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Business Administration with a focus on Finance (B.A.)

Welcome to the information pages of our bachelor's degree program "Business Administration with a Major in Finance". The following pages will provide you with all the important information about this application-oriented degree program, which will qualify you for a professional career in the field of financial services as well as corporate finance. The degree program is a six-semester, modular full-time program.  


If you require further information or have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Stefanie Hehn (Program Director) or Ms. Christiane Weinerth (Program Manager). We will be happy to assist you.

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Brief profile of the bachelor's degree program in business administration with a focus on finance

The increasingly complex economy, and in particular the financial sector, requires qualified and well-trained experts - these are in demand at financial service providers, insurance companies, FinTechs, industrial companies, auditing firms or in the banking sector, which is in a state of upheaval!

In our degree program "Business Administration with a Focus on Finance", you will acquire the necessary business and financial know-how and become familiar with the latest trends and developments in the financial sector, such as the increasing technologization and digitalization of business models and financial products.

In a standard period of study of 6 semesters, you will first learn the basic business knowledge before focusing on specific content of the financial services industry/corporate finance. You will gain insights into the investment and lending business, know the role of rating agencies in the financing process and be able to classify FinTechs in the current market environment. In addition, content such as business analytics, financial market communication, investment & investor behavior  and hybrid business models will flow into your studies.

Due to the resulting broad spectrum of applications, you have the best chances for a quick career entry with a variety of opportunities in the exciting and forward-looking fields of activity in the area of financial services as well as corporate finance.        

However, the bachelor's degree also enables you to further qualify for the master's degree of your choice, such as the consecutive master's degree "Finance & Accounting" at the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences. 

The program at a glance: 

*Here you will find detailed information about the admission requirements.

Your studies at a glance: 

The career-qualifying bachelor's degree program "Business Administration with a focus on Finance"  is divided into six semesters. The program has a modular structure and is divided into 25 modules plus a period of practical training abroad and a bachelor's thesis. In this way, you will acquire the necessary skills to meet the expectations and requirements of the job market.

The following figure gives you an overview of the course and the structure of the study program:

Below we provide you with detailed information on the individual study modules: 

1st semester

Module General Business Administration

The basic module "General Business Administration" first deals with the specifics of business administration as a science before moving on to concepts and approaches of economic thinking and acting in order to recognize, analyze and discuss economic issues on an ongoing basis. This includes business functions such as procurement, production, sales, human resources and financing and initial management concepts. You will learn the basic business methods and instruments and will be able to apply them to simple problems.

Module Business Mathematics

The basic contents of this module are financial mathematics, linear algebra and analysis, with the help of which economic problems are formulated in the language of mathematics. The focus is on questions of financial mathematics in order to interpret and implement results derived from mathematics in an economic way. For this purpose, e.g. net present value calculations, curve discussions, determination of extreme values, elasticities, basics of optimization, linear systems of equations as well as input/output analysis will be used. 

Accounting and Cost Accounting Module

The overall module consists of the two sub-modules "Accounting" and "Cost Accounting". In the sub-module "Accounting", the basic structure of business accounting and bookkeeping, as well as the fundamental relationship between the balance sheet and the income statement are dealt with. In addition, business transactions are mapped using double-entry bookkeeping and annual financial statements are prepared. In the sub-module "Cost Accounting", knowledge of the tasks and instruments of cost type, cost center and cost unit accounting on a full cost basis as well as basic knowledge of direct costing is acquired. This includes the application of the essential instruments of cost type, cost center and cost unit accounting in the context of operational issues.

Law module

Topics of the module are an introduction to private and public law and related to the Civil Code, the General Part, the Law of Obligations as well as the Law of Property. The aim is for you to be familiar with the necessary areas of law and legal matters for future tasks in business and to be able to apply the most important areas of civil law relevant to business law in a practical manner. This includes the skills to independently use the relevant sources of law, to assess business law issues and to solve legal cases.

Personnel and Marketing Module

The module consists of the two sub-modules "Personnel" and "Marketing". The first module deals with the functional basics of human resources management, personnel planning, the design of working conditions, remuneration and remuneration policy, as well as personnel recruitment, selection and development. The sub-module "Marketing" deals with the elements of a management-oriented marketing concept as well as basic instruments and organizational aspects of marketing. This includes the basics of strategic marketing management, methods of market research but also central aspects of product, price, communication and sales policy.

Module Business Informatics

The module consists of the two sub-modules "Theory" and "Practice". The aim of the module as a whole is to become familiar with the operation and most important techniques of current hardware and software and to understand how information and communication technology can serve business management purposes. The most important business applications of information and communication technology are dealt with and simple business methods (e.g. break-even, ABC analysis) are applied in a practice-oriented manner with the help of spreadsheet programs.

 

2nd semester

Module Investment and Financing

The sub-module "Investment" deals with the basic investment and profitability calculations under security and the evaluation of investment alternatives. The procedures of the static investment calculation as well as the procedures of the dynamic investment calculation are discussed and deepened with concrete application examples. In addition, special cases of investment appraisal such as the replacement problem as well as profitability, financial and liquidity planning are dealt with. The mirror-image sub-module "Financing" deals with the instruments of external and internal financing and discusses advantages and disadvantages of different financing alternatives and evaluates selected capital structures.

Accounting and taxation module

In the sub-module "Accounting", the legal origins and the core business statements of (individual) annual financial statements according to national law (commercial and tax law), including the distinction from group accounting and annual financial statements according to international law (IFRS), are discussed. Important business statements of accounting such as balance sheet and income statement are examined and assessed in order to derive economic decisions from them. In the sub-module "Taxation", the fundamentals of corporate taxation are fundamentally dealt with and the tax burden effects associated with business management decisions are determined.

Module Statistics

The module Statistics consists of the sub-modules "Statistics", and "Statistics with Excel". In the context of "Statistics" you will learn the most important concepts, definitions, formulas and methods of descriptive and inductive statistics. This includes, for example, mean values, measures of dispersion and higher moments, index numbers, correlation or regression. You will learn how to analyze collected data (descriptive statistics) as well as how to theoretically and practically apply probability calculation, estimation methods and hypothesis tests. In the sub-module "Statistics with Excel" you will apply the theoretical topics covered in the sub-module "Statistics" in Excel using sample data relevant to business management (e.g. share prices). Theoretical knowledge of statistics will be deepened and additional Excel knowledge will be taught. This provides you with the application competence for practice-oriented, quantitative methods for the preparation, condensation and analysis of data to improve the quality of decision-making in business administration functional areas.

Module Economics

Learning objectives of the submodule "Economics" are the knowledge and understanding of the functioning of market economies as well as the economic policy objectives and instruments. This includes the basics of national accounting and economic policy as well as basic macroeconomic explanatory approaches, which are analyzed in short and long term and applied to practical economic policy. In addition, key production technologies are distinguished from one another and market pricing is described and interpreted.

Module Basic Business Skills

In the sub-module "English I - Business Basic", simple to moderately difficult business situations are simulated communicatively (by telephone or in writing). You will train to describe companies, business objects, etc. as well as to analyze basic processes and to reproduce them descriptively using suitable media. In the sub-module "Soft Skills I", appropriate linguistic usage in international contexts is taught and the linguistic registers (business language, everyday language, academic language, student language) as well as regional language phenomena (US English, UK English) are differentiated from each other. Furthermore, the course deals with learning organization and presentation techniques, preparing a short presentation on business topics and presenting it in German and/or English.

 

3rd semester

Module Corporate Finance

The Corporate Finance module consists of the sub-modules "Cash Management and Payment Transactions", "Asset Classes and Investor Behavior" and "Current Developments in the Financial Services Market". The module deals with the cash & management of a company as well as the key figures and techniques required for this. The most important key figures of cash and working capital management are presented, explained and interpreted. In addition, the central asset classes and their respective characteristics are discussed, as well as possible psychological biases in financial decisions and the most important decision traps and manipulations in the context of behavioral finance. Current developments in the financial services market as well as new business models, especially with regard to digitalization, are also taken into account.

Module Customer Relationship and Project Management

The module teaches the various goals and methods, as well as models and the application of current CRM software. The components, analytical, operative, communicative and collaborative CRM are presented and applied using concrete, practical case studies. In the context of project management, students lead a project and contribute to the solution of complex project tasks in a team. In doing so, solutions to problems are formulated and justified both technically and methodically.

Module ERP Systems and Business Analytics

Topics of the sub-module "Accounting in SAP ERP" are the handling of the recognized SAP ERP system (navigation) as well as the mapping of various business processes from a business and system perspective. The sub-module "Business Analytics" is about the knowledge and competencies of business analytics, including the integration of strategies, processes and technologies. This generates success-critical knowledge about potentials and perspectives from distributed and inhomogeneous company, market and competitor data. In addition, an understanding of the integration of various modules from the areas of accounting, controlling, logistics is conveyed.

Advanced Business Skills Module

The module aims at empowering students in business life in an international context. In the sub-module "English II - Business in Practice", students discuss specific, current but also critical topics in a results-oriented manner and rehearse, for example, job application procedures in English. The module is rounded off by the sub-module "Soft Skills II - Communication", in which the students learn to prepare a thematically and temporally more extensive presentation or training on business topics from the area of communication/conflict management/negotiation and to present it in German and/or English and to activate participants.

Mentor Program Module

The mentor program serves to help students and full-time lecturers of the program to get to know each other and ensures personal, individual support. On the other hand, initial topic discussions regarding the bachelor thesis are to be held. Another aspect is the discussion of possible problems in the course of studies and finding a supervisor for the internship.

 

4th semester 

Module Financial Institutions

In the sub-module "Banking Management incl. Investment Banking", in addition to the economic role of banks, the essential banking services, their customer benefits and significance for credit institutions are dealt with. In addition, essential concepts for measuring and managing risks, for controlling the banking business are learned and applied, and central regulatory requirements and current developments in the market for financial services are discussed. The subject of the sub-module "Insurance Business Studies" is the institutional manifestations of the most important supply structures of financial services companies, the functioning and application possibilities of central banking and insurance businesses as well as the relevant industry-related regulatory framework. The sub-module "Accounting of Banks and Insurance Companies" imparts extensive knowledge of the accounting of banks of insurance companies under commercial law, applying the regulations of the German Commercial Code (HGB) as well as the RechKredV and RechVersV. Practical cases and annual financial statements of banks and insurance companies are analyzed and discussed.

Module Introduction to Management Techniques and Legal Framework

This module consists of the sub-modules "Corporate Management", "Project Controlling" and "International Business Law". You will learn about the interests of all stakeholders in a company, examine basic management models, planning and decision-making techniques and be able to evaluate and use these in a targeted manner. You will also learn about the goal-oriented design of organizations and processes and their management approaches, which you will evaluate and operationalize for application. In addition, you will learn central principles and methods of project controlling and be able to apply them to practical issues. In doing so, you will reflect and take into account different perspectives and interests in order to be able to recognize the appropriate framework conditions appropriate to the situation and to make well-founded and responsible decisions. Within the scope of "International Business Law" you will deepen your basic knowledge in the field of private commercial law in international business law. You will learn to address issues of national commercial and corporate law, taking into account international aspects, and you will be able to legally assess matters with foreign implications, draw up economically relevant contracts and solve legal cases.

Module International Business Skills

In the sub-module "English II - Business Knowledge", you will be able to communicate a comprehensive business topic in English in a compact manner and with topic-related technical vocabulary. In doing so, you will be familiar with typical, culture-related deviations of presentations in English-speaking countries. In the sub-module "Soft Skills III - Business Ethics" you will practice forming opinions and representing your point of view in a discussion in English and motivating other people to express their opinions.

Module Scientific Work

In this model you will learn objectives and standards in the scientific environment and will be able to apply the relevant guidelines on the basis of practical issues using the basics of scientific expression and citation. This module prepares you for your own, scientific thesis (bachelor thesis).

 

5.       Semester

Module Financial Market Communication

In the sub-module "Company Valuation" you will learn the methods and principles of valuing companies and shares and apply them to case studies. In the sub-module "Group Accounting" you will deal with the preparation of consolidated financial statements and gain a deeper understanding of the application of individual types of consolidation by working through case studies. In the sub-module "International Accounting" you will gain basic knowledge of accounting according to HGB and IFRS and differentiate between them. The significance, development as well as principles and special features of IFRS in the accounting and valuation of assets and liabilities but also in a profit realization are dealt with in order to be able to understand, analyze and evaluate an annual financial statement according to IFRS in its essential features.

Hedging module

The module consists of the sub-modules "Hedge Management & Accounting" and "Financial Derivatives". You will learn and recognize the reason for hedging various risks (e.g. price, interest rate, currency risks) and will be able to describe the derivatives used to hedge the risks and understand their valuation (also according to different accounting standards).

Risk Management Module

In the two sub-modules "Theory" and "Treasury and Risk Management (ERP/Practice)" you will gain an insight into the theory of risk management and additional knowledge of SAP ERP Treasury and Risk Management. In addition, formulas learned in other modules are applied (for example, the valuation of options) and run through in the SAP ERP system.

Value Creation Module

The "Portfolio and Capital Market Theory" sub-module focuses on risk and return of investments and investment programs (securities portfolios) and their valuation and quantification. You will understand the concept of diversification, be able to apply it and determine efficient as well as optimal portfolios. In addition, the capital market models CAPM and APT are in the foreground. In the sub-module "Investment and Value Enhancement" students will be able to analyze main issues of corporate finance, the role of the financial manager with the tasks, the implications of a separation of corporate management and capital ownership. The valuation of financial securities and working capital will be applied concretely. In the sub-module "International Finance", students learn to identify the emergence of multinational companies, risks and opportunities of multinational corporate activity, but also the goals and tasks as well as the scope of action of multinational corporate financial management. Furthermore, the theoretical foundations of international corporate finance, the international finance/transfer system are applied and a differentiated analysis and evaluation of foreign investment projects are dealt with.

 

6.       Semester

Module Semester Abroad or Internship

You can choose between a semester abroad or a practical semester (mandatory internship). In an authentic environment you can get to know cultural as well as economic particularities, develop existing language skills in concrete communication situations as well as your social competence for your professional development. Optionally, you can apply and deepen your practical knowledge and skills in as many areas of your study program as possible in the relevant departments of a business enterprise or a business-related institution in Germany or abroad during a practical phase.

Bachelor thesis module

In the context of their Bachelor's thesis, students work independently on a business problem, both in the subject-specific details and in the interdisciplinary contexts, using scientific methods.

Special features

Study concept

Our bachelor's degree program provides you with fundamental specialist knowledge of business administration based on the fundamentals of value-oriented corporate management and the modern theory of corporate finance and financial markets. In addition, the program imparts interdisciplinary qualifications, supplemented by the special teaching content of the "Financial Management" concentration. Central to this is the topicality of the course content, which reflects the trends in the financial sector.

With our application-oriented degree program, we pay special attention not only to the basic technical content, but also in particular to the development of your methodological, personal and social skills in order to prepare you in the best possible way for your future career For example, the consideration of ethical aspects in decision-making, interculturalism and leadership quality play an important role.
 

Varied teaching with a high level of practical relevance

Our degree program is characterized by first-class theoretical teaching, which ensures you a sound knowledge base for your future field of activity in finance. The high practical relevance, the concrete application reference and the orientation of the teaching contents to current trends and developments are decisive. The courses are held with the help of technological support as lectures with integrated exercises. Group work, discussions, seminars, case studies & mini-cases for reflection and application of knowledge are an essential part of the course. In addition, digital units round out the course offerings and increase flexibility in learning.

Project work - where possible in cooperation with companies -, case studies and guest lectures underpin the practical relevance of the course content and offer you first-class opportunities to network with renowned experts and practitioners.         
For your final thesis, cooperation with a company is sought.

Diverse specializations and in-depth options

We offer a wide range of elective modules to complement and deepen your individual interests. These build on the business fundamentals taught in the first semesters. This gives you the opportunity to individually supplement your main field of study with topics such as management consulting, human resources, marketing, controlling or logistics, thus acquiring further core competencies and in-depth professional know-how.

Study abroad/practical phase

With globalization and increasing international interdependencies, activities and trade volumes on the international financial markets in particular are growing. This offers great opportunities and is the reason for the high priority given to internationality at the University of Applied Sciences in Ludwigshafen. Therefore, we offer you the opportunity to spend your sixth semester of study at a foreign partner university. During your studies abroad, you will receive first-class support from our International Office. In addition to deepening your specialist knowledge, you will get to know the culture, mentality and language of the host country and can establish international contacts with students as well as potential employers.     
In the degree program "Business Administration with a Focus on Finance", we train you specifically for the practical world. Accordingly, we provide an internship semester for you as an alternative to the semester abroad as part of your studies in the sixth semester. During this time, you will work in a company and apply the specialist knowledge you have acquired at to gain initial practical experience and practical contacts. During your practical phase, you will be individually supervised by a professor from your degree program.

Mentoring program

We accompany you. Our professors maintain personal contact with you as part of our mentoring program. This enables you to arrive at our university, ensures optimal support and guidance not only at the beginning of your studies, but also throughout your studies, especially in personal, organizational and content-related matters.

Studium Generale

Beyond the study program of your degree program, you have the opportunity to voluntarily attend events in the Studium Generale, which we offer in cooperation with partner universities and colleges. Exciting topics and lecturers broaden your horizons beyond the purely technical subjects.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the bachelor's degree program "Business Administration with a Focus on Finance" take on specialist and management tasks in a wide range of areas of the economy. In particular, in financial departments of large and medium-sized companies, in the credit industry, in the insurance industry, in the fund industry, in management consultancies, in FinTechs, at associations and institutions, as investment advisors, as insurance brokers, and in planning departments of companies, but also at start-ups or as self-employed professionals.

The Bachelor's degree represents your first professional qualification "Bachelor of Arts B.A."! In addition, it also allows you to further qualify for a master's degree of your choice, such as the consecutive master's degree "Finance & Accounting" at the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences. 

The following are examples of testimonials from some of our graduates: 

This page provides you with an overview of the professors as well as the teaching staff and lecturers who conduct the lectures within the framework of the bachelor's degree program "Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance":

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Hehn-Ginsbach

Program Director Bachelor's degree program in business administration with a focus on finance

Teaching areas: Investment and Finance, International Finance, Portfolio and Capital Market Theory, Investment and Value Enhancement, Applied Corporate Finance.

"Finance is the heart of the entire economy - it is what makes any entrepreneurial activity possible, ensures the functioning of markets and creates prosperity and growth. Imparting knowledge and skills in these exciting subject areas, as well as mentoring and developing young talent in preparation for exceptional careers in the diverse fields of finance, is my passion and my top priority." more information

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Carsten Pohl

Teaching Areas: Statistics, SAP ERP, mathematics, asset management 

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" - Albert Einstein

more information

Prof. Dr. Gösta Jamin

Teaching areas: Banking, financial markets and derivatives, risk management, corporate regulation, economics. 

"The financial system is one of mankind's greatest inventions, along with the invention of the wheel and the taming of fire."

Read more

Prof. Dr. Hartmut Walz

Teaching areas: asset classes and investment psychology, current developments in the financial services market, behavioral economics (English), investment banking, financial psychology and behavioral economics, financial services. 

"The ultimate secret to successful investing and retirement planning is that there is no secret!"

Read more

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Birgit Angermayer

Teaching areas: Group accounting, accounting of insurance companies and credit institutions, business valuation, tax planning, professional law, cost accounting 

further information

Prof. Dr. Andreas Diesch

Teaching areas: Income taxes, international tax law, taxation of corporate restructuring, accounting, investment, cost accounting 

more information

Prof. Dr. Sibylle Baumann

Fields of teaching: Civil law, commercial and corporate law, international business law, IT law, logistics law

more information& nbsp;

Prof. Dr. Martin Selchert

Fields of teaching: Marketing, Business Management, Consulting 

more information

Prof. Dr. Frank Grafmüller

Subject area: Business taxation and auditing

further information

Prof. Dr. Markus Widmann

Syllabus: International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), financial statement auditing, auditing methodology, auditing standards,...

more information

Christine Heinzel

Teaching areas: Marketing, Human Resources, Project Management, Conflict Management, International Business Skills, Scientific Work

more information

Dieter Ott

Teaching Areas: Soft Skills, Business Ethics and Intercultural Competence

more information& nbsp;

Harry Sponheimer

Teaching Areas: Business English, English for Logistics, Intercultural Awareness 

more information& nbsp;

Application

For information on application procedures , please contact the staff of the Student Service Center. International applicants please contact the staff of the International Affairs Department. 

Here you can find the overview of study programs and get to the application.

Contact

For all questions regarding the content of the Bachelor's program, please contact:

Ms. Christiane Weinerth
Email: christiane.weinerth@hwg-lu.de
Phone: 0621-5203-314
Mobile: 0162-6418062