International Business

Want to know the ins and outs of doing business across borders? Join the BBA International Business and discover all the secrets of marketing, organization, finance, logistics and intercultural communication. You will learn to write marketing plans about cross-border e-commerce and to manage business processes: from human resource management to operations & supply chain management and from financial accounting to decision-making strategies.

Theory and practice

You will be immersed in international business straight away with a introduction week, training sessions and a large variety of subjects. Throughout the programme you will focus on a range of different themes. We challenge you to put your new knowledge into action during several projects at internationally operating organizations. Developing your personal and professional skills also plays an important part during the programme. 

Topics covered in the first year are:

Organization and People

Get acquainted with the structure of an international organization, its behaviour and processes. You will study various leadership styles, decision-making strategies and management styles within different organizations. This enables you to understand organizations better and help them solve complex business problems effectively.

Finance and Accounting

Explore the fundamentals of financial and management accounting. Financial accounting looks at the various financial statements. Managerial accounting deals with internal decision-making: what will the revenues be, how can the costs of products be calculated and at what point will a profit be made.

Marketing and Sales

Consisting of Principles of Marketing, International Market Research and Digital Marketing.

Operations and Supply Chain Management

Each organization exists and survives by providing a product or service to people or organizations that want or need it. Most organizations therefore function as a part of a chain, with suppliers and customers. In this module you will examine what operations and supply chain management is about.

Languages

Culture and language highly influence the operations of businesses. Someone from Germany, for example, negotiates differently than someone from France and an American might address you differently than a Brit. Culture and language influence how people think, collaborate, negotiate and do business. We pay a lot of attention to these aspects. You will work on your proficiency in English and one additional language (German or French for Dutch students, Dutch for international students), while also studying the cultural differences in international business. 

After first becoming acquainted with the breadth of International Business and the many facets of culture and management, you will have more and more space to discover where your strengths lie. You will have plenty of opportunity to discover this during various projects, assignments, internships and study abroad in Years 2 and 3.

Year 2

In the second year you will develop the skills to successfully work in an international setting. You will work on an international project about global trends and developments and you will give advice to a company on how to anticipate on these trends and developments.

Year 3

Get ready to map out your own path, because this year prepares you for your specialization in Year 4. You will explore topics such as Family Business, Sustainability, Change Management, Sales and International Marketing Communication. You will put your knowledge into action during several projects, but you can also choose from a list of assignments that have been submitted by real companies. This means that you will work on an assignment at a company for two or three days a week. Besides this, you are able to choose between a study abroad semester or another internship. Want to go the extra mile? A double degree in collaboration with our partner University of Munich is another possibility.

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

Which issue will you solve?

In the specialization you show us that you are ready to enter an international business setting. You will take some courses and carry out an international project within a company.

You can, for example, graduate with:

• a cross-border e-commerce assignment to improve online international business.
• an international supply chain assignment in order to enhance the international logistics in the chain.
• creating and improving new generation of international business models.

Obtaining your Bachelor of Business Administration

You are certainly not alone when you graduate. Both the programme and the client will provide you with a supervisor with whom you can always brainstorm. Have you completed everything? You have then obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration!

At the start of your study programme, the theory will be presented to you in lectures and seminars. During the course of the programme you will increasingly work on group assignments that have been provided by our industry partners. Classes are small and consist of approximately 15-18 students.

Study, work or graduate abroad

Starting the second semester of your second year, you will be doing your internship: in the Netherlands for international students, in a German of French speaking country for Dutch students. A fantastic experience that instantly boosts 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.

Your study pathway, your future

Personal and professional development are key at Windesheim. Your study pace and pathway towards reaching your goals are for you to decide. Every class has its own coach, who helps you accomplish your goals. This is reflected in the following: 

• You can study and work in a spacious, well-equipped room where you can work either individually or in groups on the learning objectives or assignments of your projects or subjects. During ‘office hours’, you get to decide what you want to work on. There are lecturers available to ask for advice or an explanation.
• Our lectures are instruction classes that provide you with the information you need at that precise moment for your independent work. These classes last roughly 30 minutes.
• We offer regular 30-minute mini-workshops where you can train your practical abilities, such as a foreign language or your presentation skills.
• During our 2-hour workshops we focus solely on your growth as a person and business professional.

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.

Got the hang of it after completing International Business? Continue your studies and go for a master's degree at a university in the Netherlands or abroad! Recent graduates have enrolled in programmes including:

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