Are you interested in managing people and leading change? Do you want to know what it takes to motivate employees and foster learning in organizations? Do you want to understand why managers, employees, and consultants behave the way they do? Are you interested in how psychology can be applied to business? Then the specialization in Consultancy could be right for you.

The specialization is part of the master's program in International Business and it's for students looking for a career in management. Combining insights from management, organizational behavior, and psychology, the program integrates fundamental and cutting-edge knowledge on leadership and management with expertise in learning and change in organizations.

Overview of specialty

This program focuses on how to create a successful practice using basic business principles and entrepreneurship skills. Topics covered include steps needed to begin the process: early decisions, formulating the business plan, business structures, fee setting, contracts, creating a marketing plan, and social media.

Courses are designed to help students discover how to adapt business strategies to accommodate changing marketplace conditions and to provide students with opportunities to understand and apply effective leadership skills. Through case studies and intensive projects, students will have the opportunity to gain the ability to assess organizational needs and implement effective improvement scenarios.

As all courses will be read in English, language proficiency is mandatory. International applicants should submit the results of TOEFL or IELTS.

Steps to Becoming a Consultant

Consultants must typically earn a bachelor's degree in order to be competitive in the field. However, some employers prefer to hire those who have earned their master's degree, specifically an MBA.

Earn a bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree programs specifically designed for business analysts are rare, however, and many individuals earn their degrees in a related area such as finance, business administration, business management, or accounting. Those students who know the specific field of consultancy they intend to pursue may want to consider a degree in that specific area.

Earn the master's degree if necessary

Some businesses and government agencies require candidates to hold a master's in business administration (MBA) or a related advanced degree. Master's degree programs in business are popular and can be found at most major universities and many private colleges throughout the world. Additionally, there are a number of quality distance-learning master's business degree programs available, offered by both well-established traditional institutions and fully-online schools. Students should be always careful, though, and confirm that a program is fully accredited before beginning their course of study.

Career prospects

The program prepares you for jobs that require the ability to identify, analyze and solve the major strategic issues faced by various types of organizations - valuable expertise that delivers abundant career opportunities.

Some examples of our graduates' jobs:

• Management Trainee at Achmea Holding

• Trade Consultant Financial Logistics at Rabobank Nederland

• Advisor Performance Improvement at Ernst & Young

• Industry associations: FNRS, KNHS, ZLTO