International Business & Management Studies – (BBA)

Contents

Like all bachelor's degree programmes at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, the International Business and Management Studies is based on the major/minor model. The programme consists of a major subject (major) and a differentiation minor. The major focuses on Business and Management studies. It covers all the competencies necessary to be a professional in an international business environment. These courses will be covered in your first and second year of the programme. The differentiation minor will allow you to build your own study profile in line with your own personal interests and ambitions, enabling you to distinguish your degree from the others. Minors can include specialist business courses, a second language, cultural studies, and more.

What subjects are covered in the programme?

The IBMS programme covers a wide range of subjects, including Accounting and Finance, Business Organization, Business Information Systems, Business Communication, Quantitative Analysis for Business, International Marketing, Introduction to Trade Law and to European Law, Economics, Professional Development, Human Resource Management, European Business and Strategic Change, International Corporate Strategy, European Business Environment, Business Ethics, Career Orientation and Logistics. This programme is competency based. In close co-operation with our business partners, we have drawn up a profile of professional competencies deemed necessary to enter employment in an international business environment as a starting professional. Alongside competencies in all the relevant fields of business, you will work intensively on so-called generic competencies, such as multicultural communication, leadership, planning and organisation. For each year of your programme, there is a required level to achieve in each of the competencies.

How is the four-year curriculum laid out?

The IBMS programme combines theory and practice. Each year is divided into two 20 week semesters or into four terms. Classes are competency-based and designed to support the theme of each term. As well as attending classes and participating in workshops, you will work intensively in small multicultural teams solving real-world business cases.

First and second year

The first two years of the IBMS programme are designed to give you a sound foundation in business. The classes are not only essential to understanding how international business works, but also to understanding how to work in an international environment. There are large projects, including "Go International" or "Manage the Challenge". These are supported by classes such as business communication, business organisation and management, finance, marketing, and ethics and culture.

As you progress through your foundational courses, you will develop basic business competencies, as well as intercultural communication skills.

Third year

You will do a work placement. The work placement will allow you to practise the knowledge and experience you have gained over the previous two years.
Work placement can be completed anywhere in the world. You will work for a real international company for five months. Your student advisors will stay in close contact with you and your employer to ensure that all involved parties are benefiting from the experience. In the second half of your third year you can follow a minor of the IBMS programme.

Another possibility is to follow a double degree programme at one of our partner institutions in the world (see partner institutes) or follow the exchange programme at one of our partner schools. This year abroad will provide our IBMS students a broadening and deepening of the knowledge and skills. The emphasis of the programme is placed on gaining a thorough knowledge of the host country's culture. Together with the course director, the IBMS-student will compose a study programme within the frame of requirements formulated by the partner schools as a condition to obtaining their degree as well as the one of the home institution.

Final year

The final year of IBMS will focus on the specialisation of your degree. The first semester is open to select another minor course or to complete the placement in an international environment if you've followed the double degree programme. The minors include Human Resources Management; International Management; International Trade China; Asian Business Studies; Corporate Finance; Doing Business in a Global Environment; Psychology at Work; Doing Business in an digital age and the minor Global Economy in Transition.