The world is increasingly developing into a political and economic unity. New markets offer new chances to industry, trade and the service sector – as well as new challenges.

New jobs develop and internationally qualified staff is required. An internationally focused education is thus an investment into your future. Fontys International Campus Venlo is leading the way. Campus Venlo offers a broad range of study courses in the fields of Economics, ICT, Engineering, Logistics and Education in English, German and Dutch. All our courses do not only focus on international contents but also offer various exchange programmes with our partner universities from all over the world. Besides this we cooperate with a wide range of international companies and global players who actively support our internships, projects and graduation assignments.
 
International Business and Management Studies

Are you interested in a truly international study programme? Are you ready to face challenges on global markets? Then International Business and Management Studies (IBMS) is the right choice for you! A study programme that teaches you how to successfully combine knowledge, skills and attitude in an international and intercultural setting. All with the purpose of performing business related tasks in a professional manner.

The increasingly global nature of trade and industry leads to greater international competition for large, middle-sized and small companies. A proactive organisation must therefore be able to collect and analyse foreign market-specific knowledge in order to take correct decisions about expansion. It must also be aware of international finance opportunities and political developments home and abroad. In internationally oriented organisations, decision making is based on business administration and controlling, but also on awareness of cultural differences and a firm’s ability to adapt.

Openness to challenges, a critical mind and focus on results, excellent teamwork and self-management, intercultural discussion and negotiation skills - all these personal characteristics contribute to effective international business management.

Our educational profile for your future

The most striking features of our IBMS study programme are:

• it is international, both in educational contents and student population
• the main phase is entirely in English
• it is based on a combination of elements from the traditional economics programmes in the fields of finance, accountancy, sales, marketing and management
• it focuses on international trade and commerce
• it offers practical training in international companies

IBMS students graduate with a real international orientation. They will usually end up in one of the many different positions ranging from international account manager, PR-manager, product manager or sales and marketing manager, to international treasury manager or human resource manager. Some graduates prefer to start their own businesses or become consultants. What about you?
 

Career prospects

Fontys graduates of international business are highly valued by employers for their helicopter overview which is necessary for managers to take decisions which are in line with other fields or neighboring areas. Tools are taught which enable our graduates to carry out in-depth analyses. Companies highly appreciate the analytical and communication skills, teamwork abilities, and intercultural competences of IBMS students.

IBMS graduates work in the field of marketing, public relations, sales, finance and accounting, controlling, logistics, international management, consultancy, audit, human resources management or even decide to found their own company.

Typical starting positions include management traineeships, management assistant, project manager, marketing manager, analyst or researcher, brand or product manager, key account manager, human resource management or purchasing manager, auditor, consultant, finance manager or controller.

Fontys Alumni can be found in companies all around the world. Examples are consultancies / auditing firms such as Ernst & Young, Accenture and PricewaterhouseCoopers, multinationals such as Henkel, Siemens, Philips, Nestlé, Metro, Coca-Cola, Robert Bosch, Lufthansa, Office Depot, Océ, BMW, or the Santander Consumer Bank. But also small and medium sized companies highly value Fontys graduates because of their leadership and project management skills, their intercultural skills or their market research skills.

IBMS graduates are all-round business experts with a specialisation in international management. Studying IBMS is the perfect start towards a management position in international business. 

David Wolkinger, Student International Business and Management Studies

"I decided for the IBMS study-program because of the internationality and intercultural competences that an IBMS student experiences throughout his study career. In fact it is all about getting to know cultural differences and learning about how to deal with them if you want to conduct business on an international basis. I find it very interesting to get to know how other cultures react in certain situations. What are the "Dos & Don'ts" when talking and negotiating with international business partners? I think the answers are very well given in this study program and this is a major reason why I chose IBMS at Fontys Venlo where I can also get into contact with different people from all over the world."


Jenny Clashaus, Student International Business and Management Studies 

"What I like most about IBMS is the connection between business management, marketing and different cultures and languages.  We are prepared to be able to recognize cultural differences in business. We don’t simply study dry theory, but instead we are confronted with real practice examples which help me to understand contents. I really enjoy studying in small classes, especially because my class harmonizes very well."