Academic Short Programme in the UK: WiSo@London
Rolling application through 29 February or until last place has been filled.
Organised under the University of Cologne's administrative umbrella, and taught by professors affiliated with UK institutions, the WiSo@London programme offers a unique four-week study experience abroad, including co-curricular excursions and company visits.
Programme Dates: 19 August - 12 September 2024
Location: London
Courses address current topics in the area of management, business strategy, and economics from a UK perspective. All courses are taught in English by faculty from the UK institutions.
Curriculum
Course 1: Contemporary Economic Challenges in Post-Brexit UK
This module focusses on the application of economic theory to the understanding and assessment of various aspects of UK economic performance and policy, with a focus on post-Brexit era. It is designed to investigate the economic phenomena from an interdisciplinary approach such as sociology, psychology and political science. Topics include: Brexit, the financial crisis and recession, inequality and poverty, immigration, crime, happiness.
Course 2: Sustainability & Competitive Advantage
This module will address the topic of sustainability from a strategic perspective, with a particular emphasis on decision-making and trade-offs. Topics include: the drivers of the sustainability debate; the business case for sustainability; sustainability and competitive advantage; sustainable strategies and sustainable value creation.
Course 3: Innovation in & with Cities
This module will focus on converting problems into opportunities through a process that helps you hone your strategy and execution. Entrepreneurship is no longer a domestic field. Entrepreneurs globally have made a significant impact as another class of global actors influencing political society, civil society and global consumers. Topics include: business models & social impact; internal innovation and cities as a lense for innovation; Innovation ecosystems & finance, venture capital.
Participants who successfully complete all programme components earn up to 18 ECTS towards their programme of study at the WiSo Faculty. ECTS to be gained vary depending on your programme of study and the year of your examination regulations (PO): see accordion below for additional information.
Available credit for BSc students & course integration
Courses available and integration into the University of Cologne study programe (fixed)
PO 2021
B.Sc. BWL, B.Sc. VWL (track VWL), B.Sc. SoWi – 18 ECTS
Studies Abroad I - Kurs: Post-Brexit Economy in the UK
Studies Abroad II - Kurs: Sustainability and Competitive Advantage
Studies Abroad III - Kurs: An Introduction to Innovation in and with Cities
B.Sc. VWL (track BWL) - 18 ECTS
Studies Abroad in Economics - Kurs: Post-Brexit Economy in the UK
Studies Abroad in Management I- Kurs: Sustainability and Competitive Advantage
Studies Abroad in Management II - Kurs: An Introduction to Innovation in and with Cities
B.Sc. VWL (track SoWi) – 18 ECTS
Studies Abroad in Economics - Kurs: Post-Brexit Economy in the UK
Studies Abroad I- Kurs: Sustainability and Competitive Advantage
Studies Abroad II - Kurs: An Introduction to Innovation in and with Cities
B.Sc. Winfo – 18 ECTS
Studies Abroad I - Kurs: Post-Brexit Economy in the UK
Studies Abroad II - Kurs: Sustainability and Competitive Advantage
Studium Integrale: An Introduction to Innovation in and with Cities
PO 2015
B.Sc. BWL - 18 ECTS
Studies Abroad (Schwerpunktmodul) – 12 ECTS: Post-Brexit Economy in the UK & Introduction to Innovation in and with Cities
Studies Abroad in Management - 6ECTS: Sustainability and Competitive Advantage
B.Sc. VWL, B.Sc. VWL soz. – 12 ECTS
Studies Abroad (Schwerpunktmodul) – 12 ECTS: Post-Brexit Economy in the UK & Introduction to Innovation in and with Cities
B.Sc. Winfo - 12 ECTS
Studies Abroad in Management (Ergänzungsmodul ) – 12 ECTS: Sustainability and Competitive Advantage & Introduction to Innovation in and with Cities
B.Sc. Social Sciences - 12 ECTS
Studies Abroad in Social Sciences – 12 ECTS: Post-Brexit Economy in the UK & Sustainability and Competitive Advantage
Application process
As a Cologne student, you are required to apply via the WEX International Outgoings Portal. Participation in the programme requires a minimum age of 18 years. We also expect all students to receive credits - as specified under tab courses & credit.
For WiSo@ programmes, there will be two application rounds via WEX this year:
Main Selection Round: application opens on 15 November and closes on 15 December
- it's for you, if you know, you want to join a WiSo@ programme
- Bachelors: you may apply to both WiSo@ programmes (London & NYC) and rank your preference
Secondary Selection Round: application opens on 15 December and closes 30 January
- this round only opens, if there are remaining spots
- it's for you, if you are flexible or undecided and also applying for STAP
- London specific: Masters may join this application round (courses will only fall under Extracurricular Activities)
Note: it is not possible to join a WiSo@ Programme and a STAP Fall Term.
Eligibility & Application Documents
Eligibility:
Only open to Bachelor students of the WiSo faculty.
Participation in the programme requires a minimum age of 18 years.
Required documents:
- CV and motivational letter in English (one page each)
- Latest academic transcript
- Abiturzeugnis or equivalent
- Proof of enrolment
- Proof of English language proficiency:
- TOEFL (iBT, minimum of 87), IELTS (minimum of 6.0), Cambridge Certificate (minimum FCE), FILTERtest on level B2- minimum; DAAD Attestation of Language Proficiency (minimum level B2)
the Business English certificates from the current winter semester course can be used for the STAP/WiSo@London application (minimum level B2); - We accept language tests beyond their standard expiry period of two years; however, where the test was administered more than 5 years before the programme application, we reserve the right to enquire for additional information or ask for an updated test result.
- Any further certificates and evaluations of internships you consider relevant for this programme.
Contribution to expenses & overall costs
Upon acceptance: In order to participate in this programme, a contribution to expenses is payable by all candidates (€1,890) in order to be admitted to the programme. Travel costs, accommodation and subsistence are not included.
Overall, prospective students should budget €6,000-€7,000 for entire programme (note: fluctuations in exchange rates should be taken into consideration).
We emphasise that it is the participant's responsibility to take adequate precautions with regard to their insurance cover abroad (in particular health, accident and liability insurance) and to meet any entry requirements of the destination country, as well as to provide appropriate documentation (including proof of vaccination where required).
Upon acceptance, the ZIB WiSo will provide you with an info guide that provide ideas on where and how to secure accommodation and make other arrangements.
FAQs
Is this programme suitable for me?
WiSo@London is an entirely different experience to a regular term abroad: there is a pre-set offering of three courses, which may be perceived as demanding in terms of academic workload; you will be studying alongside fellow UoC students (not students from a UK institution); company visits, a city tour, sightseeing, socials and networking events are part of the programme. Before applying, we recommend you take a close look at your personal goals and preferences.
How many students are part of this experience?
We will select 18 – 20 students for the inaugural 2024 BSc cohort.
Is attendance mandatory during all events?
Absolutely, participation in all events and lectures of the programmes is mandatory and non-negotiable. This programme is designed to provide a study abroad experience as a cohort, so it relies on active participation by all.
Will I have time to explore the city?
One of the programme's characteristics is its intense coursework but we will keep some afternoons and the weekends open to allow you to explore London and its surroundings on your own. Try to schedule your arrival a few days ahead of the programme, allowing sufficient time to settle in and get acquainted with London. Also, we recommend that you defer any activities with visiting friends and family until after the programme has concluded.
