For you?
How do international corporations, banks and multinationals create value across borders and cultures? How can organisations contribute to a connected global community? By earning the International Business (IB) degree, you can make a difference in the world and build an international career.
We call it business in a global context. In this programme, you learn how business really works in a world where cultures meet, markets shift and decisions have global impact. You study in a classroom with students and lecturers from more than 40 countries and become part of a close-knit international community where you can learn and grow together while building a global network.
The IB programme prepares you for a successful international business career anywhere in the world. You build strong foundations in economics, marketing, sales, finance, operations, supply chain and management, while developing the skills to move confidently between cultures and business environments.
Lectures, workshops and projects provide in-depth knowledge and experience working in international teams. In the three year programme, you can choose to apply your knowledge during an in-company placement, a semester-long internship at an international organisation, which is one of three options available in that semester. All students complete a final graduation project, in which you develop a professional solution to a real business challenge for a company or organisation.
Admission requirements
Required qualification
| Preliminary education | Required profile |
|---|---|
| Havo (senior general secondary education) | Does not qualify for admission |
| Vwo (pre-university education) |
|
| Mbo (senior secondary vocational education and training) | Does not qualify for admission |
This programme also offers a 4-year track
If you have an academic background comparable to the Dutch HAVO level, you might want to consider enrolling for the 4-year track of this degree programme instead. Check out this website for more information about the 4-year programme.
You have a non-Dutch diploma
To enrol for the IB 3 year programme you will need a secondary school diploma comparable to a Dutch VWO diploma and have a good command of Mathematics and English. The most suitable VWO profile is E&S.
Before we can decide on your eligibility, we’ll need to assess your secondary school certificate.
To make sure your certificate is evaluated fairly, we work with NUFFIC, an organisation that specialises in the assessment of international education qualifications.
Language requirements
If you were not educated in the Netherlands you usually have to submit a language test to be admitted. Depending on the type and country of your diploma you may however qualify for exemption. Please check our entry requirements page for more information.
Decisions regarding your qualification for admission
There are no exceptions to the official admission requirements. The Enrolment Office is the only party that can make decisions regarding your qualification for admission based on official regulations. You can’t rely on any other sources of information for your qualification for admission.
Programme content
What will you study each year?
Working methods
Lectures, workshops, self-study, group activities and projects
During the programme, you not only gain knowledge, you also learn how to develop into a business professional. Initially you will mainly attend lectures and workshops, while later you will gain more work experience, for example through an internship. You also work on a project every semester, first in groups and later individually.
The International Business programme uses a variety of teaching methods to help students develop both academic knowledge and professional skills. Throughout the programme students learn through lectures, workshops, self-study, group activities and projects.
Lectures introduce key concepts and theories in areas such as marketing, finance, economics and management. Workshops allow students to apply this knowledge through discussions, case studies and practical assignments.
Project-based learning plays an important role in the programme. Each semester students work on a project in which they analyse business challenges and develop solutions. At the beginning of the programme these projects are mainly completed in groups, helping students learn how to collaborate in international teams. Later in the programme students also work more independently.
In addition to lectures and projects, students spend time on self-study to prepare assignments and deepen their understanding of the course material. Later in the programme students gain practical experience through internships, where they apply their knowledge in a real business environment.
Degree programme in figures
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Continue studying
After your bachelor’s degree, you do not have to stop studying. At The Hague University of Applied Sciences, you can choose from several postgraduate programmes or master’s degrees that align well with International Business, such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA), the Master of Financial Management and Control, the Master in Data-Driven Business and the Master in Sustainability Transitions.
Graduates may also choose to continue their studies at other universities in the Netherlands or abroad. For example, students who wish to specialise further in accounting can pursue a master’s degree in accounting at a research university. Continuing your studies allows you to deepen your expertise and prepare for more specialised roles in international business.
Testimonials from our students
Who better to tell about the degree programme than our own students? They share their experiences here. Some of them are also ready and waiting to answer any questions you may have.
Testimonials from our alumni
What lies in store after studying International Business? Our former students tell us where they ended up and how they look back on their study years.
Testimonials from our lecturers
Our lecturers make a quick introduction and tell you more about the degree programme and the classes that they teach.
Practical information
What else do you need to know?
How to apply
Your enrolment request must be submitted through Studielink. Before you do, please check the official name of the programme below. Would you like to find out more about the application process first? Check our page How to apply . The key deadlines are listed here as well. This degree programme starts in September and there is no intake in February.
Tuition fee
You will have to pay tuition fees when you enrol on a bachelor's programme. You can pay in one or more instalments. If you pay in more than one instalment a small administration fee is charged.
More information about tuition fees
Scholarships
Find out more about scholarships for international students. Please note that these scholarships are one-off scholarships only, meaning that if you obtain them it is only for your first year of study.
Student finance
Dutch students qualify for extra financial support via a loan. Dutch students automatically qualify for this financial assistance and international students may be eligible if they have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years or are employed for at least 56 hours per month.
Additional Costs
You must also budget for books, excursions and field trips. You can expect to pay approximately €800 per year to cover these additional costs. During your semester abroad, you will also need to pay for tickets, housing and insurance.
Visa and residence permit
Help in choosing your study
We would like to help you make the right decision
It takes a bit of thought and research to find the right programme. The Hague University of Applied Sciences organizes various activities throughout the year to give you the best possible idea of the various studies offered. You also learn what it’s like to study at THUAS. This way, you can click on the registration button without a doubt in mind. Or you’ll know for certain it’s not right for you.
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Assistance during your studies
Mentoring, coaching and advice
As an IB student you’ll be paired with a mentor to support your personal and professional development on and off campus. In year one, your mentor can act as a sounding board and help you settle in as you leave home and get used to an international classroom and the Dutch culture. Later on, mentors can support your academic growth, help you face any challenges and be on hand during semesters abroad and internships.
For more information about student counsellors/student psychologists, high-performance sports, Dutch language support or studying with a functional disability, go to our page about support during your studies.
Official details of the programme
This degree programme is registered in Registration of Institutions and Programmes (RIO):
- Official Dutch name of degree programme: International Business
- Official international name: International Business
- Programme code (Isat): 30029
- Institution code (Brin): 27UM
Both the official Dutch and the official international name of the degree programme (current at the time of your graduation) will be printed on your diploma.
For more information on the accreditation of this degree programme, see the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) website.
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