Study international business in Groningen to learn about international markets, cross-cultural management, and innovative business strategies, all essential in today's interconnected world.
What strategies do multinational corporations use to balance profitability and (environmental) sustainability in their international operations? How do cultural perceptions vary, and how can companies address these differences in their international operations? In the BSc International Business, you will learn to understand these challenges, and how to deal with them.
In Groningen, the programme is all about bridging management theories with real-life situations faced by international organizations worldwide. We take a holistic teaching approach. We incorporate multiple perspectives from sociology, ethics and sustainable management, marketing, technology innovation, psychology, economics, politics, and finance into the core subjects. But that is not all – theory comes to life as you put your learning into practice. That is why you work on real-life assignments and case studies and you get the opportunity to choose for an internship or a study exchange in your third year.
Is this programme for you? You like to learn about cultures and countries and how they shape our global business landscape. You are looking for a truly international, diverse and challenging study where you can develop yourself and gain the competencies to prosper in your career. You aspire to work in an international setting, working for a multinational firm, governmental institution or international organization. But above all, you are interested in the very broad range of issues that make doing business different from country to country.
Important to know: The BSc International Business is a fixed quota programme (numerus fixus) accepting only 550 students. The application deadline for September 2025 was 15 January 2025. Please check the information about the selection procedure .
The Bachelor of International Business at the University of Groningen was an amazing opportunity for me to build a multicultural network while benefiting from a steep and exciting learning curve. This program enhanced my critical and analytical skills, making me equally competent to tackle individual tasks and be a responsible team player. In my experience, this bachelor's program gets better with each passing year, and excitement peaks at the stage where you have to either study abroad or do an internship. This academic experience is beautifully complemented by the vibrant city of Groningen, where learning seamlessly intertwines with having fun.
The first year starts with an intensive introductory programme to get you started on the right foot. You learn about the main theories and how they are applied in real-world international business situations. Also, you get introduced to topics such as international production, innovation, marketing, supply chain, finance, sustainable management accounting and corporate social responsibility. In courses like statistics and research methodology, you learn how to describe and interpret data.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Global Supply Chain Management (5 EC) | ||||
| Introduction to International Business (5 EC) | ||||
| Organizational Structure (5 EC) | ||||
| Academic and Professional Development (5 EC) | ||||
| Financial Accounting (5 EC) | ||||
| Organizational Behaviour (5 EC) | ||||
| Economics (5 EC) | ||||
| International Marketing (5 EC) | ||||
| Statistics I (5 EC) | ||||
| International Trade and Competition (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Methodology (5 EC) | ||||
| Sustainable Management Accounting (5 EC) | ||||
In the second year, core courses build upon and enrich concepts introduced in the first year. You study today's technology trends and how they can influence the business world. You analyze business cases to learn about the role and meaning of values and differences in values between countries. Also, you delve deeper into the role of financial management within the corporation. To get a full picture of what it is to work in the international business field, you take courses in ethics, innovation management, investment theory, international business law and political economy. You will attend classes and lectures by guest speakers, participate in small discussion groups, work on team projects, and attend workshops and seminars.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Digital Transformation in IB (5 EC) | ||||
| Firm Location and FDI (5 EC) | ||||
| Fundamentals of Finance for IB (5 EC) | ||||
| Ethics and International Business (5 EC) | ||||
| Global Business History (5 EC) | ||||
| Statistics II (5 EC) | ||||
| Comparative Country Studies (5 EC) | ||||
| Innovation Management in Multinationals (5 EC) | ||||
| Qualitative Research Methods (5 EC) | ||||
| Cross-cultural Management (5 EC) | ||||
| Global Political Economy (5 EC) | ||||
| International Business Law (5 EC) | ||||
Ready to take the next step? In the first semester, you can choose to spend a semester abroad at one of our many partner universities in Europe, Latin America, Australia, North America, or Asia, where you choose electives that together encompass your minor. You also have the option to do an International Business Internship minor and gain practical experience. After that, you return to campus, where you finish the last courses, write your thesis and work on delivering a business plan where you integrate the knowledge of managing international business organizations.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Study abroad (= exchange minor) or International Business Internship (30 EC) | ||||
| Empirical Research Project (5 EC) | ||||
| International Strategic Management (5 EC) | ||||
| Bachelor's Thesis (10 EC) | ||||
| International Financial Management (5 EC) | ||||
| Managing International Business Organizations (5 EC) | ||||
In the 3rd year, the vast majority of the IB students spend one semester (30EC) abroad at one of our exchange partners in the third year. For an overview of university partners, please visit https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/exchange/ During this exchange, students can elect courses and build their own minor.
wiskunde A of wiskunde B;The profile Culture & Society must be complemented with mathematics A or B.
It is also possible to enter the programme with an HBO propaedeutic certificate, on condition that you meet the required level of mathematics and the English language skills. For mathematics, you must at least have completed A or B (previously mathematics A12 or B1) at Dutch VWO level. For English, you must also have completed this at VWO level or obtained one of the English certificates: IELTS Academic overall score 6 (Speaking 6, Writing 5.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 20); C1 Advanced (with minimum score 169).
You can enroll, as long as you have a finished VWO-degree with mathematics A or B.
Students with a Dutch diploma can start their application in Studielink. More information on the steps to apply.
This programme has a numerus fixus with a maximum of 550 attendees a year.
The BSc International Business is a fixed quota programme (numerus fixus) accepting only 550 students. The application deadline for September 2025 was 15 January 2025. If you have applied on time, please check the information about the selection procedure.
Please check the information about the selection procedure: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/numerus-fixus-bsc-ib/
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 January 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 15 January 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 15 January 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
To meet the general entry-level requirements, you will need an educational background equivalent to the Dutch pre-university education (VWO). For an overview of VWO-equivalent qualifications, please check https://www.rug.nl/vwo-equivalent-qualifications. If you have any questions concerning admission to the programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions. |
| additional subject |
Mathematics should have been passed as a standard/methods level subject in your secondary school education. Please note that the level of mathematics will need to be assessed by the Admissions Board. |
| language test |
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). |
Students have to apply online via Studielink and the Progress Portal (replacing the previous system, Online Application System OAS) of the University of Groningen. After you apply for the programme of your choice, the Admissions Office will evaluate your educational background and assess your eligibility. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis. More information on how to apply .
This programme has a numerus fixus with a maximum of 550 attendees a year.
The BSc International Business is a fixed quota programme (numerus fixus) accepting only 550 students. The application deadline for September 2025 was 15 January 2025. If you have applied on time, please check the information about the selection procedure.
Please check the information about the selection procedure: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/numerus-fixus-bsc-ib/
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 January 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 15 January 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 15 January 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
International Business is a broad programme that forms a solid foundation to pursue a broad range of Master's degrees. You could build on your Bachelor's with a Master's degree in International Business and Management, which will give you the credentials to work for a multinational firm, governmental institutions and international organizations. Or you might choose to specialize in Economic Development and Growth, Marketing, Financial Management, or HRM, for example.
Plenty of multinationals will be interested in students with an academic degree in business. Your position within this kind of organization can vary from export manager or international marketer to international sales manager, product manager, or human resource manager. But numerous other career opportunities await. This, of course, depends on the choices you make during and after the International Business programme.
Many organizations also offer traineeships and junior positions which will introduce you to different types of activities. If you were to choose a two-year Research Master's you could also move into academia, perhaps decide to go further and earn a PhD.
Top 5 sectors IB graduates work
Examples of organizations: ING, PwC, EY, Toyota, Philips, Unilever, Ministery of Economic Affairs and Climate. Source: FEB Graduates report edition 2021 (nr. of respondents 117)
Our research-driven education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. At the heart of our teaching approach is (interdisciplinary) research and, in collaboration with external partners, students and professors conduct projects on societally relevant topics such as healthy society and the economics of healthcare systems, digitalization and how AI is shaping business and societies, leadership and governance, future prosperity and sustainability, climate change and how to tackle the shift to renewable energy. From day one of your degree, we are about making a real impact.
In collaboration with external partners, the faculty conducts research projects on e.g. banking, local government, customer insights, leadership, energy, healthy ageing and lean operations. Read more about the research conducted at the Faculty of Economics and Business.
