Business degrees building a future we want

As global warming, excessive waste, pollution, deforestation, and other critical issues persist, the movement for a more environmentally sustainable future has gained traction. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified the climate crisis as one of the most pressing challenges of our time, impacting all aspects of human life and health. 

At the same time, the world is more connected and more digital than ever. The promise and potential of emerging technologies can be harnessed to care better for the planet and its people. This is a big undertaking that requires all sectors — but especially the trade and business community which touches and has the power to move massive swaths of the economy towards a more sustainable future.

From technology to retail, marketing to operations, there’s a wide range of business roles that need skilled, passionate individuals who can balance environmental, social and governance needs ensuring profits for stakeholders. The best business schools understand this, providing degrees that will take graduates far in a greening economy.

Nyenrode Business University is one of the top universities in the Netherlands. Source: Nyenrode Business University

Nyenrode Business University

Nyenrode Business Universiteit has a history dating back to 1946. Today, it is one of the leading business schools in the Netherlands, known for its focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and responsible business practices. A location at the historical building “De Vijf Keizers” (the five emperors) in the heart of the Amsterdam provides an international focus, sparking connections between students and businesses. Pair this with how lively, open, creative, small scale and entrepreneurial Amsterdam is, and Nyenrode students have the ideal base to study, live and launch a career in.

Indeed, graduates often describe their Nyenrode education as a reward for life. The full-time, 16-months Master of Science in Management — with a tailor-made, four-month pre-master — was voted best business administration master for 10 years in a row (Keuzegids Masters) and #78 in the worldwide Top 100 Masters in Management (Financial Times ranking). Three specialisations — Financial Management, Digital Business & Innovation, Global Business — let students personalise what they learn before applying them in the Personal Leadership & Development Journey.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is just as impactful. Rated the best study programme in international Business for the sixth year in a row (2017 to 2023), it focuses on personal development, an international orientation, and small groups. Spanning three years, it combines academic business knowledge with practical relevance and self-growth — with an exchange programme during the third year. Students rate this programme five out of five stars at Studiekeuze123.nl, making it one of the highest scoring business and economics bachelor in the Netherlands.

Nyenrode provides guaranteed housing for its students. Many international students reside in this modern housing called OurDomain, which is located 20 minutes away from the Amsterdam city center by subway, Source: Nyenrode Business University

Both programmes open doors to new opportunities through Nyenrode’s vast business networks. Approximately 30,000 Nyenrodian across the globe often return to coach students and invite them into their business networks too. All of this makes it easy for students to apply what they’ve learned in their “head, hands and heart” in their highly personal (maximum class size is 35) and practical programmes.

Nyenrode students have numerous opportunities to explore new places and forge lifelong friendships. These opportunities arise not only from Nyenrode’s distinctive student life but also from the appealing locations of its two campuses in Amsterdam and Breukelen (Utrecht), situated on a large estate filled with nature and historical buildings. Additionally, you can conveniently travel to various cities outside the Netherlands, including Paris and Berlin, by bus or train. To learn more about Nyenrode Business University, please click here.

Trinity Business School hosted the Provost Innovation Challenge 2023, where students were given the opportunity to learn from industry experts. Source: Trinity Business School Facebook

Trinity Business School

The Irish higher education system is well-reputed for its close industry links, strong academic programmes, and high scientific research standards. Trinity Business School is the perfect example of that. As part of Trinity College Dublin, the university is located on a beautiful campus in the heart of Dublin’s city centre and is known as one of Ireland’s top-ranked universities.

Trinity is at the forefront of ensuring students gain the skills they need to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s global challenges. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across all the major disciplines in the arts and humanities and in business, law, engineering, science, and health sciences. It is home to 18,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across all the major disciplines, making the city a cosmopolitan hub for international students. 

Combine innovative teaching, academic excellence, leading research, great people and a fantastic city, and students here become world-class professionals and leaders who contribute to society and medical innovation.

The business school is committed to sustainability in its operations. The campus implements sustainable practices such as energy-efficient buildings, waste management systems, and initiatives to reduce environmental impact.

The university strongly emphasises sustainability in its programmes, research, and operations. The business school offers a range of programmes that integrate sustainability and responsible business practices. Courses and modules within programmes such as the Bachelor in Business Studies, Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and Master’s in International Management often include topics related to sustainable business strategies, ethics, and social responsibility.

Trinity actively engages in sustainability-related research across various disciplines. Faculty members and researchers focus on sustainable finance, social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable innovation. They contribute to academic knowledge and practical solutions for sustainable development.

Trinity Business School collaborates with various local and international organisations to promote sustainability. These partnerships allow students to engage with businesses and industry professionals actively working on sustainable practices. 

Source: EADA Business School Barcelona Facebook

EADA Business School Barcelona

EADA Business School in Barcelona, Spain, is committed to integrating sustainability into its programmes and activities. It recognises the importance of incorporating sustainability principles into business education and preparing future leaders to address global challenges.

EADA offers a Master’s in Sustainable Business and Innovation programme specifically designed for students interested in pursuing careers in sustainable business. The programme covers sustainable entrepreneurship, circular economy, social innovation and corporate social responsibility.

Here, many Sustainable Business Projects are offered. Students have the opportunity to work on real-world sustainability challenges in collaboration with companies and organisations.

The university organises workshops, seminars and guest speaker sessions on sustainability-related topics as well. These events provide students with insights from industry experts, allowing them to deepen their understanding of sustainable business practices.

In a recent intensive five-day course of entrepreneurship taught by Professor Bart Huisken, International MBA students gained hands-on experience in venturing and lean start-up methodology. The course was “a good opportunity to challenge yourself and push to the next level the creativity, hard work and team cohesion,” said student Andrea Castro from Chile.

Source: Politecnico di Milano School of Management Facebook

Politecnico di Milano School of Management

Politecnico di Milano School of Management is a reputable and well-regarded institution. It is part of Politecnico di Milano, one of Italy’s top technical universities that draw many aspiring engineers, architects and industrial designers. Here, students learn through experimental research and technological transfer.

The School of Management recognises the importance of addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges and preparing future leaders who can contribute to sustainable development. Hence why it offers sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable innovation courses. These programmes aim to develop a deep understanding of sustainable business practices and equip students with the knowledge and skills to address such challenges in their future careers.

The university actively engages in research projects related to sustainability and collaborates with various stakeholders, including companies, organisations and public institutions, as well. Faculty members conduct research on topics such as sustainable management, circular economy, energy transition, and social entrepreneurship.

Over at its Sustainability Hub, students and staff have another platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation in sustainability. The hub brings together researchers, students and industry experts to develop and promote solutions to what’s been called the defining issue of our time.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International