Course content
Join us in shaping a better, more sustainable business world! We don't just teach business theory—we empower you to create value on multiple fronts! Here's how:
Each module integrates the concept of Multiple Value Creation. There’s more than just maximizing profit; you’ll also learn how to contribute positively to society and the environment. Get ready for hands-on projects where you’ll tackle real business challenges. From sustainable marketing campaigns to ethical financial decisions, you’ll explore ways to create value for all stakeholders.
As an international business professional, you’ll navigate diverse cultures and perspectives. By understanding different value systems, you’ll become adept at creating meaningful impact across borders.
- Tuition € 2.530
per year (50% reduction for first-year EU/EEA students)
- Tuition € 8.600
per year for non-EU students
- Additional costs € 300 - € 500
for books
What will you be learning?
The Bachelor programme covers all four essential domains of Business Administration, both theoretical and practical including:
- Marketing & Sales
- Finance & Accounting
- Operations & Supply Chain Management
- People & Organisation
During the four-year course, we expect you to acquire thorough theoretical knowledge and practical experience in all four business domains, and you will become the expert in connecting and balancing the different interests and roles within companies in practical cases.
International Business at Saxion is unique due to its hands-on work experience and the possibility to tailor your specialisation to your own talent and interests; the perfect preparation for your international career.
At the School of Finance and International Business we call ourselves “Investors in meaningful business”. We see that companies that are not focused on added value to society are going to find it increasingly difficult. Companies are increasingly called on by consumers to add value for a better world.
Companies will need a new breed of international business professionals; individuals who are able to help organisations internationalise (more sustainably and responsibly) and thus cope with and flourish in a rapidly changing international business environment at a tactical and strategic level, with intercultural sensitivity.
THE FIRST YEAR
A solid theoretical basis of international business and management
In the first year, you gain a solid basis of international business and management. You will acquire knowledge of Marketing & Sales, Financial Accounting, Cultures, Operations & Supply Chain Management and People & Organisation. The approach is very practical, as real company assignments form the heart of the education from the first day of your study. Every quarter you work in groups on a different business challenge where you have the role of a profession you could end up in as an International Business professional (e.g. junior marketeer or supply chain officer). In addition, you will also work on developing your professional skills.
Study load
- 40% Theory
- 50% Practical and group work
- 10% Study career coaching
More about the study structure
Would you like more information about the content, courses and tests of this program within the various years? Click on the button and view this training in the Saxion Course Catalog for detailed information.
Open Course CatalogueThe second year
Deepening knowledge and skills and choice in electives
In the second year, your knowledge and experience will be deepened and you will work on increasingly complex and integrated business challenges. You will also have the opportunity this year to broaden your interests by choosing one of the elective modules a.o. Doing business with Asia, E-commerce, Entrepreneurship or Leadership & change management.
Honours Programme
From the second year, you will have the opportunity to qualify for a Saxion Honours Programme. This will allow you to develop your talents even further in order to speed up your progress to a university programme.
Subjects in the second year
- Business Challenge: sustainable transformer
- International HRM & International Relationship Management
- Management Accounting & Business Process Management
- Sustainable International Business & Ethics
- Business challenge: Business Generator
- Immersion in Languages & Cultures
- Management of Technology and Innovation
- Digital Marketing, Business Analytics & Data Visualisation
- Electives
- Business communication
- Business research
- Personal and professional development
Specialisations
In year 2 you will get acquainted with the following electives:
| Year 2 quarter 3 | Year 2 quarter 4 |
| Cultures and communication when doing business with Asia 1 (5EC) | Cultures and communication when doing business with Asia 2* (5EC) |
| Spanish language and cultures for business practice 1 (5EC) | Spanish language and cultures for business practice 2* (5EC) |
| The sustainable and lean start-up (5EC) | New venture building and scale-up** (5EC) |
| E-commerce, branding and positioning (5EC) | The innovative supply chain (5EC) |
| Accounting information systems and risk management (5EC) | Leadership and change management (5EC) |
* Required pre-knowledge of course 1
**Required pre-knowledge of the sustainable and lean start-up
The cultures and communication when doing business with Asia 1 and 2 modules focus on equipping you with linguistic and cultural skills essential for working in and conducting business in and with Asian countries. Through this module, you also gain a basic proficiency in Mandarin, while also developing a nuanced understanding of cultural nuances and business practices specific to the region.
In the sustainable and lean start-up module you focus on spotting opportunities for viable multiple value creation. Key in our approach is the focus on intrinsic (personal means, drivers and preferences) and extrinsic (trends, market and stakeholders) motivations for setting up a business as force of doing well and good. By means of the proven lean start-up methodology you will create desirable value proposition(s) at the heart of your designed and validated sustainable business model (with economic, ecological and social durability).
In the new venture building and scale-up module you will focus on crafting a detailed venture plan, covering registration, launch, and adaptive strategies to turn the sustainable business model into a desirable reality. You will learn to convincingly communicate, navigate and solve problems in the new venture while defining and executing growth strategies for scale-up. The course also emphasizes personal branding, networking, and self-awareness, hence assisting you in identifying strengths, weaknesses. This enables your future courses of action for personal development and the success of the launched venture.
Building upon your foundational marketing and sales knowledge you will delve into designing and executing online commerce, understanding the significance of digital branding strategies, and the art of positioning your products and/or services online. You get ready to master the strategies and practices that drive success in the digital marketplace.
The innovative supply chain module equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement smart and durable solutions in supply chain dynamics. This includes new strategies and technologies that transform traditional supply chains to be adapted to new trends and stakeholder demands.
Data is like the lifeblood of any organization, essential for decision making and its functioning. It is what the organization collects, processes, stores, and shares as useful information with both inside and outside users. This module focuses on how organizations manage data, use IT tools like Exact Online Handel Premium and Excel for processing, analysis, and reporting, and how this information is crucial for effective and efficient business processes. In doing so, this module bridges financial accounting with the controlling aspects of accounting information systems and its relation to managing risks.
The leadership and change management module is tailored to equip you with the essential skills and insights needed to lead effectively in dynamic organizational environments. You delve into the theories, skills and practices of advanced leadership, emphasizing strategies for starting, managing and driving positive change within an organization on strategic, team and individual level.
The third year
(International) practice: deepen your knowledge and refine your skills in various practical assignments
The third year is dedicated to your internship and the Saxion interdisciplinary semester, where you will apply your knowledge in a practical, interdisciplinary setting with students from other Saxion courses. During this same semester you will also follow the Strategic Management module.
In our International Business (IB) programme, after year 2, a minimum of one semester must be spent abroad. Whether during your internship, minor, or graduation. You also have the option to undertake all three experiences abroad if you so choose.
THE FOURTH YEAR
Moving into the fourth year, you will engage in a minor or study abroad, e.g., at one of our 85 partner universities across the world. You will conclude your study programme with an individual final assignment at an internationally oriented organization.
Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration
After graduating, you'll have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Your 4-year English-language degree in a multicultural environment, proficiency in all relevant business disciplines, plus at least six months abroad make you an appealing candidate for various companies, including multinationals, financial institutions, logistic companies, consultancy firms, and NGOs.