International Business

Want to know what it takes to do business across borders? Join the BBA International Business and explore marketing, organization, finance, logistics and intercultural communication. You will learn to create marketing plans for cross-border e-commerce and manage business processes ranging from HR and supply chain to finance and decision-making.

Theory and practice

From day one you dive into international business with an introduction week, training sessions and a wide range of subjects. Throughout the programme, you will explore different themes and apply your knowledge in projects at internationally operating organizations. Along the way, you will also develop your personal and professional skills.

Topics covered in the first year are:

Organization and People

Get to know how international organizations are structured, how they operate and how people within them behave. You will explore leadership styles, decision-making strategies and management approaches across different contexts. This will help you understand organizations more deeply and contribute to solving complex business challenges.

Finance and Accounting

Explore the basics of financial and management accounting. Financial accounting focuses on creating and understanding financial statements, while managerial accounting supports internal decision-making, such as forecasting revenues, calculating product costs and determining when profit will be made.

Marketing and Sales

Consisting of:

• Principles of Marketing
• International Market Research
• Digital Marketing

Operations and Supply Chain Management

Every organization exists by delivering products or services to people or other businesses that need them. Most operate within a chain of suppliers and customers. In this module, you will explore the essentials of operations and supply chain management.

Languages

Culture and language strongly shape the way business is done. A German negotiates differently than a French colleague, and an American may communicate in another way than a Brit. These differences influence how people think, collaborate and negotiate. That is why we focus strongly on intercultural skills. You will improve your English and learn an additional language (German or French for Dutch students, Dutch for international students) while exploring the cultural aspects of international business.

After gaining a broad introduction to International Business and the many aspects of culture and management, you will gradually get more room to discover your strengths. In Years 2 and 3 you can explore them through projects, assignments, internships and a study-abroad experience.

Year 2

In the second year you will build the skills needed to work successfully in an international environment. You will take part in an international project on global trends and developments and advise a company on how to respond to these changes.

Year 3

Get ready to design your own path. This year prepares you for your Year 4 specialization while giving you the chance to dive into topics like:

• Family Business
• Sustainability
• Change Management
• Sales
• International Marketing Communication

You will apply what you learn in real projects, with the option to take on assignments submitted by actual companies. This means you will spend two to three days a week working on-site.

In addition, you can choose between a study-abroad semester or another internship. Looking for an extra challenge? You can even pursue a double degree through our partnership with the University of Munich.

The fourth year is dedicated to your personal profile, business research design and your specialization in the last semester. Your ambitions take the lead, and you will work as independently as possible.

Which challenge will you take on?

In your specialization, you will demonstrate that you are ready to step into the international business world. You will follow advanced courses and carry out an international project within a company. Examples of graduation projects include:

• Improving cross-border e-commerce to strengthen international business.
• Optimizing an international supply chain to enhance global logistics.
• Designing and developing the next generation of international business models.

Obtaining your Bachelor of Business Administration

Throughout your final project, you will be guided by supervisors from both the programme and the client organization, giving you the chance to spar and brainstorm whenever needed. Once you have successfully completed everything, you will receive your Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

At the start of your programme you will learn the theory in lectures and seminars. As you progress, you will increasingly work on group assignments provided by our industry partners. Classes are small, with around 15–18 students, ensuring plenty of personal attention.

Study, work or graduate abroad

From the second semester of your second year, you will start your internship: international students in the Netherlands, and Dutch students in a German- or French-speaking country. It is a fantastic experience that strengthens both your CV and your language skills.

In the third year, you will be able to choose between a study abroad semester with one of our partner universities or another internship.

Personal and professional development at Windesheim

At Windesheim, your growth comes first. You set your own pace and pathway toward your goals, supported by a personal coach in every class. This approach is reflected in the way we teach and guide you:

• Flexible study spaces: Work individually or in groups in spacious, well-equipped rooms. During office hours you choose what to focus on, with lecturers available for advice and support.

• Targeted lectures: Short, 30-minute sessions give you just the right input at the right time for your independent work.

• Mini-workshops: Practical 30-minute sessions to sharpen skills such as languages or presenting.

• Growth workshops: In-depth 2-hour workshops dedicated to your personal and professional development.

A week in the International Business programme consists of 12 to 16 hours of classes, and you also have to study independently and together for at least the same number of hours. You will usually have one day a week without classes in your timetable. Below is a selection of the courses on offer. This will give you an idea of what four years of studying look like.

Your studies should suit your talents, interests, or personal situation. And you want to be able to cope with a rapidly changing environment. This is why you can study flexibly at the International Business programme. You follow your own learning route, and this can be done in the following ways (after consulting with our lecturers): 

What you want to learn

You focus on different courses within the programme. For example, by choosing a minor or graduation subject, participating in projects, internships and final projects.

Where you want to learn

If you wish, you can follow a course or minor with another programme, another university of applied sciences or even abroad.

How and when to take tests

Would you prefer to take a test, give a presentation, or submit a portfolio? For some components, you choose how and when you show that you have mastered the knowledge and skills.

Accelerate or slow down

Would you like to shorten your study time, or do you need more time? Have you already completed a (higher vocational education) programme that provides exemptions? In consultation, you can determine your own study pace at Windesheim.
 

We prepare you for a versatile career, not just one job. Your strength lies in problem-solving by combining practical skills, business knowledge, and expertise. Graduates thrive in roles like international project manager, account manager, business developer, marketeer, sales manager, supply chain manager, or HR manager. Here are some examples of their first jobs after graduation:

• Lucy: Recruiter in the automotive and logistics industry
  Connect talent with companies, ensuring the right match for both employers and candidates.
• Laura: Facility Coordinator at a bike company
  Manage office facilities and logistics, so everything runs smoothly.
• Arne: Business Developer in the food industry
  Identify market opportunities and build strategic partnerships to drive growth.
• Marlies: Sales Manager at a software company
  Lead a sales team and develop strategies to expand the customer base.
• Nikki: Community Marketer at a business university
  Connect students and professionals through marketing and events.
• Laura: Account Manager at a beauty company
  Maintain relationships with key clients and drive sales.
• Céline: Freight Forwarding Coordinator in fashion and lifestyle
  Oversee international shipments and logistics to ensure timely delivery of products.
• Jesmer: Business Analyst at an investment and development company
  Analyze financial data and market trends to help businesses invest wisely.
• Suren: Financial Advisor for New Construction at a bank
  Advise clients on financing options for newly built homes, guiding them through the mortgage process.

Finished your International Business degree and eager for more? Take the next step with a master’s programme at a university in the Netherlands or abroad. Recent graduates have continued their studies in programmes such as:

• Global Business & Sustainability
• Human Resource Management
• Business Administration (MBA)
• International Communication Management
• Marketing
• Strategic Management