ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
No need to choose between diplomacy or international business if you don’t want to! The Postgraduate Flagship Programme in Economic Diplomacy and International Business is a comprehensive and highly specialised programme which prepares students for careers in both diplomacy and international business. Compulsory courses in Brussels are complemented with either subjects in Washington and/or Shanghai, an internship or a thesis. This programme is not only relevant for those aspiring to a career in diplomacy and international business, it is also of particular interest to anyone who wants to be involved in developing international economic, monetary, financial and banking policy.
Programme
The Postgraduate Flagship Programme in Economic Diplomacy and International Business is a highly specialised and comprehensive programme preparing students for a career in diplomacy, especially economic diplomacy, and international business. To an important extent, diplomats and business people need to master the same skills and deal with the same matters, albeit from different angles. Graduates from this programme who are active in diplomacy will excel in defending their home country’s economic interests. Graduates who are active in business will excel professionally by mastering trade and investment techniques and through their knowledge on how to maximise the potential of their home country’s economic diplomacy. Another advantage is that graduates can easily switch career from diplomacy to business or banking and back.
Courses of a high academic standard are enriched by hands-on input from practitioners. Participants will be offered all round training, giving them a sound understanding of the legal, fiscal, economic, monetary, banking and commercial aspects of economic diplomacy and international business. Skills workshops support optimal professional performance. This programme is not only relevant for anyone aspiring to a career in diplomacy and international business, it is also of particular interest to anyone who wants to be involved with international economic, monetary, financial and banking policy making.
Added value
The Postgraduate Flagship Programme in Economic Diplomacy and International Business offers you:
- A unique and specialised 99 ECTS curriculum.
- A mixture of academic and practitioner led classes, designed to provide theoretical and practical understanding of the various aspects of economic diplomacy and international business.
- Internship services: students are assisted in obtaining internships.
- The BDA can provide references and career advice.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes describe the intended knowledge and understanding, skills and attitudes that you must master after completing your studies. Do you want to know more about the specific learning outcomes of this programme? Click here for more information.
AFTER GRADUATION
This programme is designed to maximise the chances of finding and being successful in jobs across economic diplomacy and international business including jobs in international organisations, governmental departments and diplomacy such as Trade Commissioner, jobs in trade and investment such as export manager, purchasing or sourcing manager, investment manager, account manager or business development manager; and finally jobs in banks, for example in the international trade finance department, in the international investment finance department, and in corporate relations. Finally, the programme is also of particular use to those who want to be involved with international economic, monetary, financial and banking policy making.
Careercenter
THE BDA IS HAPPY TO PROVIDE REFERENCES AND ADVICE ON CAREER OPTIONS AND THE VUB CAREER CENTER HELPS YOU TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP IN THE JOB MARKET WITH WORKSHOPS, NETWORKING EVENTS, JOB FAIRS, TIPS ‘N TRICKS FOR JOB INTERVIEWS. ALL AN AMBITIOUS STUDENT NEEDS!
First step in the market
Phd?
IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE YOUR ACADEMIC CAREER, YOU CAN APPLY FOR A PHD POSITION AT THE VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL. ALL YOU NEED IS A PROMOTER, RESEARCH SUBJECT AND SUFFICIENT FUNDING. ARE YOU UP FOR THIS CHALLENGE?
More info
First step in the market
This is a comprehensive curriculum which delivers graduates able to embark on a career in economic diplomacy as well as independently undertake international business practices such as export, import, sourcing, investing, M&A and international alliance formation.
Want to know more about our alumni?
More infoFollow the VUB
On LinkedInApplication deadline
Prospective students are strongly advised to contact us to discuss the programme before applying.
The semester starts on the 1st of September.
Note: if the proof of English proficiency or APS certificate is not ready before the deadline, you can always submit it later instead of missing the deadline
Applications can only be submitted through the website.
International Opportunities
The Postgraduate in International Trade and Investment is a transcontinental programme.
In the second semester, students can choose electives amounting to:
12 ECTS in Washington D.C.
or
12 ECTS in Shanghai
or
6 ECTS in Washington D.C. and 6 ECTS in Shanghai
It is also possible, under certain circumstances, to undertake an internship overseas.
Tuition fees
BDA programmes are not subsidised. The tuition fees for the Belgian part of the programme are 9500 Euros, with additional fees for electives in Washington and/or Shanghai.