Through interdisciplinary, project-based teaching, students acquire not only expertise and methodological skills, but also social skills and develop the ability to work independently and take responsibility. The Schmalenbach Institute offers two summer schools for students: in China and in Russia. The supervision ratio of teaching staff to students is particularly good due to teaching in small groups in the main course.

The Schmalenbach Institute's focus is on international business. Given this focus, there is an international exchange of students, teachers and researchers. Students of courses in general Business Administration or Banking and Finance also benefit from these activities through an expanded, variable range of courses, guest lectures, seminars or project work with exchange students. The institute coordinates cooperation with universities worldwide.

ESEADE Instituto Universitario (Argentinien), Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivien), University of International Business and Economics (China), Jagannath International Management School (Indien), Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesien),Karel de Grote University College (Belgien), South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Schiences (Finnland), Montpellier Business School (Frankreich), University of Parmas (Italien), City Unity college Nicosia (Zypern)

The Faculty of Economics and Law has 7 mostly freely accessible computer rooms, which are also used for teaching. Subject-specific databases are made available. In some cases, computer-based business games are based on current market data. SPSS and interactive classroom response systems are also used in teaching. Students can use eduroam on site.

The Schmalenbach Institute offers start-up advice, provided by lecturers, for students, an Entrepreneurs' Club on networking and lecture series on relevant topics for business founders. These are offered in addition to the programmes available at the TH Cologne as part of the hgnc (University Founders' Network Cologne). There is also an incubator for business founders in the Faculty of Economics and Law. An integral part of all courses is the development of business models and the creation of business plans.

Students have the possibility of acquiring further education outside their subjects. To this end, there are language courses and modules on cross-disciplinary qualifications. The COMpetencePASS allows students to pursue their skills development independently. Extracurricular, interdisciplinary and volunteer commitment for students is particularly important at the Schmalenbach Institute. At Enactus you learn entrepreneurship in social innovation projects or at eMotorsports Cologne. Alternatively, you involve yourself in self-administration (student council).