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Unlocking global business: foundations for the future

Learn the main business topics and take your first steps as an entrepreneur. Discover how marketing, finance, logistics and strategic management are linked and how these areas work together in a company. This programme also gives you the chance to work on a practical case study and start your own business.

About the exchange programme

In this programme, you’ll explore how finance, marketing, logistics and international business work together within a company. You’ll apply your knowledge in a real-life case and develop your own startup — from idea to validated, sustainable business concept. Using tools like the Business Model Canvas, Scrum, and Design Thinking, you’ll learn to research markets, analyze competitors, build a Minimum Viable Product and pitch professionally. Strengthen your entrepreneurial mindset and turn your innovative ideas into real products!

Why this programme?

  • The programme focuses on real-world projects, preparing students for a future in business or entrepreneurship
  • It focuses on four business disciplines: finance, marketing, logistics and international business and how these disciplines are working together in real companies
  • Students gain insight in starting up their own company, make strategic business decisions and do market research to find their target group
 

 
 

 

 

Courses

Fall 2026

Fixed semester programme, consisting of 2 study blocks

UoL1: Getting familiar with business disciplines (15 ECTS)
Fundamentals of Financial Management
Understanding Markets and Customer Needs
Fundamentals of Logistics
International Strategic Management
Research Skills
Communication & Collaboration Skills
Digital Literacy & Media Competence
Case Study: Café Fresh – A Local Business Start-Up in Venlo

This unit helps students understand what businesses are for and explains the roles of different departments in daily work:

  • Finance & Control
  • International Business
  • Logistics
  • Marketing Management

    Students will learn how different parts of a business are connected and how they influence company decisions. They will use research methods and digital tools, such as Excel and PowerPoint, to collect, organise, and present business information.

    They will also learn to communicate and work well with others in a hybrid learning environment, building skills in teamwork and intercultural communication.

    This unit gives students a clear understanding of how businesses work and helps them develop important skills for making good business decisions.


    UoL2: Starting a Business     (15 ECTS)
    Finance & Cost Accounting
    Market Research & Sales Strategy
    Setting up Logistics
    Global Entrepreneurship
    Research Skills
    Communication & Collaboration
    Digital Literacy & Media Competence
    Project: Start up your own Business

    This unit guides students from basic business topics to starting their own company. After Study Block I, they now work as real business founders.
    Teams develop their company by finding opportunities, understanding customers, creating a product or service, testing it, and making a simple financial and strategic plan.

    Students create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), study the market, define their customers, and build a business model using tools such as the Business Model Canvas, Design Thinking and Lean Startup. Sustainability is included throughout.

    The unit ends with an Investor Pitch, where each team presents its idea, financials and customer insights to a panel of experts.
    By the end, students will have turned a basic idea into a tested business concept with a prototype, a clear customer group and the confidence to grow their startup.






     

     

    Admission requirements

    Level of English: Equivalent to IELTS 6.0

     

     

    How to apply as an exchange student

    Applications should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. If several versions of the programme are offered, please indicate for which version you would like to apply to (Programme I, Programme II, Programme III, etc.) This officer will send your application request (nomination) to Fontys. Once Fontys has accepted the application, your Fontys study department will send you a link to a web application called Mobility Online.

    Deadline for application

    Fall semester: 1 May
    Spring semester: 15 November

    Note: Not all exchange programmes are available every semester. To find out when this programme is offered, please check its specific details.

     

    How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?

    Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.

     

    Practical information

    Start moment(s)
    September, February
    Location
    Venlo
    ECTs
    30
    Language
    English
    Duration
    20 weeks

    Fontys does not provide scholarships for its exchange students.

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

    More information on practical matters

     

    Location and contact

    Venlo

    exchangevenlo@fontys.nl