International Business Studies (IBS)
A Diploma in International Business Studies gives you a good entry point into international companies. This programme is designed to help you develop effective business skills. A business-like approach is of paramount importance.
The course trains you to work with international clients. We teach you how to give a presentation, conduct a sales pitch and how to negotiate with clients and suppliers. There is a balance between learning theory and putting that into practice – you work not only on practical assignments but also participate in realistic role-play situations.
The programme
International business studies is a bi-lingual course. This means an equal amount of subjects are taught in Dutch as well as in English. Most of your business subjects will be taught in English.
The IBS programme consists of 18 BTEC National Units and a series of modules required for the Dutch Diploma. All of these units embrace an aspect of economics or business. Some of these units are:
- Creative Product Promotion
You learn how an advertising campaign works and how you can create a campaign.
- Starting a Small Business
During the 2nd and 3rd year, you participate in a National Mini Enterprise, a project in which, together with several classmates, you set up your own business and trade in one or more items for a period of 9 months. Examples of your work during this period are writing a business plan and importing products from abroad. After this period the business is discontinued and the shareholders receive their dividend. A project like this develops your entrepreneurial skills in a very realistic manner, in fact like nothing else, and you are motivated to think and act like business people.
- Human Resource Management & Recruitment
You learn about various aspects of staff policy and its importance for an organisation. You also learn how to conduct an interview as well as participate in one.
Other units that you study are:
- Exploring Business Activity
- Investigating Business Resources
- Introduction to Accounting
- Understanding Retailing
- Marketing Research
- Introduction to Marketing
In addition to these units you also receive lessons in Dutch, Numeracy, English and a second foreign language (German or Spanish).
Within International business studies you have the choice of 3 profiles. During your first year you will chose which profile you want to go for:
- Assistant Manager International Trade (plus a compulsary extra language);
- Junior Account Manager (marketing focussed);
- Wholesale manager (Vestigingsmanager - wholesale, logistics focussed).
Part of your course will consist of a choice of additional subjects. These subjects are there to broaden or deepen your education or help you to proceed to HBO. Possible choices could be:
- Preparing for HBO
- Internationalisation
- Entrepeneurship
Electives
Besides the previously mentioned subjects and units, it is possible to choose 3 electives to personalise your course to your own wishes. These electives are aimed at either a better preparation for HBO or offer you additional competences in your future working environment. You have a choice from the following electives:
- Moderne Vreemde taal (Spaans of Duits)
- Innovaties in het bedrijfsleven
- E-Commerce
- Internationalisering
- Ondernemerschap
- Doorstroom hbo
- Engels B2
Advantages
Students who graduate with two awards have advantages over others: they will be a valuable asset for companies in Holland, the United Kingdom or in most other English speaking countries. Graduates may also progress to higher-level courses at HBO here in Holland. Students are also eligible to enroll in undergraduate courses in England, for example, an undergraduate degree in Applied Science at a British university.
With both options, students who have achieved a Merit level diploma or higher are eligible for a fast-track programme whereby they can complete a 3-year course in 2 years.
Of course students can also set up their own business anywhere in Europe or anywhere else in the world.
Teachers
At Zadkine you will find highly qualified teachers. They are either native English speakers or they are proficient in English. Most of them have practical business experience and are well trained in their field of expertise.
Work Placement
In the first year you do an 8 week formative work placement in the Netherlands. For the second year in The Netherlands, you do a 12 week work placement which is also the qualifying period for the practical parts of your Dutch Diploma. In the third year you carry out your work placement abroad for a maximum period of 20 weeks. Placements are available in England, Spain, France, Italy and other countries.
Graduation requirement
For the graduation assignment that occupies most of your final year, you will participate in the Small Enterprise Project and write a business plan to be carried out during this project. You will take part in several public events during which you will represent your business and product(s). These events include a Company Launch and a National Market Day organised under supervision of Jong Ondernemen.
Business relations
Naturally our school keeps in close contact with businesses in the region. Some companies sponsor our programme, others provide us with opportunities to carry out assignments at their location. During special theme days, companies will provide guest lectures as well as the opportunity to visit them.
