Welcome to Rotterdam University

International Business and Management Programmes

Just as Rotterdam is a dynamic hub of international business, so too is Rotterdam University.

What goes on in business today is clearly reflected in everything that goes on in our school.

To give our students the global outlook and experience they need to succeed in the world of

business today, we work closely with our partners in the business and education communities

in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

At the heart of many programmes for instance, are real-life cases, often brought in by guest

lecturers from international companies. They challenge our students to act quickly and

decisively, and to base their decisions on growing experience and healthy reflection.

We teach them to work hard, think big, show boldness and surpass their limits, so that they

exceed their own expectations!

We are constantly expanding our networks in the academic and the business worlds.

This brochure aims to provide our partners, existing and new, with an overview of what

Rotterdam University has to offer; both in terms of academics and of the inspiration we

take from being based in Rotterdam.

Whether you are in the world of business or education, or both, we look forward to building

and maintaining a lasting relationship with you.

Welcome

University in the heart of Rotterdam

Rotterdam University is one of the major Universities of Applied Sciences in the

Netherlands. Currently almost 30,000 students are working on their professional

future at our university.

The university is divided into eleven schools, offering more than 80 graduate and

undergraduate programmes in seven fields: art, technology, media and information

technology, health, behaviour and society, education, and of course, business.

A major factor of our success is staying closely tuned in to the pulse of the city of

Rotterdam. We also have a vast international network of partner universities as

well as corporate relations. Together with our partners we can offer our students

the international outlook they need to thrive. Over 40 different nationalities are

represented amongst our student population; the ideal environment

to prepare for an international career.

Knowledge track

Practical track

Student track

Higher Education in the Netherlands

The Dutch system of higher education distinguishes

between two types of universities: Universities of

Science and Research, and Universities of Applied

Sciences. Both are entitled to award Bachelor and

Master degrees, while only Universities of Science

and Research can award doctorates (PhDs).

Rotterdam University is a University of Applied

Science. This means that our education is strongly

focused on professional practice and dedicated to

applied research.

Measuring the workload

Higher education in the Netherlands uses the

European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to

quantify study loads. One credit represents 28

hours of work. A full semester accounts for 30

credits, while a full Bachelor programme requires

completion of 240 credits.

Accreditation

All our degree programmes are accredited by the

Dutch Flemish accreditation organisation (NVAO).

Education at Rotterdam University

Education at Rotterdam University has been

developed to combine a mixture of knowledge

accumulation, practical experience and personal

development, reflecting the practical, innovative

and hands-on mentality associated with the city

of Rotterdam.

These three keystones are embedded in all our

programmes. The basic principle is that students

acquire knowledge and skills which they directly

learn to put into practice.

Dutch Binary System of Higher Education

3 Keystones of our Programmes

1 year 1 yearMaster degree

Bachelor degree

Secondary education

Primary education

4 years

5 years

8 years

3 years

6 yearsVocational

education

and training

University

of Applied

Sciences

University of

Science and

Research

Outside In - Inside Out

No imaginary exercises, but concrete

projects, research questions and societal

demands that need solutions. Our students

are learning by doing.

Rotterdam University wants to be closely

connected to society and teach students to link

their knowledge and skills to a sense of social

responsibility. Therefore, we closely cooperate

with businesses and organisations. This benefits

both the practical field as well as the quality

of our education. Project assignments from

businesses and organisations, internships and

graduation projects, both in the Netherlands

and abroad, are an important part of the

curriculum.

Rotterdam University also frequently invites

guest speakers from the field who share recent

developments and activities in their working

environment with students, challenging them to

think further than the classroom.

Research

The development and dissemination of

knowledge is part of our commitment to

strengthening and developing professional

practice.

To achieve this, a number of research groups

and lectureships have been established. These

research groups and lectureships work closely

together with relevant study programmes,

professors, lecturers, students and experts

from the professional field to address issues

that require a multi-disciplinary approach.

They contribute to education at Rotterdam

University in many ways, including; offering

guest lectures, elective modules, participation

in research projects, developing specialisations

and senior education.

Their contributions to the field of business

include; practice-oriented research, providing

courses, seminars and training, public lectures,

publication of research results, regional,

national and international network building and

roundtable discussions.

Education for Business

Education for Business is prominent at Rotterdam University. Four schools within the university

offer programmes in a range of business related subjects. While each school has its own specific

area of expertise, this combination affords many opportunities for synergy.

• School of Financial Management

• School of Management Studies

• School of Commercial Management Studies

• Rotterdam Business School

Programmes are offered at Bachelor and Master levels, along with minors and exchange programmes for

students from partner universities. Some programmes have an option for faster graduation for students with

relevant previous education and experience. We also have special preparation programmes for students who

may not yet meet the entry requirements for our Bachelor or Master programmes.

Our part time Executive MBA programme caters for business professionals. Upon request, Rotterdam University

can also offer tailor made business programmes for companies and organisations.

Further information about all our programmes can be found at our websites rotterdamuniversity.nl and

rotterdambusinessschool.nl

Course Offerings in English - At a glance

Bachelor Programmes 240 ECTS

• International Business and Management Studies• International Business and Management Studies

(Fast track variation – 3 years)• International Business and Management Studies

(Accelerated variation – 2 years)• International Business and Languages• Trade Management aimed at Asia

International Minors 30 ECTS

• International Business Communication • Latin American Studies• International Business Experience• International Business and Career• Finance & Accounting• Logistics Management • Marketing Management • International Human Resource Management• Decision Making in International Organisations • Doing business in Emerging Markets• International Business Management

Master Programmes 60 ECTS

• Master in Consultancy and Entrepreneurship• Master in Logistics Management• Master in Finance and Accounting• Master of Business Administration

(Executive MBA)

Preparation Courses

• Pre-IBMS• Pre-Accelerated IBMS• Pre-Master

Summer School

• Rotterdam University Summer School

This list includes only those programmes offered in English. For more information please see our websites: rotterdamuniversity.nl and rotterdambusinessschool.nl

International Cooperation

Rotterdam University currently holds over one

hundred cooperation agreements with institutes of

higher education around the globe. We cooperate

with our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Africa

and the Americas for student exchange, research

projects, study trips, foreign internships

or graduation projects.

We participate in international cooperation

projects that aim to develop new knowledge,

teaching approaches or degree programmes,

and continually seek strategic cooperation

with education institutions, both within the

Netherlands and worldwide.

Business Relations

Staying closely tuned to developments in

professional practice is of utmost importance to

us. Therefore we strongly invest in our relations

with professional organisations, businesses and

industries in Rotterdam and abroad. Rotterdam

University has numerous cooperation agreements

with companies ranging from small and medium

sized enterprises to multinationals, social

organisations and healthcare institutions.

If you would like to discuss an opportunity for

cooperation please do not hesitate to contact us.

International Student Support

International students who come to Rotterdam

University to take a study period, placement or other

study activity receive various kinds of support.

• The International Office helps both students that

want to study abroad and foreign students that

come to study at Rotterdam University.

The International Office can be contacted for

advice and support concerning student housing,

the organisation of study exchange, international

projects and internships.

• The Global Recruitment and Student Support

(GR&SS) office is responsible for the recruitment

and registration of new non-EU students.

Non-EU students can also consult GR&SS concerning

questions about living in the Netherlands, resident

permits, housing, insurance and bank matters.

• Students with a disability can turn to the Power

platform. The Power platform can help you with

special arrangements so your disability does not

have to affect your study success.

• Peer coaches are students from a higher year who

help other students in their study. They have good

study results and have participated in the “peer

coaching” training course.

• Student counsellors are available to help students

with their study progress, regulations and conflicts,

student facilities or personal problems.

See you at Rotterdam University

Rotterdam UniversityPostbus 25035

3001 HA Rotterdam

The Netherlands

Tel: +31(0)10 794 94 94

International OfficeTel: +31 (0)10 794 60 05

Tel: +31 (0)10 794 60 07

Email: internationaloffice@hro.nl

Global Recruitment & Student Support Office information for Non-EU studentsTel: +31 (0)10 794 62 50

Tel: +31 (0)10 794 62 21

Email: rbs@hro.nl

rotterdamuniversity.nlrotterdambusinessschool.nl

Colophon Layout:

Beelders Photography: Bill de Kimpe

cover: © Marc Heeman Rotterdam Image Bank

page 2/3 © Roger Waleson Rotterdam Image Bank

Printing: Drukproef

© Hogeschool Rotterdam 2011No rights can be derived from

this brochure.