Bachelor GMSI

Program and courses Global Management of Social Issues BSc

In the Bachelor Global Management of Social Issues, you will learn to understand and manage international societal challenges ('wicked problems') by combining insights from Human Resource Studies, Organization and Management Studies, and Sociology. You will approach these wicked problems from an interdisciplinary and transnational perspective and learn which organizational solutions are needed to tackle these issues.

Video: short overview of this Bachelor's program (04:03)

Program structure and content

In the first year you will take a number of introductory courses to get an initial understanding of the background, nature, and causes of wicked problems. You will further expand and deepen your knowledge of wicked problems in the second year. In the third year, you will integrate the theoretical knowledge into practice during an internship or project.

First Year Content

The first year starts with various introductory courses into the social sciences: Human Resource Studies, Organization and Management Studies, and Sociology. These subjects will help you to gain a solid foundation in the background, nature, and causes of wicked problems.

You will take the following courses in block 1:

  • Wicked problems 101
  • Introduction to Organization Studies
  • Introduction to Human Resource Management
  • Introduction to Sociology 
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)

You will take the following courses in block 2:

  • Wicked problems 101
  • Introduction to Organization Studies
  • Introduction to Human Resource Management
  • MAW-INT: Introduction to Research Methodology
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)

You will take the following courses in block 3:

  • MAW-INT: Introduction to Statistics 
  • Social Psychology for International Students
  • Financial and Project Management 
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)

You will take the following courses in block 4:

  • MAW-INT: Introduction to Statistics
  • History of Government and Public Institutions
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Economics for International Students
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)
Second Year Content

In the second year, you will increase your knowledge and understanding of theories on complex social and organizational issues.  Similar to the first year, you will follow courses in research methods, which you will put into practice in the course Wicked Problems.

You will take the following courses in block 1:

  • Fundamentals of International and EU Law
  • International Organizations
  • MAW-INT: Qualitative Research Methods
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)

You will take the following courses in block 2:

  • Fundamentals of International and EU Law
  • MAW-INT: Causal Analysis Techniques
  • Organization Theory
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)

You will take the following courses in block 3:

  • MAW-INT: Construction and Analysis of Questionnaires
  • Advanced Project Management
  • Organizational Development
  • Wicked problems 201: Research Practicum
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)

You will take the following courses in block 4:

  • Wicked problems 201: Research Practicum
  • Wicked problems 202: Developing theoretical insights
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)
Third Year Content

The main goal of the third year is the practical integration of the acquired knowledge and insights. You can choose to do an internship or a project at a relevant (international) organization, study abroad for six months, or take extra courses (minor). In addition, you will write your Bachelor's thesis to complete the program.

In block 1 and 2 you will have the choice to:

  • Study abroad
  • Do an internship
  • Take a minor specialization

You will take the following courses in block 3:

  • Cross Cultural Human Resource Management 
  • Wicked problems 301: Intervention Theories
  • Bachelor thesis: Wicked Problems 303
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)

You will take the following courses in block 4:

  • Cross Cultural Human Resource Management
  • Wicked Problems 302: Philosophical Reflections
  • Bachelor thesis: Wicked Problems 303
  • Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)
Study abroad: going on exchange

We encourage all students to gain international experience. A popular and very exciting option is to go abroad on exchange. As an exchange student, you study at one of the many international partner universities of Tilburg University, typically for one semester.

The Study Abroad & Exchange Office of Tilburg University will be available to help you research the opportunities within your study program and a dedicated Study Abroad & Exchange Coordinator will be advising you before, during and after your exchange.

Most students will be eligible for a grant or scholarship to financially support them during their exchange experience. Additional grants for students with special needs or a difficult financial situation are also available.

More on studying abroad

Watch a trial lecture

You will find a detailed description of the courses and required literature in our course catalog.

Go to the course descriptions


Please note: programs are subject to change. We advise you to look up the current program in OSIRIS Student at the start of the year.


Do you want to know more about this Bachelor’s program?

Learn more on this Bachelor's program at one of our events

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GMSI: a series of informal talk shows

For the Global Management of Social Issues program, various 'talk shows' have been recorded in which the program and the underlying themes are discussed in more detail. Check them out here!

Why Global Management of Social Issues in Tilburg?

  • In this Bachelor's program, you focus on social issues from an international perspective.
  • You go beyond the limits of one specialization by combining insights from three scientific fields: Human Resource Studies, Organization and Management Studies, and Sociology. You learn to approach complex social issues from an organizational perspective.
  • During this unique and innovative program, you develop analytical thinking skills by collaborating with students and academics from all over the world in a small-scale, interactive classroom.
  • You take part in simulation exercises as part of a humanitarian emergency response team or participate in the Model United Nations to train your leadership, teamworking, and project management skills. 

Interested in the Bachelor's program in Global Management of Social Issues?

Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application