European College of Business and Management

The European College of Business and Management (ECBM) was established in 1988 and is the training arm of the German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK) in London. It is located in the heart of London.

European College of Business and Management

Logo of the European College of Business and Management
Other name	ECBM
Former name	European Vocational College
Established	1988
Parent institution	German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK)
Director	Richard Bills
Address	69-71 Great Eastern Street , EC2A 3HU London , United Kingdom
Language	English
Website	http://www.ecbm-london.de/en/

The ECBM provides international accredited business and fashion management programmes. It has developed various partnerships with Chambers of Commerce within Europe and is supported by internationally renowned companies.

ECBM specialises in providing opportunities for the German market, based on flexible and internationally accredited programmes offered by its partner universities in the UK. The emphasis is set on the importance of continuous and lifelong learning. To date the ECBM has provided more than 15,000 students with important business, cultural and language skills to enable them to work successfully in an international environment.

History

The European College of Business and Management (ECBM) is located on Great Eastern Street in London

The European College of Business and Management (ECBM) is located in the heart of London and teaches in several locations across Europe. It is one of the most successful overseas Chamber Colleges and a leading provider of tailor-made business and management training for European companies and individual students. Established in 1988 by the German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce it has developed various partnerships with Chambers of Commerce within Europe and is supported by internationally renowned companies such as Bosch, Commerzbank and Siemens AG.

The emphasis is set on the importance of continuous and lifelong learning. To date the ECBM has provided more than 15,000 students with important business, cultural and language skills to enable them to work successfully in an international environment. ECBM specialises in providing opportunities for the German market, based on flexible, internationally accredited programmes offered by its partner university in the UK.

Business & Management Programmes

The European College of Business and Management offers a variety of business and management programmes.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The MBA at ECBM is a part-time programme which has been designed to meet the needs of professionals with high potential that are willing to pursue higher education alongside employment.

The structure of the programme has been developed so that the students can efficiently study and work at the same time. The MBA is a practical and problem-solving oriented study programme. It is aimed at executives wishing to enhance their professional, managerial and leadership skills with a sound management qualification.

The MBA programme is administered and delivered by ECBM staff and quality assured by Liverpool John Moores University, which awards the internationally recognised qualification. A balanced mix of university lecturers and academics with a strong business background and professional experience is the key to building a bridge between the worlds of academic and business.

In order to complete each module various assessments must be passed. The assessments consist of written assignments, case study presentations, group project work and written exams (depending on the chosen modules).

MBA 2-Year Programme

First year: Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership (DSM)

During the first phase of the programme the students will work towards an interim Diploma which will be awarded by Edexcel after successful completion of the first two semesters. This is the Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. Its curriculum covers core business areas that all MBA students need to master to achieve a sound foundation in general management, such as finance, economics, strategy, marketing and operations. It combines theoretical input with a practical approach to empower candidates to become leaders in their chosen profession.

Modules	Module Content
Strategic Planning	Using case studies and real life experience students will learn about the implementation of strategic planning. The aim is to develop and improve their problem solving skills, while anticipating external and internal factor relating to strategy.
Strategic Change Management	An exploration of change in organisations; case study based and with the aim of being able to understand and implement strategic organisational change. Students will learn the key success factors for Change Management.
Developing Strategic Management and Leadership Skills	Develop leadership skills to meet the demands of strategic management and the changing business environment in order to manage successful teams and to achieve a long-lasting career as manager.
Professional Development for Strategic Managers	Grow personality – work on the creation of a personal development plan to take responsibility for own learning and development needs. This will support personal & professional growth & allows to reflect on achievements.
Managing Financial Principles and Techniques	Learn the basic concepts of budgets, pricing, investment analysis and interpretation of financial statements. Theory and practice of finance from an analytical approach to make decision about funds in changing financial markets.
Strategic Quality and Systems Management	Operations management and the importance of embedding quality systems throughout the organisation to achieve competitive advantage. Students will examine and evaluate concepts and techniques which coordinate business operations.
Strategic Marketing Management	Using marketing principles and concepts the students analytical skills will be challenged. The fundamental marketing tools will assist them to understand and implement pricing, placement, communication and distribution strategies.

Progression to second year is dependent on successful completion of the DSM.

Second Year: Master of Business Administration (MBA)

For the second year of the programme students are registered with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU, one of the largest state recognised universities in the UK). ECBM carries out tuition, organisation and administration in full agreement with the partner university which awards the MBA qualification. The overall programme equips participants with essential business and management skills as well as the knowledge to enable them to work efficiently in today's increasingly globalised and competitive business environment. Students will be able to customise their MBA experience by choosing two subjects to set the focus in the second year.

Students choose 2 options out of 4* to be studied in the third and fourth semester from the following list (subject to minimum group numbers):

Module	Module Content
Ethics for Business*	Provides students with an introduction to the concept of business ethics and the underlying philosophical theory and their critical evaluation. Introduces ways of framing ethics in the context of business and the application of ethical theories to practical problems.
Integrated Marketing Communications*	Students will look in-depth at the range of marketing communications tools, the planning process and the crucial need for integration. This will be based on relevant theory of consumer behaviour and communication models.
Managing Human Resource Strategy*	MBA students will learn about strategic management and planning of HR in an international context. And also address the organisation's flexibility and the management of uncertainty. Other aspects are the selection process and performance respectively career management.
Global Corporate Finance and Governance*	Provides students with insights in the sources of finance employed in business and their associated risks. Introduces methods of capital budgeting and investment appraisal and also addresses the development of international accounting and financial decision-making at executive level.
Research Methods for Managers	Prepares students to write a proposal for a research project based on a critical business issue of their choosing. Enables participants to critically evaluate research design and understand approaches to research, research methodologies and techniques.

All students follow an extended session on ‘Masterliness’ or how to critically evaluate literature in the second year of the programme.

Following successful completion of this curriculum content, the student must then complete a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation, supervised by an ECBM tutor. This is a unique opportunity to develop the student's own interests and research a relevant business issue that is important to them or their organisation.

Entry Requirements

The MBA programme is suitable for professionals with 3–5 years of working experience (on average), for business degree holders, or for applicants with a business based education (‘Betriebswirt/in’ or equivalent).

A good level of proficiency in the English language is required as the entire programme is delivered in English. The ECBM is looking for candidates who are in employment for the duration of the programme and are willing and motivated to pursue this programme parallel to their employment, putting the theory into practice right away to obtain maximum benefit from the programme.

Successful candidates in the first phase of the programme are able to move directly on to the second phase of the Master of Business Administration.

Programme Benefits

This MBA programme was designed to offer professionals a practical and internationally orientated business education with a flexible but compact teaching schedule. The block seminar structure requires to only take a few ‘out-of-office’ days each academic year, allowing to develop and accelerating the career whilst following the concept of lifelong learning.

The MBA prepares the students for future challenges and enables them to understand changing and challenging business processes in a global business context. Elective modules in the second year of this MBA allow the participants to customise the programme content according to their professional needs and interests.

Master of Science in International Business and Management (MSc)

The MSc in International Business and Management programme is suitable for bachelor graduates who wish to focus on an international career and wish to gain knowledge in general business on an international basis.

The programme starts yearly in autumn and is taught entirely in English. It mainly takes place on weekend seminars in Germany and UK (London).

The ECBM provides complete administration and tuition of the programme in full agreement with Liverpool Business School which awards the MSc degree (validated by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

Modules

Module	Module Content
Communication in an International Business World	This subject enables future managers to be aware of and fully utilise language and communication to enhance their management effectiveness in an international setting.
International Business Culture for Managers	Students will investigate cultural preconceptions, compare and analyse international management. You will also seek to challenge stereotypical views that are part of management and leadership styles.
Managing International Brands	Equips students with a range of skills to critically evaluate and develop international branding strategies including the assessment of how brands operate in a global environment. It covers branding strategy with reference to up-to-date cases.
Managing Resources Internationally	Examines issues of managing business resources in the international context, including people, information, knowledge and technology. It takes a multi-disciplinary approach to managing the resources within the global environment.
Research Methods for Managers	Prepares students to write a proposal for a research project based on a critical business issue of their choosing. Enables participants to critically evaluate research design & understand approaches to research, research methodologies & techniques.

Students choose one option out of the two subjects below (subject to minimum group numbers):

Module	Module Content
Managing Human Resource Strategy	Provides a conceptual framework for effective employee resourcing in an international context and demonstrate the contribution of employee resourcing to effective and ethical business practice.
Business Ethics	Provides an introduction to the concept of business ethics and the underlying philosophical theory and their critical evaluation. Introduces ways of framing ethics in the context of business and the application of ethical theories.

In addition to taught modules students need to submit a research project (15,000-18,000 words). The dissertation gives students the opportunity of undertaking a significant piece of independent research which applies appropriate business management and academic research concepts to investigate a significant organisational issue or problem.

Entry Requirements

The programme is suitable for applicants with a Bachelor's degree or Bachelor Professional (CCI), which may be in a business subject but degrees in other disciplines can also be considered.

A good level of proficiency in the English language is required as the entire programme is delivered in English. Applicants need a minimum score of 6.0 (overall) in the IELTS test to prove their English skills. Students do not need to take the IELTS test if they have already achieved a Bachelor from a UK university.

Programme Benefits

The ECBM designed this Masters programme to offer Bachelor graduates the opportunity to deepen their business knowledge whilst also following a professional path towards becoming a management executive in an international business environment. If they are interested in working in a multinational company that interacts with stakeholders all over the world, then this degree will give them the opportunity to gain profound business and management skills.

The flexible yet compact teaching schedule requires the students to only take a few ‘out-of-office’ days for the duration of the programme, allowing them to develop and accelerating their career whilst following the concept of lifelong learning.

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Studies

The Bachelor in Business Studies at the ECBM is a part-time programme which has been designed to meet the needs of young professionals willing to pursue an academic education whilst getting started with their career.

The programme mainly takes place on weekend seminars in Germany and/or London and allows students to continue their career. The programme takes 12–24 months.

After successful completion students will be awarded with the internationally recognised degree “BA (Hons) in Business Studies” by the University of South Wales.

Modules

Module	Module Content
Business Research Project	This module concentrates on how to effectively communicate in business. It illustrates intercultural communication, corporate identity and reputation, PR and advertising. Students are prepared to critically understand and utilise a range of communication theories within the business sector.
Business Strategy	This is a module provides learners with the opportunity to conduct research and leads to development of group work and research skills. Students are encouraged to adopt a more critical reflective approach to problem solving at University and in employment.
Business Strategy	The aim is to provide students with a holistic understanding of organisations and their interaction with their environments. Tools and techniques used by strategic decision makers help to structure an organisation and connect themes such as globalisation and its impact on business strategy.
Accounting Theory and Practice	In this module students are given and introduction to finance. All businesses need to use financial resources, and this gives students a foundation in understanding the purposes of financial and non-financial management accounting.
Ethics and Sustainability	This module introduces students to the particular problems and opportunities experienced in adopting or ignoring business ethics and corporate social responsibility.
International Business	This module develops the ability to analyse the global business environment with a systematic understanding of international trade. Case studies from different industries are referred to in this module.

Entry Requirements

The programme is suitable for applicants with a qualification as ‘Fremdsprachenkorrespondent/in’ in English, ‘Europasekretär/in’, ‘Wirtschaftskorrespondent/in’ and equivalent apprenticeships, but who do not yet have higher level qualifications. Applicants with the qualification 'Kaufmann/-frau' are required to complete four additional modules.

A good level of proficiency in the English language is required as the entire programme is delivered in English.

Programme Benefits

This Bachelor programme was designed to offer students an academic qualification that builds upon their vocational education.

This Bachelor programme offers young professionals a sound business education, with a flexible but compact teaching schedule. The block seminar structure requires students to take only a few ‘out-of-office’ days for the duration of the programme, allowing them to develop and accelerate their career whilst gaining a higher education qualification.

Intensive Courses (Professional Development Programmes)

The Professional Development Programmes (PDPs) are tailor-made 2 to 3 week courses. They are designed for apprentices to increase their business knowledge, experience and language skills.

The modular system enables a choice from a variety of different options and building up a course to focus on the needs of a particular industry. All tuition is in English and topics covered can be tailored to the demands of specific clients (e.g. Banking, Customer Service, International Trade, Business Administration, Marketing and Housing). This course is ideal for schools/companies that wish their apprentices to enhance language and communication skills in an English-speaking environment. The students also gain insight into London life and culture and live with British families (Accommodation is normally organised as part of the course).

At a glance:

• Tailor-made 2-3 week courses
• Entirely in English
• In London
• Accommodation in host families
• Average group size: 20 people
• European College of Business and Management Attendance Certificate
• Professional Development Certificate from the German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK UK)
• Kaufmann/frau International Certificate (KIC) depending on apprenticeship

Fashion & Management Programmes

Master of Arts in International Fashion and Media Management (MA)

The Master in International Fashion and Media Management at ECBM is a part-time programme which has been designed to meet the needs of young graduates who wish to follow a career in fashion. It is particularly relevant if they are aiming to work in fashion media, journalism, as a consultant agent or stylist.

The programme is taught in the most important European fashion capitals: Berlin, London and Milan. Teaching is aimed to coincide with key events in the fashion calendar.

The structure of the programme has been developed so that students can efficiently study and work at the same time. The Master programme lasts 24 months, starting yearly in September.

Modules

Throughout the programme students are registered with Liverpool John Moores University, one of the largest state recognised universities in the UK. ECBM carries out tuition, organisation and administration in full agreement with the partner university which awards the internationally accredited Masters qualification. The programme equips participants with essential skills in fashion and media management that can be applied in the international fashion business environment. Students are required to analyse case studies using their theoretical knowledge, gained during classroom sessions and extensive research, to solve problems and improve processes.

Modules	Module Content
Fashion Enterprise	Students will learn the vital elements of starting up a fashion business, exploring new concepts, working in, and leading, a team and understanding how to access and use finance to launch a venture.
Social Media for Entrepreneurs	Students will learn the academic and business theories of social media marketing, focusing on real life business opportunities for people working in fashion and media.
Social Enterprise	Students will study not-for-profit fashion enterprises in an international context. This is a key alternative area of the fashion world, and they will academically analyse a key sector of the modern fashion world.
Influencer Marketing	The students will be taught by real-life practitioners and be able to access business mentors who work with the industry.
Research Methods for Managers	Students will write a proposal for a research project based on a critical fashion business issue. This will enable them to critically evaluate research design & understand approaches to research, research methodologies & techniques.

Students choose one option out of the two subjects below (subject to minimum group numbers):

Modules	Module Content
Holistic Retail Design	This module is all about getting a fashion concept to market. It is about design in the ‘holistic’ environment: physical and digital retail design.
Aspects of Fashion Journalism	If students are already in the fashion journalism or media world, this will build on their skills and help them create a portfolio of work at Masters level. They will have access to industry mentors and will focus on the international context.

In addition to taught modules students need to submit a research project (15,000-18,000 words). The dissertation gives students the opportunity of undertaking a significant piece of independent research which applies appropriate management and academic research concepts.

Entry Requirements

The programme is suitable for applicants with a Bachelor's degree or Bachelor Professional (CCI) which may be in a business subject but degrees in other disciplines can also be considered.

A good level of proficiency in the English language is required as the entire programme is delivered in English. Applicants need a minimum score of 6.0 (overall) in the IELTS test to prove their English skills. Applicants do not need to take the IELTS test if they have already achieved a Bachelor from a UK university such as the ECBM.

Programme Benefits

• This Masters programme equips Bachelor graduates with vital skills in problem solving, decision making and leadership in order to become a visionary and entrepreneur within the fashion industry.
• Students can work in a dynamic start-up or launch their own career in Fashion.
• The weekend seminars are linked to key events in some of the most important Fashion capitals of Europe, you can develop your network with local fashion and media experts
• The flexible yet compact teaching schedule requires you to only take a few ‘out-of-office’ days for the duration of the programme, allowing you to develop and accelerating your career whilst following the concept of lifelong learning.
• Graduates who achieved their postgraduate degree part-time have demonstrated that they possess an extraordinary degree of self-motivation and time management.
• By the time you graduate you will be a valuable and more versatile employee with an international and highly recognized academic education.

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fashion Management and Communication

The Bachelor in Fashion Management and Communication at ECBM is a part-time programme which has been designed to meet the needs of young professionals willing to pursue an academic education whilst getting started with their career.

The structure of the programme has been developed so that you can efficiently study and work at the same time. The weekend seminars (Fri-Sun) during the 3 semesters are taking place in Germany. It is not necessary to travel to London or Wales for the teaching.

For the duration of the programme students are registered with the University of South Wales, one of the largest universities in the UK and highly regarded for student satisfaction in Management Studies (National Student Survey, 2013).

Modules

The Bachelor programme is administered and delivered by ECBM staff and quality assured by a state-certified UK university, which awards the internationally recognised qualification.

Modules	Module Content
Brand Management	This module concentrates on the role of branding in the fashion and media industries. Looking at the principles of branding, brand equity, brand value. It is delivered by teachers with first-hand experience of fashion branding.
Social Media & Professional Networks	This module is all about social media, e-communication and managing people in the journalism and fashion industries. Delivered with the help of a specialist journalist practitioner from the international journalism and social media field.
Fashion Industry	Students will explore the fashion cycle and investigate new approaches for the promotion of product, from the business-to-consumer and or business-to-business.
Fashion Media	The underlying themes of the module are the impact of digital media on traditional print formats and the lack of critical press within fashion. The main areas covered are: Advertising, Print and Digital Media, Magazine Branding, Digital Editing and Layout for Print as well as Fashion Blogging.
Dissertation	This is all about researching a topic and coming up with a ‘research question’ that allows you to investigate an area of fashion/ media/ journalism. You will be briefed on this at the beginning of the programme and complete it as your final submission.

The contents of the programme are being continually updated.

Entry Requirements

Successful applicants should be taking their professional education (e.g. a diploma course at a recognised school teaching fashion, media or journalism) and must have studied for at least four semesters after leaving secondary school.

A vocational apprenticeship (in Germany, Austria or Switzerland) plus suitable experience can also be considered as an entry qualification for this course. The programme is taught in Germany, though is open to UK or other EU citizens. In order to find out the students suitability for the programme, ECBM should be contacted via their enquiry form.

A good level of proficiency in the English language is required as the entire programme is delivered in English.

Programme Benefits

This Bachelor in Fashion Management and Communication programme was designed to offer students an academic qualification that builds up upon their vocational education. It offers young professionals a sound business education in the fashion industry, with a flexible but compact teaching schedule. The block seminar structure requires students to take only a few ‘out-of-office’ days for the duration of the programme, allowing them to develop and accelerate their career whilst gaining a higher education qualification.

Graduates who achieved their Bachelor part-time have demonstrated that they possess an extraordinary degree of self-motivation and time management. By the time BA (Hons) in Fashion Management and Communication students graduate they will be a valuable and more versatile employee.

Programme Delivery

The mix of different learning styles, called Blended Learning, is a modern form of teaching that combines e-learning, self-study and intensive in-class teaching seminars, aimed at professionals with limited time. The block seminars are learning opportunities that use case studies, group interaction and discussions.

Students are expected to actively participate in the seminars and therefore must complete the directed reading instruction from tutors, given in the preparation phase, to engage with the module content before coming to a session.

Students on the one of the programmes will have access to a student platform at any place and time. Even when students are away they can access the teaching material, get in touch with tutors as well as their fellow students about group work and study questions. In addition to the teaching material, supplied via ECBM's student platform prior to any teaching session, every participant receives access to electronic journal services with a broad range of relevant literature.

The university lecturers and academics have a strong business background and professional experience.

In order to complete each module various assessments must be passed. The assessments consist of written assignments, case study presentations and group project work.

Application Process

Interested people can enquire for the programme by filling in the online enquiry form and apply via the application form. If requested, the ECBM is also evaluating the eligibility by reviewing the CV beforehand.

The admission process starts upon the submission of the online application form along with the supporting documents, such as your resume, employment/ internship references, diplomas and certificates.

ECBM responds to applications within a couple of days of receipt. Applicants will then be contacted to schedule an interview. The interview examines the data provided in the application and supporting documents, tests your level of English and evaluates whether the applicants profile will meet the demands of the programme. After the interview, it will take roughly 2 weeks for the ECBM to review the application and provide the applicant with a final decision.

As there is a limited number on the programme it is advised to apply as soon as possible.

Accreditation of Studies

After successful completion an under- or postgraduate programme students will be awarded with an internationally recognised degree by ECBM's collaborative partners. ECBM is a collaborative partner of University of South Wales for their Bachelor programmes and Liverpool John Moores University for the Masters studies.

Since the announcement of the official resolution by the Ministry of Education and the Arts (‘Kultusministerium’) every European country has to accredit qualifications that are registered within their respective system. The specific organisations that are registered within Europe, like University of South Wales and Liverpool John Moores University, are to be found on www.anabin.de.

External links

• ECBM - Website
• ECBM - Fashion