TransAtlantic Business School Alliance (TABSA)

TABSA (Trans-Atlantic Business School Alliance) is a dual degree program offered by the Cameron School of Business in partnership with European Universities in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. The program offers students a unique experience to spend 2 years at UNCW and 2 years at a partner school. Upon graduation, TABSA students receive a degree from BOTH universities.

The European Partners are:

• Kedge Business School in Marseille, France
• Hochschule Bremen, University of Applied Sciences, in Bremen, Germany
• University of Valencia in Valencia, Spain
• University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield, UK

Students participating in a dual degree program must meet the academic requirements of both participating universities. Programs like this between US and European universities are challenging to implement because of differences in the academic requirements and educational systems. For example, US universities like UNCW typically require a series of general education classes in the humanities and sciences that are not required in most European Business schools.

In order to make it work so students can complete all the necessary coursework in the first two years at UNCW we strongly advise those students who are interested in TABSA to let us know as soon as possible. We will connect you with an academic advisor very familiar with the partner school you are interested in studying at who can help you plan your schedule to make sure you take the courses you will need.

UNCW has been participating in TABSA for approximately 20 years. Over that time we have had approximately 350 international students from our partner schools, with approximately 20 new students arriving on campus each year.

There have been significantly fewer UNCW students who have completed the 2+2 program. However, approximately 120 UNCW students study abroad each year at our TABSA partner schools for a semester, year or just a summer session.

The program will involve coursework taught in the native language of the host country. So if you are in Spain you will be taking at least some of your courses in Spanish. If you want to be prepared for this program you will need to have at least a solid high school foundation in the foreign language and be prepared to take more language classes during your two years at UNCW.

TABSA offers a truly international experience for students interested in a career in international business. Students start at the school in their home country and then spend their 3rd and 4th years at one of the partner schools. This means that when a UNCW TABSA student goes to Germany, their classes will be made up of mostly non-Germans (because the German students have pretty much scattered to the US, France, Spain and the UK).

Thus, you will be learning about international business in a truly international, multi-cultural environment. Also, even though many of the courses will be taught in the language of the host country, you will be amongst other non-native speakers – which can be much less intimidating.

Another very meaningful aspect of the program is the international internship. During one of the final semesters in the program students are required to complete an internship in the country where they completed their 3rd and 4th year of studies.

Internships in Europe are common and are perhaps are more analogous to what we call a co-op here in the United States. They typically are paid, full-time work experiences that the companies offer to help students get valuable work experience before they graduate. Typical internships last between 4 and 6 months.

TABSA students are responsible for securing an internship, but UNCW and your host university will have tools to aid your search.

TABSA is set up as an exchange program. This means you pay UNCW tuition for all years that you’re in the program, even when you are abroad at one of our partner schools.

All outgoing UNCW TABSA students major in International Business. It is also possible to double major in the native language of your European host university (Spanish, French, or German).

There is no application you must complete before you arrive at UNCW. However, there are three main requirements for participating in TABSA:

1. UNCW Student
2. Foreign Language Proficiency
3. Grade Point Average of 3.0

If you meet these requirements you are eligible to participate in TABSA. If you are interested in the TABSA dual degree program you just need to contact Katherine Culley in the Cameron School of Business International office and inform us of your interest. We will connect you with the Country Liaison (academic advisor) for the school you are interested in.

Ultimately students planning to participate in TABSA will need to submit an application to the partner university. This application will need to be completed during the fall of your sophomore year. As UNCW students recommended by our office you will be admitted into the program by our partner universities just as we accept those students recommended by our partners.

International Student Application Instructions

If you wish to study at UNCW through the TABSA program, you must apply through your home school. Once your home school has approved your entrance into the UNCW TABSA program, you will need to complete the steps below. All applications must be received by April 1.

1. Register for an account through UNCW Application Portal
2. Click ‘start an application’
3. Select ‘Main campus and distance education program’ as the application type, then click ‘create application’
4. Click ‘open application’
5. Once you have started the UNCW Undergraduate application, on the Application Info tab, be sure to select “Transfer” as the Applicant Type. Be sure to also include the following as you complete the application:
   • Essay – Be sure to complete the essay portion of the application and to include:
     • A short summary of your personal background
     • Explanation of your interest in the program
     • Your academic and professional goals
   • Academic History – You will have to enter in the name of your secondary and post-secondary institutions on the Academic History tab. On the College Information tab institution information should autofill, if not, manually enter the relevant information.
   • Submit the required $80 application fee.
6. Once you have completed the application, click ‘submit application’.
7. You will also need to provide an official copy of the following:
   • Current transcript from your home university
   • Arbitur/Baccalaureate/Pruebas/BTEC/etc.
   • Proof of Language Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo, Language Proficiency Report)
8. You can view your application status and missing documents at any time through UNCW Application Portal.
9. You will receive notification of your admission status by email and by application portal.
10. After you receive notification from Admissions by email you will be contacted by the International Student & Scholar Services Office with instructions on applying for your Form I-20 immigration document in order to get your F-1 visa. For general information on this process please review the ISSS pre-arrival site.

Note: The $100 Enrollment Deposit is waived for TABSA students upon admission to the university.

You will work with your host university to secure housing either on campus or off-campus.

Generally, UNCW students should try to finish as many university studies courses at UNCW as possible. To discuss specific course plans, contact Katherine Culley.

The US Department of State Travel site is the best resource for Consular information, updated travel alerts, and travel information about your host country.

Please contact Katherine Culley with any TABSA questions.