International Business
About the exchange programme
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).
Why International Business?
- The program prepares you to tackle international business challenges, including market decisions, finance, and hiring globally skilled employees.
- It offers a comprehensive study covering all company departments, aiming to equip you for management roles in international environments.
- The curriculum emphasizes practical skills, including cultural adaptability, leadership, and communication, essential for working in multicultural teams.
More about this programme
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.
Admission requirements
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.
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
The foundation year should be rounded off
Semester 3
English: equivalent to IELTS 6.0
The student’s major should be business-related
The foundation year should be rounded off
Semester 4
English: equivalent to IELTS 6.0
The student’s major should be business-related
The foundation year should be rounded off
How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?
Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.
Practical information
- Start moment(s)
- September, February
- Location
- Venlo
- ECTs
- 30
- Language
- English
Applications should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. This officer will send your application request (nomination) to Fontys. Once Fontys has received the nomination, your Fontys study department will send you a link to a web application called Mobility Online. Please take a look here to see how it works.
If you want to come as a freemover, we also need your university to send us a nomination e-mail. Once we have received this we will send you our application information.
As a freemover the fees are €75 per ECTS. If you are not sure if your university is a partner of Fontys Venlo University of Applied Sciences, the international office of your home university can tell you more about this.
Deadlines
Spring semester:
Nomination deadline November 1st
Application deadline November 15th
Fall semester:
Nomination deadline May 1st
Application deadline May 15th
For more information concerning the start date, please get in touch with the contact person of the study department of the concerned exchange programme.
English language requirements
For most English taught exchange programmes a minimum level of English language proficiency of CEFR* B2 or an equivalent of IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 is required. However there might be programmes where a higher level is required and submitting evidence might be necessary.
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For more detailed information about practical matters, such as financial matters, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation, please click on the button below.
Doing a study abroad most certainly means a lot of excitement and perhaps also a bit of anxiety. Getting used to everything may be a challenge at times. You may have language difficulties or be unfamiliar with certain aspects of life in the Netherlands and at the university.
We receive around 100 international exchange students each semester. To give them a warm welcome into Dutch culture and at our campus, the International Office has set up a buddy programme. A buddy is a Fontys bachelor student who is familiar with the campus and who can give practical help with administrative systems, timetables etc. They know their way around the city of Venlo and can also help students to better understand Dutch traditions and habits and feel at home real soon!
What else can students expect from a buddy? A buddy will:
- meet you at the Venlo train station and accompany you to your room.
- help you get settled during the first weeks by answering practical questions related to living in Venlo and by showing you around town.
- help you with questions about campus life, teaching styles, campus set-up, how to prepare for exams, etc.
- help you with practical questions such as how to print documents, how to get connected to Wi-Fi, get acquainted with the Fontys portal, etc.
- introduce you to Dutch culture.
- be able to join you during social activities.
The programme seeks to give students the best possible start to their study abroad in Venlo and at our campus!