Get to know: bachelor International Business

The International Business School (IBS) at Hanze University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1988 as the first international business school at a Dutch university of applied sciences. Today, over 1100 bachelor’s, master’s and exchange students study here. More than 60 nationalities together create a vibrant and diverse learning environment. 

The International Business School aims to be the leading institute for applied international business education in the Netherlands. Our mission is to educate professionals with a critical and global mindset, who make evidence-based decisions and contribute to sustainable business and entrepreneurship.  

The International Business (IB) bachelor programme prepares students for global careers. They learn about core areas of business such as marketing, finance, supply chain and human resource management, while developing essential skills in teamwork and intercultural communication. 

The International Business (IB) bachelor programme prepares students for global careers. They learn about core areas of business such as marketing, finance, supply chain and human resource management, while developing essential skills in teamwork and intercultural communication.  

Read the story of IBS student Liam Scully

Learning in practice

Students gain practical experience through real company projects, business simulations, and studying an additional foreign language. A year abroad includes a semester at a partner university and an international work placement. The final semester features a graduation project for an external organisation.  

Graduates work worldwide in multinationals, small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, taking on roles from marketing specialist to supply chain analyst. The programme equips them with the knowledge and practical experience to make an immediate impact in international business.  

Read the story of IBS student Clara Altenhövel

Assurance of Learning

To strengthen quality, IBS is pursuing accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Only 6% of business schools worldwide hold this accreditation, which recognises excellence in teaching, research and societal impact. A core element of AACSB is Assurance of Learning (AoL). This system tracks whether students achieve the intended learning outcomes. At IBS, an AoL team monitors programme content, teaching methods and assessment.  

We have set up measures to ensure students achieve the intended learning outcomes. An Assurance of Learning (AoL) team oversees programme content and teaching methods, including the introduction of the new national profile and the Hanze Learning Concept (HLC). Systems within our Quality Assurance Cycle track student satisfaction, pass rates and study progress. Pursuing AACSB accreditation has encouraged detailed monitoring of individual learning outcomes, highlighting student challenges and difficult subjects. 

Student Engagement at the Core of Learning

 Student engagement is a central focus at IBS. The student engagement team supports students throughout their studies. They help students stay motivated, resilient and confident within our international community. Guided by our quality assurance PDCA-cycle, we initiate and implement projects that respond to students’ evolving needs. Some examples of initiatives are:  

• clear FAQs and communication tools,  

• extra guidance for students at risk of delay,  

• personalized support for students facing difficult life circumstances,  

• research into dropout causes and disengagement,  

• teacher exchanges to enrich teaching and learning.  

We feel our students benefit greatly from the support of the Student Engagement Team. Our student satisfaction, according to the National Student Survey (NSE), has reached its highest level in five years, with student guidance noted as one of the most improved areas.

Student engagement is not only the task of the Student Engagement Team. Every lecturer and staff member contributes. Together we create a safe, supportive and inspiring learning environment, closely connected to our Assurance of Learning efforts.