International Business (IB semester 3)

Enjoy "International Business" at Fontys

The business environment is becoming more and more international. Competition is getting tougher and is increasingly coming from companies all over the world, consumer influence is on the rise, the sharing economy is emerging, the role of brick-and-mortar is changing, production is outsourced to companies in other countries to reduce costs, while political and economic developments make national borders less relevant than ever. Modern means of communication open up new possibilities to broaden the field of business and require companies to adapt their way of doing business and to be socially smart. These are just some of the developments that create new challenges and opportunities for young professionals who are preparing for a successful career in international business. Are you ready to face these challenges and seize these opportunities?

The aim of this programme is to prepare you for these challenges and opportunities and to help you to establish a successful position as a manager in international business. The main emphasis is on subjects such as Business Developments, International Marketing, Business Research and Business Process Improvement.

This International Business programme, taught in English, is offered in Eindhoven. Eindhoven and the surrounding area are known as the Brainport Region. We are delighted to be part of this region. Living and studying in this region offers you an excellent springboard for a successful career in International Business and Management. A few years ago, the American think tank ‘Intelligent Community Forum’ has described the Brainport Region as the ‘world’s smartest region’. Who does not want to be part of that?!

Programme format

This programme is a component (semester 3) of the bachelor programme “International Business (IB)” at Fontys School of Business and Communication (FSBC) in Eindhoven. The total workload for this programme is 30 ECTS credits, duration is 1 semester. All courses have to be taken in order to achieve the full credits. It is not possible to combine courses from different programmes. We only offer exams once in the semester.

This semester programme consists of eight subjects and two projects. For a more detailed description of the courses including lecture planning, please download the course outlines here.

In short, the following courses have been defined:

1. Project 3a (2 ECTS) & 3b (2 ECTS)

During this project, you will develop and apply a Customer Journey Map for a specific target market segment based on limited qualitative and quantitative data.

2. Intercultural Proficiency Y2 (2 ECTS)

This course consists of interactive lessons with a short explanation of concepts such as culture, intercultural communication, multicultural team, and intercultural conflict management, followed by exercises and interactive applications of those concepts.

3. Law and Ethics 3 (3 ECTS)

During this course, you will be focusing on business law in the context of cross-border trade and main ethical issues and arguments that come with globalisation.

4. Financial Accounting (3 ECTS)

This subject aims to, among other, increase your understanding of the principles that underlie the process of providing financial information to the stakeholders of a business and discuss some common issues.

5. Business Process Management 3 (3 ECTS)

Business Process Management teaches you the necessary skills and techniques needed to operate as a so-called Lean Manufacturing Green Belt, how to apply the various tools and methodologies applicable at the Green Belt level and how to use the performance management tool Balanced Scorecard (BSC).

6. Conversion Analysis (2 ECTS)

The course Conversion Analytics teaches students how to analyse the data from various steps in a conversion funnel and provide a plan of action to reach higher conversion.

7. Business IT Development (2 ECTS)

During this course you will learn how to build a business model by using the business model canvas of Osterwalder and become aware of the effect of major business development trends, such as Big Data, the circular economy and digitalisation, on the business model.

8. International Marketing (4 ECTS)

This course lets you understand the role of marketing in an international firm and the different motives for internationalisation and teaches you how to set up an international marketing plan. This course ends with the International Project Week (IPW). During the IPW, you will work on case studies presented by real companies active in international business.

9. Business Research 3 (3 ECTS)

In several lessons you will work on your ability to translate a business or management problem into an appropriate research problem, perform a literature review and formulate a conceptual model, formulate hypotheses and research questions and design and execute the four major groups of research methods.

10. The Practise of Management Consulting (2 ECTS)

This course will introduce you to practices and non-technical skills which, when applied in practice, result in successful external or internal consulting projects and engagements.

11. Business Communication 5 (2 ECTS)

In this course you will work on your communication skills, like how to write different
sorts of essays. You will also have to work on how to create, deliver and
present different kinds of data.

Learning outcomes

After having completed this programme you will, among other, be able to set up and improve a company’s international marketing activities, set up and execute business research and statistical analyses, build a business model and know how business processes can be analysed and improved. You will also be fully equipped to help companies overcome challenges and seize opportunities that present themselves in international business. Apart from that, your command of English will be greatly improved and you will be better able to present yourself to future employers and cooperate with people from different cultural backgrounds in an international environment.

Target audience & Entry level

The level of this programme is intermediate. The programme is intended for students who have successfully completed their first year in a bachelor programme. Basic undergraduate course(s) in Marketing & Business Research and Accounting must have been part of their prior studies.

Exchange students are expected to have a good command of English. It is not compulsory to provide us with a Proof of English proficiency.

For more detailed information about practical matters, such as financial matters, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation, please click on the button below.