Are you ready to lead with purpose in the 21st century?

In a world facing complex challenges and rapid change, the ability to inspire others with both a business mindset and a social vision is more vital than ever. The leaders of tomorrow are those who can balance profit with purpose—those who understand that Business and Society are not separate, but deeply connected.

The Business & Society program is designed to equip you with the leadership, strategic, and critical thinking skills needed to navigate and influence today’s global landscape. Alongside core themes such as sustainability, inequality, and innovation, we delve into the dynamics of global society and world politics. You will critically examine how power, policy, and international cooperation shape the issues businesses and communities face today—from climate change to geopolitical conflict and global justice.

Throughout this program, you will:

• Develop your understanding of diversity and leadership, business strategy, sustainable innovation, and consumer behavior.
• Work in international and multidisciplinary teams to tackle real-world cases for companies and policymakers.
• Learn how to translate research and analysis into actionable, competitive business solutions that address real social challenges.

We also emphasize the importance of local impact. You will engage with local entrepreneurs, learn how they build socially responsible businesses, and contribute directly to the Rotterdam community. For example, you’ll explore the city’s innovative approach to multifunctional roofs, working in collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam, a global frontrunner in sustainable urban development.

A key feature of the program is a case competition, where all teams will develop and present their business solutions for a real business challenge. Your ideas will be judged by an external jury—and may the best team win!

As part of our commitment to your development as a future-focused leader, we also offer a valuable bonus:
You’ll receive free certification in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the international standard for sustainability reporting. GRI helps businesses, governments, and institutions measure and communicate their impact on critical global issues such as climate change, human rights, and corruption.

Business & Society is more than a program—it’s a platform to grow as a leader, challenge your thinking, and shape a future where business success and societal progress go hand in hand.

👉 Start following our page: (3) Minor Business & Society: Company Page Admin | LinkedIn

The Business & Society minor spans 14 weeks only, including time for all assessments. The program is structured around several core modules, some of which run concurrently, while others follow in sequence.

Two key modules—Global Society & World Politics and Diversity & Leadership—run throughout the entire 14 weeks. These provide a continuous foundation for understanding global challenges and leadership in diverse contexts.

The remaining modules are scheduled sequentially:

• Business & Consumer Behavior (4 weeks):
• Sustainable Business Innovation (7 weeks):
• Business Strategy & Skills (3 weeks)

This structure ensures a balanced mix of ongoing reflection and intensive focus, allowing students to build both breadth and depth in key areas of business and society.

General learning objectives of this program

o   Think critically and analytically about complex global, business, and societal challenges.

o   Collaborate effectively in diverse, multicultural teams to develop practical and innovative solutions.

o   Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world cases by engaging with businesses, institutions, and current global issues.

o   Reflect on your personal and professional development, including leadership style, intercultural awareness, and emotional intelligence.

o   Communicate ideas clearly and persuasively, both in written reports and professional presentations to internal and external audiences.

Completed years of study
2 years of a 4-year Bachelor’s degree
1 year of a 3-year Bachelor’s degree
You will enroll in the 3rd year of the programme. 

All exchange programmes require a good command of English, as all classes are conducted in this language. Although exchange students are not required to submit an official English test score during their application, we would like to stress that exchange students are expected to have an English level similar to IELTS 6.0, CEFR B2 or TOEFL 550 / iBT 80 / 213 CBT. We trust our partner universities to only nominate students who meet this requirement, therefore ensuring they will not face any difficulties in class due to the language.

Literature
The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 9e

Schedule
Class hours are mostly planed between 08:30 and 17:00. For our minor, we asked for a schedule on Monday, Tuesday & Fridays. Wednesday & Thursday are no classes so you can work on your projects & homework.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THIS!  the schedule is always SUBJECT TO CHANGE, however we strive for 3 days only and on those days of the week.

 

Attendance Policy

Due to the intensive and condensed nature of this program, attendance is mandatory for all modules and classes. The curriculum is designed to deliver a substantial amount of content and skills in a relatively short period of time . As such, regular and active participation is essential for students to successfully meet the learning objectives.

Requirements:

•  Students are required to attend all scheduled sessions for each module, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and group activities.
• A minimum attendance rate of 80% per module is mandatory, unless stated otherwise.
• Absences will only be excused in the case of valid, documented reasons, such as medical emergencies or other personal circumstances.
• Unexcused absences may lead to:

o     Exclusion from module assessments

o     A failing grade for the module

o     Loss of eligibility for resit opportunities

Monitoring:

• Attendance is tracked systematically and may be recorded via sign-in sheets, digital check-ins, or other official means.
• It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their attendance is correctly registered.

Rationale:

The accelerated structure of the program means that missing even a few sessions can significantly impact a student’s ability to grasp key concepts and complete assignments effectively. The strict attendance policy is in place to ensure all students are given the best possible opportunity to succeed and to maintain a high standard of academic integrity and engagement.

 

Schedule
Class hours are mostly planed between 08:30 and 17:00. For our minor, we asked for a schedule on Monday, Tuesday & Fridays. Wednesday & Thursday are no classes so you can work on your projects & homework. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THIS!  the schedule is always SUBJECT TO CHANGE, however we strive for 3 days only and on those days of the week.

Assessments 
The assessment criteria for all modules of our minor are designed to evaluate both collaborative and independent learning. Please note the following requirements:

• Standard Assessment Format: For nearly all modules, grading is based strictly on individual assignments, team-based projects, and oral presentations.
• Exception: The module Global Society & World Politics is the only course that includes an in-class case study examination in addition to the standard assignments.

Please note that 90% of our students are international students. All continents are represented. It’s a unique opportunity to engage in this international setting.