- Programme in brief
- What to expect
- Content of the programme
- Course description
- Admission requirements
- Scholarships
- Fontys way of studying
- Study coach
Programme in brief
In times of increasing global competition many companies operate globally or consider doing business internationally. But how do you decide on which markets to operate? How do you finance such undertakings? How do you hire the right internationally qualified employees? How do you make your product or service stand out from the crowd? These are some of the issues that managers at international companies face and for which you will be prepared during International Business (or IB).
What to expect from us
We will provide you with all necessary knowledge, skills and attitude enabling you to operate in an international company. Besides (management) skills, you will develop a other professional skills such as dealing with cultural differences, learning how to be a leader, how to cooperate and communicate with international people but also how to plan and organise within a company.
What do we expect from you
As a future student of IB you should be open to challenges and have a critical mind. Both being able to work independently and willingness to work in multicultural teams are preconditions for a successful study career. Here, an affinity to foreign languages with a special focus on English is desirable. What’s more, as a future IB student you should be particularly interested in different cultures and have a special desire to explore all facets of an organization. Most will therefore be striving for a career in internationally oriented companies.
Content of the programme
International Business is a broad business study programme covering all departments of a company: from general management to human resources, marketing and finance. The programme aims at preparing you for a management position within an international business environment. Examples of projects you will work on are; writing a business plan for a company, managing the acquisition of a foreign company or advising organisations on whether to stay or leave a market. After your studies you will be able to either lead a company, manage one of its many departments or found your own company.
A combination of courses from different semesters or another programme is not possible. The following information is subject to change.
Fall 2023
Semester 1
PM1 - Project: Investigate your market (mandatory) 10 ECTS
PM2 - Marketing Analysis (mandatory) 5 ECTS
PM3 - Business research I (mandatory) 5 ECTS
PM4 - Organisation and people I (mandatory) 2 ECTS
PM5 - Effective Communication Skills I (mandatory) 3 ECTS
PM6 - Additional language I (Spanish A1) 2 ECTS*
PM7 - Personal & professional development I 3 ECTS
*Students can also do a higher level with a semester 3 class if they already have this level and it fits their timetable.
Semester 2
PM8 - Project: Analyse your company (mandatory) 10 ECTS
PM9 - Accounting & Finance (mandatory) 5 ECTS
PM10 - Operations and Supply Chain (mandatory) 5 ECTS
PM11 - Organisation and people II (mandatory) 3 ECTS
PM12 - Effective Communication Skills II (mandatory) 2 ECTS
PM13 - Additional language II (Spanish A2) 3 ECTS*
*Students can also do a higher level with a semester 4 class if they already have this level and it fits their timetable.
Semester 3
MM1 - Project: Develop your business (mandatory) 15 ECTS
MM3 - Business Intelligence I (mandatory) 2 ECTS
MM4 - Effective Communication Skills III (mandatory) 3 ECTS
MM5 - Additional language III (Spanish A2-B1) 2 ECTS
Semester 3 handbook
Semester 4
MM7 - Project: Drive your business (mandatory) 15 ECTS
MM8 - Business Intelligence II (mandatory) 3 ECTS
MM9 - Effective Communication Skills IV (mandatory) 2 ECTS
MM10 - Additional language IV 3 ECTS
Semester 4 handbook
Additional courses for all semesters (only if they fit your timetable):
Dutch for Beginners 2 ECTS
German for beginners 2 ECTS
Dutch 2** 3 ECTS
** only for students who started their full-year exchange in Fall and who followed Dutch for beginners in the 1st semester
Admission requirements
Semester 1
English: equivalent to IELTS 6.0
Basic knowledge, the student’s major should be business related
Semester 2
English: equivalent to IELTS 6.0
The student’s major should be business related
Foundation year should be rounded off
Semester 3
English: equivalent to IELTS 6.0
The student’s major should be business related
Foundation year should be rounded off
Scholarships
Fontys does not provide scholarships for its exchange students.
Fontys way of studying
At Fontys you study in various ways. There are lectures in classrooms with about 25 other students. In practical lectures you work independently or with a project team on your assignments. The campus offers a wide array of facilities to study alone or with a group. During the whole study programme you will work in projects, a method which will stimulate a hands on, independent way of working. At Fontys we believe in interaction. We like it when you ask questions during lectures and also outside lectures we are there for you.
Study coach
If you encounter problems regarding a certain subject, you can either speak to the lecturer involved or contact your exchange coordinator.