterdam, Bangkok or Boston: This degree programme will give you the best possible preparation. in the branch of study “International Business Administration” you will complete a mandatory semester abroad at one of the university’s 250 or so partner universities. You won’t need to worry about your finances – we have plenty of scholarships on offer.
Continuing your studies
Once you have completed the Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Klagenfurt, you have the option to continue your studies with one of the following degree programmes, to give just a few examples. The choice is yours:
FAQ. Frequently asked questions
Is the degree programme in Business Administration the right one for me?
If you are interested in understanding the essence of entrepreneurial thinking and acting, why companies are successful and if you wish to gain a general idea of business management decisions in companies, then this degree programme is perfect for you. Ideally, you should have an interest in the economic developments around the world and a desire to help shape them at some point.
I completed commercial college (HAK) at secondary level: Can I get academic credit for subjects I took at school?
You can get credit for examinations taken in one of the extension subjects (which are not compulsory for the school leaving certificate).
Is it necessary to be good at mathematics in order to study business and economics?
When starting your studies, what is most important is your interest in and curiosity about the chosen field of study and subject. No previous knowledge is expected. We offer tutorials to accompany and support the compulsory courses in “Mathematics for Business and Economics”.
What job prospects do I have once I graduate?
This degree programme qualifies you to launch your career in many different corporate divisions or to become self-employed. Graduates who have completed this programme are particularly sought after in the areas of strategic corporate management, controlling, tax consultancy and auditing, internal auditing, human resources development, marketing and management consultancy.
How do I start my academic studies at the University of Klagenfurt?
Our check list will help you to get started. We have compiled everything you need to know here – from registering online right up to enrolling for a degree programme.
