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.
Module 1: Explore International Business
Learn the basics of business management and cultural awareness, looking into how organisations and their employees work together.
Module 2: Marketing Across the Globe
Explore how products and services can be launched internationally and how needs can be met in different markets.
Module 3: Operations Management
Learn about the processes involved in company management,
including supply chain management.
Module 4: International Financial Management
Find out about the financial aspects of a business and how to identify and assess financial risk.
Subjects:
Study load: 20 contact hours, 20 selfstudy hours | 60 ECTS per year
If you follow this programme in Emmen, much of your course in the first year will be given jointly with the Logisitics Management programme.
Semester 1: International Business Planning
Develop your insights and skills by tackling complex issues from the
international and national business arenas.
Semester 2: International Business Strategy
Increase your understanding by taking elective subjects to expand
your knowledge in areas that particularly interest you. You’ll also
go on field trips to consolidate your skills.
- Personal Professional Development
- Project work
- International field trip
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
During your internship, you will carry out a research assignment which prepares 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. - Critical Thinking & Data-Driven Decision Making (Leeuwarden, the Netherlands)
This minor brings together qualitative and quantitative knowledge and skills. It covers data collection and analysis, critical thinking and decision-making approaches, so that students can analyse real-life problems and find feasible solutions. - Doing Business In China (China)
A unique opportunity to explore Chinese business culture first-hand, equipping you with cultural and language skills and business insights for understanding product needs for the Chinese market, business culture and corporate strategy. - 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.
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
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.
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.