Award in Advanced Business Studies

Provided online via distance learning

Key Facts

Flexible Duration

EQF & MQF Level 6

120 ECTS

Tuition Fee: 4800 Euro

State Accredited

Distance Learning

Program Overview

This medium term EQF Level 6 program is targeted at individuals who wish to obtain a solid foundation in various disciplines of Business Administration and Management. It can also be followed as a bridging program in order to earn the necessary ECTS to qualify for admission into a Master (Level 7) program. Delivered via eLearning, it is ideal for candidates with practical experience who want to obtain a recognized academic qualification

The program is a min. 18-month part-time program targeted at learners who seek a high level of flexibility. It is conducted entirely online in a cohort mode. Live online-meetings take place at set times weekly in the evenings to allow advance planning in alignment with the work schedules of our students.

Physical attendance is not required. The language of instruction is English.

Program Objectives

The program develops an in-depth understanding of business administration, and teaches skills and competencies needed to successfully manage teams, projects, and units with a focus on practical application. Covering numerous subdisciplines, the program provides a comprehensive understanding on the manifold causal functions within organizations.

This program is designed for individuals who are either entering the job market or who currently hold junior positions. It is also suitable for self-employed entrepreneurs wishing to gain a better understanding of the various disciplines involved in running their business.

Admission Process

A completed online application.
A High School diploma or equivalent (e.g. Secondary School Leaving Certificate, Matura, Abitur, Baccalaureate) uploaded with the online application form.
Official High School transcripts showing at minimum the last two high school years leading to graduation. A scanned transcript must be uploaded with your online application. If the transcript is not in English it must be translated by a certified translation service.
Proof of English proficiency. Not needed for students graduating from an English-speaking school.

Course Descriptions

Fundamentals of Accounting --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

The course introduces accounting for business entities such as sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations, focusing on how business events impact the balance sheet, income statements, and the statement of cash flows. Topics include: the process of recording and analyzing transactions, the accounting cycle including record-keeping, preparation of financial statements, and the theory of accounts.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Business Law & Ethics --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

This course explores the legal and ethical framework in which businesses operate. Sources and areas of business law are presented and compared internationally. Students also learn to critically analyze and evaluate the behavior of business owners, managers, and employees. Given heightened consumer scrutiny of corporate ethical conduct, a portion of the course will focus on how managers can navigate ethical dilemmas, meet the expectations of customers, employees, suppliers etc. and flourish as good corporate citizens.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Elementary Statistics

This course includes measures of central tendency and variability, probability, random variables, normal and binomial distributions, confidence intervals, tests of hypotheses, correlation and simple linear regression, descriptive and inferential techniques and concepts.

Business Communication --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

The course provides students with the necessary skills to communicate in a manner that is both concise and persuasive. Students learn to write professional reports, proposals, tenders, letters and other commercial correspondence. The course also explores the features of dynamic presentations, including methods of structuring, visualizing and delivering a message.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Business Cultures & Protocol --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

Today’s globalized business environment and an increasingly cultural diverse workplace, require that managers are culturally aware. To prepare students, this course focuses on cultural and cross-cultural issues and explores suitable management and communication approaches. The course highlights aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility as they relate to intercultural settings.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Introduction to Microeconomics --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

This module provides an overview of the economic way of thinking. The module introduces graphical analysis, the concepts of demand and supply, the decision-making process regarding the optimal level of output and identifies and distinguishes among different market structures.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Introduction to Macroeconomics --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

The course provides an understanding of economic issues as they pertain to national economies and international trade. Topics covered include: national income, employment, GDP, the dynamics of inflation, aggregate demand and supply, money and the banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, and international trade. Some time is also spent presenting competing economic models. In other words, the course presents the macro framework in which business is conducted.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Fundamentals of Marketing --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

This course covers the marketing process as it relates to the “four p’s”: product, place, promotion and price. Specifically, the course explores the concepts and practices of marketing management, sales, channels of distribution, consumer behavior, pricing strategies, advertising, and market research.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Financial Management & Planning --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

This course explores the concepts of corporate finance, investments and capital markets. Throughout, attention is given to trade-offs of risk and return in financial decision making. Issues presented include the time value of money, the nature of financial markets, financial analysis and planning, security valuation and capital markets, capital budgeting, IRR, the Profitability Index, Net Working Capital, credit policies and receivables management.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Management & Business --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

This course explores the basic concepts of managing, planning and controlling an organization. It begins with the process of building leadership skills and lays a solid base for the difficult tasks of human resources management. The course focuses on communication, decision making and leadership for administrative and managerial positions in business and government.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Entrepreneurship --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

The course focuses on the process of recognizing and creating opportunities for business ventures. Students learn about planning, organizing and controlling activities involved in setting up a business. Challenges such as financing, staffing and marketing new ventures are discussed, as are government regulations. The course also deals with the problems of running a family business, working with family members, transition management and the growing of a small business. Instructions on how to create a good business plan form the practical aspect of this course.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Project Management --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

This practice-oriented course provides the student not only with the theoretical understanding of the Project Life Cycle within an organizational context but allows familiarizes the student with hands-on tools and techniques of effective project management. PM activities that are explored include: developing project plans and schedules, allocating and coordinating resources, risk assessment, budgets and controlling costs, and managing teams.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

E-Business --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

In this practically-oriented course, students familiarize themselves with the e-business strategy framework, using the steps of the e-business strategy formulation roadmap, linking the individual steps of the roadmap to the different parts of the e-business strategy formulation. They explore the main business issues involved in each stage of the roadmap and apply the concepts in the design and implementation of an e-business initiative.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Management Information Systems --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

The course provides the foundation for understanding information systems and examines IT-related roles, functions and strategies in today’s business environment. The course will cover the principles and concepts of IS, the motivation for using IS in business, the technologies implemented and their applications, and the reciprocal relationship between the organization and information technology.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

HR Management --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

The course is an introduction to the issues surrounding human resources and the complex relationship between management and employees. Students examine human behavior. They are presented with effective human resource management practices that are aimed at promoting employee well-being and improving the productive efficiency of the company. Topics include: recruiting and selection, staffing, development and performance appraisal of human resources. Also discussed are topics such as labor management-relations and ethics.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Purchasing & Supply Chain Management --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

The course presents concepts, tools and techniques involved in managing the flow of resources (e.g. materials, goods, information etc.) through a global supply chain. The risks and rewards of outsourcing organizational R & D, production and delivery processes are discussed. Core topics include: supplier selection, warehousing, quality control, procurement, negotiations, risk management, and distribution, among others. The result is an in-depth understanding of organizational cost, quality, and innovation as it pertains to a company’s supply chain.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Management of Innovation & Technology --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

This course introduces the vital role technology innovation plays in management strategy. Models of technological innovation past and present are explored, and students are shown how the innovation process can be embedded in an organization. Specifically, students are taught the how innovation needs are identified, innovation projects are selected, new product are developed, and the value of innovation is captured.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Change Management --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

In this course, the student will be exposed to an integrative study of organizations in a changing business environment. The course equips students with the necessary skills to critically assess an organizations’ strategic position, and to formulate, implement and lead change effectively.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18

Business Policy & Strategy

This course focuses on how firms formulate, implement, and evaluate strategies in a turbulent and rapidly changing environment. Students will focus on integrated decision making in terms of strategy formation, implementation, and evaluation.

International Business & Trade --- (6 ECTS - EQF/MQF Level 6)

The course provides an analytical framework for the study of international trade. Students explore a broad array of relevant topics applying both theoretical models and empirical studies to determine a model that best fits “real world” data. Competing theories concerning the nature of international trade and the gains or losses thereof are discussed. Student will also explore the relevance and policy implications of these theories/models, especially in terms of growth, income distribution, and development.

Hours of Total Learning: 150

Total Contact Hours: 40

Self-study Hours: 92

Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: n/a

Assessment Hours: 18