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The BSc International Business is a three-year programme designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today's interconnected global economy. You'll explore international markets, cross-cultural management, and innovative business strategies while earning an internationally-recognized degree that opens doors to careers in multinational companies and beyond.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Foundations in International Business
Your first year establishes a solid foundation in the core disciplines of international business. You'll dive into fundamental courses like Financial Accounting for IB, Economics for IB, and International Marketing for IB, alongside essential training in Statistics I and Research Methodology. This introductory phase also includes intensive academic English training to prepare you for studies in an international environment.
Year 2: Building Expertise and Global Perspective
In your second year, you'll deepen your understanding of how business operates across borders. You'll take advanced courses such as Global Business History, Cross-cultural Management, and Innovation Management in Multinationals, which help you analyze real-world business cases and understand how values and differences between countries shape international commerce. This year builds on first-year concepts while introducing you to contemporary technology trends and financial management within global corporations.
Year 3: Specialization and International Experience
Your final year offers flexibility to shape your learning path. You'll complete a minor of your choice—whether that's studying abroad for a semester at one of over 200 exchange partners across 50 countries, completing an internship, or selecting from faculty minors in areas like Data Analytics or Entrepreneurship. This capstone year allows you to gain practical international experience while specializing in areas that align with your career goals.
Focus Areas
International management, economics, financial accounting, international marketing, international business law, cross-cultural management, and global political economy.
Learning Outcomes
You'll develop critical thinking about international markets, gain proficiency in analyzing business cases across different cultural and institutional contexts, master quantitative research methods, and build competency in strategic decision-making for multinational enterprises.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The programme holds AACSB and EQUIS accreditation, ensuring you receive a high-quality education that meets international standards.
Reputation (Employability)
Most International Business graduates pursue careers in large multinational companies responsible for major shares of world production and trade. The internationally-recognized degree from the University of Groningen also provides excellent opportunities for continuing your education at universities worldwide.
The BSc International Business programme is designed to immerse you in real-world business challenges from day one. Rather than sitting through purely theoretical lectures, you'll engage with practical applications of global commerce, cross-cultural management, and strategic decision-making. The programme combines academic rigor with hands-on learning experiences that prepare you directly for professional roles in multinational corporations, international organizations, and global enterprises.
Throughout your three years, you'll develop practical expertise through a carefully structured blend of interactive teaching methods and professional engagement:
- Team-based projects and discussions: You'll work collaboratively in small discussion groups and complete team projects that simulate real business scenarios, building both technical skills and essential workplace collaboration abilities
- Semester-long study abroad experience: In your third year, you'll study at one of over 200 exchange partners across 50 different countries, giving you firsthand experience in diverse business environments and cultures
- Supervised internship opportunity: Through the programme's integrated structure, you'll complete a professional internship where you apply classroom learning to actual business operations
- Guest speaker engagement: Industry professionals regularly visit to share current insights and real-world perspectives on international business challenges
- Research-focused coursework: Courses in Research Methodology, Qualitative Research Methods, and Research Design and Data Analytics equip you with the analytical tools used in professional business analysis
- Comprehensive programme preview: Before enrolling, you'll participate in the IB Programme Fit & Benchmarking Activity, which includes mini video lectures from professors and real course content, giving you an authentic preview of what studying here actually involves
The University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business provides comprehensive academic resources and facilities to support your international business studies. For detailed information about available libraries, research institutes, and other academic facilities supporting your programme, visit the university's facilities and resources pages.
At the University of Groningen's BSc in International Business, you'll dive into hands-on learning right from year one, building real-world skills through team projects, workshops, and interactive activities that mirror global business challenges. Courses like Organizational Behaviour, Cross-cultural Management, and Research Methodology emphasize group work and practical application, while your third year offers a full semester abroad at one of over 200 partner universities in 50 countries or an internship option to test your skills in a professional setting. This setup, combined with guest lectures and discussion groups, ensures you're not just studying theory—you're developing the confidence and tools to thrive in international roles.
Here are some standout experiential opportunities tailored to the program:
- Team projects and workshops: Dive into collaborative work on topics like International Marketing, Innovation Management in Multinationals, and Global Supply Chain Management, often with small discussion groups and guest speaker sessions.
- Study abroad or internship: In year 3, choose a 30 EC minor including study abroad at 200+ partners worldwide or an internship (mandatory in the related double degree path), plus thesis supervision back in Groningen.
- Research and data skills: Hands-on practice in Research Design and Data Analytics for IB, Qualitative Research Methods, and Statistics I/II, using real business data for projects and your Bachelor's Thesis.
- Benchmarking activity for applicants: Get a preview through the IB Programme Fit & Benchmarking Activity with mini lectures, readings, and tasks on key themes like globalization and international finance.
Imagine applying these experiences to launch your career—spots are limited (just 550 via numerus fixus), so apply soon via the program page to secure your place and start gaining that edge. For the full facilities list, check [University of Groningen BSc International Business](https://www.rug.nl/bachelors/international-business/?lang=en).
The BSc International Business is a fixed quota programme (numerus fixus) accepting only 550 students.Mathematics should have been passed as a standard/methods level subject in your secondary school education.The level of mathematics will need to be assessed by the Admissions Board.IELTS Academic overall score 6 (Speaking 6, Writing 5.5)TOEFL internet-based overall score 80 (Speaking 20, Writing 20)Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (overall score 169, Speaking 169, Writing 162)LanguageCert Academic: overall score 65 (min. 65 in Speaking, and 60 in Writing)Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 61 (min. 54 in Speaking, and 51 in Writing)Students have to apply online via Studielink and the Progress Portal.All applicants must submit the official BSc IB Fit & Benchmark web form to participate in the BSc IB Programme Fit & Benchmark Activity.Participate in the IB Programme Fit & Benchmarking Activity for selection.A minimum of 45 EC in the first 12 months (binding study advice).USA: Exemption from English language test if upper secondary qualification obtained or Bachelor's program completed.UK: Exemption from English language test if upper secondary qualification obtained or Bachelor's program completed, or at least 3 academic GCE A2-level certificates with grades A* to C.Ireland: Exemption from English language test if upper secondary qualification obtained or Bachelor's program completed.New Zealand: Exemption from English language test if upper secondary qualification obtained or Bachelor's program completed.Australia: Exemption from English language test if upper secondary qualification obtained or Bachelor's program completed.Canada: Exemption from English language test if upper secondary qualification obtained or Bachelor's program completed (English speaking provinces/territories).South Africa: Exemption from English language test if National Senior Certificate in combination with an IEB Advanced Programme Certificate in English (minimum 55%) or IEB Further Studies (Certificate) in English (minimum 55%).IB Diploma with the required Mathematics subject, and no specific minimum IB score is officially stated.A Level applicants need 3 GCE A-levels and 3 GCSE subjects with passing grades, including Mathematics at the required level.U.S. applicants are generally expected to have a strong High School Diploma with AP subjects and a competitive GPA equivalent to the Dutch VWO standard.Indian curriculum applicants need a Standard XII certificate equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma, including the required Mathematics background.Export managerInternational marketerInternational sales managerProduct managerHuman resources managerCSR managerBusiness/Data Analyst
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