International Business

NA On Campus Bachelors Program

Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

Program Overview

# International Business at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

## Program Overview

The International Business bachelor is an English-taught degree designed to develop entrepreneurial business professionals with a global mindset who can spot opportunities, think critically, and collaborate across cultures. From day one, you'll work on real-world business cases from actual companies, building practical skills in marketing, finance, operations, and organizational management while developing the intercultural competence and ethical awareness that employers demand.

## Curriculum Structure

First Year: Foundation and Real-World Immersion

You'll dive straight into business challenges from both local and international organizations, working either independently or in teams with students from different years. This foundation phase exposes you to the core business functions—Marketing & Sales, Finance & Accounting, Operations & Supply Chain Management, and Organisation & People—while building your collaborative skills and learning from peers with diverse backgrounds.

Second and Third Years: Specialization and International Experience

During these years, you'll deepen your expertise while choosing a specialization in marketing, finance, or sustainability. A critical part of this phase is your mandatory international internship semester abroad, where you'll immerse yourself in a different culture, expand your professional network, and experience international business in a real working environment. This experience isn't just theoretical—you're applying intercultural development, multidisciplinary thinking, and the ethical frameworks you've been building since year one.

Fourth Year: Capstone and Professional Launch

Your final year culminates in a graduation internship with an internationally oriented company, either in your home country or abroad. This is where everything converges: you'll work independently while receiving guidance from coaches, applying your accumulated knowledge, skills, and international experience to solve real business problems.

## Focus Areas

Marketing & Sales, Finance & Accounting, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Organisation & People — you'll develop expertise in these core business functions while choosing a specialization that aligns with your career goals.

## Learning Outcomes

You'll graduate as a professional who can work effectively across cultures, think critically about global economic and social challenges, demonstrate ethical and socially responsible business practices, and adapt confidently to changing international environments. The programme emphasizes intercultural development, multidisciplinary thinking, and personal responsibility—equipping you to succeed from day one in your career.

## Professional Alignment

The International Business programme holds the prestigious EPAS accreditation, a world-renowned quality seal for business and management programmes. Only the second study programme at a University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands to receive this distinction, EPAS accreditation reflects the programme's innovative pedagogy, excellent cooperation with the business world, and strong practical orientation. This credential significantly enhances your professional credibility and opens doors within a global network of high-quality business schools.

## Reputation and Employability

Zuyd's International Business programme is designed specifically around what employers are looking for in global professionals, with a strong track record of graduate success in international management, sustainable business, trade, and commerce roles. The programme's emphasis on real-world projects, hands-on learning, and extensive business partnerships ensures that your education directly translates to workplace readiness.

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Programme Link: https://www.zuyd.nl/en/programmes/international-business

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Zuyd's International Business programme in Maastricht, you'll gain practical skills right from day one by diving into real-world business cases from local and international companies, working solo or in teams with students from diverse backgrounds—just like in actual business settings. This hands-on approach, praised in the EPAS accreditation for its innovative pedagogy and strong ties to the business world, builds your entrepreneurial mindset, intercultural skills, and global perspective through collaboration and personal responsibility. You'll have access to dedicated facilities like computer workstations across buildings, a digital learning environment for assignments and teamwork, audiovisual gear for presentations and videos, and discounted software—plus the requirement to bring your own laptop with programme-specific specs.

Here's how experiential learning comes to life in this programme: real projects, internships, and top-notch tools designed for international business success:
- Real-world business challenges: Tackle cases from actual organisations from your first year, often in international teams to mirror global business environments and foster intercultural cooperation.
- Group projects and collaboration: Work in mixed-year teams on practical challenges, building skills in teamwork, critical thinking, and spotting opportunities in an English-taught international classroom.
- Internships: Built right into the curriculum as a key part of your studies, giving you outside-the-classroom experience with real companies to kickstart your career.
- Digital tools and IT support: Use Zuyd's digital learning platform for course materials, assignments, and classmate collaboration; get your own email, storage, printing, and ICT helpdesk support; borrow laptops, cameras, and projectors; access free or discounted software tailored to business needs.
- Dedicated facilities: Study in the cosy Maastricht building at Brusselseweg 150 with project workspaces, a community room for group work or downtime, computer labs, silent areas, library, printers, WiFi, and cafeteria—all in a vibrant, multicultural hub.

Applying to International Business at Zuyd is your ticket to this practical, globally connected education—spots fill fast, so let's get you started! Check the full facilities list here: https://www.zuyd.nl/en/about-zuyd/service-and-facilities

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Zuyd's International Business programme, you'll gain practical skills right from day one by diving into real-world business cases from local and international companies, working solo or in teams with students from diverse backgrounds—just like in actual business settings. This hands-on approach, inspired by cutting-edge research and strong ties with the business world, builds your entrepreneurial mindset, global perspective, and ability to tackle challenges collaboratively. You'll have access to dedicated spaces at our Maastricht campus on Brusselseweg 150 for group projects and relaxation, plus university-wide facilities like IT support, digital learning platforms, and audiovisual gear to bring your ideas to life.

Here's how experiential learning comes alive in the programme: through business challenges, internships, and international collaboration that prepare you for real careers.

- Real-world business challenges: Tackle cases from actual companies from your first year, often in teams with multinational classmates to simulate global teamwork and intercultural skills.
- Internships integrated into studies: Mandatory placements let you learn outside the classroom, building your professional network and applying skills in real businesses.
- Group projects and international classroom: Collaborate daily in English with half your peers from abroad, fostering diverse perspectives and hands-on problem-solving.
- Digital tools and IT facilities: Use Zuyd's digital learning environment for course materials, assignments, and collaboration; access computer workstations, your own email/storage, and discounted software (check programme specs for your laptop).
- Audiovisual equipment: Borrow cameras, laptops, projectors from the Servicedesk for presentations, videos, or interviews to enhance your projects.
- Centre for Sustainable International Business: Tap into this research hub for insights on global competence, sustainability, and ethical business practices aligned with your studies.

This is your chance to build a standout profile—apply now and see why our EPAS-accredited programme is turning students into global leaders. Check out the full facilities list here: [Zuyd Service and Facilities](https://www.zuyd.nl/en/about-zuyd/service-and-facilities).