Course summary International Business
The International Business degree at NHL Stenden gives you the tools you need to think and act strategically in the global business world, from learning how organisations work to developing your understanding of social responsibility. You'll develop a skillset that will mean you can make a difference.
The programme for International Business
The programme covers a wide range of aspects of business, from accounting to marketing, from sales to supply chain management. You will develop insights into conceptual approaches and business research methodologies as well as expand your knowledge of different languages. You'll also develop your personal skills and intercultural awareness. These skills are integrated into the programme and developed through the practical assignments you do as well as during your internship.
Study programme in Leeuwarden
Learn the basics of international business management and build cultural awareness while exploring how global developments influence organisations, people and markets. Discover how products and services can be launched internationally, and gain insights into how to monitor and manage company processes and finances.
Semester 1: The World of International Business
Explore global developments that shape today’s business environment. You will learn how external factors impact organisations and markets worldwide. Get to know the key concepts in business operations, including process analysis, improvement and sustainability. This prepares you to address operational challenges in a global context.
Semester 2: International Business Fundamentals
You explore how products and services are introduced and adapted to international markets. You examine how organisations and their employees collaborate in global contexts, and gain insight into business operations and the basics of financial man gement. You learn to identify financial risks and understand how operations and finance interact in shaping strategic business decisions in an international environment.
Subjects:
Study load: 20 contact hours, 20 selfstudy hours | 60 ECTS per year
Deepen your insights and skills by examining more complex aspects of international business while discovering how international teams are managed, how customers are engaged, and how small–medium enterprises expand globally. Gain experience in analysing innovation, business processes, conducting business research, and developing both personal and professional leadership and communication skills to expand global understanding.
Semester 1: Building Global Competence
You deepen your understanding of how organisations manage diversity and lead international teams. You examine how customer relationships, innovation and business processes support effectiveness across markets. You strengthen business communication, apply regional perspectives, and develop skills in business research and personal and professional growth.
Semester 2: Driving Global Growth
You explore how small-medium enterprises pursue international sustainable growth and how global supply chains and operational excellence support performance. You examine international financial risks and how communication and regional perspectives influence doing business globally. You learn to apply business research, strengthen your leadership skills, and take part in an International Week (project) to expand your global understanding.
Subjects:
Study load: 20 contact hours, 20 selfstudy hours | 60 ECTS per year
Minor subject (study abroad)
During your minor you focus on a specific subject or expand your knowledge by taking an additional subject. This allows you to truly take charge of your education by ‘customising’ your course.
You can take these minors on the NHL Stenden campus in the Netherlands or at one of the NHL Stenden Grand Tour locations in South Africa, Bali or Thailand. You can also choose from minors offered by other courses and universities of applied sciences via an Exchange programme – this is all part of broadening your academic skills.
Read more about the options available and where you can take your minors in the section below on minors and specialisations.
Internship
Putting your knowledge into practice in an internationally oriented company. You’ll carry out a research project that will prepare you for your graduation year. If you’ve already turned your dream for your own business into a reality, you could consider doing your internship in your own start-up. The Center for Entrepreneurship at NHL Stenden can advise you on how to do this.
60 ECTS per year
Strategic International Business Consultancy
You take on the role of consultant in preparation for your career post-graduation. You’ll work on group projects, advising national or international companies and developing your knowledge on specific subjects you can go on to specialise in as a career.
Graduation Project
Conclude your studies with a graduation project based on your profile research paper, in which you provide strategic advice to an international organisation. You carry out the research yourself and use your conclusions and recommendations to contribute to the company’s international ambitions.
Subjects:
60 ECTS per year
Study programme in Emmen
If you follow this programme in Emmen, much of your course in the first and second year will be given jointly with the Logistics Management programme. Therefore this programme is a bit more focused on operations & supply chain management.
Learn the basics of international business management and build cultural awareness while exploring how global developments influence organisations, people and markets. Discover how products and services can be launched internationally, and gain insights into how to monitor and manage company processes and finances.
Semester 1: The Business I – Understanding the Organisation
Discover how organisations operate in today's international business environment. You will build a strong foundation in management and organisational structures, economics, finance, international marketing and business communication. Learn how organisations make strategic decisions, position themselves in global markets and work across cultures. You will also develop your research, leadership and personal development skills, supported by language learning.
Semester 2: The Business II – Understanding the International Supply Chain
Explore how organisations create efficient and sustainable business processes. You will study marketing and logistics principles, operations design and supply chain management to understand how products, services and information move through international organisations. You will also learn about international sales and purchasing, and discover how businesses work with suppliers and customers around the world. Throughout the semester, you will continue to strengthen your research, leadership and personal development skills, supported by language learning.
Subjects:
Study load: 20 contact hours, 20 self-study per ECTS | 60 ECTS per year
Semester 1: Project Management & Sustainable Process Improvement
Learn how to manage projects and improve business processes in a structured and sustainable way. You will apply the LEAN DMAIC methodology to analyse, optimise and continuously improve operations while strengthening your financial insight. You will also explore Risk Management and International Organisational Behaviour & Change Management, gaining the skills to lead projects and support change in international organisations.
Alongside this, you will further develop your professional skills through Business Communication Mastery, Personal Development & Leadership, Research Methods and language learning. Together, these subjects prepare you to manage complex projects and contribute to sustainable business improvement.
Semester 2: Design & Innovation: International Trade, Globalisation and Sustainability
Discover how organisations develop innovative and sustainable strategies for international markets. You will explore Macro & Global Economics and learn how economic developments influence international business. Through different subjects, such as international law, you will understand the legal, ethical and strategic aspect of doing business across borders.
A key part of this semester is an international project. Working with students from partner universities, you will tackle a real business challenge and apply your knowledge in practice. This experience helps you develop your project management, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and presentation skills while preparing you for an international career.
Subjects:
Study load: 20 contact hours, 20 self-study hours per ECTS | 60 ECTS per year
Minor subject (study abroad)
During your minor you focus on a specific subject or expand your knowledge by taking an additional subject. This allows you to truly take charge of your education by ‘customising’ your course.
You can take these minors on the NHL Stenden campus in the Netherlands or at one of the NHL Stenden Grand Tour locations in South Africa, Bali or Thailand. You can also choose from minors offered by other courses and universities of applied sciences via an Exchange programme – this is all part of broadening your academic skills.
Read more about the options available and where you can take your minors in the section below on minors and specialisations.
Internship
Putting your knowledge into practice in an internationally oriented company. You’ll carry out a research project that will prepare you for your graduation year. If you’ve already turned your dream for your own business into a reality, you could consider doing your internship in your own start-up. The Center for Entrepreneurship at NHL Stenden can advise you on how to do this.
60 ECTS per year
Strategic International Business Consultancy
You take on the role of consultant in preparation for your career post-graduation. You’ll work on group projects, advising national or international companies and developing your knowledge on specific subjects you can go on to specialise in as a career.
Graduation Project
Conclude your studies with a graduation project based on your profile research paper, in which you provide strategic advice to an international organisation. You carry out the research yourself and use your conclusions and recommendations to contribute to the company’s international ambitions.
Subjects:
60 ECTS per year
Download the brochure to get a really useful one-page overview of the curriculum with a description of the modules and a list of subjects per year, the study load and the ECTS you can earn. Use it to compare the programme with other studies you’re interested in.
Minors and specialisations of International Business
In your third year of International Business, you get to specialise by taking a number of minors.
- Business Innovation & Marketing (Thailand)
An excellent opportunity to get familiar with Asian markets as you develop a feasible plan to introduce and market a product or service in Thailand and consequently the ASEAN region. - The Business Consultant (Bali)
Sharpen your financial literacy as you work with a client on a business problem. Covering skills from business research to calculating returns on investment, this minor will give you a head start when it comes to understanding business finances. - Impact in Action (Emmen)
In this minor, you will work on real business assignments. You will dive into challenges within the expertise of marketing, finance, logistics or international business, applying critical and problem-solving skills to deliver meaningful solutions for (international) companies. Applied Business Analytics (Leeuwarden)
This Minor provides a unique blend of qualitative and quantitative sets of knowledge, skills and attitude that enables the students to deal with real life problems and find them feasible solutions.
Practical approach of International Business
We aim to help you put theory into practice as quickly as possible. Through our educational concept, Design-Based Education (DBE), you work in small teams of students, teachers, researchers and industry professionals. You tackle current, real-life issues developing and adapting your visions and ideas to form a solid solution.
International opportunities
We want to prepare you for an international, intercultural, and ever-changing environment, so that you can dive into the unknown and gain experience in an international context. It is possible with our Grand Tour, Exchange programme or one of our mobility options offered by RUN-EU. Or you can choose to do your internship abroad. You’ll be able to put together the right combination of courses and internships to develop both your professional and personal skills – and develop your own network for the future.
International Projects
In each period, student groups work with international companies, visiting them where possible, to bring theory and practice together. During these international weeks, you also collaborate with students from our partner universities abroad, drawing on each other's perspective of the situation and developing your intercultural communication skills. You also take part in a student trade mission in which you work on behalf of a local company. You select suitable international trade partners by working with students from other universities, taking part in a trade fair and visiting potential business partners. You then assess which partners are of interest and why, and in so doing, help your client find a lucrative international trade partner.
Course Catalogue
Kiera's RUN-EU project in Ireland
Friederike's exchange in Germany
Louise's internship in Spain
Is this the degree for you?
If you're confident this degree is the one for you, then why not apply online straightaway? Or pick one of the other options to help you take the next step.
