Bachelor in International Business
Groningen, Netherlands
DURATION
36 Months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 13,100 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for Dutch students, EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students
** for non-EU/EEA| EU/EEA: EUR 2530
Introduction
Study international business in Groningen to learn about international markets, cross-cultural management, and innovative business strategies, all essential in today's interconnected world.
What strategies do multinational corporations use to balance profitability and (environmental) sustainability in their international operations? How do cultural perceptions vary, and how can companies address these differences in their international operations? In the BSc International Business, you will learn to understand these challenges, and how to deal with them.
In Groningen, the programme is all about bridging management theories with real-life situations faced by international organizations worldwide. We take a holistic teaching approach. We incorporate multiple perspectives from sociology, ethics and sustainable management, marketing, technology innovation, psychology, economics, politics, and finance into the core subjects. But that is not all – theory comes to life as you put your learning into practice. That is why you work on real-life assignments and case studies and you get the opportunity to choose for an internship or a study exchange in your third year.
Is this programme for you? You like to learn about cultures and countries and how they shape our global business landscape. You are looking for a truly international, diverse and challenging study where you can develop yourself and gain the competencies to prosper in your career. You aspire to work in an international setting, working for a multinational firm, governmental institution or international organization. But above all, you are interested in the very broad range of issues that make doing business different from country to country.
Why study this programme in Groningen?
- The programme in Groningen is interdisciplinary and links theories of management to the reality of international business. From finance to ethics, sustainability to sociology, psychology to innovation and marketing, and economics to business history – our approach ensures you grasp the nuances of managing international businesses from every angle.
- You will study with students from across the world and be taught by international teachers. Did you know that there are more than 50 different nationalities represented in the programme and about 35% of the student body is international?
- In your 3rd year, it is time to either study abroad for one semester at one of over 200 exchange partners in 50 different countries or take the opportunity to do an internship at an international organization.
- We believe in a soft landing in your 1st year. That is why we place all-year students in a mentor group of max 16 students and pair you from the start with a student and a faculty mentor who are there to support you with both study-related matters and insights about student life.
- The programme has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
The first year starts with an intensive introductory programme to get you started on the right foot. You learn about the main theories and how they are applied in real-world international business situations. Also, you get introduced to topics such as international production, innovation, marketing, supply chain, finance, sustainable management accounting and corporate social responsibility. In courses like statistics and research methodology, you learn how to describe and interpret data.
Semester 1a
- Global Supply Chain Management
- Introduction to International Business
- Organizational Structure
- Academic and Professional Development
Semester 1b
- Financial Accounting
- Organizational Behaviour
- Economics
Semester 2a
- International Marketing
- Statistics I
Semester 2b
- International Trade and Competition
- Research Methodology
- Sustainable Management Accounting
Year 2
In the second year, core courses build upon and enrich concepts introduced in the first year. You study today's technology trends and how they can influence the business world. You analyze business cases to learn about the role and meaning of values and differences in values between countries. Also, you delve deeper into the role of financial management within the corporation. To get a full picture of what it is to work in the international business field, you take courses in ethics, innovation management, investment theory, international business law and political economy. You will attend classes and lectures by guest speakers, participate in small discussion groups, work on team projects, and attend workshops and seminars.
Semester 1a
- Digital Transformation in IB
- Firm Location and FDI
- Fundamentals of Finance for IB
- Ethics and International Business
Semester 1b
- Global Business History
- Statistics II
- Comparative Country Studies
Semester 2a
- Innovation Management in Multinationals
- Qualitative Research Methods
Semester 2b
- Cross-cultural Management
- Global Political Economy
- International Business Law
Year 3
Ready to take the next step? In the first semester, you can choose to spend a semester abroad at one of our many partner universities in Europe, Latin America, Australia, North America, or Asia, where you choose electives that together encompass your minor. You also have the option to do an International Business Internship minor and gain practical experience. After that, you return to campus, where you finish the last courses, write your thesis and work on delivering a business plan where you integrate the knowledge of managing international business organizations.
Semester 1a & 1b
- Study abroad (exchange minor) or International Business Internship
Semester 2a
- Empirical Research Project
- International Strategic Management
- Bachelor's Thesis
Semester 2b
- International Financial Management
- Managing International Business Organizations
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
International Business is a broad programme that forms a solid foundation to pursue a broad range of Master's degrees. You could build on your Bachelor's with a Master's degree in International Business and Management, which will give you the credentials to work for a multinational firm, governmental institutions and international organizations. Or you might choose to specialize in Economic Development and Growth, Marketing, Financial Management, or HRM, for example.
Job prospects
Plenty of multinationals will be interested in students with an academic degree in business. Your position within this kind of organization can vary from export manager or international marketer to international sales manager, product manager, or human resource manager. But numerous other career opportunities await. This, of course, depends on the choices you make during and after the International Business programme.
Many organizations also offer traineeships and junior positions which will introduce you to different types of activities. If you were to choose a two-year Research Master's you could also move into academia, perhaps decide to go further and earn a PhD.
Top 5 sectors IB graduates work
- Consumer goods
- Financial
- Consulting
- Utilities
- Government
Examples of organizations: ING, PwC, EY, Toyota, Philips, Unilever, Ministery of Economic Affairs and Climate. Source: FEB Graduates report edition 2021 (nr. of respondents 117)
Job examples
- Export manager
- CSR manager
- International marketer
- International sales manager
- International product manager
- Human resources manager
- Business / Data Analyst
Student Testimonials
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.