Global Business

Exchange programme

  • English-taught exchange programme in Antwerp, home to Europe’s second largest port and leading logistics hub.
  • Develop a 360° view of global business: from marketing and finance to supply chain, law and HR.
  • Analyse global business challenges through the lens of geopolitics, financial risk and market dynamics.
  • Learn to combine strategic thinking with hands-on skills like data analysis, forecasting and decision-making.
  • Apply your knowledge in real-life business cases and simulations.
  • Connect and collaborate with classmates from across the globe.

Interested in a full bachelor programme? Discover our bachelor in Global Supply Chain Management.

What does this course contain?

Course in brief

In this exchange programme you combine theory with hands-on practice. You will:

  • Learn how to build and execute marketing strategies, and identify opportunities in both commercial and non-profit contexts.
  • Work with real business data and statistics to make forecasts, simulations and informed management decisions.
  • Understand how international trade works in practice, including Incoterms®, payment methods and trade documentation.
  • Gain insight into how companies manage costs, budgets and investments, and use this information to support strategic decisions.
  • Examine how organisations deal with disruption and change, using frameworks like Lean Change Management and innovation strategy tools.
  • Understand how geopolitics and global risks, such as political instability or resource dependencies, impact business decisions.

Course overview

You can register for a minimum of 20 credits and a maximum of 34 credits per semester.

Autumn programme

Mandatory courses
25 credits – max. 10 students
Strategic and Operational Marketing
(
3 credits
)

Explore the role of strategical and operational marketing in today’s world of global business. Get an insight into those all-important concepts and techniques, which enable today’s managers to identify and capitalise on opportunities that arise. Find out how its benefits are increasingly sought-after by the public sector and other, not-for profit organisations.

International Business Law
(
5 credits
)

To succeed in the corporate world, you need a good understanding of the legislation that impacts on your business activities. Learn how to operate within a legal framework as you discover how to create legal ads, comply with competition rules, protect your intellectual property, and select the right contract for clients and contracting parties. You will also explore options for international mergers and acquisitions and learn how to process client data in line with privacy laws.

Managerial Accounting
(
5 credits
)

Decision-makers within an organisation rely on timely and accurate financial and non-financial information to make informed judgments. You will master the most important managerial accounting techniques needed to achieve this – job order costing, cost-volume-profit relationships, activity-based costing, activity-based management, budgeting, variance analysis and capital budgeting.

Supply Chain Management
(
3 credits
)

Before a client or consumer can benefit from purchased goods and services, a supply chain must run its course. Get an insight into a product’s  manufacturing, transportation far and wide, packing, storage, selection, and distribution to a shop – often just in time before it is sold and delivered. Join us on this fascinating journey along the supply chain.

Import and Export Management
(
3 credits
)

Delve into the inner workings of international trade. Develop your knowledge of documents in international trade, compare and evaluate payments and financing techniques such as documentary credit arrangements, and learn how to apply Incoterms ® to international trade transactions.

Innovation and Change
(
3 credits
)

In our ever-changing world, companies need to react quickly to maintain their competitive edge. Get an insight into insights, models, tools and techniques to successfully reshape an organisation in light of global developments. Focus on the implications for individuals, teams and organisations and explore project management and organisational culture for ways to create sustainable change. 

International Finance Management
(
3 credits
)

Delve into the international corporate financial management. Explore the international financial markets and the sources for international companies to finance their business. Detect the financial risks and how to develop risk exposure management. Use this knowledge to perform investment analysis, working capital and cash management. Develop insight in international payment techniques and trade finance products.

Electives
Global Human Resources Management
(
3 credits
)

Find out how to attract the right talent, develop it as well as reward and retain staff – core aspects of any successful business. Get a strategic and transactional overview, learn how to apply HR frameworks and concepts to real-life examples, and create the right conditions for employees and managers to achieve company goals.

Geopolitics
(
3 credits
)

This is where geography meets strategy. Explore the impact of geopolitics on globalized business and supply chains. What interests (e.a. natural resources) determine global politics? What are the current and  future geopolitical challenges of an international supply chain and what consequences will they have on global business?

Understanding and facing these challenges is key to supply chain flows.

Learn how to measure potential factors such as political instability, societal polarisation and environmental concerns.

Language course (optional)
3 credits
Dutch Foreign Language for Beginners
(
3 credits
)

This course will help you to develop your skills in Dutch, the language spoken in the Netherlands and in Flanders. The learning objective is to reach level A1 of the CEFR for languages: understand and use familiar everyday basic phrases, introduce yourself and others, interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. However, students who are fluent in German tend to learn Dutch very fast and can reach an A2 level in one semester and will have the chance to do so. You’ll learn about the culture of Antwerp and Belgium, you’ll  recognize grammatical structures (A1) and use them (A2), you’ll develop your vocabulary, listening and speaking skills and you can choose between a more interactive and fun approach or a more classical approach focusing on grammar and vocabulary.

The basic allocation of the academic credit system is 60 credits per year of study or 30 credits per semester. Each credit equals a workload of 25 hours including lectures, seminars, self-tuition, assignments and examinations.

Spring programme

Mandatory courses
31 credits – max. 10 students
Strategic and Operational Marketing
(
3 credits
)

Explore the role of strategical and operational marketing in today’s world of global business. Get an insight into those all-important concepts and techniques, which enable today’s managers to identify and capitalise on opportunities that arise. Find out how its benefits are increasingly sought-after by the public sector and other, not-for profit organisations.

Research and Academic Reporting
(
3 credits
)

Writing a bachelor thesis is challenging and this course will give you a head start. Settle on a topic you want to write about, develop a clear thesis statement, look up different types of sources and evaluate them, plan your work, structure your narrative, and fine tune your writing. The outcome is a well thought-through proposal for your thesis.

International Business Law
(
5 credits
)

To succeed in the corporate world, you need a good understanding of the legislation that impacts on your business activities. Learn how to operate within a legal framework as you discover how to create legal ads, comply with competition rules, protect your intellectual property, and select the right contract for clients and contracting parties. You will also explore options for international mergers and acquisitions and learn how to process client data in line with privacy laws.

Supply Chain Management
(
3 credits
)

Before a client or consumer can benefit from purchased goods and services, a supply chain must run its course. Get an insight into a product’s  manufacturing, transportation far and wide, packing, storage, selection, and distribution to a shop – often just in time before it is sold and delivered. Join us on this fascinating journey along the supply chain.

Quantitative Business Techniques
(
5 credits
)

Calculations and projections are important tools in business management. Learn how to work with statistics, market data and mathematical functions to develop simulations and forecasts in this hands-on seminar.

Import and Export Management
(
3 credits
)

Delve into the inner workings of international trade. Develop your knowledge of documents in international trade, compare and evaluate payments and financing techniques such as documentary credit arrangements, and learn how to apply Incoterms ® to international trade transactions.

Innovation and Change
(
3 credits
)

The advancement of technology and AI, climate crisis and Covid-19 have created an unpredictable and uncertain environment across business industries and society. Our VUCA world calls for a new approach to drive innovation and change, for organisations to remain competitive and relevant.

This course will help you gain insights about the importance of innovation today. We will focus on the following areas:

  • Learning about change management and organisational change theories, tools and techniques
  • Exploring the stages of the change process and the impact of change on the business environment
  • Understanding the principles of Lean Change Management
  • Analysing change in context: reasons of failure of no longer existing companies and companies being threatened now
  • Discussing industry disruptions, megatrends, cross-industry evolutions and innovation principles & themes that companies need to stay relevant in the current environment and ensure the ongoing success of change
  • Introducing Innovation Strategy frameworks for long-term relevance and success
  • Applying and evaluating Innovation Strategy tools to set up a portfolio of innovative ideas for different business cases
International Finance Management
(
3 credits
)

Delve into the international corporate financial management. Explore the international financial markets and the sources for international companies to finance their business. Detect the financial risks and how to develop risk exposure management. Use this knowledge to perform investment analysis, working capital and cash management. Develop insight in international payment techniques and trade finance products.

Geopolitics
(
3 credits
)

This is where geography meets strategy. Explore the impact of geopolitics on globalized business and supply chains. What interests (e.a. natural resources) determine global politics? What are the current and  future geopolitical challenges of an international supply chain and what consequences will they have on global business?

Understanding and facing these challenges is key to supply chain flows.

Learn how to measure potential factors such as political instability, societal polarisation and environmental concerns.

Language course (optional)
3 credits
Dutch Foreign Language for Beginners
(
3 credits
)

This course will help you to develop your skills in Dutch, the language spoken in the Netherlands and in Flanders. The learning objective is to reach level A1 of the CEFR for languages: understand and use familiar everyday basic phrases, introduce yourself and others, interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. However, students who are fluent in German tend to learn Dutch very fast and can reach an A2 level in one semester and will have the chance to do so. You’ll learn about the culture of Antwerp and Belgium, you’ll  recognize grammatical structures (A1) and use them (A2), you’ll develop your vocabulary, listening and speaking skills and you can choose between a more interactive and fun approach or a more classical approach focusing on grammar and vocabulary.

The basic allocation of the academic credit system is 60 credits per year of study or 30 credits per semester. Each credit equals a workload of 25 hours including lectures, seminars, self-tuition, assignments and examinations.

Exams and re-sits

  • Regular exams take place on campus in Antwerp.
  • Resits are scheduled between 18 August and 3 September.
  • Written resit exams are held on campus, oral resit exams and assignments can be done remotely.

When?

Autumn Semester 2026

  • Welcoming Days: 16 (evening) – 17 – 18 September
  • Course modules term 1: 21 September – 30 October​
  • Deadline changes: To be decided​
  • Half term holidays (1 week): 2 November – 6 November
  • Examinations: 9 November – 13 November
  • Course modules term 2: 16 November – 8 January (!)
  • Farewell event: To be decided
  • Seasonal holidays (2 weeks): 21 December – 3 January
  • Examinations: 11 January – 29 January
  • End of semester: 29 January
  • Resit: 18 August – 3 September (written exams are held on campus, oral exams and assignments can be done remotely)

Spring Semester 2027

  • Welcoming Days: To be decided​
  • Course modules term 3: 15 february – 26 March
  • Deadline changes: To be decided​
  • Seasonal holidays (2 weeks): 29 March – 11 April​
  • Examinations: 12 – 16 April
  • Course modules term 4: 19 April – 28 May​
  • Farewell event: To be decided
  • Study week (no classes): 31 May – 6 June​
  • Examinations: 7 June – 25 June
  • End of semester: 25 June
  • Resit: 18 August – 3 September (written exams are held on campus, oral exams and assignments can be done remotely)

Welcoming days

  • Autumn 2026: 16 (evening)-17-18 September 2026
  • Spring 2027: To be decided

Joining the Welcoming days is mandatory and key to a successful exchange.

What to expect?

  • We will introduce you to campus life, explain your daily routine and show you more of Antwerp.
  • Get to know your way around all things KdG.
  • Meet your classmates and potential new best friends.
  • Start to feel at home and comfortable for your first KdG classes. 

Detailed program will be shared via e-mail. 

KdG Welcoming days 2025
KdG Welcoming days 2025

Study in Antwerp, Belgium

  • Home to around 50,000 students and more than 170 nationalities.
  • Antwerp is a safe, diverse and welcoming international student city.
  • Situated on the River Scheldt, this mini metropolis is a gateway to the world.
  • A perfectly located economic hub steeped in history, and always evolving.
  • Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris and London all within easy reach.

Discover Antwerp, Belgium’s ‘capital of cool’

Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Remote video URL

Want to get a taste of student life at KdG? Follow us on Instagram!

Your main campus

  • Your main campus is our Groenplaats campus in the heart of Antwerp, overlooking the the main square and cathedral, and near the Meir shopping street.
  • You will occassionally have classes at one of our other campuses: Stadswaag, Pothoek, or Zuid.
  • Study in the library, get together for group work, or relax in the coffeebar in any of the KdG campuses.
  • Excellent bus and tram links make getting around easy. Antwerpen-Centraal station is close by, connecting you to Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, and London.

Campus Groenplaats
Nationalestraat 5
2000 ANTWERP

+32 3 613 16 00
info.mit@kdg.be

Remote video URL

Practical information

Student onboarding (all the essential information you need)

Guidance and support

  • You are not alone. KdG staff are here to support you with your studies.
  • Students with special needs can apply for individual measures, which are set down in an 'Individual Learning Certificate' (ILC). The granting of these allows for certain concessions in your education and evaluation.
  • Your mental wellbeing is important for us. More about guidance and support at KdG.
Remote video URL

Apply

Who can apply?

  • We welcome all incoming students in Business Administration and Commercial Sciences & Management warmly and look forward to having you join us.
  • Some more specialised courses require preliminary knowledge or skills in International Business Management.
  • Only students selected in the framework of an Interinstitutional Agreement can be accepted.

English language requirements

  • English level B2 recommended for active participation in courses.
  • Limited English proficiency may increase the risk of failing assignments and exams; responsibility of the sending institution.
  • Optional language lessons available on your own expense at the language center of the University of Antwerp (Linguapolis). Applications and fees are to be arranged directly with Linguapolis.

How to apply?

  1. Ask your home institution to communicate your nomination to our international incoming coordinator via our nomination form. You can request the link via incoming.mit@kdg.be.
  2. When you are accepted, you will receive an e-mail confirming your nomination and a link to our online registration and course selection.
  3. When your courses have been approved by KdG, you will receive the link to Mobility Online where you can complete the rest of your application.

Deadlines

  • 1st semester (Autumn semester):
    • Nomination deadline: 1 May
    • Application deadline: 30 June
  • 2nd semester (Spring semester):
    • Nomination deadline: 1 November
    • Application deadline: 22 December