Programme 6: International Business Economics (IBE) 2nd year Maximum number of students: 10 English: equivalent to IELTS 6.0 the student s major should be business related The student should have successfully finalized the foundation year of a BBA HLA1 Business Administration 1 5 ECTS HLA2 Business Information Systems 1 (EXCEL) 4 ECTS HLA3 Finance 1 4 ECTS HLA4 International Financial Markets 4 ECTS HLA6 Computer Based Accounting 4 ECTS HLA7 Operational Management 3 ECTS PLA9 Fontys Project 6 ECTS Total number of credits 30 ECTS Optional: PLA14 Business English (meeting and presentation skills) 2 ECTS PLA7 Dutch (for beginners) 2 ECTS DLC Dutch Language and Culture certificate
HLA1 Business Administration 1 This course is set up as an introduction to Global Financial Accounting and Reporting. This course is based on the new IFRS GAAP regime for listed European companies. This course is set up as advanced financial accounting. The students acquire advanced skills to create, assemble and analyse information. This can be used in order to comply with international legislation on financial reporting and (strategic) decision making.
HLA2 Business Information Systems 1 In an office environment where calculations are made, a spread sheet program like Microsoft Excel is very important. It is a tool to make efficient (=fast) and complex calculations. An IBE student should be very familiar with this program, also because it is used on al large scale in all kinds of companies. Especially in controlling environments, reports are often generated from an ERP system and have to be adjusted in Excel before management can make decisions. In this course the functionality of Excel will be discussed as some methods to build a structured and robust Excel model. Validation in intermediate steps is also important.
HLA3 Finance 1 This course aims to teach students more advanced topics of finance, including working capital management, financial planning and financial statement analysis. The course assumes previous rudimentary knowledge about accounting and the structure of financial statements.
HLA4 International Financial Markets This Learning Arrangement provides an introduction to global financial markets. It covers the understanding of multinational financial management challenges faced by the business leaders today an how they can manage i.e. political and foreign exchange risks. A special focus is laid on the financial crises in 2007.
HLA6 Computer Based Accounting In this learning agreement the student learns the basic principles of the subject Computer Based Accounting en he learns to handle a software programme for executing the financial administration. A financial administration needs to be complete and reliable, in a way that the system informs management in a clear and accurate way about the financial situation of the organisation. In order to assure this, the company processes need to be based on the general principles regarding the accurate setting of the computer based accounting. There is no course manual available at the moment.
HLA7 Operational Management In this Learning Arrangement the topics global logistics and supply chain management are the central themes. Supply Chain Management can be defined as a network of organisations that are involved in the different processes and activities that produce value for the customer. SCM involves then cooperation and collaboration of all parties involved while it does not imply any ownership. This course will focus on identifying and describing the relationships between the parties involved in a supply chain with special attention to transport and cost savings possibilities. In this course the basic principles and concepts of the logistic environment will be discussed as well. Not only from a theoretical perspective, but also students will be encouraged to analyse and investigate case studies and finally prepare a presentation on one of the logistics and SCM aspects of business.
PLA9 Fontys Project In this learning arrangement (LA) student groups (5 students) develop a business plan for a fictitious start-up student company. In developing and writing the business plan every student group will have to take management decisions on organisational, marketing, and financial issues with the help the results of relevant market researches, business theory aspects and personal insights. Apart from the necessary know-how in different fields of business, the student groups will have to develop other competences such as attitude, team work, interviewing and report writing to hand in a convincing final deliverable : a 30-page business plan.
PLA7 Dutch for Beginners This Learning Arrangement (LA) helps the student to acquire a practical knowledge of spoken Dutch. A student that has successfully completed PLA 7 and PLA 15 will achieve level A1 according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages. This LA focuses mainly on spoken Dutch. However, listening, reading and writing skills are being considered as well. The command of level A1 enables students to make themselves understood on a basic level in a Dutch speaking environment. FIBS graduates have a lot to gain from this. Speaking Dutch is particularly useful in the light of potential export possibilities to the Netherlands. In this way, students can distinguish themselves from their peers. Moreover, being able to speak basic Dutch will also help students to function well within Dutch society during their studies. After graduation, Dutch language skills may be an advantage on many labour markets, since the Dutch currently have the 15th largest economy. Moreover, can you imagine telling your friends or future employers that you do not speak any Dutch, even though you studied there for four years? No Way. So just go for it. It is easier than you may think. This Dutch course responds to a growing need for future business persons such as yourself to maintain international business relations. There are many opportunities for non-native speakers. It is a considerable advantage to be able to communicate in a third or maybe even a fourth language.
PLA14 Business English This Learning Agreement (LA) helps the student to acquire oral business communication skills in the form of meeting skills and presentation skills. Meetings At end of this section, the student plans, participates in, and leads a structured discussion. This means that the student uses highly polite, indirect word usage to deal with conflicts, to steer discussions and to get the point across during meetings. Presentations At end of this section, student speaks effectively in public at first year level. This entails the following. First, the student learns to structure a presentation by using clear transitions and signals to steer the audience. Secondly, the student makes real contact with audience by using the fourteen communication channels in a natural manner. Thirdly, the student delivers speech well. This means that the student s English is easy to understand, it conveys enthusiasm, it is phonetically, lexically, grammatically, and idiomatically correct. Fourthly, the student gives good feedback on observed presentation performance of other students by stating what went well and what could be improved.
DLC Dutch Language and Culture During this course we hope you will become familiar with the language and the cultural highlights of the country you will be living in the coming half year: Holland! We hope that in this way you will feel more comfortable in our country, that you will get to know some of your fellow exchange students in an informal and pleasant way, and most of all: we hope that you will return home with some basic Dutch language skills and some basic cultural knowledge, that will have an added value both when you apply for a job, and when you decide to visit our country again! Goals of this course: 1) To acquire some basic knowledge of Dutch and European culture, history and habits. 2) To acquire some basic knowledge of the Dutch language 3) To develop some basic Dutch language skills.