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Master
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International Business (Business Administration)

The study programme

The study programme of the International Business (IB) track focuses on the ways that organisations can engage in international business, highlighting how countries differ systematically in terms of resource endowments, market opportunities, and institutional, cultural and regulatory frameworks.

The programme

International Business is one of the tracks of the Master's Business Administration. During your Master's you will follow 5 general courses and 3 track-specific courses. You will finish with a thesis. If you have a fundamental drive to challenge the corporate environment, you can participate in one of our Honours programmes.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Ethics and the Future of Business
    4

    The purpose of this course is to explore the trends, core concepts, theories, and approaches of business ethics and corporate sustainability. The course is divided into a general part and a track-specific part.

  • Theories of International Business
    6

    The course explores the basic concepts of international business. Learn about the international business environment, foreign direct investment, global governance, and home and host countries' influence on stakeholders at home and abroad. Become familiar with the increasingly multifaceted and interdependent nature of international business.

  • Business Seminar and Managerial Skills
    4
  • Managerial Skills
    —
  • International Business Context
    6

    Expanding Theories of International Business’s macro-level analyses, this course further Further explores core topics in international business and corporate governance. In their strategic choices, firms must consider cultural, institutional and regulatory factors. Some of the questions you will research and discuss are: what are the main contextual factors that influence strategic choices? How do nations differ in terms of their (in)formal institutions and national business systems? What are the cross-country cultural models? How is corporate governance practiced in different countries.

  • International Strategy
    6

    Expanding Theories of International Business’s micro-level analyses, this course examines the challenges that managers face in identifying strategies and tools to help their companies be successful abroad. Although MNEs like Toyota, IBM and Nestlé are extremely successful in their international operations, foreign ventures often fail, like Wal-Mart in Germany, underscoring the complexity of international strategy. Examples of questions you will address include: why do firms become multinational? How do they select host countries? What strategies can they follow to manage foreign operations?

  • Thesis Proposal International Business
    4

    This course is meant to support you in writing you research proposal for you Master's thesis. During the course, you will learn how to change a general topic into a specific research proposal.

  • Business Seminar and Professional Skills
    2

    To prepare you for your professional career, this course is a combination of a series of corporate guest lecturers in Royal Theatre Carré and an offering of professional skills training e.g. Presentation Skills, Programming with Python and more.

  • Restricted-choice electives: Professional Skills
    —

    - Career Preparation - Data Analysis and Visualisation - Dutch Language - Personal Branding & Networking - Programming with Python - Public Speaking and Presenting

  • Restricted-choice electives: Methods-Workshops
    2
  • Restricted-choice electives: Analysis-Workshop
    2
  • Restricted-choice electives: Business Lab Electives
    12

    In The Business Lab, you can choose from a wide selection of electives we call business labs. Each one is connected to a corporate partner. You will be challenged to solve real-world business issues, working in international teams and presenting your solution to the company.

  • Master’s Thesis International Business
    12
Compulsory course
Elective
Specialisation
Send me the course schedule + programme summary Check more detailed information about the specific courses in the course catalogue

Honours programmes

Highly motivated students can participate in the MSc Business Administration Honours programmes Sustainability or Data Driven Management. These challenging programmes are a great chance to stand out for future employers.

The International Business specialisation offers an in-depth knowledge on European businesses and climates. I feel well prepared to advance in business environments. Arda Elma - track International Business Read about Arda's experiences with this Master's
Experience the programme
'Through highly interactive lectures, my goal is to challenge and inspire students to achieve excellence and rigor, in a friendly and supporting environment’ Ilir Haxhi, Associate Professor of Strategy & International Business
Real-life case: International tensions in the global semiconductor industry

Over the last few decades, the semiconductor industry has become an essential part of the economy. For this case, you will assume that you are a team of consultants hired by a Dutch semiconductor company, tasked with developing a full recommendation for an international expansion strategy. 

Frequently asked questions