International Business and Management Studies

Are you interested in a truly international study programme? Are you ready to face challenges in global markets? Then International Business and Management Studies (IBMS) is the right choice for you! A study programme that teaches you how to successfully combine knowledge, skills and attitude in an international and intercultural setting. All with the purpose of performing business-related tasks in a professional manner.

The individual national markets, trades and currencies are growing towards a united global business sphere. For young adults an international education is an important step towards the future world. Especially, the economics courses offer excellent prospects. Not only production companies, but also the rapidly growing Tertiary Sector (trade, banks, insurance, and consultancy) and government need qualified economists in all departments.

The increasingly global nature of trade and industry leads to greater international competition for large, middle-sized and small companies. A proactive organisation must therefore be able to collect and analyse foreign market-specific knowledge in order to take correct decisions about expansion. It must also be aware of international finance opportunities and political developments at home and abroad.

In internationally-oriented organisations, decision making is based on business administration and controlling, but also on awareness of cultural differences and a firm’s ability to adapt.

Openness to challenges, a critical mind and focus on results, excellent teamwork and self-management, intercultural discussion and negotiation skills - all these personal characteristics contribute to effective international business management.

Admission requirements:

• For Dutch students: havo, vwo or mbo-diploma.
• For German students: Fachhochschulreife.
• For students of other nationalities: senior high school diploma/GCE or equivalent (see below!).

For students of foreign nationalities (other than Dutch or German):

• seniorhigh school diploma/GCE or equivalent. Foreign certificates have to bevalidated. This validation takes place between the home-faculty andFontys University of Applied Sciences. Please contact internationaloffice-venlo@fontys.nl for more information!
• For more information, such as language requirements, please go to www.fontys.edu/studying-at-fontys.
• For additional requirements please check www.fontys.nl/campusvenlo.  

Language requirements:

For all English taught courses a minimum English language proficiency is required according to the following table. The English language proficiency must be proved by submitting an IELTS or TOEFL test result.

IELTS:
Minimum score bachelor: 6,0 (no subscore under 5.0)
Minimum score preparatory course 17 weeks: 5,5

TOEFL comp.:
Minimum score bachelor: 213
Minimum score preparatory course 17 weeks: 173

TOEFL iBT:
Minimum score bachelor: 79
Minimum score preparatory course 17 weeks: 69

All courses at Fontys International Campus Venlo have a duration of four years. Each year is made up of two semesters. The first course year is called Foundation Year. The Foundation Year offers room for orientation and selection.

After the first year you enter the three-year Main Phase. In the second course year this Main Phase consists of the acquisition of professional competences in the Young Enterprise Project. During the work placement in the third course year all students go to companies for a 5-month work placement. After this you return to ‘the Learning Community’ for feedback and additional subjects. During the two minors you will get the chance to broaden and/or deepen your knowledge. At the end of the course you will write your graduation assignment. Once again this takes place within the framework of a 5-month work placement in a company.

The most striking features of our IBMS study programme are:
- it is international, both in educational contents and student population
- the main phase is entirely in English, the foundation phase is either in English or in Dutch or in German
- it is based on a combination of elements from the traditional economics programmes in the fields of finance, accountancy, sales, marketing and management
- it focuses on international trade and commerce
- it offers practical training in international companies.

To be able to learn and experience these competences as realistic and as practical as possible, every semester will cover a specific feature of your future profession. The students get to know one or more characteristic professional situations, which they will be able to apply in their future job.

IBMS students graduate with a real international orientation. They will usually end up in one of the many different positions ranging from international account manager, PR-manager, product manager or sales and marketing manager, to international treasury manager or human resources manager. Some graduates prefer to start their own businesses or become consultants. What about you?

Bachelor of Business Administration

Tuition fee 2009-2010:
EEA-students 1,625 euro
Non EEA-students 3,700 euro
(Tuition fee = 7,200 euro minus
Fontys Scholarship = 3,500 euro)

Fontys University of Applied Sciences offers a large number of scholarships to non-EEA students. These scholarships will cover about half of the tuition fee. Please apply for the scholarships in your course application form.

Fontys University of Applied Sciences is a leading comprehensive European University of Applied Sciences offering higher education from undergraduate to graduate level. Fontys is based in the south of the Netherlands near the border with Germany and Belgium, one of the most dynamic regions in Europe. The two largest of the Fontys campuses are located in the cities of Eindhoven and Tilburg. In Venlo, Fontys has recently established an International Campus. Fontys stresses the importance of the application of theory into practice, thus enabling students to embark successfully on their professional career.

Fontys is a learning community, which means that the key focus of learning is on the development of personal competences in varying, small student groups and in close interaction with society. Fontys therefore maintains close relationships with industry, business and public services. Fontys offers students the invaluable experience of a long-term internship, and keeps its education up to date by closely monitoring developments in the labour market.

Furthermore, Fontys University of Applied Sciences invests in joint research programmes with industry, business and public services, to disseminate applied research results. Fontys encourages its graduates to develop international competences by means of international exchanges and internships via partnerships with hundreds of universities and companies all over the world. The student population from various foreign countries at the Fontys campuses adds to the learning and social experience, with an opportunity to study and interact with students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.