Economic Diplomacy and International Business

Overview

Compulsory courses in Brussels are complemented with either subjects in Washington and/or Shanghai, an internship or a thesis. 

This Postgraduate Flagship Programme in Economic Diplomacy and International Business at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) 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.

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.

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.

Accreditation

All degree programmes offered by VUB are accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO), ensuring that they meet the highest predefined quality standards. Alongside this official quality control system, VUB has an internal Quality Control Commission in charge of permanently monitoring the quality of education.