Only around 6% of the best business schools worldwide meet the requirements: The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart is now part of this leading group. After several years of preparation and an intensive inspection process, it has been awarded the prestigious quality seal of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This is an important milestone for the internationalization of the faculty. The prestigious accreditation confirms the high quality of research and teaching and opens doors for new research and teaching collaborations with leading universities worldwide. It is also a valuable advantage for students at the start of their careers.

If you want to cooperate globally with the best in the field of business, economics and social sciences, AACSB accreditation is a must. The seal is regarded as the international gold standard for outstanding research and teaching.

The requirements are accordingly strict: Only 6 percent of all business schools worldwide meet the criteria – including renowned institutions such as Harvard, London Business School, and the University of St. Gallen.

“We have been working towards accreditation for around seven years and have made significant progress in all areas. We are now reaping the rewards of our joint efforts. “The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Hohenheim is now part of this leading group,” says the jubilant Dean Prof. Dr. Jörg Schiller.

New partnerships & career booster

The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences already offers its students numerous English-language degree programs, summer schools, and European multiple degrees. The successful accreditation is now another important milestone for the internationalization of the faculty.

“The AACSB seal is a type of entry ticket into an exclusive network for us. This is because many excellent universities see it as a basic prerequisite for possible cooperation. This opens up completely new possibilities for us. We are already holding preliminary talks with high-ranking universities worldwide,” summarizes the Dean.

But the faculty's students also benefit directly. In future, they will also find the AACSB seal on their final degree certificate – confirmation that the teaching is geared to the needs of the job market and is constantly being developed further.

“This is a real competitive advantage when starting your career,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Schiller. “This is because recruiters see AACSB accreditation not only as a seal of quality for the University of Hohenheim, but also for our graduates. Incidentally, this does not only apply to applications abroad or to globally active companies. Many local employers also have an international focus and some are even global market leaders. English as a corporate language is becoming increasingly important, also in order to be attractive to skilled workers from abroad.”

Comprehensive quality management guarantees high international standards

In preparation for accreditation, the Faculty has further developed its mission statement (“Mission & Vision”) in recent years and strengthened its research and teaching profile with the strategic focus topics “Digital Transformation and Change,” “Sustainable Economy and Consumption,” and “Inequality and Diversity.” In addition, a comprehensive quality management system has been established that goes beyond the already high standards of German system accreditation.

“During the three-day visit by the team of reviewers, we had to prove that our processes meet the highest international standards,” explains Prof. Dr. Schiller. “This includes, among other aspects, making the goals we set ourselves transparent and measurable, continuously reviewing progress based on objective criteria, and constantly developing our goals in line with the current AACSB quality standards.”

For several years now, the faculty has also been accompanied on this path by an Advisory Board, in which students and alumni contribute their perspectives alongside company representatives, for example when it comes to the development of new degree programs.

Background: AACSB

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is one of the oldest and most renowned accreditation organizations for business schools worldwide. Founded in 1916 in the USA, its mission is to ensure excellence and continuous improvement in management education, research, and institutional leadership. Today, the AACSB network comprises over 1,000 accredited universities in more than 100 countries.

Accreditation is not only regarded as proof of high academic quality, but also as a means of international comparability. The assessment criteria include strategic orientation, international networking, social responsibility, innovative strength, alumni success, and the involvement of industry in teaching and research.

The AACSB also attaches great importance to the “impact” of an institution – i.e. the actual contribution it makes to science, business, and society. Accredited faculties commit to a regular reaccreditation process every six years and must prove that they are continuously developing and improving.

Additional information
Faculty information page on accreditation: https://wiso.uni-hohenheim.de/en/aacsb
Studying internationally at the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences: https://wiso.uni-hohenheim.de/en/studying-international
AACSB International: https://www.aacsb.edu/

To the University of Hohenheim’s press releases
http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/en/press

Text: Leonhardmair