The program will start in fall 2015, with the first class of around 40 students expected to graduate in spring 2019. The first three semesters will be completed at each student’s individual home institution.

Beginning with the fourth semester, IBEA students will study as one cohort for the subsequent four semesters, starting at the University of Mannheim, Business School, followed by the Darla Moore School of Business of the University of South Carolina and ESSEC’s newly inaugurated campus in Singapore. The last study abroad semester will be spent at the Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration in Rio de Janeiro.

Each school will offer a customized business class for the IBEA cohort reflecting each school’s academic fields of excellence and a customized cultural course reflecting each country’s economic, social and cultural background. While studying abroad, students will also be exposed to the regional business intelligence while working in teams on a designated corporate project at each partnering institution. In addition, IBEA students will be able to take regular undergraduate courses offered at the host school in order to fulfill their home degree course requirements.

The final eighth semester will be, again, completed at the student’s home institution. Graduating students will receive a document of completion appropriately endorsed by all four institutions.

IBEA’s unique benefit for undergraduate business students is the international cohort experience. The cohort will consist of around 40 students each year, selected through the respective home institution. While working on a corporate project at each participating business school, IBEA provides its students with the exposure to the regional business intelligence. This program captures the need for a globalized workforce and will train the next generation of global managers.

In addition to the excellent academic level at all participating institutions, IBEA combines theory and practice like no other program. At each partnering institution, students will be exposed to the regional business intelligence while working on a designated corporate project.

IBEA students will also have the opportunity to expand their network on four different continents, to meet interesting potential employers and to attend workshops and information secessions at the partnering schools.

IBEA students must be admitted to one of the four institutions as a candidate for a specific undergraduate business degree awarded by that institution. Awarding of the degree is a requirement for completing the IBEA course of study.

The institutions will jointly recognize all participants who have completed all parts of IBEA by a document of completion appropriately endorsed by all four institutions.

For application to IBEA, please see the respective school’s website:

The Business School of the University of Mannheim constantly tops the list of German business schools and was Germany’s first institution which received the “triple crown” – the accreditations by AACSB, EFMD (EQUIS) and AMBA. The focal points of the “Mannheim Philosophy” are research and teaching at the highest international level, consistent quality management, international focus and a distinctive practical orientation. Being the biggest business faculty in Germany and located in the heart of the 4th largest economy in the world, Mannheim maintains strong relations to the corporate world. Its corporate partners offer exclusive events for its students on campus and accompany students during their academic studies.

ESSEC, founded in 1907, is one of the world’s top management schools. With 4,880 students, a wide range of management training programs, partnerships with the world’s greatest universities, a network of 47,000 alumni, a Faculty comprising 144 full-time professors and 21 emeriti professors, recognized both for the quality and influence of their research, ESSEC continues to foster a tradition of academic excellence and a spirit of openness in the fields of economics, social sciences and innovation. In 2005, ESSEC opened a campus in Asia. ESSEC’s operations in Asia Pacific, strategically located in Singapore, present the perfect foothold for ESSEC to be part of the vibrant growth of Asia and to bring its expertise to the expanding region.