Sustainable and international business, high quality practical programmes

Windesheim University of Applied Sciences

Four students walking outside a university campus building

Windesheim, the 2^nd best University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, offers two different bachelor’s programmes in business, where personal coaching by the lecturers and working with companies and the work field, are key qualifications. This results in a great demand by employers for the graduates of both programmes. Something for you? Read the experiences of our students.

Luca, student Global Project and Change Management

My dream is to improve the world by changing the way businesses act and think and helping them transform traditional business models. I decided to do my internship at Kallari, a chocolate cooperative that is owned by 900 indigenous families in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Kallari disrupts the traditional supply chain by cutting out the middleman in the chocolate process.

By following the principle of learning by doing, I hoped to come closer to my goal. My responsibility was to develop a new eco-tourism project that would provide indigenous families with a new source of income. It was challenging, but a great adventure.

Amber, student International Business

The subjects I have studied are very broad. Export is the main theme throughout the programme, but other economic subjects are also covered, such as online and international marketing, HRM, financial management, international logistics, law, market research and of course languages (French and English). So it’s a very broad programme and everything is covered, which means you learn a lot and develop a broad basis. The nice thing is that you also learn to combine things and to see connections. And you get to learn various skills.

Studying sustainable business

Do you want to change the world in a positive way? Are sustainability, human rights, global health, social responsibility, the increasing divide between rich and poor, global warming, civil society and advocacy for minorities themes that you care about? Do you want to contribute personally and professionally to a better world? In our four-year English-taught programme Global Project and Change Management Windesheim teaches you how you can make a difference.

Windesheim combines theory and practice, project management, business and research with global issues. The programme consists of courses, real projects with companies from the first year onwards, an international internship and professional career counselling. In the end you’ll know how to lead a project team and how to put innovative ideas into practice. You’ll become a change maker, aware of your own strengths and ambitions, able to create sustainable value for society.

Global Project and Change Management is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) offered by the Windesheim Honours College.
After graduating, you can start your career for example as a:

Project manager/advisor at international NGOs like Red Cross and Doctors without Borders
Project manager in slave-free clothing or food industry
Project manager for businesses aiming to introduce sustainable production
Project manager/advisor with governments or political institutions
Communication advisor on healthy lifestyles with an insurance company
Project manager reducing food waste in cities or at large popular events
Advisor improving communication on scientific results on Global Warming (IPCC)
Advisor improving Corporate Sustainability like Coca Cola with Coca Cola Green
Social entrepreneur

Unique about this programme:

Honours programme for ambitious students
Maximum 80 students are accepted via selection
The programme is a learning community: students learn, work and live together in a student residence close to campus and the city centre

Studying international Business

Do you pursue a career with internationally operating companies, small and medium sized enterprises and family businesses? Are you interested in management, logistics, finance, (internet) marketing, and languages? In the four-year English-taught Bachelor’s programme International Business Windesheim prepares you for a future management position. Theory and practice are combined through projects and internships. Studying and an internship abroad during two semesters is also part of the programme.

Windesheim’s graduates have a solid base in 21st century skills, such as communication skills, collaboration, critical thinking, intercultural sensitivity, innovative thinking, management of information, flexibility and personal and professional development. After graduating, you can start your career for example as a:

Global project manager
International business developer
Account manager
(Online) marketing manager

You can continue your career as:

International marketing director
Export manager
Head of international sales
Director of the marketing department
Executive secretary

Unique about this programme:

Intensive collaboration with the work field: as of day one you work in several projects with companies and organizations, so after graduating you already have a lot of practical experience.
Windesheim has strong expertise in internet marketing.
Very personal approach of students; lecturers are coaches as well and really care about your success.

Chloë, student Global Project and Change Management, about the city of Zwolle:

In the heart of the Netherlands you find the city of Zwolle. Of course, as a prospective student, you might be wondering why this place is the place to come and study! I will explain what I like about Zwolle, and what makes it unique.

The atmosphere is ‘gezellig’. Zwolle is not only alive at night, but also during the day people are sitting on terraces and wandering through the city. There are a lot of parks where you can chill when the sun is out, but there are also nice pubs where you can meet your friends for some beers. In every corner of Zwolle there is something charming to be found!
It’s easy to get around. From home, to the city, to university: Everything is biking or walking distance. In the Netherlands it’s really normal to bike, so there are also bicycle lanes
Students everywhere. Around 30,000 students study in Zwolle, thus the city is also very much catered towards us. There are student nights, debate evenings, lectures, movie nights, etc. These events create the opportunity to network and meet people from different studies. It’s the perfect way to make new friends!
It’s a well-connected city. Zwolle has a large train station that connects to the rest of the Netherlands, within an hour you find yourself in Amsterdam or Groningen. By public transport you can reach all corners of the country, and even easily pass the border into Germany.

Zwolle is definitely worth exploring, you should give it a go!

Learn more about Windesheim University of Applied Sciences