Information for term Business + Culture
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenAs the start-up capital of Europe and home to multinational giants like Siemens, Berlin is an ideal place to study economics and the impact of global demands on business strategy, while improving your German language skills. As you choose from a range of English-taught classes and look inside German enterprises of all sorts and sizes, it’s impossible to not be swept up in the energy pulsing through this global city.
Unique Experiences
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Build a stronger knowledge base
and sharpen your analytical skills at one of Germany’s most innovative business schools.
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Get a handle
on the distinctive features of Berlin, German, and EU economics.
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Live in a thriving multicultural neighborhood
with easy access to all of Berlin.
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colleges and universities
35 -
research scientists
62,000 -
miles of bike paths
390
Location & Culture
Click to Open

Your Destination
Berlin is a thriving global city of 3.5 million, swirling with innovation and energy. Political and economic decisions made in the German capital reverberate throughout the EU and around the world. The city is home to countless small start-ups, with growing communications, life sciences, environmental services, media, music, and digital sectors. With reasonable living costs, excellent public transportation, plenty of green space, and tons to do, Berliners enjoy high quality of life. They are very welcoming to students and visitors from all over the world.
The Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Get to know Berlin with a walking/biking/river tour.
- Take an inside-look at a range of businesses - from manufacturing facilities to small start-ups.
- Travel overnight to another economic and cultural hub like Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dresden, or Munich to visit companies and historic sites.
- See the stark contrast between the former West and East political and economic systems with a guided tour of Berlin, and visit the East Side Gallery, the Holocaust Memorial, or Tempelhof Airport Park.
- Explore the historic Reichstag building and the palaces in nearby Potsdam.

PROJECTS
Language support. In addition to language classes at the Berlin School of Economics and Law, students take part in CIEE’s German-language activities including conversation hours and film nights.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Residence Hall: Most student live in the CIEE Global Institute Residence Hall with CIEE students and Resident Assistants (RAs) – CIEE-trained German students who help newcomers adjust to Berlin. Students live in double, triple, or quad rooms with private bathrooms, and have access to full kitchens. The hall has a café and large common areas.
Homestays and Shared Apartments: Depending on availability, a small number of students may share nearby apartments or live with Berlin hosts.
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MEALS
Residence Hall: Meals are not included. Students can prepare meals at the hall dorm, get snacks at the café, and eat at the many nearby restaurants.
Homestay: Hosts provided two meals a day. Shared apartment: Meals are not included.
Berlin, Germany Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE GLOBAL INSTITUTE
Berlin G27
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B
BERLIN SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND LAW
(BESL)
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C
Getting Around
Berlin’s 24-hour public transportation system is extensive and quickly connects to all areas of the city. Berlin is also very bike-friendly and bikes are available at the Global Institute.
Like what you're seeing so far?
request more informationProgram Details
Click to OpenWhat you need to know
The program detailsThis rigorous program is designed for participants to study at the Berlin School of Economics and Law, and focus on the fundamentals of business practice, administration and law, in addition to studying the German language. The program begins with two weeks of intensive German language study, before students take classes with their German and international peers.
Students select from a full range of courses in English. Those with appropriate ability can take courses in German. Students with a high language proficiency also have access to legal studies courses in the Department of Public Administration and Department of Policing and Security Management. These classes are on the Berlin-Lichtenberg Campus, 25 minutes from the main Berlin-Schöneberg Campus by subway.
The Berlin School of Economics and Law (Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin; BSEL). BSEL focuses on building business, management, and administration skills for the private and public sector, and enrolls 10,500 students. The university staff includes 170 professors, 500 lecturers, and 270 research and administrative personnel. BSEL and six other German universities are committed to quality and the international perspective through the UAS7 Alliance for Excellence. The multinational campus is in the vibrant Schöneberg neighborhood.
Academics
Click to OpenEligibility
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OVERALL GPA
Students need to have a GPA of at least 3.0.
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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
3 semesters of college-level micro or macroeconomics, accounting, finance, management, marketing, or statistics.
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Curriculum
Program Credit
- Total credit, Semester: 16-18 semester/24-27 quarter credits.
- Total credit, Academic Year: 32-36 semester/48-54 quarter credits.
Students begin the program with two weeks of required intensive German language study and then start the semester at the Berlin School of Economics and Law (BSEL). A semester-long German language course is also required.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
Spring 2020 Courses
Click to OpenREQUIRED INTENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES
Required intensive language courses have 30 contact hours and CIEE will award 2 U.S. credits.
Intensive Beginning German
This course is designed for students who have never studied German or have had one semester of German prior to enrolling in the study abroad program. The class opens with sessions on survival language skills and is designed from a communicative perspective to help true beginners of German language develop fundamental linguistic language skills in listening comprehension, oral communication, reading, and writing. The course encompasses all of the key areas of grammar and vocabulary typically encountered in a first semester German course.
Intensive Intermediate German
This class is designed for students with intermediate language skills. The syllabus is organized functionally around objectives that students need to adjust to living and studying in the German culture and Berlin. Through a communicative methodology, students work to improve their language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking German. Students focus on real-life application of language. By the end of the course, students cover the basic range of grammatical tools necessary to communicate effectively. These include the present, past, and future tenses, direct and indirect object pronouns, prepositions and adverbs, and selected aspects of the subjective and conditional moods.
Intensive Advanced German
This class is designed to challenge students with increasing language ability to improve on the skills they have already acquired. The syllabus is organized functionally around objectives that students need to adjust to living and studying in the German culture. The course covers all four communicative skills (listening comprehension, oral communication, reading, and writing) with special emphasis on complex aspects of the language that are particularly challenging for English speakers. The course covers abstract functions of language such as expressing opinions, resolving conflicts, formulating complaints, making arguments, and negotiating. Grammatically, emphasis is placed on the correct use of the tools needed to achieve these aims - complex aspects of the various past tenses, the full range of subjunctive and conditional moods, and formal and informal registers.
Semester Courses
REQUIRED SEMESTER-LONG GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES
All Berlin School of Economics and Law semester-long German language courses will introduce vocabulary related to banking, business communications, meetings, résumé terms, taxes, marketing, finance, etc. Semester-long German language courses are 50 contact hours and CIEE will award 3 U.S. credits. All students must enroll in one of the following:
Business German Beginner 1
Business German Beginner 2
Business German Beginner 3
Business German Beginner 4
Business German Intermediate 1
Business German Intermediate 2
Business German Intermediate 3
Business German Intermediate 4
Business German Advanced
ELECTIVE COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH AT THE BERLIN SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND LAW*
*Not all courses are offered every semester, and some courses have prerequisites. The final list of courses is made available during the enrollment process on-site.
Business Applications
Business Mathematics and Economics
Business Simulation
Communication and Interaction in a Professional Context
Communication Strategies and Consumer Behavior
European Economic Policy
Corporate Finance
Fundamentals of Business Law
Principles of Corporate Finance
Group Accounting and Managerial Accounting
History, Politics, and Economics of the Host Country
Human Resource Management
Human Resources and Organization
Management Accounting and Controlling
Intercultural Communication
International Business Accounting
International Management
Internationalization of Economic Processes - Goals, Instruments, & Actors of Regulation
Principles of Business Information Systems
Principles of Financial Accounting
Macroeconomics: The Economic Cycle and Employment
Management Accounting and Controlling
Management Issues: Business Ethics
Management Issues: International Project Management
Management Issues: Multinational Enterprises in Emerging Markets
Market Research
Marketing
Mathematics for Business and Economics
Microeconomics: Allocation and Distribution
National and International Financial Relations
Operations Management
Organizational Behavior in International Companies
Political Economy and Social Structure of Modern Society
Product and Distribution Management
Regional Studies
Selected Issues in Business Finance
Selected Issues in Marketing
Statistics
Strategic Management
Work, Business, and Society
Students with a very advanced level of German, who pass a placement test on site, may take business courses in German, many of which are offered in parallel to courses taught in English.
Fall 2019 Courses
Click to OpenREQUIRED INTENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES
Required intensive language courses have 30 contact hours and CIEE will award 2 U.S. credits.
Intensive Beginning German
This course is designed for students who have never studied German or have had one semester of German prior to enrolling in the study abroad program. The class opens with sessions on survival language skills and is designed from a communicative perspective to help true beginners of German language develop fundamental linguistic language skills in listening comprehension, oral communication, reading, and writing. The course encompasses all of the key areas of grammar and vocabulary typically encountered in a first semester German course.
Intensive Intermediate German
This class is designed for students with intermediate language skills. The syllabus is organized functionally around objectives that students need to adjust to living and studying in the German culture and Berlin. Through a communicative methodology, students work to improve their language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking German. Students focus on real-life application of language. By the end of the course, students cover the basic range of grammatical tools necessary to communicate effectively. These include the present, past, and future tenses, direct and indirect object pronouns, prepositions and adverbs, and selected aspects of the subjective and conditional moods.
Intensive Advanced German
This class is designed to challenge students with increasing language ability to improve on the skills they have already acquired. The syllabus is organized functionally around objectives that students need to adjust to living and studying in the German culture. The course covers all four communicative skills (listening comprehension, oral communication, reading, and writing) with special emphasis on complex aspects of the language that are particularly challenging for English speakers. The course covers abstract functions of language such as expressing opinions, resolving conflicts, formulating complaints, making arguments, and negotiating. Grammatically, emphasis is placed on the correct use of the tools needed to achieve these aims -complex aspects of the various past tenses, the full range of subjunctive and conditional moods, and formal and informal registers.
Semester Courses
REQUIRED SEMESTER-LONG GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES
All Berlin School of Economics and Law semester-long German language courses will introduce vocabulary related to banking, business communications, meetings, résumé terms, taxes, marketing, finance, etc. Semester-long German Language Courses are 50 contact hours and CIEE will award 3 U.S. credits. All students must enroll in one of the following:
- Business German Beginner 1
- Business German Beginner 2
- Business German Beginner 3
- Business German Beginner 4
- Business German Intermediate 1
- Business German Intermediate 2
- Business German Intermediate 3
- Business German Intermediate 4
- Business German Advanced
Elective Courses taught in English at the Berlin School of Economics and Law*
*Not all courses are offered every semester, and some courses have prerequisites. The final list of courses is made available during the enrollment process.
Basics of External Accounting
Basics of Internal Accounting/Controlling
Business Application
Business Mathematics
Business Organization, Company, Work Seen from the Perspective of History and the Social Sciences
Business Simulation
Communication and Interaction on the Job
Communication Strategies and Consumer Behavior
Cost Accounting
European Economic Policy
Finance and Investment Policies in Business
Financial Analysis and Valuation
Fundamentals of Business Law
Fundamentals of Corporate Finance
Group Accounting and Managerial Accounting
History, Politics, and Economics of the Host Country
Human Resource Management
Human Resources and Organization
Instruments of Controlling
Intercultural Communications
International Business Accounting
International Law & Human Conflicts in Regions of Africa
International Management
Internationalization of Economic Processes - Goals, Instruments, & Actors of Regulation
Introduction to Business Information Systems
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Investment and Finance
Labor Market and Social Welfare State in Europe
Macroeconomics I: The Economic Cycle and Employment
Macroeconomics II: World Market and Currency
Management Accounting and Controlling
Management Issues: Management Consulting
Management Issues: Total Quality Management
Market Research
Marketing
Mathematics for Business and Economics
Microeconomics: Allocation and Distribution
National and International Financial Relations
Operations Management
Organizational Behavior in International Companies
Political Economy and Social Structure of Modern Society
Product and Distribution Management
Regional Studies
Selected Issues in Business Finance
Selected Issues in Marketing
Self-Management
Statistics
Strategic Management
Work, Business, and Society
Students with a very advanced level of German, who pass a placement test on site, may take business courses in German, many of which are offered in parallel to courses taught in English.
Spring 2019 Courses
Click to OpenREQUIRED INTENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES
Required intensive language courses have 30 contact hours and CIEE will award 2 U.S. credits.
Intensive Beginning German
This course is designed for students who have never studied German or have had one semester of German prior to enrolling in the study abroad program. The class opens with sessions on survival language skills and is designed from a communicative perspective to help true beginners of German language develop fundamental linguistic language skills in listening comprehension, oral communication, reading, and writing. The course encompasses all of the key areas of grammar and vocabulary typically encountered in a first semester German course.
Intensive Intermediate German
This class is designed for students with intermediate language skills. The syllabus is organized functionally around objectives that students need to adjust to living and studying in the German culture and Berlin. Through a communicative methodology, students work to improve their language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking German. Students focus on real-life application of language. By the end of the course, students cover the basic range of grammatical tools necessary to communicate effectively. These include the present, past, and future tenses, direct and indirect object pronouns, prepositions and adverbs, and selected aspects of the subjective and conditional moods.
Intensive Advanced German
This class is designed to challenge students with increasing language ability to improve on the skills they have already acquired. The syllabus is organized functionally around objectives that students need to adjust to living and studying in the German culture. The course covers all four communicative skills (listening comprehension, oral communication, reading, and writing) with special emphasis on complex aspects of the language that are particularly challenging for English-speakers. The course covers abstract functions of language such as expressing opinions, resolving conflicts, formulating complaints, making arguments, and negotiating. Grammatically, emphasis is placed on the correct use of the tools needed to achieve these aims - complex aspects of the various past tenses, the full range of subjunctive and conditional moods, and formal and informal registers.
SEMESTER COURSES
REQUIRED SEMESTER-LONG GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES
Business German Beginner 1
Business German Beginner 2
Business German Beginner 3
Business German Beginner 4
Business German Intermediate 1
Business German Intermediate 2
Business German Intermediate 3
Business German Intermediate 4
Business German Advanced
All Berlin School of Economics and Law semester-long German language courses will introduce vocabulary related to banking, business communications, meetings, résumé terms, taxes, marketing, finance, etc. Semester-long German language courses are 50 contact hours and CIEE will award 3 U.S. credits.
ELECTIVE ENGLISH TAUGHT COURSES AT THE BERLIN SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND LAW*
Not all courses are offered every semester, and some courses have prerequisites. The final list of courses is made available during the enrollment process on-site.
Business Applications
Business Mathematics and Economics
Business Simulation
Communication and Interaction in a Professional Context
Communication Strategies and Consumer Behavior
European Economic Policy
Corporate Finance
Fundamentals of Business Law
Principles of Corporate Finance
Group Accounting and Managerial Accounting
History, Politics, and Economics of the Host Country
Human Resource Management
Human Resources and Organization
Management Accounting and Controlling
Intercultural Communication
International Business Accounting
International Management
Internationalization of Economic Processes - Goals, Instruments, & Actors of Regulation
Principles of Business Information Systems
Principles of Financial Accounting
Macroeconomics: The Economic Cycle and Employment
Management Accounting and Controlling
Management Issues: Business Ethics
Management Issues: International Project Management
Management Issues: Multinational Enterprises in Emerging Markets
Market Research
Marketing
Mathematics for Business and Economics
Microeconomics: Allocation and Distribution
National and International Financial Relations
Operations Management
Organizational Behavior in International Companies
Political Economy and Social Structure of Modern Society
Product and Distribution Management
Regional Studies
Selected Issues in Business Finance
Selected Issues in Marketing
Statistics
Strategic Management
Work, Business, and Society
Students with a very advanced level of German, who pass a placement test on site, may take business courses in German, many of which are offered in parallel to the English-taught courses.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates, Deadlines & Fees
Click to OpenDates, Deadlines & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
YOUR FEE INCLUDES:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
- Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
- Orientation – an introduction to German culture, your academic program, and the city, plus practical information about living in your host city
- Full-time program leadership and support in your host city
- Field trips and cultural activities
- Overnight excursions
- Insurance and other travel benefits, with CIEE iNext
- 24/7 emergency on-site support
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.
No Hidden Fees
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
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Spring 2019 22 weeks | Mar 4, 2019 | Aug 2, 2019 |
$19,450
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,558 ** Housing = $4,425 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $19,450Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,800 International Airfare = $1,200 Local Transportation = $400 Books & Supplies = $300 Visa Fees = $82 Personal expenses = $2,800 Total Estimated Costs = $7,582Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** Students in the homestay option have two meals per day provided as part of the program fee. No meals are included in the on-campus residence hall option. |
|
Fall 2019 24 weeks | May 1, 2019 | Sep 2, 2019* | Feb 14, 2020* |
$19,450
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,558 ** Housing = $4,425 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $19,450Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,800 † International Airfare = $1,200 †† Local Transportation = $400 Books & Supplies = $300 Visa Fees = $82 Personal expenses = $2,800 Total Estimated Costs = $7,582Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** Students in the homestay option have two meals per day provided as part of the program fee. No meals are included in the on-campus residence hall option. † for students in on-campus residence hall; homestay students should budget $1000 per semester for meals not included in fees †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
Spring 2020 22 weeks | Nov 1, 2019 | Mar 4, 2020* | Aug 2, 2020* | |
Academic year 2019-2020 48 weeks | May 1, 2019 | Sep 2, 2019* | Aug 2, 2020* |
$36,955
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $27,638 ** Housing = $8,850 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $36,955Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $5,600 † International Airfare = $1,200 †† Local Transportation = $800 Books & Supplies = $600 Visa Fees = $82 Personal expenses = $5,600 Expenses during break = $700 ††† Total Estimated Costs = $14,582Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** No meals are included in the on-campus residence hall option. † for students in on-campus residence hall; homestay students should budget $1000 per semester for meals not included in fees †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† academic year students who wish to stay onsite are responsible for arranging their housing and meals during the semester break |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
Looking for funding?
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Martin-Kley Ph.D.
Director
Martin studied at the Universities of Augsburg (Germany), Pittsburgh, and Texas. He taught German language and culture, as well as film studies, at Gettysburg College before returning to his native Germany.
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John Roper, Ph.D.
Academic Director
Since summer 2014, John has taught courses at CIEE focusing on German cultural history, art, and architecture, as well as gender and sexuality in contemporary Germany.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact an Advisor
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.