- Applied learning culture: Faculty embeds practical experience across programmes, prioritising doing business over rote memorisation for skill development.
- Centre for Applied Learning (CAL): Runs World of Practice events, SME internships and a microcredit system converting activities into academic credits.
- Entrepreneurship immersion: Simonyi BEDC, OpenUp platform and frequent hackathons connect students with startups and real founders for hands-on practice.
- iExpo reverse job fair: Students present projects to industry experts, creating networking and recruitment opportunities with 90 experts from 50 companies.
If you’re attending business school, chances are you’ll encounter the case study method at some point during your studies. This teaching methodology has been practised at business schools for decades and introduces students to real business cases, which they then debate in the classroom.
But times are changing. Today, employers and prospective students are asking for more hands-on training at business school. In fact, the two skills that both students and employers demand of their business school education are problem-solving and strategic thinking. You won’t develop these skills by memorising company structures or learning how to segment customers.
That’s why the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Pécs prioritises applied learning. Students have opportunities to present to professionals, work with real companies, and participate in research projects – from the moment they first step onto campus.
Creating a Culture of Practical Study
The University of Pécs Faculty of Business and Economics believes that the “best way to learn business is to do business.” Many other schools feel the same way – it’s why internships and other work experience opportunities are a staple of business programmes. However, what is different about the Faculty of Business and Economics is how practical learning is embedded into the entire department’s culture.
The Centre for Applied Learning (CAL) is at the centre of the university’s applied learning mission. The centre runs a variety of programmes that help students connect with real businesses and put their skills into practice. These events are held as part of the World of Practice (WoP) initiative, which encompasses guest lectures, training programmes, hackathons, and other events.
A core part of CAL is the SME Development Hub Internship Centre, an internship experience where students help local SMEs in Pécs with business challenges. While 80 students have so far participated in the SME, supporting nine local businesses, all students in the Faculty of Business and Economics complete an internship during their programme, ensuring they gain hands-on experience in the business world before graduating.
The microcredit programme, coordinated by the CAL, also motivates students to enhance their practical skills during their studies. Through the programme, students earn ‘microcredits’ for participating in practical events, which they can convert into real credits toward their degree.
For example, attending a guest lecture, enrolling in a short-term training programme, or entering a simulation competition can earn you microcredits. Six hundred business students have so far participated in this programme, earning close to 40,000 microcredits – equivalent to over 3,000 real academic credits.
Overall it was a great place to study, because it was a very friendly environment, the teachers were helpful and the classes were often practice-orientated. Therefore I gained valuable experience and knowledge in the field I studied. (Commerce and marketing)
Immersion in Entrepreneurship
The Faculty of Business and Economics fosters a strong practical entrepreneurial environment. However, instead of simply learning about startups in the classroom, students have the opportunity to work with them and practice their entrepreneurial skills in group projects.
For starters, students forge connections with the entrepreneurial world through OpenUp, a digital marketplace that connects University of Pécs students, alumni, and experts. Students can use the platform to share advice, seek connections, and find internships.
Another way the faculty connects students with startups is through the Simonyi BEDC Entrepreneurship Centre at the Centre for Applied Learning. The centre hosts an incubation programme and regular entrepreneurial events, connecting students with real founders and allowing them to develop their entrepreneurial skills through workshops.
Another aspect of the Simonyi BEDC Entrepreneurship Centre is the Hackathon, held multiple times a year. This entrepreneurial problem-solving competition brings together students from the Faculty of Business and Economics and other departments at the University of Pécs for a one-and-a-half-day immersive experience.
Not only do students get to practice strategic thinking and problem-solving, but they also work with students from outside their chosen discipline, expanding their communication and teamwork skills.
The iExpo: A Reverse Job Fair
The job fair is an essential part of your university experience. At these events, you get the chance to network with recruiters from top companies and pitch yourself for internships and full-time jobs.
The University of Pécs has flipped this traditional event on its head: instead of the recruiters doing the presenting, it’s the students. At the iExpo, students work individually or in groups to display a chosen project or piece of research they’ve worked on during their studies. Students can present in one of six subject areas, such as consulting, innovation, art and design, and community projects.
Experts and industry professionals are invited to the event to discover students’ work and vote for the projects they think are the best. In spring 2025, 90 experts from 50 companies attended the iExpo, giving students a unique opportunity to make themselves known to people at the companies they might one day work for.
What I love about the university is its diverse student body. It’s a very multicultural community. Academically, I appreciate that it offers students three chances to take exams, providing opportunities to improve their grades. I also value the dynamic student-teacher relationship, as it allows for one-on-one interactions with professors. However, I feel that the university does not offer as many on-campus job opportunities compared to other universities. Additionally, I didn’t like the fact that you can’t defer entry, if you’re unable to enroll, you have to start a new application and pay the application fee again. Despite these drawbacks, I would still highly recommend the university.
Conclusion
With technology evolving faster than ever, it’s essential that students can develop adaptable skills at business school. This kind of skills acquisition can’t always be taught in the classroom; instead, students must seek out opportunities to apply their skills in real-world situations.
At the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Pécs, students have plenty of opportunities to do this. From guest lectures and opportunities to meet professionals at the iExpo to working with real companies on consulting projects, students not only gain relevant business skills but also learn how to apply them.
Want to learn more about what it’s like to study at such a practical-focused university? Read our interview with Draha, an international student studying for a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management at the Faculty of Business and Economics. You can also see more from Draha in this video tour of the faculty.
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