Together for tomorrow: WiSo 2030
International
International
We have more than doubled our range of international study programs in recent years, thereby gaining global visibility. Both international students and German students in international degree programs acquire substantial linguistic and intercultural skills through our professional language concept. Almost every course of study offers students mobility windows for stays abroad. We promote exchange with international scientists through international block weeks, summer schools, guest lectures and global classroom formats. All administrative employees can take part in transfer programs with international partner universities and thereby gain valuable insights into the administration of foreign scientific institutions. We enable students and all employees to particularly emphasize the acquisition of intercultural skills and to develop a global mindset.
On the way to the International Campus
2
international core study programs
Core study programs for international students are eight-semester study models in which the first two semesters focus on study orientation and German language acquisition before entering the six-semester specialist program.
5
Incoming Exchange Programs
Incoming Exchange Programs include courses amounting to at least 30 ECTS in English.
8
international study programs
International Event Management Shanghai (B.A.), International Physiotherapy (B.Sc.), International Management (B.A.), International Business and Management (B.A.), International Economics and Sustainability (B.A.), Physiotherapy (B.Sc.), International Business and Management (M.A.) and Management in Nonprofit-Organisations are internationally oriented study programs, five of them can be studied entirely in English.
20
international guest lecturers/year
Every year, 20 international guest lecturers teach courses at the Faculty in which a total of around 500 students take part.
120
modules for guest students
International guest students can choose from a range of more than 120 individual modules.
350
students
Every year over 350 students take part in around 15 international excursions.
1,250
students in international block weeks
Every year, 50 international block weeks take place in which around 1,250 students take part.
Internationalization goals by 2030
More diversity on campus
The number of international university members, especially the number of international degree-seeking students, should be increased. The goal is for at least 10 percent of international students to be enrolled in the Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences.
More international experience
The number of graduates with study-related experience abroad should be increased. The Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences aims to increase the proportion of its graduates with at least three months of experience abroad from the current 19 to 25 percent.
Fields of action
The Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences is currently preparing for international accreditation. International accreditation increases the visibility of the university abroad and enables cooperation with renowned universities abroad.
International accreditation is an international seal of quality for business schools and business degree programs that can be earned in addition to the mandatory national accreditation. The seal is awarded by international accreditation organizations. Depending on the organization, accreditation systems are offered for the entire institution or for individual study programs. Universities that have achieved international accreditation prove that their quality standards are in line with international standards.
The Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences (BMSS) has decided to take the path of international program accreditation. The English-taught program International Management (B.A.) is the first program that is set out to achieve the international program accreditation. The organization EFMD (European Foundation of Management Development) and its program accreditation system EFMD accredited were chosen as a partner and accreditation agency.
EFMD is a global network of business schools, companies and other organizations committed to the development, improvement and internationalization of management education. The accreditation systems and respective quality seals offered by EFMD are recognized worldwide. The Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences has been an EFMD since 2021.
All degree programs will emphasize content that is more focused on international topics and contexts so that a higher proportion of international students feel addressed; at the same time, this promotes the intercultural skills of all students and provides them with future skills that they can use for their prospective careers (e.g. internationally oriented specializations, interculturality, foreign language components in the curricula, summer and winter schools, international block weeks).
Of particular interest are global classroom concepts, which offer the advantage of enabling the acquisition of international skills while simultaneously reducing travel and other resource expenditure. They are therefore indispensable with regard to sustainable and financially viable internationalization offers at the university. Last but not least, they increase the diversity and reach of international offerings.
The Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences offers a wide range of international degree programs, including five English-taught degree programs:
Bachelor
- International Event Management Shanghai (B.A.) (English-taught)
- International Management (B.A.) (English-taught)
- International Physiotherapy (B.Sc.)
- International Business and Management (B.A.)
- International Economics and Sustainability (B.A.)
- Physiotherapy (B.Sc.) (English-taught)
Master
- International Business and Management (M.A.) (English-taught)
- Management in Nonprofit-Organisations (M.A.) (English-taught)
Two core study programs for international students (International Economics and Information Management) are being planned. These are eight-semester study program models in which the elements of study preparation are anchored in the curriculum, which consciously and specifically supports the study success of this target group. The first two semesters are all about study orientation and learning German before starting the six-semester specialist program.
To promote incoming mobility, the aim is for each study area to offer courses amounting to at least 30 ETCS in English (Incoming Exchange Programs). Since mobility mainly takes place between the 3rd and 5th semesters, the focus should be on English-taught specializations rather than on basic subjects. The following Incoming Exchange Programs are offered by the Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences: Global Management and Economics, Business Psychology / Human Resource Management, Global Management, Nonprofit Organisations plus Individual Choice of Modules.
Support from Pool Internationalization Initiatives
Since 2020, the Faculty of Buisness Management and Social Sciences has been supporting the development of course-related internationalization measures. Full-time professors and senior lecturers can apply for a reduction in teaching load of up to 2 SWS per semester for a funding period of at least 2 to a maximum of 4 semesters. In addition, funding can be provided for student assistants.
Foreign language and intercultural skills enable Osnabrück students to spend a study abroad semester at one of the Faculty‘s partner universities, contribute as future skills (interdisciplinary skills) to personal development and are in demand by employers.
The following foreign languages are currently offered in the Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences:
- English as a technical language is anchored in the curriculum as a compulsory or elective module at level B1/B2 in almost all bachelor's degree programs
- Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish are anchored in the curriculum as a second foreign language in international bachelor's degree programs and can be freely selected as elective or additional modules
- Offer of non-curricular basic courses as an additional offer (depending on the language from level A1: Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, exception: English from A2)
- German as a foreign language for international degree seekers and visiting students
- Extra-curricular offering of other languages (e.g. Dutch)
Foreign language teaching at the Faculty will be strengthened by anchoring it more broadly in the Faculty and the degree programs and by making it more visible through the clear structure of the new specialization in “Business Language”. The Business Language specialization consists of three modules (similar to the other specializations offered by the Faculty) and focuses on learning a business language up to level C1. The specialization is anchored in four Bachelor's degree programs (International Management, International Business and Management, Business Administration and Management, Public Management) or via elective subjects in other Bachelor's degree programs (International Economics and Sustainability, Business Psychology, Business Management in the Health Sector). It is possible and desirable for master's students from the Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences as well as bachelor's and master's students from other Faculties to register for the modules.
To pave the way for Osnabrück students to take English-language courses, students should have the opportunity to choose between German and English in the language of examination (German friendly courses). It can also make it easier for students whose native language is not German to take German-language courses if they can choose between German and English in the language of examination (English friendly courses).
Tailor-made German language offers support international students in continuing to work on their German skills even after they have started their studies, so that they can use the German language confidently and appropriately in an academic environment. Workshops for international students help with orientation in Germany (e.g. intercultural skills, applying for jobs in Germany, applying for scholarships, academic work, etc.).
To promote outgoing mobility, in addition to target group-specific foreign language offers, there are also offers to promote intercultural competence.
In addition to promoting intercultural competence as part of personnel development, the strategic appointment policy for the appointment of professors is to become increasingly international. In addition, international research semesters are made possible for professors and lecturers and staff exchange programs are offered for employees.
The aim is to further expand international mobilities in the areas of research, teaching and administration (currently nine research stays and 20 teaching stays per year by international scientists at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, one to two international research semesters and 25 teaching stays abroad by lecturers at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and seven international stays by employees, many of them from the Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences).
International recruiting is supported by the “CarLa – Career Lab Osnabrück University” project to improve the application situation in appointment procedures. The goal is to recruit and qualify professorial staff. Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is looking for interested young scientists from home and abroad and would like to attract talented and suitable people, so-called high potentials, and support them on their way to a professorship at the university.