International Management (IB semester 4)

Enjoy "International Management" at Fontys

The business environment is becoming more and more international. Competition is getting tougher and is increasingly coming from companies all over the world, consumer influence is on the rise, the sharing economy is emerging, the role of brick-and-mortar is changing, production is outsourced to companies in other countries to reduce costs, while political and economic developments make national borders less relevant than ever. Modern means of communication open up new possibilities to broaden the field of business and require companies to adapt their way of doing business and to be socially smart. These are just some of the developments that create new challenges and opportunities for young professionals who are preparing for a successful career in international business. Are you ready to face these challenges and seize these opportunities?

The aim of this programme is to empower you, in your role as a management consultant, to advise companies how to overcome these challenges and seize opportunities. The main emphasis is on subjects such as E-Marketing, Global Supply Chain Management, Financial Management and Management Accounting and Organisational Change and a Management Consulting project for a real company. Management consulting refers to the practice of helping organisations to improve their performance, primarily through a thorough analysis of existing business problems and development of plans for improvement. At an organisational level, there is a need to resolve complex problems. Working as a consultant requires a diverse set of skills, as well as knowledge and strategies to put tools and processes to best use. In this programme, you will learn how to become a successful consultant and develop the appropriate skills.

This International Management programme, taught in English, is offered in Eindhoven. Eindhoven and the surrounding area are known as the Brainport Region. We are delighted to be part of this region. Living and studying in this region offers you an excellent springboard for a successful career in International Business and Management. A few years ago, the American think tank ‘Intelligent Community Forum’ has described the Brainport Region as the ‘world’s smartest region’. Who does not want to be part of that?!

This programme is a component (semester 4) of the bachelor programme “International Business (IB)” at Fontys School of Business and Communication (FSBC) in Eindhoven. The total workload for this programme is 30 ECTS credits, duration is 1 semester. All courses have to be taken in order to achieve the full credits. It is not possible to combine courses from different programmes. This semester programme consists of eight subjects and a management consulting project. Prior knowledge of these subjects may be required. For a more detailed description of the courses including lecture planning, please download the programme via the button below.

In short, the following courses have been defined:

1. Consultancy Project (or as an Alternative Applied ICT Consultancy Project) (7 ECTS)

During this project, you will work in a group of four to six students on a project in which you provide organisations with consultancy services. The organisations in question will be state-of-the-art organisations in the Brainport Region, operating in various business sectors. While executing this project, you will develop your ability to work according to plan, formulate milestones, control the progress and adjust planning if neccessary as well as your ability to advise management to take preferred actions, balancing active and reactive positions in the company. To equip you with the knowledge and skills to successfully execute the consultancy project, you will attend various workshops on consultancy skills.

2. Economics (3 ECTS)

In this subject you will be dealing with the theory and practice of international trade and financial markets.

3. Business Process Management 4 (3 ECTS)

Business Process Management 4 teaches you the necessary skills and techniques needed to operate as a so-called Lean Manufacturing Green Belt, how to apply the various tools and methodologies applicable at the Green Belt level and how to use the performance management tool Balanced Scorecard (BSC).

4. Financial Management (3 ECTS)

Financial Management and Management Accounting are different though related fields of study. They both aim to provide management with tools to enhance value for investors in the company they represent. In this context the focus of Financial Management is more external in nature and addresses the relation of the company and the financial markets vital for its funding. The focus of Management Accounting is more internal and deals with the process of collecting, modifying and analyzing information to aid decision making.

5. Business Communication 6 (2 ECTS)

During this course you will improve your command of English and prepare for future job applications.

6. E-Marketing (4 ECTS)

In this module you will work on several assignments that help you understand and apply basic search engine optimization tools to commercial B2B websites, understand and use Google Analytics and craft an executive level E-Marketing strategy presentation.

7. Sales Skills (2 ECTS)

After a short introduction on the essence of sales management, the most important aspects of sales management will be discussed: the planning of sales team efforts and the staffing and directing of a sales team.

8. Business Process Management 5 (3 ECTS)

This course improves your ability to identify the importance of organisational behaviour, describe the main techniques of organisational development and change and identify the key aspects of organisational learning and to advise business on how to improve.

9. Business Research 4 (3 ECTS)

In several lessons you will work on your ability to design a valid scientific research project, write, present and defend the associated research proposal and perform inferential statistics.

Learning outcomes

After having completed this programme you will, among other, be able to consult result real businesses on a real problem. You will also be fully equipped to help companies improve their E-Marketing activities, optimize their supply chain and implement organisational change. Apart from that, your command of English will be greatly improved and you will be better able to present yourself to future employers and cooperate with people from different cultural backgrounds in an international environment.

Target audience & Entry level

The level of this programme is advanced. To participate in this programme, students must have completed two years of study in International Business. In addition, well-developed cooperation and communication skills will be essential.

Exchange students are expected to have a good command of English. It is not compulsory to provide us with a Proof of English proficiency.

For more detailed information about practical matters, such as financial matters, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation, please click on the button below.