BA Digital Business & Management
Combining Management and Data Science
In business, data is the new oil — it revolutionizes societies and brings people together. Successful management in the digital age requires two skills: championing data science and business analytics in combination with management with a global perspective. This is precisely the combination offered by our BA program in Digital Business & Management here at Berlin International. The program brings together human and artificial intelligence, while using progressive teaching concepts to ensure a successful learning journey for all students, regardless of background.
Students on our BA program get a hands-on educational experience at the cutting edge of the digital industry. Taking advantage of our location in Berlin — known for being the startup capital of Europe as well as the seat of many multinationals — the program’s focus on practical application is reflected in industry collaborations, for example with the Amazon Web Services Academy, of which Berlin International is a member. Amazon Web Services is the leading cloud provider, ahead of Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure (Kaggle, 2021). This is only one of the many ways in which we ensure that our students are equipped with the skills employers are looking for when they graduate.
Head of Program BA Digital Business & Management
Study Digital Business & Management at Berlin International
All our Business students acquire the necessary foundations for successful further study during the first year of their program — no prior knowledge is required. The second and third years then focus on students’ chosen specializations.
On the BA Digital Business & Management program, students receive a thorough grounding in both management and data science, highlighting the interdependence of these two fields in a data-driven economy. This grounding covers:
- Traditional management courses such as International Business and Strategy, complemented by a set of soft-skills courses such as Team-building and Conflict Management, as well as consulting.
- Courses which sit at the intersection of management and data science, such as Digital Marketing and Platform Business.
- Programming in Python and R, the two most widely used programming languages in data science. (No prior knowledge of programming is necessary — it is taught in a hands-on manner whereby students get extensive experience with a wide range of datasets, applying machine learning and other analytical techniques.)
- Courses focusing on conceptual modeling techniques and tools, such as Digital Enterprise Management and Database Management.
- Students will have the opportunity to obtain certificates in machine learning and cloud computing from the Amazon Web Services Academy.
These subjects are never abstract but are always taught in an applied manner – the goal is to make the learning journey fun and to kindle intrinsic motivation. Current students value this highly: the courses with the seemingly most difficult material are also those which enjoy the highest rates of student satisfaction!
To gain further hands-on experience and sharpen their expertise, students undertake an internship at an organization of their choice during their fifth semester. Berlin International supports students in preparing for the internship and finding a suitable organization. Finally, the Bachelor Thesis is an opportunity for students to explore a topic that interests them independently and in depth.
The learning environment fostered at Berlin International is student-centered, hands-on, and has a strong focus on an applied, practitioner approach. Our teaching concept focuses on project-based learning and uses a number of innovative teaching techniques, such as case-based teaching, analytical labs and real-life simulations. Students work individually and in groups in order to promote professional and personal growth and the development of team skills. All Bachelor and Master programs at Berlin International are taught in English. In combination with our diverse student and teaching body and our global network, this enables us to offer a truly international academic experience.
Around the world there is a severe shortage of skilled professionals who are not only trained in business but who also understand and can realize the opportunities that digitization has to offer. Due to this shortage, salaries have risen sharply for anyone working at the intersection of management and data science.
There are many different careers available to students of Digital Business & Management upon graduation, both in traditional management roles and in more data-driven, analytic areas of organizations. Given the many different possibilities, the examples below represent only a small sample of such careers:
Business Analyst and Data Scientist
Both business analysts and data scientists use data to understand and quantify business drivers such as what are the core aspects of a product’s success. In addition, data scientists have the skills to develop models that make predictions about, for instance, individual consumers and whether a given consumer is likely to buy again from the company.
Business Developer
A business developer is familiar with the key competencies of the organization and identifies and evaluates opportunities for future growth, such as for a new data-driven product, or the expansion or repositioning of an existing product.
Product Manager
A product manager is responsible for the management of product, and serves as a hub connecting the different business units that all work together to ensure a product’s success — units such as sales, development, and legal. A product manager therefore needs a broad understanding of all relevant aspects of business. In a data driven environment this entails a deep understanding of the opportunities and limits of machine learning.
Marketing Manager
A marketing manager makes sure that the four Ps — the four essential factors involved in marketing a good or service — are well aligned. These are: the product and its positioning in the market with respect to competitors, the price (what the consumer pays), the place (where a product is marketed online or offline), and promotion (i.e. advertising). This role often involves working extensively with data.
Enterprise Architect
Enterprises are complex systems with different organizational units, employees, processes, products and services, customer groups, suppliers, business partners, IT systems, and further resources. By offering a holistic perspective, Enterprise Architects link different views of an organization with conceptual modeling methods. They address the main concerns of key stakeholders and their strategic goals, analyze gaps within the IT landscape, and define the actions to be taken.
Learn more about the BA Digital Business & Management program and Berlin International. Below, you can download the study plan, the Berlin International brochure, and our current academic calendar in PDF format.
The application process for studying Digital Business & Management at Berlin International is very easy. You can simply and safely share your personal information through our online application platform. A complete application includes the following documents:
- A copy of your Passport or EU Identity Card Your High School Diploma and Transcript. (Please also submit an official translation into English or German if they are in another language.)
- Your University Certificate and Transcript (if you already have university-level studies). Please also submit an official translation into English or German if they are in another language.
- English language test certificate (CEFR level B2 or above)
For more information, please visit our Admissions webpage.
