Summer School SBS 2026

Business Summer School

July 12th - July 25th 2026

Join us at our Intercultural Business Summer School 2026!

This summer school is unique because it combines academic insights in international business with practical experience and real-world perspectives. You will develop key skills in leadership and intercultural collaboration while working in an international environment. In addition, the programme offers exciting company visits, expert talks, and cultural activities.

Registration is now open until May 31st 2026: LINK

Spots are very limited—secure your spot quickly!

We look forward to a great summer 2026 with you!

Working in international teams and developing intercultural skills are among the most important competencies in today’s global workplace.

Get started now and gain valuable experience!

Our Summer School allows you to specifically expand your knowledge in the areas of leadership, international collaboration, and intercultural management.

Through interactive formats and practical insights, you’ll learn how to successfully shape leadership and collaboration in international contexts. You’ll also gain insights into companies in the Stuttgart region—one of Germany’s strongest economic regions.

The academic program is complemented by cultural activities and excursions. This gives you the opportunity to get to know Germany, exchange ideas with students from all over the world, and build an international network.

Our Intercultural Business Summer School has everything you need!

Unique format

Curriculum

Theoretical insights into Intercultural Business Skills and Leadership
Developing Intercultural Competencies for Global Work Environments
Understanding Collaboration in Intercultural Teams
Interactive Workshops and Group Activities

Practical relevance

Company visits in the Stuttgart region
Direct interaction with industry experts
Integrating theory with practical application

On top

Gain experience

Immerse yourself in German culture
Participate in a variety of recreational and cultural events
Group activities with international students
Day trip to a nearby city (e.g., Heidelberg)
Time to explore the Stuttgart region on your own
Build international friendships and networks

You're into more traveling*?

Great idea! Stuttgart is in the middle of Europe and with its airport and long-distance train connections a great start or end point to travel in Europe and Germany before or after HFT Summer School!

*not included in the fee; please consider the respective visa requirements if you want to travel to countries other than Germany

[Image: Diva Plavalaguna von Pexels via Canva]

Who can take part

Our Summer School welcomes motivated students with an interest in intercultural business topics:

International students from around the world—both from partner universities and non-partner universities
Students majoring in business, management, or related fields
Undergraduate and graduate students

The language of instruction is English. Therefore, a minimum English proficiency level of B2 is required.

The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 12 international students to ensure intensive support and interactive learning formats.

Programme

Programme:*

July 12, 2026: Individual arrival day

July 13–24, 2026: Summer School program

The Summer School combines academic content with practical insights and intercultural experiences:

Leadership Module
Introduction to leadership concepts in an international business context with interactive exercises and case studies
Intercultural Business Skills Module
Development of intercultural competencies through practical exercises, simulations, and group discussions
Company Visits & Expert Talks
Insights into companies in the Stuttgart region and exchanges with experts from the field
Cultural Program & Excursions
Cultural program in Stuttgart, including a guided city tour and a day trip to a city in southern Germany
Welcome & Farewell Events
Group events for getting to know one another, networking, and international exchange

July 25, 2026: individual departure date

*subjects to change

Dates & Fees

Dates:

July 12: individual arrival day
July 12 - July 24 2026: Official Program Summer School
July 25: individual departure day

Fee:

990€ (Applies to all international applicants, regardless of partner university status.)

Please note: For international bank transfers, e.g. for credit cards, fees may be charged in addition to the Summer School fee and must be taken into account before the transfer is made!

The fee for international students includes:

Accommodation: 13 nights in a double room (shared with another summer school participant), including breakfast
Academic program (Leadership & Intercultural Business Skills)
Cultural program (excursions, admission fees, guided tours, and local transportation)
Welcome and farewell events, including catering
Public transportation within Stuttgart during the program (July 13–25, 2026)
Organizational and administrative costs

The fee for HFT students includes:

Project management workshop, supervision of group work and company visits
Cultural program in Stuttgart and the surrounding area, city tour of Stuttgart, two excursions/day trips to cities in southern Germany (bus, train, guided tours, entrance fees)
Catering at the welcome and farewell event
Administrative costs for the program

The fee does not include:

Meals (lunch, dinner, snacks) and drinks
Travel costs to and from the event / arrival and departure costs
Public transportation in Stuttgart on the day of arrival and departure
Possible visa costs
Insurance
Personal expenses
Possible further individual costs

Certificate:

A Certificate of Participation will be issued at the end of the Summer School (for successful participation; no grading).

Accomodation and Meals

The summer school fee includes 13 nights’ accommodation in a double room with a private bathroom, including breakfast, at the IB Jugendgästehaus Stuttgart (IB Youth Hostel Stuttgart): https://ib-jugendgaestehaus-stuttgart.de/wir-ueber-uns.html

Adress:

Jugendgästehaus Stuttgart, Richard-Wagner-Straße 2-4a, 70184 Stuttgart, Germany

Accommodation is in double rooms shared with another summer school participant

The youth hostel in the Stuttgart-Ost district is located in a quiet, wooded hillside setting below the TV tower and on the edge of the city center. From here, there is a beautiful view of the city.

The accommodation is well connected to public transportation:
The “Bubenbad” subway station (U15) is within walking distance and offers a direct connection to downtown.

Approx. 7-minute ride to Stuttgart Central Station
Quick access to the university and central program locations
Quiet location with easy access to downtown

The combination of a natural setting and a location close to the city offers ideal conditions for a pleasant and varied experience during the Summer School.

A daily breakfast is included. Other meals (lunch and dinner) are not included.

Check-in: from 3:00 PM

Check-out: by 10:30 AM

Arrival, departure and local public transport

Stuttgart is located in the heart of Europe and therefore very easy to reach with by plane, train, bus and car.

Arrival by Train

We are happy if you travel as environmentally friendly as possible! If you are traveling by train from a European country, you can usually find the train connections on the homepage of Deutsche Bahn (www.bahn.de) or on the website of the railroad company of your country of origin.

Arrival by Coach/Long-distance bus

See: https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en/getting-here/stuttgart-airport-busterminal

Arrival by Plane

The airport Frankfurt/Main is recommended if you arrive from North or South America, Asia, Oceania or Africa. If you arrive from Europe, you might additionally have the possibility to arrive at Stuttgart airport.

From the airport Frankfurt/Main you can get to Stuttgart (Hauptbahnhof) by train. Further information is available on the Deutsche Bahn homepage: www.bahn.de

You can also take the bus from the airport Frankfurt/Main to Stuttgart (Hauptbahnhof). Further information is available on the homepage of the bus company flixbus: https://www.flixbus.de/fernbus/stuttgart

Arrival by Car

Due to the short distance, it can be interesting to arrive by car if you are coming from Swiss, Austria and France. See: https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en/getting-here/arrival-by-car

Public Transport in the Stuttgart area

It's called "VVS", which are subway trains, underground and busses in Stuttgart and the surrounding area. See: https://www.vvs.de/

Registration and Payment

[Image: © Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH - Alwin Maigler]

[Image: © Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH - Martina Denker]

[Image: © Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH - Sarah Schmid]

[Image: © Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH - wpsteinheisser & Moritz Metzger]

Come and join us in beautiful Stuttgart!

The state capital of Baden-Württemberg is not only located in the heart of Europe, but also offers an extraordinary cultural density, a varied natural landscape and a wide range of leisure activities.

Whether world-famous ballet or multi-award-winning opera, high-calibre exhibitions or temporary off-spaces - the culture in Stuttgart is excellent. Discover entertaining cultural tours, varied events and diverse museums from A for Auto to S for Staatsgalerie and W for Weißenhof. Live music, dance and (small) art - a feast for the eyes and ears awaits you!

Stuttgart is all about the past and the future: as the birthplace of the automobile, but also as the future engine of mobility. Here you will find everything you need to know on the subject: museums, car and technology tours, historical anecdotes and interesting facts about technology and science.

Enjoyment is a top priority here: In addition to the exquisite Michelin-starred gastronomy, the down-to-earth traditional cuisine also provides culinary highlights. And anyone who has ever tasted a tender roast onion, fresh Kässpätzle or a warm Ofenschlupfer with vanilla sauce knows: this is what Swabian soul food tastes like.

See: https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/

HFT Stuttgart - our mission

Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences has been educating students since 1832 and has long since developed into a modern university of technology. Three faculties offer more than 35 Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in the fields of "Architecture and Design", "Civil Engineering, Building Physics and Business Administration" and "Geomatics, Computer Science and Mathematics".

The university is characterised by cross-faculty projects and contacts with numerous companies in Stuttgart and the region as an attractive business location. Students also appreciate the central city centre campus!

The practice-oriented education is characterised by the supervision in small learning and semester units and the professional experience of all professors. A one-semester practical study project is integrated into all Bachelor's degree programmes. Through this practical semester, our students gain valuable initial professional experience during their studies and establish contacts with companies and public authorities.

More than 80 partner universities belong to our worldwide network. The excellent career prospects of our graduates are documented in annual studies.