WE FORM EUROPE S TOP EXECUTIVES! A subsidiary of Study Guide Master s Programme Strategic HR Management in Europe Part-time UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES BFI VIENNA
Study Guide Master s Programme Strategic HR Management in Europe Table of Contents 11. We form Europe s top executives at the UAS bfi Vienna (Fachhochschule bfi Wien)... 3 12. Programme Targets... 4 13. Fields of Activity and Career Prospects... 5 14. General Conditions of Studying.............................................................. 6 4.1. Admission Requirements... 6 4.2. Admission Procedures... 6 15. Time Requirements... 7 16. Programme Contents... 8 6.1. Content Clusters... 8 6.2. Master s Thesis... 8 6.3. Diploma Exam... 8 17. Types of Courses... 9 18. Curriculum... 10 19. International Aspects... 11 10. Students Rights and Duties, Costs... 12 10.1. Students Rights and Duties... 12 10.2. Costs... 12 11. Contact... 13 2
1. We form Europe s top executives at the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna (FH bfi Vienna) When the OECD evaluated the Austrian educational system in the mid-1970s, they recommended the implementation of universities of applied sciences. On 1 October 1993 this new aspect was added to the Austrian educational landscape as the Federal Act on University of Applied Sciences Degree Programmes (FHStG) came into force. FH degree programmes offer work-related education at university level, comply with EU regulations and offer all the advantages of a basic theoretical education combined with practical implementation; furthermore, the tight schedule of the programmes (mandatory attendance) reduces the duration of study in comparison to established traditional universities. At present there are over 400 FH degree programmes on offer in Austria. The University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna is now one of the leading universities of applied sciences in Austria. Its graduates are internationally regarded as highly qualified. They are very much in demand as employees in demanding areas of responsibility across various fields of activities in the economy, administration and non profit. At the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna academic education is combined with practical training. The sophisticated scientific education forms the base for career prospects in management. Many important and major businesses consider the degree programmes particularly future- oriented and therefore support the FH as sponsors. FH bfi Vienna in Europe s top league The FH bfi Vienna is the only university in Vienna that was awarded the ECTS and the Diploma Supplement Labels again in 2013. Already in 2006 and 2009, the FH (University of Applied Sciences) bfi Vienna received the ECTS Label. As the label is only valid for a certain period of time, the FH applied again in 2013 and succeeded in being awarded the label again. The circumstance that both labels were confirmed reflects the sustainable nature of teaching and the expertise of the lecturers. We form Europe s top executives is both the FH s motto and its claim. The ECTS the European Credit Transfer System makes degree programmes transparent and comparable across Europe. The University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna offers seven bachelor s degree programmes Banking and Finance full-time and part-time European Economy and Business Management full-time and part-time Film, TV and Media Production full-time Logistics and Transport Management full-time and part-time Project Management and Information Technology full-time and part-timed Technical Sales and Distribution Management part-time Work Design and HR Management part-time and six master s degree programmes: European Economy and Business Management part-time International Banking and Finance part-time Logistics and Transport Management part-time Project Management and Organisation part-time Quantitative Asset and Risk Management part-time Strategic HR Management in Europe part-time There are 1,929 study places in these 13 degree programmes. The University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna s co-operation network spans over 70 universities of applied sciences and universities in Europe, Asia, Australia and North- and Southamerica. These international contacts result in joint projects and an intensive exchange of both lecturers and students. This award recognises the high level of internationalisation at the FH bfi Vienna. At the FH bfi Vienna credits can easily be obtained for exchange semesters and work placements, as they are integrated into the regular degree programmes. 3
2. Programme Targets The aim of the Master s degree programme is to offer qualifications and competences in Strategic HR management to the students on European level. The study programme has two thematic focuses. On the one hand, the study programme concentrates on HR management in Europe both in a European country-by-country comparison and in a global comparison between Europe and other regions (e.g. the U.S.). On the other hand, special focus is placed on strategic HR management which is increasingly becoming more important for putting theory into practice. The qualification and competence profiles of the graduates includes scientific disciplines, methodical-analytical skills and interdisciplinary qualifications. The most important scientific disciplines of the study programme are strategic management, labour market economics, region-specific labour and social law in Europe, European HR management, strategic HR management and international comparative HR management. The most important methodical-analytical skills for graduates are international project and process management, consultancy skills in HR Management, intercultural competence, leadership capability and strategic competencies in IT-supported HR management and controlling. Interdisciplinary qualification especially means profound knowledge of English with special focus on HR related terminology, intercultural communication and networking skills. Thereby, the curriculum ensures the achievement of the study programme objectives: a science-based, practiceoriented education for HR management tasks at European and international level. 4
3. Fields of Activity and Career Prospects Fields of vocational activities are HR departments in Europe, in private and public organisations in any field of business with an international perspective. Graduates of this Master s degree programme may fill strategic management positions in HR, e.g. HR Business partner HR Advisor, internal consultant Head of HR department / staff unit Head of HR People developer The graduates can: manage the personnel situation of international enterprises and institutions recruit strategically required personnel and create long-term loyalty with the enterprise act as a strategic partner of the management board implement change processes in HR successfully run international and intercultural HR processes competently and successfully 5
4. General Conditions of Studying 4.1. Admission Requirements A written application for a study place including all documents is the prime admission prerequisite for participating in the admission procedure. Applicants for the Master s programme must have a degree in social sciences, business administration or law studies. Furthermore, applicants have to demonstrate knowledge at university level in Business Administration and Management (16 ECTS) and Law (8 ECTS). 1 ECTS point is equivalent to approximately a 25-hour workload. Very good English skills (English competence level C1) have to be proven as English is the language of instruction. 4.2. Admission Procedures The admission procedures consist of a structured interview and a multiple-choice test. Both the interview and the MC-test are conducted in English. Applicants can score 40 points through the interview and 60 by the MC-test. After all written applications have been submitted, all applicants that meet the requirements will be invited for the interview and the MC-test by e-mail or letter. The interviews start at the beginning of May and will be completed by the end of June. The MC-test will take place at the end of June and will last 60 minutes. If there are more applicants than places available, the students are admitted to the Master s programme according to their total admission test rankings (structured interview plus MC-test). Application deadline: 31 May Application deadline for applicants outside the European Union: 15 March (due to Visa restrictions) 6
5. Time Requirements The Master s programme Strategic HR Management in Europe takes 4 semesters. Each semester takes 20 weeks. The winter semester starts at the beginning of September and finishes at the end of January/beginning of February; the summer semester starts in mid-february and lasts till the end of June. Classes are from Monday to Friday (three times in the evening) and on Saturdays (during the day). The scheduled days will be announced several weeks before the programme starts. Attendance is mandatory for all courses of the curriculum. Exemptions from this rule require the programme director s approval. 7
6. Programme Contents 6.1. Content Clusters Related courses are combined into modules which constitute a part-qualification for students. There are the following modules: Interdisciplinary Approach to HRM Strategic Human Resource Planning Theoretical Perspectives for Strategic HRM HRM Systems and Practices in International Organisations ICT and HRM International Cooperation Organising HRM in an International Context Regional Distinctions of HRM in Europe Research Methods Human Aspects of Human Resource Organisational Behaviour and HRM 6.2. Master Thesis Before being admitted to the final examination, every candidate has to compose a master thesis. The aim of the thesis is the development of an individual written paper of high practical and scientific relevance by the student with reference to the knowledge acquired during the studies. The time frame for the preparation of the diploma thesis is 6 months, starting with the formal approval of the diploma thesis topic in the 3rd semester, which includes an outline for the diploma thesis. There are special guidelines on how to compose the master thesis and the thesis has to be submitted to the supervisor for approbation. 6.3. Diploma Exam The admission to the final diploma examination requires that the candidate has successfully passed all required courses of the Master s programme. Furthermore, the student must have obtained the approval for the proposed master thesis. The diploma exam is conducted by an exam senate consisting of three people and comprises a brief presentation of the master thesis and a proper exam. The exam is based on a reading list posted by the programme director which reflects the studying contents of the degree programme. 8
7. Types of Courses Different types of courses will be attended. Each type has different aims and different means of performance measurement. Lectures (LE) aim at a larger audience and at systematically presenting a special field or the interdisciplinary relationship among different special fields and provide the necessary knowledge. Integrated classes (ILV) consist of a lecture part, intended to impart knowledge, and a practical part, in which this knowledge is then applied and intensified. The integration of lecture and practical part ensures that the knowledge acquired is applied as well as possible. This course is based on continuous assessment (30%) and a written final exam (70%). For the continuous assessment, performance will be measured according to tasks completed, presentations and in-class contributions. Practice Classes (UE) are to a small extent meant to impart theoretical knowledge, but primarily to apply the knowledge acquired in this and other classes as well as through self-study. Students are encouraged to work out and discuss their own solutions to problems related to their working practice. The grading is mainly determined by the attendance and participation in class. Seminars (SE) and Project Seminars (PS): In a seminar students will write a seminar paper on an assigned topic. The seminar paper will focus on acquiring scholarly knowledge and on applying scientific methods. In the project seminar, by contrast, students are required to analyse practice-related problems and to provide consulting services to partner enterprises. The grading is mainly determined by the quality of the seminar paper. 9
8. Curriculum Module Course Title Sem. Type SWS ECTS Inter-disciplinary Approach to HR Management Strategic Human Resource Planning Theoretical Perspectives for Strategic HR Management HRM Systems and Practices in International Organisations Introduction to European Economy, Current Challanges 1 VO 1 2 European Integration 1 VO 1,5 3 Industrial Relations in European HRM 1 VO 1,5 3 Psychological & Sociological Aspects of HRM 1 VO 1 2 Empirical Social Research (Part 1) 1 UE 1 2 The Process of Strategic Human Resource Planning 1 ILV 3 6 Basics in Economic an Labour Law 1 IC 1,5 3 SHRM Measurement Systems 1 ILV 1,5 3 Basic Theories in HRM 1 VO 1,5 3 SHRM: The Concept of Aligning Organisational Strategy and HRM 1 VO 1,5 3 Employer Branding, Selection and Recruitment 2 VO 1,5 3 Performance Management 2 VO 1,5 3 Competency and Talent Management 2 VO 1,5 3 Business Process Management 2 ILV 1 2 Total Rewards 2 VO 1,5 3 Project Seminar 2 PS 1,3 4 ICT & HR Management HRM Information Systems and Decision-Making 2 UE 1,5 3 ICT-Based Communication in HRM 2 UE 1,5 3 International Cooperation Intercultural Management 2 ILV 1,5 3 International Project Management 2 ILV 1,5 3 Organising HR Management in an International Context Regional Distinctions of HR Management in Europe Research Seminar /Master Thesis Part 1 Human Aspects of Human Resource Organisational Behaviour and HR Management HRM and the Business Organisation 3 VO 1,5 3 The Organisation of the HRM Function 3 VO 1,5 3 Legal Aspects in International HRM 3 VO 3 6 Specialisation: HRM Region-Specifics 3 ILV 3 6 Region-Specific Labour and Social Law 3 VO 1,5 3 Benchmarking and Comparative HR Studies 3 ILV 1,5 3 Empirical Social Research (Part 2) 3 UE 1 2 Master Thesis Part 1: Conception 3 SE 1 4 Leadership and Motivation 4 UE* 2 2 Diversity, Ethics and Social Responsibility in HRM 4 VO 1 2 Conflict Management 4 UE* 2 2 Change Management 4 ILV 1 2 Expatriate Management 4 ILV 1 2 Master Thesis Part 2 Master Thesis (Part 2) and Diploma Exam 4 19 Master Thesis Workshop: Supervision 4 SE 0,5 1 Abbreviations (in German) ECTS ECTS Credits ICT Information and Communication Technologies ILV Integrated Class HRM HR Management LVA Course PS Project Seminar SE Seminar SHRM Strategic HR Management SWS Weekly hours per semester UE Practice class UE* Practice class with limited amount of work for students VO Lecture 10
9. International Aspects The FH master s degree programme Strategic HR Management in Europe has been developed with three partner universities (see below) and will be taught fully in English: University College Ghent from Belgium DOBA Faculty of Applied Business and Social Studies Maribor (DOBA) from Slovenia Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (HTW Berlin) from Germany The Master s degree programme offers a double degree programme with the HTW Berlin on an optional basis. In the 2nd semester at least 2 students of Strategic HR Management in Europe can attend courses in the Master s degree programme Arbeits- und Personalmanagement in Berlin. After successfully completing this semester abroad and writing the Master s thesis under the supervision of the UAS bfi Vienna and the HTW Berlin, the students will get a diploma from each university. 2014 we hope to achieve joint degrees with the University College Ghent and DOBA. Students can then receive a nationally recognised degree in the respective partner country and a joint diploma from all three partners. The International Office of the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna offers assistance to outgoing students. Student mobility can be financially supported with the Erasmus student mobility funding scheme. 11
10. Rights and Duties, Costs 10.1. Rights and Duties Students Rights: Use of the study and research facilities of the degree programme To demand the observance of the class schedule, examination regulations and agreement for the studies To point out teaching staff s non-compliance with duties and to request the correction of the deficiencies Evaluation of courses and instructors Passive and active voting rights for the student council Students Duties: To observe the study agreement To attend the classes (attendance is mandatory) and to participate in the studies in accordance with the class schedule and the examination regulations To study in the groups to which they are assigned by the study coordinator To make use of the exam dates offered (the programme director needs to decide on any exceptions) To follow the instructions of the supervisors during exams To follow the house rules for study and research facilities and the instructions issued by people in charge of those To observe safety regulations or instructions by staff in charge of security 10.2. Costs Costs incur for teaching materials (books, course materials etc.) Tuition fees amount to 363.36 per semester and have to be paid before the semester starts A student union membership fee of 18.50 per semester has to be paid, too 12
11. Contact Up-to-date information is available on the FH bfi Vienna website (www.fh-vie.ac.at). Moreover, in the first half of the year several information events and open days will take place. These dates can also be found on the website. If you have further questions regarding structure and contents of the master programme please feel free to contact the following people in charge and/or arrange for a counselling interview: Prof. (FH) DDr. Alois Böhm Programme Director phone: +43 1 720 12 86 - Ext. 920 E-Mail: alois.boehm@fh-vie.ac.at MMag. a Katharina Gröblinger Subject Coordinator phone: +43 1 720 12 86 - Ext. 915 E-Mail: katharina.groeblinger@fh-vie.ac.at Mag. a Laura Dörfler MSc Subject Coordinator phone: +43 1 720 12 86 - Ext. 914 E-Mail: laura.doerfler@fh-vie.ac.at Bettina Wirth Programme Coordinator phone: +43 1 720 12 86 - Ext. 905 E-Mail: bettina.wirth@fh-vie.ac.at Location of the Master s Programme Strategic HR Management in Europe : Fachhochschule des bfi Wien (UAS bfi Vienna) Media Quarter Marx 3.4 Maria Jacobi-Gasse 1 1030 Vienna Location of the main building: Fachhochschule des bfi Wien (UAS bfi Vienna) Wohlmutstraße 22 A-1020 Vienna T: 01/720 12 86 info@fh-vie.ac.at, www.fh-vie.ac.at The re-location of single or of all classes (within Vienna) is subject to change during studies. We are looking forward to working together with you! 13
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Fotos: Fachhochschule des bfi Wien Gesellschaft m.b.h. bzw. Fotolia.de Published by: UAS bfi Vienna International Office A-1020 Vienna, Austria, Wohlmutstrasse 22 Tel.: + 43/1/720 12 86, Fax: Ext. 19 E-Mail: international@fh-vie.ac.at www.fh-vie.ac.at A subsidiary of