Nowadays we are facing many sustainability challenges that can only be tackled if we work together beyond borders. As a result we are regularly in contact with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and many organisations deal with international clients, products or services on a daily basis. Therefore it is necessary to gain an international competence.

 

The minor consists of five modules:

International context

This module focuses on states and why and how they work together. In a globalising world this cooperation becomes even more important in order to combat cross border problems such as climate change, crime, drugs, human trafficking, conflict and migration, poverty, etc. However, depending on the form of cooperation (voluntary, mandatory, semi-voluntary) and level of integration of policies, this cooperation may also lead to (inter)dependency, decline of sovereignty and a loss of democratic control for citizens. International organisations such as the UN and the EU have played an important role after WWII in promoting and maintaining peace all over the world. However they are so powerful nowadays that their policies really put a stamp upon the consequences of devastating conflicts. By means of research and critical analysis, you will build up a broad understanding of international cooperation, its strengths and its challenges. You will work individually but will also learn from the work of others.

 

Culture

Whether you approach the world from the perception of government, business or citizens, culture plays an important and often determining role in mutual relations. Culture is here not used in terms of the arts but rather in the patterns of behaviour and thinking of groups of people up to the level of states. For this reason this topic plays an important part in this programme. In order to be able to handle cultural differences, it is important to have a good insight in your own culture. Therefore, we will use different theories and modules to describe culture on a national level and explore your own individual culture.

 

International economics

This course will further raise your knowledge of international economics that will allow you to understand the global challenges facing the world’s society and business. You will also think about the responses to those challenges from both governmental and business perspective. This knowledge is indispensable for a person working in an international context, either in a company or NGO. The course will focus on topics such as economic growth, unemployment, protectionism, exchange rate systems, fiscal and monetary policies. We will focus on challenges such as power differences between countries, discrimination, climate change and position of technological giants within the world economy.

 

Leadership

This module gives students an understanding as well as practical knowledge of both personal leadership and leadership within an organization. Every transition requires leadership: the will and ability to change, to see change as an opportunity, and to direct it from values and vision. Anticipating and responding to developments does not happen automatically, it requires choosing, innovating, experimenting, changing, investing, demonstrating, collaborating, and more. This requires leadership in all layers of the organization, from bottom to top. Leadership is not about everyone becoming a manager, or leading. It's about everyone knowing how to inspire change from their position. That they see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity. Students will have to do research, make choices and reflect on them.

To be a leader for other people you first need to understand what (type of) leader you are. During this course you will explore and define your own desired path of change and leadership. This requires that you take an interest in and stand on certain global challenging sustainability topics and link them to the values that are important to you. During your project abroad in the second half of the minor you will get the opportunity to be an agent of change. And this is when and where you get the opportunity to practice, improve and develop your leadership skills.

The theory and practical classes in this course will guide you in making a plan for what skills you would like to develop and put practice in order to reach certain goals of change that are in your circle of influence.  This is overall a practical course. However we will discuss some theoretical concepts that will guide you in defining your objectives and plans of change. 

 

International Project 

Students organise their own international project for at least 392 hours. The international project can have different forms, e.g.  doing research, voluntary work or an internship. You may choose yourself what you would like to do as long as it is linked to your personal goals for this programme and to those of your own university programme. The requirements for your intern company or organisation are that they are able to provide you with an appropriate assignment, that they have an international focus and that they will give you support and guidance. The research will be on the basis of a preapproved research plan.

Students will be assessed via portfolio’s with (reflection) reports, (in class) assignments, presentations and simulations. In addition, students will experience part of day-to-day reality through the international project. The form this project takes may vary considerably (traineeship, research, preparation of thesis, voluntary work, project) but in all cases the knowledge obtained during the first part of the minor has to be applied.

The international competence refers to three overarching learning outcomes that students can obtain through international activities:

1. Intercultural competence: Students have the knowledge, attitudes and skills that enable them to interact successfully with people from diverse (linguistic and cultural) backgrounds.
2. International orientation: Students are informed about and engaged with, international organisations, topics and perspectives on:
   1. Societal and global issues, such as inclusion, refugees, climate change and supranational institutions such as the European Union.
   2. Disciplines and professions, such as international knowledge, techniques and perspectives on how to perform one’s profession.
   3. Personal and organizational leadership.
   4. International economics, such as economic growth, unemployment, protectionism, integration, exchange rate systems, fiscal and monetary policies, economics behind Brexit or trade conflicts between China and USA.
3. Personal qualities: An international experience can contribute to personal development and growth, such as becoming more independent, self-aware, flexible and adaptable. These competences are not merely acquired through, or relevant to, international contexts. However, they can be vital to the success of an international experience, as well as enhanced through such an experience.

The working world wide minor is open for students of all programmes whose English is B2 level or higher and who have at least successfully completed 2 and half years of their programme.

 

Note: Are you an external student?
Then you must first obtain permission from your own study program in order to take this minor.

Want to apply?
Then check the learning agreement for the next steps you need to follow.

The minor is intended for 4th year students of RBS, 3rd or 4th year students of partner universities and other economic/business management programs of applied universities. The following students can be admitted: students who successfully completed courses of Marketing and/or International Business Management within their applied university program. 
Level of English must be CEFR level B2. 
IBC skills (presentation and report writing). 

No mandatory literature has to be bought. Literature will be handed out in class, will be digital or will consist of reading suggestions.

Mandatory contact hours

Approximately 16 hours per week

Students will be assessed via portfolio’s with (reflection) reports, (in class) assignments, presentations and simulations. In addition, students will experience part of day-to-day reality through the international project. The form this project takes may vary considerably (traineeship, research, preparation of thesis, voluntary work, project) but in all cases the knowledge obtained during the first part of the minor has to be applied.

Literature

No mandatory literature has to be bought. Literature will be handed out in class, will be digital or will consist of reading suggestions.

 

Costs

No mandatory costs. Costs for the international project are individual and subject to the choices made by the students themselves.

 

Minor Choice Week | 2–5 March 2026

Online minor information sessions
Attend an online information session for this minor! View the programme and register here.

Minor fair
This minor will be present at the minor fair. Will you join us? View the programme and register here.
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2026
Time: 4:00–7:30 p.m.
Location: Kralingse Zoom

 

APPLICATION PROCESS (KOM)

Are you a student from another educational institution and would you like to follow a minor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences? If so, you must apply in two steps:

 

Step 1
Register for the minor of your choice via the blue Apply button. You can find this button at the top right of the minor’s page.
Download the learning agreement and complete it.
Submit this learning agreement to the examination board of your study programme.
Once the examination board has granted approval, register for the minor in Step 2 no later than 01-07-2026 at 9:00 a.m.

 

Step 2
After approval, register via OSIRIS Application of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences using the link below (first create an account).
new link

https://osiris.hr.nl/osiris_aanmeld_hrprd/Welkom.do?proces=KOM2609&opleiding=MINOR-RBS-VT 00

 

Part of the application process is uploading the following documents:

• The learning agreement, signed by you and by your institution;
• A scan or photo of your passport or ID card.
   

You will be informed by Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences whether your application has been approved.

In OSIRIS Application, you must also upload the Proof of Paid Tuition Fee (BBC) for the academic year in which you wish to follow the minor. This can be done from 01 May 2026 onwards. You can request the BBC from your institution after you have signed or issued an authorization for the payment of the tuition fee for the relevant academic year. You may also choose the option for your institution to send the BBC directly to collegegeld@hr.nl.

You will receive a notification from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences once your application has been approved.