The IB Track "Sustainability in International Business" (SiB) aims at acknowledging students with a special interest in these themes and motivates them to combine in a unique way IB expertise with proficiency in sustainability and corporate responsibility. Courses of the SiB Track look into the complex interplay between ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability in business, posing the central question: What is the role of businesses in our society? This discussion spans the concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, emphasizing their importance in international business operations.

Therefore, students who have completed the SIB track have insights and knowledge relevant at the intersection of IB and sustainability, corporate responsibility, and business ethics. They are able to assume in-depth perspectives and have developed the corresponding skill-set and competencies necessary to succeed in an international environment.

The SiB certificate

In addition to obtaining advanced knowledge about sustainability, corporate responsibility, and business ethics in the IB context as well as associated skills and competencies, students who fulfill the requirements as described below, will receive a certificate showcasing their successful completion of the SiB track. Such a certificate may turn out helpful for applications and, in some areas, may even lead to competitive advantage given that the SiB track is a unique initiative that combines IB proficiency with expertise in sustainability, corporate responsibility, and business ethics.

Admission to the SiB track

All students admitted to the specialization International Business are eligible to complete the SiB track and to obtain a certificate. Depending on the kind of advanced seminars 3, 4, and 5 they choose to take – both at WU and/or abroad –, they may meet the requirements to apply for a certificate once the three courses are completed. 

Requirements for successful completion of the SiB track

The key prerequisite for completing the SiB track is that the advanced seminars 3, 4, and 5 incorporate aspects related to sustainability, corporate responsibility, and/or business ethics. Each semester, IIB offers at least one of the advanced seminars 3, 4, and 5, respectively, meeting this criterion. Such courses are labelled with “IB Track – SiB” in WU’s course directory. Please note that IIB does not offer any guaranteed slots for students in SiB courses if they indicated in the entry exam that they are interested in completing the track. The number of available slots in SiB courses is always contingent on student demand and in all courses will strictly be determined on a first-come-first-serve basis upon course registration. No exceptions are made or priorities given to individual cases.

Courses completed abroad may equally qualify as SiB courses, which ultimately is subject to approval by the track chair. This will be based on whether courses completed abroad fulfill the accreditation criteria and, thus, qualify as advanced seminars 3, 4 or 5 in the first place. In addition, such courses need to incorporate aspects of sustainability, corporate responsibility, and/or business ethics. The track chair’s decision will be based on course outlines, literature lists, and any additional supporting materials provided by students and showcasing the relevant linkages to SiB aspects. In cases of doubts, students are asked to clarify with the track chair before going abroad whether or not a course will qualify as SiB course.

Obtaining the SiB track certificate

Students who successfully completed the advanced courses 3, 4, and 5 and/or equivalents from abroad in line with the above requirements, can request their SiB track certificates by completing the application form and submitting it together with supporting materials for courses completed abroad via email to sbwlib@wu.ac.at (after September 15, 2025).