FAQ

As its name implies, International Business Administration is the international form of Business Administration (Dutch: Bedrijfskunde, German: Betriebswissenschaften). This Bachelor’s programme will familiarise you with business theories, while simultaneously helping you to develop your business skills and analytical thinking. It covers key business disciplines like finance, staffing, purchasing, development, strategy and marketing – all in the specific context of cross-border business and multinational corporations.

About 150 students enter the programme every year.

To find out more about the courses, please check out our study programme.

International Business Administration is not a technical programme. Mathematics at pre-university high school level should be sufficient. Mathematics will be called for in one subject in particular: quantitative research skills. The main focus here is on statistics.

To find out more about the admission requirements, please read our admissions page.

In March and November, the University of Twente organises its Bachelor’s Open Days. On these occasions staff and students from the International Business Administration programme are on hand to answer all your questions. Another good option would be to participate in the student for a day programme with one of our current students.

A four-year programme at the university of applied sciences leads to a Bachelor’s or professional studies degree and is an applied, vocational programme with few or no opportunities to engage in fundamental research. The emphasis on research is to be found in university programmes, where you will often be taught by researchers. This does not mean that everyone at a university is trained for a career in research – a university programme can also train you to become a designer, organiser or entrepreneur – but academic knowledge and research skills will always be part of your basic education. University Bachelor’s programmes take three years to complete and most Bachelor’s graduates opt to continue their studies for one or two more years in order to specialise and obtain a Master’s degree. The University of Twente is a university and not a university of applied sciences.

Unfortunately, the University of Twente does not offer any scholarships for Bachelor’s programmes. However, some international students apply in their home country for a scholarship for the IBA programme at the University of Twente (e.g. the ‘Auslands-Bafög’ for German students).

There are different deadlines for enrolment, depending, for example, on whether you will need a visa to study at the University of Twente. The admission and enrolment website offers more information about the various deadlines.

The website of the International Office offers you an indication of the cost of living involved in studying at the University of Twente.

You will be expected to bring your own laptop to many courses and practicals. You will need a laptop to work on your projects with your fellow students or to work on some calculations during practical assignments. The University of Twente offers computers for sale through the Notebook Service Centre. Naturally, you may also provide your own laptop.

The average International Business Administration student devotes about 40 hours a week to their studies. Obviously this might be a bit more during the exam periods. In their free time, many students are involved in student associations or clubs.

We are committed to providing solid academic support during your Bachelor’s programme. During the first year you will have at least two meetings with one of our study advisors. The study advisor can help you with any problems you might have.

The University of Twente offers a variety of honours programmes for excellent students. The website has more information about the different programmes.

What will I earn? Your future job and salary will depend largely upon your Master’s programme. International Business Administration is a Bachelor’s programme. Most students choose to pursue a Master’s programme after completing the IBA programme. Your Bachelor’s degree will pave the way to many different Master’s programmes all over the world, though some graduates go straight into the job market. 

It’s easy to get to know your fellow students at UT, for example by joining one of the many student associations. There are even a number of different international student associations. See the international students website for an overview of the student associations. 

A study association is a programme-based association for students enrolled in the relevant Bachelor’s (or Master’s) programme, and is managed by students themselves. STRESS is the study association of the Bachelor's programme in International Business Administration at the University of Twente. STRESS supports students in various ways, for example through education-related activities, career orientation and of course also informal activities. For more information, see the STRESS website.

International Business Administration is an English-taught Bachelor’s programme. You do not have to speak Dutch to take the programme. However, living in the Netherlands, it would certainly be useful to learn a little Dutch. There are a number of ways to learn Dutch. You can either learn Dutch before the programme starts (for example in your home country) or during your stay here. The international students website has information about learning Dutch during your time in Enschede. 

Another alternative is to sign up for a course at the TCP Language Centre. This centre offers professional programmes in acquiring foreign language skills, academic language skills and study skills.

The Twente Educational Model integrates project-based education with other teaching methods in full-time, thematic modules. Find out more about the Twente Educational Model.

Enschede is a student city, offering a range of student housing both on and off the UT campus. With lots of students looking for a place to live at the start of a term, we recommend that you start looking early. If you are an international student, the University of Twente’s International Office can help you find furnished accommodation. Check out the international student website for further details. If you prefer unfurnished housing, this website has more information about alternative accommodations.

As all courses are taught in English, all literature is also in English. This might be a bit difficult for some students at the beginning, but you will get used to it quickly, since you will be speaking English on a daily basis. Who knows? You might even end up thinking and dreaming in English!

As the programme is taught entirely in English, you will need a high level of English proficiency (CEFR, B2/C1 level; IELTS minimum 6.0, or equivalent). If you are a Dutch high school graduate, your English will be sufficient. Read more detailed information about the language requirements.

University of Twente graduates enter the job market with excellent international career prospects. Some join commercial companies, non-profit organizations, government or scientific institutes, often at management level. Your career path could begin in a variety of sectors and disciplines, such as finance, marketing, procurement or HRM, depending on your specialization. In time you may attain a leadership or strategic position. Another option may be to start your own business; many International Business Administration graduates have done so with great success.

The Master’s in Business Administration takes one year.

International Business Administration primarily consists of projects, lectures, tutorials, and independent study.

Most subjects involve a written exam (either multiple choice or open questions). However, some subjects are also assessed based on an oral examination or some kind of paper. Practical assignments are also a regular part of some assessments.