All the changes and uncertainties in our environment pose new challenges and demand novel knowledge which will be able to respond to the set challenges. In the business process globalization has a crucial influence on business itself and business activities. This worldwide process profoundly changes the market and relationship towards competition and requires from managers to change the way in which they react to and cope with problems. The proposal for a two-tier vertical study programme “Management” presents a response to the stated challenges. Apart from the latest insights into economic theory and practice, requirements of the present moment, as well as the status of the Republic of Croatia as a European Union candidate country, the proposal for this undergraduate and graduate course of study imposes the need to dynamize the knowledge of management as a prerequisite for joining current development trends. Global economics is changing the old and setting new conditions for personal and business success in managerial education.

Evaluating the purpose of the course of study

In accordance with the new trends Faculty of Economics in Osijek is reforming its approach. With the assistance of own experience, academic profoundness and a rich network of academic partners, Faculty of Economics in Osijek proposes a new programme in business economics – the course of study “Management” and thus actively and comparatively joins the standards of European universities in promoting the necessary European dimension in higher education in Croatia. The new era poses new challenges and requires not only new kinds of knowledge, but also new people (managers) who will be able to respond to these challenges. Faculty of Economics in Osijek has always successfully responded to challenges of time, coordinating its curricula and syllabuses at all educational levels with the latest economic theory and practice, as well as with the demands of current economic situation.

Education goals

Faculty of Economics in Osijek strives to fulfil the increased demand for education of higher university quality, which is based on scientific and research activities in close connection with the business environment and using its international connections.

Curriculum structure

Undergraduate studies last for six semesters (three years). The first three semesters provide basic economic and interdisciplinary knowledge. In scope and contents they are equal to other proposed courses of study at the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, hence forming a group of, so called, “common” subjects. The fifth semester, beside obligatory common subjects, introduces specialized subjects of the module “Management” and gives the opportunity to choose from offered modules in other courses of study. The sixth semester goes into greater detail in the specialized subjects of the module, and offers a choice of modules from other courses of study.

Potential partners

Permanent partners so far:

• University of Applied Sciences in Pforzheim
• University of Augsburg
• The Faculty of Business and Economics in University of Applied Sciences Friedberg-Giessen

We see new partners in:

• University of Leonardo de Vinci (Paris)
• Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (University of Economics, Vienna)

Openness of the programme towards student mobility

According to “Main instructions for application of Bologna process in the Republic of Croatia” the openness towards student mobility is structured at two levels, i.e. there is an “internal” and “external” mobility. This provides the opportunity to apply a modern approach to teaching in integrated university (University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek) and to offer a variety of courses out of the complete university offer. This refers to related courses outside the parent faculty; however, the field covered by the study programme has to be taken into account.

Following the recommendations of the National council the “external” mobility of students will be realized through partner contracts with universities abroad. Student mobility will be enabled through ETCS system, whereby students will be able to transfer credits if they go to another university. Similarly, on return to the parent faculty the students will transfer the credits earned at other faculties, in accordance with the trilateral agreement on learning.