The THWS Business School at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt offers nine degree programmes to their 1,600 students. By winter semester 2023/24, the faculty changed its name and is no longer called the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. Through this, the faculty wants to re-position itself and become a pioneer of its field.
Published on 15 October 2024
The campus of the THWS Business School is located in the centre of Würzburg, surrounded by numerous restaurants, bars, and shops. In the winter semester 2023/24, the Faculty of Economics and Business Engineering changed its name and thus not only has a new name now but also started the process of a fundamental re-orientation. The faculty’s dean, Professor Dr. Axel Bialek, gives various reasons for this change process. One decisive factor for the faculty's re-orientation was the transition of the higher education institution from a university of applied sciences to a technical university of applied sciences in early 2023. Particularly because the term "Business Administration" is used by many higher education institutions and universities is why the THWS Business School wants to stand out: "We are not a faculty of economics and business administration like many others. We are the THWS Business School, we stand out," Professor Dr. Bialek explains.
The faculty: Structure and offers
The THWS Business School offers nine degree programmes, of which five are bachelor's programmes and four are master’s programmes. A particular highlight is the planned bachelor's degree programme in Culinary and Wine Tourism, that is one of a kind in Germany and is scheduled to start in 2025. There is also the TWIN programme International Management, which is the English-taught equivalent of the German-taught programme Betriebswirtschaftslehre (Business Administration). Dean Professor Dr. Bialek emphasises, however, that this TWIN does not constitute two identical programmes as there are special characteristics related to German management that are not as important internationally which is reflected by the English-taught TWIN.
The practice-orientation of the programmes is an essential characteristic. It is achieved by close cooperation with local and supra-regional companies. Anna Grunewald studies Media Management at the THWS Business School in her second semester. She as well emphasises the programme's practice-orientation: "I like how diverse our projects are, from making and cutting videos to recording podcasts and radio shows and writing blog articles." That way, the students do not only develop theoretical knowledge but also practical skills. Students could directly apply and thus consolidate their knowledge, Anna confirms. A committed team of 40 professors, seven higher education teachers, 15 employees in the dean's office, and about 20 sessional lecturers per semester supported teaching.
The guiding stars as pillars of successful studies
The first step of the faculty's development constitutes the so-called guiding stars that were developed in cooperation between the team and students. They ought to represent the faculty's mission to clarify what the THWS Business School is and what it stands for. From this, the following faculty values were derived: respectful, up to date, professional, committed, and high quality. These values, which guide the THWS Business School, form the basis of the school's strategy. The faculty's focus is thus placed on internationalisation, digitalisation, research-orientation, and practice-orientation. The "future skills" form the core: systematic thinking, digital competence, adaptability, flexibility, and (inter)cultural competence. These skills are supposed to equip the students "to be successful in complex national and international environments."
Internationalisation as success factor
"We have more or less become the pioneers of THWS' internationalisation", Professor Dr. Bialek says. For about 30 years, the faculty has cooperated with more than 80 partner universities around the world. This particularly constitutes a major chance for students. Every year, about 100 students can spend a semester abroad at one of the partner universities. Each semester, about 50 students come to THWS from the international partner universities. Students can choose between a regular semester abroad, a double degree, or the freemover programme. The double degree offers students the opportunity to attain two degrees - one from THWS and one from the respective partner university. The freemover programme enables students to complete a semester abroad at a higher education institution that is not part of THWS’ partner university network. Students take on the organisational process themselves.
The dean considers internationalisation an important aspect for the faculty. That is why the programme is not limited to a specific degree programme. "The only requirement is that students meet the language requirements," Professor Dr. Bialek explains. Most partner universities teach in English, some in Spanish or French. Students who want to study in English can either go abroad to study at one of the numerous partner universities, or students can opt for one of the THWS Business School's English-taught degree programmes in Würzburg: the bachelor's programme International Management, the master's programme Managing Global Dynamics, and the master's programme International Business with Regional Focus.
Taking a look into the future
Already in 2018, the THWS Business School developed a first digitalisation strategy to optimally prepare students for the working world of tomorrow. The corona pandemic accelerated this process rapidly and called for short-term comprehensive adjustments and renewal of the strategy. The new focus is on adapting and further developing the digitalisation strategy to meet the new post-corona normal.
The transformation into the THWS Business School is an ongoing process. The faculty intends to increase outward visibility and offer a consecutive degree programme from the bachelor's degree to postgraduate programmes. Professor Dr. Bialek explained that the programmes for continuing education in particular must be rethought and certificate courses could be developed. This means that students choose which courses to take and thus compile their own individual curriculum. Through these measures, the THWS Business School wants to meet their requirements to "become the leaders of degree programme and faculty development," Professor Dr. Bialek says.
Students at the THWS Business School receive an "excellent fundamental education in business administration," the dean emphasises. The practice-orientation played an important role for student's decision for the THWS Business School. Student Anna Grunewald shares this opinion: "You can apply your knowledge in different projects and thus consolidate it." Whether it is Media Management, Business Administration, or International Management with Regional Focus - "there is an offer for everyone," Grunewald is sure.
Degree programmes at the THWS Business School
Bachelor's degree programmes:
- Business Administration (B.A.)
- Business Analytics (B.Sc.)
- Digital Rescue Management (B.A.)
- International Management (B.A.)
- Media Management (B.A.)
- Culinary and Wine Tourism (B.A) (in the planning stage)
To the website of the THWS Business School
