FAQ recognition Business Administration and Economics • European University Viadrina

1) What is the minimum/ maximum amount of courses I have to take ?

Current study regulations (FSO)

All BA and MA in Business Administration and Economics can do a max. of 30 ECTS credits per semester abroad (equivalent of 5 courses á 6 ECTS credits or for IBWL and IBA BA 3 courses á 6 ECTS credits with language qualifications recognition + exemption Unicert II 12 ECTS credits except English) will be recognized. Exception for IBWL with language qualification recognition Unicert III: max. 30 ECTS credits (= 3 courses á 6 ECTS credits + exemption Unicert III 12 ECTS credits only English).

All BA and MA in Business Administration and Economics with a mandatory foreign study must complete a minimum of 2 courses (12 ECTS) abroad that can be recognized at Viadrina.

All BA and MA in Business Administration and Economics without a mandatory foreign study are strongly encouraged to complete a min. of 30 ECTS credits credits although this isn’t strictly necessary. However the degree certificate states a stay abroad if one course (6 ECTS) that can be recognized is completed abroad.

2) How many ECTS credits (units) must a foreign course contain?

Current study regulations (FSO)

In principal 6 ECTS credits. Courses with a minimum of 5 ECTS credits will also be recognized. If a course contains less than 5 ECTS credits more than one course from the same area can be consolidated.
For example, 2 courses with 3 ECTS are combined and recognised as one course with 6 ECTS. 2 courses with 4 ECTS can be credited as one course with 6 ECTS, or 3 courses with 4 ECTS can be recognised as one course with 12 ECTS. A combination is only possible if the courses are recognised in the same module group and the content is related to the module group.

Hint: In the American points system 3 Units comprise 5 ECTS credits. In some (few) EU countries, less than 5 ETCS are awarded per course. In these cases, please consult with Torsten Glase before your stay abroad in order to combine 2 courses with the same focus into one course.

3) How do I know if the courses I am taking at the foreign university can be recognized?

Basically, the policy adopted for the recognition of foreign studies and examinations applies.

For BA students the courses in the 3rd year of study abroad that are recognized are mainly those that align strongly with modules that the Viadrina assigns and which do not significantly differ from these.

For MA students the courses in Masters study from the 4th year of study abroad that are recognized are mainly those that align strongly with the Viadrina Masters modules (T-, R-, S-module) the Viadrina assigns and which do not significantly differ from these.

Students of business administration and economics should check as to the recognizability of their course choice by speaking to Torsten Glase. How to arrange this meeting can be found on the following website.

4) Where do I find information regarding the courses I can take?

On the websites of our partner universities. Be aware that these lists usually only appear, like on the Viadrina website, a few weeks or a month before the semester starts. Also, look at the old course lists and be aware in which semester your chosen course is offered. The courses usually remain similar.

Ask students that have previously attended your chosen partner university. For their details, please feel free to ask us or join the Viadrina Students Abroad Facebook Group. Also useful information and tips can be found in the student reports.

5) How is the recognizing of the course after my stay abroad conducted?

This information can be found in the lower section of the website of recognition.

6) How are the grades converted?

The conversion of the grades of foreign academic achievements uses the following conversion table.

7) How many time does the accreditation need and when the grades will be online at viaCampus ?

Approx. 2-4 weeks after submitting all the documents required for recognition, you will receive a message that your recognition has been forwarded to the examination office. Your grades will automatically be entered into the His-Portal. You can pick up your finished recognition in AM 207 afterwards.

8) What is the Transcript of Records and how do I get it?

The Transcript of Records is a certificate that lists all of your foreign academic achievements. After the completion of a stay abroad it will be sent, from the International Office of the partner university to the Department of International Affairs of the Viadrina, and in rare cases, directly to the student. When it arrives at the Viadrina, you will be informed to your Viadrina email. The Department Viadrina International Affairs only accepts the original Transcript of Records, which must be sent directly to the department by the partner university (postal/digital). Forwarding by students may not be accepted.

9) Can I get rid of the proof of a foreign language proficiency with courses taken abroad?

Current study regulations (FSO)

For BA IBWL the proof of a qualification in English (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, C1 / Unicert III) or a second foreign language (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, B2/ Unicert II-not English) is sufficient when during the stay abroad proof is given of a module taken totalling a minimum of 18 ECTS credits in the corresponding foreign language.

If you wish an exemption from English C1 /Unicert III you must have completed English B2 / Unicert II before submitting the application for recognition. If you already have a a B2 / Unicert II in a second foreign language, in addition to the English B2 / II Unicert, the language module is already completed and the English C1 / UNCERT III cannot be supplemented with the 18 ECTS credits from a course taken abroad.

For BA IBA the proof of a qualification in a foreign language (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, B2 / Unicert II) is sufficient when during the stay abroad proof is given of a module taken totalling a minimum of 18 ECTS credits in the corresponding foreign language (not English).

In all other cases an exemption from the foreign language module is not possible.

Please be aware that with an exemption from presenting evidence of completion of the foreign language module, no certificate is awarded. This certificate will be necessary for application for Master programs at other universities (except the IBA MA at the Viadrina).

10) When can a course be recognised as an R module?

A course can be recognised as a research module (R-module) if a project paper or a discussion paper was produced as part of the course, or if the course is an interdisciplinary seminar, a business game or a workshop lasting several days with practitioners or other universities.

In principle, every R-module can also be subsequently recognised as a T-module, but this does not work the other way round!