New study programmes

In accordance with the University Senate’s decision, two new study programmes have been introduced:
1.    Faculty of Business Economics:  “Trade with the EU”
2.    Faculty of Law: “Legal Aspects of Trade with the EU”
New study programmes at the Faculty of Business Economics “Trade with the EU” and at the Faculty of Law “Legal Aspects of Trade with the EU” have been approved since 13th April 2011 upon the Decision No 03-38-15/11 of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.
a)    General guidelines of studies at the Faculty of Business Economics:
New study programme: “Trade with the EU”

1.1.    The purpose and objectives of the study programme

The objectives of the Master’s study programme “Trade with the EU” are to provide successful professional careers in the most enterprising companies and public sector entities for its students who have a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Students will acquire knowledge in the field of international economic integration and business, and be able to directly apply it in their business practices.
Namely, the traditional and modern knowledge in the field of economic integration are the basis for successful state participation in regional agreements. Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot take a step forward by being isolated from its economic environment, but must rapidly adopt to the EU rules. Such extreme changes in the environment of Bosnia and Herzegovina, associated with the European Union integration process, fundamentally change the knowledge needed for daily activities of employees in both private and public sectors. However, it is already evident that there is a lack of skilled stuff to work on the harmonization of legislation with EU, and insufficient competence of local authorities for the implementation of the EU acquis.
B&H stagnation in global competitiveness rankings is partly caused by the ignorance of the benefits of enterprise integration; therefore, this study programme is designed in response to market demands for lifelong learning in a dynamic environment. Likewise, one should bear in mind the dominant orientation of B&H foreign trade towards the countries integrated in the EU, i.e. CEFTA 2006, where this type of study programme represents a scientific basis for the application of practical knowledge and experience in order to attain business activities.
The purpose of the Master’s study programme is to develop traditional and current knowledge in the field of activities of the economic system of Europe and regarding the role of the national economies in co-shaping conditions for successful integration of economic entities in the economy of the EU, as well as for a stronger involvement of the public sector at national, regional and local level according to the policies of the EU.
Lectures will be held by teachers holding academic titles in accordance with legal regulations applicable in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and their home states. Provided necessary, other experts can be included in the teaching process in order to present practical problems and provide possible solutions.
The implementation of ECTS enables and facilitates student mobility, as well as provides students with the possibility for recognition of examinations taken at other universities. Furthermore, students from other universities are given an opportunity to complete one part of their studies by taking examinations in subjects/courses included in this study programme.

1.2.    General part

1.2.1.    Name of the study programme
Master’s study programme
“Trade with the EU”

1.2.2.    Bearer of the study programme
UNIVERSITY “VITEZ”
Školska 23
72270 Travnik
Bosnia and Herzegovina

1.2.3.    Duration of the study programme
The estimated duration of the Master’s study programme “Trade with the EU” is two (2) academic years.

1.2.4.    Enrolment requirements
The right of enrolment will be given to all candidates who have completed a four-year study programme or have gained 180 ECTS credits during their undergraduate study programme compliant to the Bologna principles.
Due to the diversity of knowledge needed for successful work in the field of European integration, the right of enrolment in the Master’s study programme “Trade with the EU” will also be given to students who have completed the first cycle of study at other faculties. The programme is specifically designed for Bachelors of Economics and Law and, to a lesser extent, for candidates who have completed the first cycle of study at other faculties. The priority of enrolment will be given to applicants with working experience in the field of trade or other activities with the EU.  The practice is particularly important for all candidates who have completed undergraduate study programmes in the fields other than economics. Candidates with no practical experience will be admitted provided that the grade point average in their previous education is no less than 4.00. In cases of a low grade point average, candidates will be admitted provided that they have achieved adequate success in research projects or were given awards or acknowledgements for their study achievements by the faculty/university.
In order to be admitted into the Master’s study programme, all candidates are required to possess excellent English language skills.
All required literature and visiting lectures are in English language.
In cases when the number of applicants exceeds the number of students planned to be admitted in the study programme, the priority of enrolment will be given to students with a high GPA during their previous education and those who have achieved adequate success in practice.

1.2.5.    Student competencies upon completion of the programme requirements
Student competencies are multidimensional: given that the European integration process is layered, student competencies are multiple and are primarily related to understanding of the communitarian and other policies of the EU that determine conditions for  business activities with the EU, as well as their anticipation and implementation into current and strategic business decisions.

1.2.6.    Degrees and titles awarded upon completion of the study programme
In accordance with Article 8 of the Regulations for the Award of Academic Degrees and Diplomas of the University “Vitez”, students who have successfully defended their Master’s theses are awarded the academic title of Master of Economics, study programme: “Trade with the EU”.

1.3.    Programme details

1.3.1.    List of compulsory and elective subjects along with the number of teaching hours and ECTS credits allocated
Master’s study programme comprises fourteen (14) subjects.
By taking examinations in 14 compulsory subjects, students acquire 95 ECTS credits.
Upon a successful Master’s thesis defence, students acquire 25 ECTS credits.
Upon completion of the study programme, students acquire 120 ECTS credits.

No.	List of Compulsory Subjects	Teaching hours	ECTS credits
1.	Microeconomics of the EU		7
2.	Macroeconomics of the EU		7
3.	Economic Integration in Europe		7
4.	Regional Economic Integration		7
5.	International Business System		7
6.	International Business Finance		7
7.	Business Aspects of the EU Internal Policies		7
8.	Business Aspects of the EU Foreign Policies		7
9.	Business Conditions in the EU Internal Market		7
10.	Marketing – Specificities of Success in the EU Market		6
11.	Euro-process of Implementation and Changes in the Business Surrounding		6
12.	International Trade Law		7
13.	Negotiations in the EU Business Surrounding		6
14.	Quantitative Methods for Business Decision-Making		7
15.	Master’s Thesis		25
	TOTAL		120

1.3.2.    Description of each subject
Detailed analyses of subjects can be found below.

1.3.3.    Structure of the study, the pace of studying and student commitments. Conditions of registration of students into the next semester or study year, prerequisites for subject(s) enrolment.
Master’s study programme “Trade with the EU” will last for four semesters.
Students register for five subjects during the first and third semester and four subjects during the second semester. During the fourth semester, students write their Master’s thesis.
Taking into consideration the characteristics of study, students are obliged to pass examinations with at least 80% of ECTS credits in total in order to enrol in the next semester. Lectures will be adjusted to meet the needs of employed students and organised on weekends. Each subject will be taught during one-two weekends, and the first examination term will be organised before the beginning of lectures in the next subject.
Students must pass all examinations and write and defend their final thesis.

1.3.4.    List of subjects, modules and parts of other study programmes that students may choose
Students can enrol in subjects included in equivalent study programmes of other universities.
Recognition of examinations taken at other university is conducted in agreement with the Head of the Study Programme.

1.3.5.    Criteria and conditions of ECTS credits transfer- determining the credit value of subjects that students can choose to study within other study programmes of the University and/or other universities.
Students who choose subjects included in the study programme of other university as their elective subjects acquire the number of ECTS credits determined by the statute of the respective study programme or university.

1.3.6.    List of subjects and/or modules that can be taught in a foreign language (stating the language)
All subjects listed in the curriculum can be taught in a foreign language. Due to enrolment prepositions, English is the most preferable language.

1.3.7.    Conditions under which students who have interrupted their studies or lost the right to study can continue their studies
With regard to the period of realisation of this study programme, students who discontinued their studies can continue their studies with the next generation of students. Students who re-enrol in the first year of study must re-evaluate their application documents.

1.3.8.    Conditions under which students are entitled a certificate on the completed part of the study programme
Students may be issued a certificate on acquired ECTS credits as a part of lifelong learning. The certificate should clearly define total student workload, passed subjects and the number of acquired ECTS credits. Students are awarded a diploma upon completion of the entire study programme.

1.3.9.    Study completion, i.e. conditions for approval of the paper topics, and the process of assessment and defence of the final thesis
The method and procedure of study completion are defined in Articles 22-41 of the Study Rules of the second cycle of studies in accordance with the Bologna principles- Master’s studies (4th and 5th year of study) at the University “Vitez”.

1.3.10.    Duration of studies
Studies should be completed within a maximum period of two years.

b) Main determinants of the study programme at the Faculty of Law:
New study programme: “Legal Aspects of Trade with the EU”

1.1.    Starting basis
A new study programme named “Trade with the EU” was introduced at the Faculty of Business Economics, and the drafts of initial materials were made. The University Rector asked the Dean of the Faculty of Law to outline the draft of the curriculum of studies that would, in the domain of law, be compatible with the study programme introduced at the Faculty of Business Economics. Accordingly, the name “Legal Aspects of Trade with the EU” is defined as the name of the study programme. The first results of examining this idea are given in presented materials.

1.2.    Organisational principles of studies
1.    This study programme needs to be compatible with the proposed Master’s study programme “Trade with the EU” at the Faculty of Business Economics. Therefore, this study programme has the same objectives and purpose. The programme is designed according to the proposed economic and business studies to the extent permitted by other limitations.
2.    The study programme “Legal Aspects of Trade with the EU”  should be incorporated in:
a.    Existing mode of graduate studies
b.    Existing curriculum
3.    The study programme is organised by the 3+2 system. The right of enrolment in the second year of study is given to Law students of the University “Vitez” and to all other students who have completed a relevant four year study programme. The admission of students who have completed their previous education at other faculties (Faculty of Economics, Politology, Public Administration, etc.) is conditioned by the similarity of content and examination differences.
4.    All students should be proficient in English (speech, writing, and reading). Eligibility criteria may be subsequently defined.
5.    The study programme includes all subjects concerning the European Union Law that are taught in the 3+2 study programmes. These subjects retain the same number of ECTS credits.
6.    Examination regime, as defined by the Study Rules, is in force. Provided that this remains unchanged, students should be instructed to write their assignments in relation to the topic of their Master’s theses.
7.    The study programme includes subjects addressing the fields of legal administrative and property regime of business: subjects that are procedural and substantive in character.

1.3.List of Subjects  

No	Subject	Semester	ECTS
1.	Legal History of European Integration	VII	6
2.	Constitutional and Administrative Law of the EU	VII	6
3.	Legal Regulation of the Internal Market	VII	6
4.	Competition Law of the EU	VII	6
5.	Public Procurement in the EU	VII	6
6.	Company Law in the EU	VIII	7
7.	Law of Obligations in the EU	VIII	7
8.	Agreements on Goods Traffic	VIII	6
9.	International, Communitarian and B&H Consumer Protection Law	IX	5
10	International, Communitarian and B&H Labour and Social Law	VIII	5
11.	Legal Regulations on Financial Services	VIII	7
12.	International, Communitarian and B&H Intellectual Property Law	IX	5
13.	Foreign Policy and the EU Regime	IX	7
14.	Relations between the EU and the Western Balkans	IX	6
15	International and European Co-Operation in Criminal, Legal and Police Affairs	VIII	5
	SUBTOTAL		90
	Master’s Thesis		30
	TOTAL		120

Start of new study programmes:

Study programmes will be introduced at the beginning of new academic year 2011/2012, in October 2011. The Announcement for Admission into Master’s study programmes and all other study programmes will be published during September.