Fontys University of Applied Sciences

International Business (BBA)

Eindhoven

Year 1

The first semester of the International Business study programme is called ‘Soft Landing’ and introduces you to both the programme and student life. During the first year, the subjects taught include:

• Business Communications: Focus on writing and reading in an intercultural environment. You will do a variety of different assignments which focus on how to structure a report.
• Macro Economics: Examines the external environment of an organisation, by focussing on the economic environment, as well as the political, social and technical factors and their effect.
• Micro Economics: Covers the basics of management and the function of marketing in an international organisation.
• Intercultural Proficiency: This helps you to recognize what influence culture has on one’s (professional) behaviour and that of others. How do culture influences human thought, feeling, and behaviour?
• Business Research: Get in your role as an International Business Manager. Research skills are essential, and research planning, execution and analysis are topics considered to be very important within the IB Bachelor, and we start immediately with these in semester 1.
• Finance & Accounting: This offers a basic foundation on financial topics, where the main emphasis will be on understanding financial statements.
  Law & Ethics: Teach you how to identify and apply basic elements of law and ethics related to international business. In addition you will be able to recognize, analyze and reflect on ethical dilemmas in an international business context.
• Business Proces Management: in this module the lecturers will make you acquainted with an aspect of business that will be new to most of you, namely the ability to understand and explain Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics and Human Resource Management (HRM) of a company.
• Actionable Market Intelligence: Focus on how to conduct commercial market intelligence research by defining a concrete business goal, identifying sources by conducting desk research, and reporting at a consultancy level actionable strategic insights to a client.

Apart from the subjects above there are several assignments and group projects. These are present in every period throughout the 4 years. You are expected to apply the theoretical learnings from the classroom and develop tangible skills such as project management, time management, leadership, adaptability in working with people with different backgrounds and communication.

You’ll be supported by study assistants – International Business students from higher years – who offer study sessions and personal contact.

Year 2

During year 2 of your study programme, you’ll deepen your knowledge of the foundations of business. More classes are taught on Marketing, Business Process Management, Law and Ethics, Finance and Accounting and Business Research. In addition tothese compulsory subjects, you have the opportunity to choose an elective subject.

On top of the regular programme, it is possible to apply for the Honours Programme at the end of year 1. If you are selected, you will follow an individually tailored programme at the Talent Academy. The Honours Programme starts in year 2 and continues through year 4.

Year 3

Year 3 consists of the minor (6 months) and an internship in an international company (6 months). You’re free to choose which component you complete first. You also have total freedom in choosing the country in which to follow the minor and undertake your work placement. In other words, if you wish, you could spend the entire year abroad!

Minor

The minor allows you to acquire knowledge in a different field from your major. You can complete the minor at Fontys, at one of our partner universities in the Netherlands, or at one of our 125 partner universities across the world.

Internship

You’ll complete a work placement in a company or industry of your choice. As an upcoming professional, applying for the placement allows you to practice job application skills. During this placement, you’ll deepen your knowledge of the real world of business.

Year 4

In semester 7, you prepare for your graduation. Subjects include crafting a business proposal and ethics. You’re also expected to pick a specialisation from Marketing and Sales, Finance and Accounting, or Business Processes.

The final semester involves a second internship, where you’ll work on a practical problem within a company. This starts by researching practical problems and is completed with a report of your recommendation for the company. Having concluded this final part of the study programme, you’ll receive the internationally recognised degree Bachelor of Business Administration.

Venlo

Year 1

In year 1, you’ll work together with students from International Finance & Control, Marketing Management and Logistics, while exploring the basics of international trade and business. Learn how these topics interact in decision-making. After this year, you can continue within the International Business programme or switch to another programme without delaying your studies.

Year 2

In your second year, you apply the theory learned in practice by working on projects that reflect real global business challenges, such as international market expansion, cultural collaboration and organisational change. In semester 4, you choose one out of two study profiles: International Business Manager or Human Resources Generalist.

Year 3

Year 3 focuses on practical application and broadening your professional and international skills. It consists of free choice electives and an internship in an (international) company (6 months). You’re free to choose which component you complete first. You also have total freedom in choosing the country in which to follow the free choice elective and undertake your work placement. In other words, if you wish, you could spend the entire year abroad!

Year 4

In the fourth year of International Business in Venlo, you finish the programme with a six-month internship and a bachelor thesis focused on a real international business challenge. This shows that you are ready for the global business environment. After graduating, you benefit from a broad experience, including one year of entrepreneurship, several internships, and studying abroad.

What are you going to learn

During the program, you will consider all aspects of international business. In particular, you will learn skills that are highly relevant for your future career. The study program aims to prepare you for a management position within an international business environment.

• Experience: good mix between projects, lessons, and practice
• Skills: communicating, presenting, researching, collaborating
• Subjects Eindhoven: e-marketing, economics, law, statistics, management, international law, ethics
• Subjects Venlo: marketing analysis, accounting & finance, HR & strategy, supply chain, effective communication, business intelligence

As an International Business graduate, you have excellent opportunities in internationally operating companies. These can be multinationals or international companies in any exciting place in the world.

The program has a broad scope, offering you a wide range of professional perspectives. Our alumni work in different fields:

• Business and Management
• International Marketing
• Sales
• Global Product Management
• Operations Management