Master - full-time

International Business and Management

Study International Business and Management in Groningen to learn about how companies operate in multiple countries and how a manager copes with different business cultures.

How can strategies take into account cultural and societal differences in legal, political and economic systems? How can multinational companies contribute to sustainable development?

In the MSc International Business and Management , you will explore a wide range of global business concepts. Learn how to manage the impact of international trends on the organizational structure of companies while developing effective international business strategies and multicultural communication skills.

In Groningen, you can:

choose to specialize in topics focused on answering issues around energy transition, climate change and sustainability.
focus on international trends and the impact on companies or on making a positive impact by focusing on sustainable development, climate change, poverty, inequality, and human rights.
study abroad by doing an exchange semester at Newcastle University Business Schoo l or Jönköping International Business School.

Facts & Figures

Degree: MSc in International Business and Management
Course type: Master
Duration: 12 months (60 EC)
Croho code: 60649
Language of instruction: English
Start: February, September
Faculty: Economics and Business

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Why study this programme in Groningen?

Learn to tackle real-world issues in international management with an academic and analytical approach.
Study alongside students from around 30 different nationalities , learning about your own and others' cultures.
You can join events with industry leaders to network and learn about modern management techniques in leading firms.
Work on real-life projects to solve strategic issues for companies, gaining first-hand cross-cultural experience . Companies like Akzo Nobel, Heineken, ASM, VimpelCom, Nike, and Skyteam have provided input to the programme.
Work on today's societal challenges and opportunities, with input from students, lecturers, and industry leaders.
Unlike other programmes in the Netherlands, we focus primarily on international management theories and research .
The programme has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.

Programme

Interested in how global trends influence company structures? Gain essential knowledge for international business strategies and prepare for the dynamic global business landscape. Learn about the impact of international environments on business strategy and organization.

Dream of being a responsible leader? Our sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility courses will guide you to become a socially conscious manager. Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), you will explore key aspects of sustainable development.

Tailor your study: throughout the year, you can take electives that match your interests related to international business, covering sustainability, global value chains, emerging markets, foreign entry strategies and international corporate governance. Check the course catalogue below for all courses.

Study exchange: you have the opportunity to do an exchange semester at one of our partner universities in England or Sweden. You can choose to spend a semester at one of these top institutions, while you are earning 30 EC (European Credits), with at least 15 EC in your chosen specialization.

	Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >	1a	1b	2a	2b
International Business Strategy (5 EC)
Managing Cultural Differences (5 EC)
MSc IB&M Electives A (10 EC) Emerging Markets (MSc); Foreign Market Entry Strategies; Sustainability in Business and Economics; Comparative Corporate Governance; International Business Models in a Changing World; Sustainability in Global Value Chains.
MSc IB&M Electives B (10 EC) A few examples are: Business Ethics; International Banking and Finance; Data-driven Business Processes; Sustainable Finance; Energy Transition & Innovation; Marketing Communication; Regulating Energy Markets; Strategic Supply Chain Management. The full list of electives can be found on Ocasys.
Multinationals and CSR (5 EC)
Research Seminar (5 EC)
Master's Thesis IB&M (20 EC)

Programme options
Exchange semester abroad (specialization) You can study abroad by doing an exchange semester at Newcastle University Business School or Jönköping International Business School.
Future Prosperity and Sustainability (specialization) Focus on the sustainable developments in our current society by the increasing influence of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. The upcoming impact of the SDGs force companies to redefine their purpose and seek a path for meaningful contribution. But, what are companies responsible for, and who bears the burden of the consequences? Your skills and knowledge will prepare you to actively contribute to the strategic developments in this dynamic field. More information about this option
Energy Transition and Climate Change (specialization) Focus on the serious changes within the energy sector by dealing with issues such as how firms adapt to renewable energy, how the higher taxes are managed during this transition and how to deal with the weather dependent production of energy systems. Gain the knowledge and skills to shape a sustainable future in this evolving energy sector. More information about this option
Master Internship (specialization) Opportunity to gain work experience by doing an internship in the second semester of your study. You will be rewarded 15 ECTS on top of your programme. Your thesis will be postponed to the third semester. More information about this option
Double Degree Master International Business and Finance (Shanghai) (specialization) Are you interested in an international career in or involving China? Study in Shanghai after your FEB Master's programme in Groningen and gain first-hand knowledge and experience of China and the economy, finance and culture. More information about this option

Study abroad

Study abroad is optional

You can do an exchange semester at one of our partner universities in England or Sweden. You can choose to spend a semester at one of these top institutions, while you are earning 30 EC, with at least 15 EC in your chosen specialization.

Newcastle University Business School -> Specialization: Digital Business
Jönköping International Business School -> Specializations: Digital Business or Entrepreneurship

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Below you will see a table with 'transfer options'. Please check the entry requirements for your Bachelor's degree (from a research university of a university of applied sciences). If your degree is not mentioned in the table below, you can still apply via a Pre-Master's programme. For information on application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. The information about entry requirements is an indication of your admissibility. Every application will be reviewed individually by the Admissions Board so the admission decision may differ from the indication in this table.

Specific requirements

More information

previous education

Below you will see a table with 'transfer options'. Please check the entry requirements for your Bachelor's degree (from a research university of a university of applied sciences). If your degree is not mentioned in the table below, you can still apply via a Pre-Master's programme. For information on application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

The information about entry requirements is an indication of your admissibility. Every application will be reviewed individually by the Admissions Board so the admission decision may differ from the indication in this table.

Transfer options

Transferring from...

University of Groningen

Maastricht University

Utrecht University

VU University Amsterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam

University of Twente

Tilburg University

Wageningen University

Nyenrode New Business School

Radboud University Nijmegen

University of Amsterdam

Leiden University

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Economics and Business Economics	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Psychology (NL)	University of Groningen	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Business Administration	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Sociology	University of Groningen	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Industrial Engineering and Management	University of Groningen	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Liberal Arts and Sciences	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Enter without Pre-MSc if you completed the major “International Business and Management” and you obtained at least 20 ECTS in general business/strategy courses. Otherwise, you can enter via pre-master with a maximum of 45EC. Please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
International Business	University of Groningen	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Economics and Business Economics	Maastricht University	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	Maastricht University	No additional requirements
Business Engineering	Maastricht University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Fiscale Economie	Maastricht University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Business Analytics	Maastricht University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Global Studies	Maastricht University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
International Business	Maastricht University	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Economics and Business Economics	Utrecht University	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Economics and Business Economics	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements
International Business Administration	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	VU University Amsterdam	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Business Analytics	VU University Amsterdam	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Business Administration	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
International Business Administration	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements
Fiscale Economie	Erasmus University Rotterdam	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Business Administration	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
International Business Administration	University of Twente	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
International Business Administration	Tilburg University	No additional requirements
Economics	Tilburg University	No additional requirements
Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation	Tilburg University	No additional requirements
Fiscale Economie	Tilburg University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Econometrics and Operations Research	Tilburg University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Management and Consumer Studies	Wageningen University	No additional requirements More information: For students following the profile Bedrijf.
Economics and Governance	Wageningen University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Business Administration	Nyenrode New Business School	No additional requirements
Accountancy	Nyenrode New Business School	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Economics and Business Economics	Radboud University Nijmegen	Additional requirements More information: For track Financial Economics: you need to have proven equivalent academic knowledge in International Strategic Management or Strategic Management. Every application will be reviewed individually by the Admissions board so the admission decision may differ from the indication in this table.
Business Administration	Radboud University Nijmegen	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	Radboud University Nijmegen	No additional requirements More information: For students who follow the track Business Economics, International Economics and Business, International Economics and Policy or International Bachelor in Economics and Management, there are no additional requirements.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Actuarial Science	University of Amsterdam	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Econometrics and Data Science	University of Amsterdam	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Business Administration	University of Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	University of Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Fiscale Economie	University of Amsterdam	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Business Analytics	University of Amsterdam	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Computer Science	Leiden University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: For students following the profile Computer Science & Economics: you need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
Public Administration Science	Leiden University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: For students following the profile Economics, Public Administration and Management: you need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

Registration procedure

Students with a Dutch diploma can apply directly to Studielink. More information on the steps to apply .

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027
EU/EEA students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027
non-EU/EEA students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following - or closely related - fields: Business Economics, Business Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business, Technology Management. To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. For more information, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. If you have any questions concerning admission to this programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions.
language test	IELTS Academic overall score 6.5 (Speaking 6, Writing 6.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 24); Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (overall score 176, Speaking 169, Writing 176).
other admission requirements	Not meeting the pre-education requirements for direct entry? Please read more about our pre-Master programmes .

Registration procedure

Students have to apply 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.

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027
EU/EEA students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027
non-EU/EEA students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027

Tuition fees

Nationality	Year	Fee	Programme form
EU/EEA	2025-2026	€ 2601	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2025-2026	€ 21400	full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

After your studies

Job prospects

After graduation, you can often find work in multinational firms located in the Netherlands and abroad. The skills you will acquire in this programme such as cross-cultural competencies, critical thinking and problem-solving in an international context are highly desirable in our globalized world. They also make it possible to work in non-profit organizations or government agencies if you prefer to take a more socially-minded career path.

J ob examples

Business consultant
Business development specialist
CSR / Sustainability consultant
International product manager
International trainee

Research

In Groningen, research is deeply connected to business practice, economics, and society .

Some key areas of research you might explore as a student are:

Internationalizations strategies of digital new ventures
Measuring and managing business action for the Sustainable Development Goals
Foreign entry strategies, international joint ventures and family firms
Firm dynamics in emerging markets
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations and reporting

Please visit the website of the research institute Global Economics and Management to learn more about the research conducted within the MSc programme.

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Contact

Are you a current student? Contact the Student Support Desk (FEB)
Are you a prospective student? Fill in this contact form (FEB) (We will answer your question within 72 hours.)

The supportive lecturers and collaborative atmosphere enriched my learning experience (Giacomo Marra)

I chose the MSc in International Business & Management (IB&M) at FEB for two main reasons. First, I've always been fascinated by learning about cultures different from my own. The IB&M programme offered a unique opportunity to explore this interest by studying how multinationals navigate the intercultural challenges of operating in various countries. This experience would not only broaden my horizons but also equip me with a deeper understanding of how to engage with diverse habits, customs, and perspectives. Secondly, the programme could provide me with the essential skills needed to enter the job market. Through its comprehensive curriculum, I would have gained expertise in areas such as financial modeling and acquisition processes.

My favorite course was Foreign Market Entry Strategies. There, I learned how a company can enter a market, whether through a joint partnership or taking full control of its operations. I was especially intrigued by the different entities and factors that influence a multinational’s choice of entry mode in a foreign market. The interplay between political, social, and economic factors behind this process is truly fascinating to me, so I chose to write my Master’s thesis on this topic.

Additionally, I pursued the Focus Area in Energy Transition and Climate Change, aligning with my strong interest in the energy transition and environmental sustainability. It allowed me to understand the economic processes behind energy transitions, knowledge that has been invaluable in my current job.

The supportive lecturers and collaborative atmosphere enriched my learning experience, while the group projects honed my intercultural communication skills. These experiences have fully prepared me for the complexities of an international business career.

Study associations

EBF

The Economics and Business Faculty association (EBF) is the faculty association for all students studying at the faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen.

The EBF is your partner during your time in Groningen by organising events that support you with your studies and help you prepare for your future career.

https://www.ebfgroningen.nl/

Master Community - IBM

Make the most of your master by getting to know your fellow students and prepare for your future career.

https://www.ebfgroningen.nl/committees

International Business and Management

Why study this programme in Groningen?

Programme

Study abroad

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Transfer options

Registration procedure

Application deadlines

Admission requirements

Registration procedure

Application deadlines

Tuition fees

After your studies

Job prospects

Research

Contact

The supportive lecturers and collaborative atmosphere enriched my learning experience (Giacomo Marra)

Study associations

EBF

Master Community - IBM

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