Global Management of Social Issues BSc
Global Management of Social Issues integrates knowledge from three academic fields in the social sciences: Human Resource Studies, Organization Studies and Sociology, from a cross-cultural and international comparative perspective. You will approach complex societal challenges in an international context from an organizational and managerial perspective. You will learn how to run projects and compose teams that work on complex social issues called 'wicked problems'.
Education as of September 2022
All education takes place on campus again, now that the coronavirus measures have been scaled back. Of course, we will always maintain a safe environment for our students and staff. Therefore, a few basic measures still apply. For the latest updates on the COVID-19 situation, see our FAQs for prospective students.
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Short overview of Global Management of Social Issues
Program and courses
Program content
- The first year is an interdisciplinary year, in which you gain insights into three different disciplines within the social sciences: human resource studies, organization studies, and sociology. These first-year disciplines will help you develop an initial understanding of the backgrounds, nature and causes of wicked problems. Think about subjects such as poverty, migration, climate change, or humanitarian interventions after a natural disaster.
- From the second year on, you will increase your knowledge of and insights in theories dealing with complex societal and organizational problems in general and wicked problems in particular.
- The main goal of the third year is the practical integration of the acquired knowledge and insights. You can accomplish this through an internship at an organization in an international context in or outside the Netherlands, through a project that deals with wicked problems, by taking additional minor courses, or by studying your minor abroad. You will finish your program with a Bachelor’s thesis.
Read more about this study program
What are 'wicked problems'? (video - 2:44 min)
Typical courses are:
- Wicked problems 101
Many of the current, most pressing societal challenges involve dealing with complex social, policy and organizational problems, so-called ‘wicked’ problems. - International Organizations
This course has two parts. In the first part, the course an introduction is to international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The second part focuses on how international organizations attempt to cope and tackle global complex policy issues.The course encompasses a field trip to international organizations in The Hague. - Financial and Project Management
The aim of this course is to increase the basic knowledge and understanding of financial and project management.
Why this Bachelor's program in Tilburg?
Approach complex societal issues with academics and students from all over the world
- Approach current complex societal issues from an organization and management perspective and develop analytical thinking skills. Through simulations, you learn how to compose a team of experts to ‘solve’ a wicked problem.
- The program brings together academics and students from all over the world in a small-scale and interactive learning environment.
- Immerse yourself in a truly international classroom and explore various interdisciplinary and cross-national perspectives on ‘wicked problems’.
- Study at a university that offers the infrastructure and all the possibilities of an international research university, yet is still small scale.
- Program for Academic Study Success (PASS)
Personal guidance and coaching from an academic mentor throughout the entire program (years 1, 2 and 3) to help you achieve your full potential.
Watch a short video about our Program for Academic Study Success (2:21 min).
Get ready for a multidisciplinary, international job
- Get ready for a multidisciplinary job in international commercial, public or non-profit environments and organizations. Go beyond the limits of one specialization with this extraordinary combination of scientific expertise.
- Participate in regular guest lectures of practitioners discussing current important global issues.
- Take part in simulation exercises (as a part of a humanitarian emergency response team) or get active with Model United Nations (MUN) to train your leadership, team working and project management skills.
- Gain international exposure by spending a semester at a partner university studying abroad or by doing an internship.
More on the reasons to choose this program
What to expect when coming to Tilburg
Beyond your Bachelor's: Extracurricular Activities
Beyond your Bachelor: Extracurricular Activities
- Join our Study Association Polis. They organize multiple formal and informal activities for their members.
- Challenge yourself by participating in one of the programs of excellence.
After your Bachelor's
Pursue a Master's degree
Most of our students continue towards a Master's degree after completing their Bachelor's degree. For example:
Check out all applicable Master's programs
Career prospects
The fact that you can think beyond the limits of one specialization makes sure that you can be employed in different companies, departments and projects in international environments and organizations.
You could work, as a consultant or human resource manager in an international organization, connecting people in order to create the most competent team to solve complex problems. Or you could work as a fund-raiser and help find a solution for poverty, or help introduce sustainable practices in supply chains. As a project manager, you can make sure that projects run smoothly and produce the best possible results.
Application and admission
Please follow the national application and admission procedure (in Dutch) if you are applying based on a Dutch vwo or hbo-p diploma, regardless of your nationality. A general description of the national application procedure is also available in English.
Admission requirements
- To be eligible for admission to a research university such as Tilburg University, you must have a high school diploma equal to the highest level of secondary education in the Netherlands (the Dutch vwo diploma).
- As this Bachelor’s program is taught entirely in English, you must prove your English language proficiency.
- A good knowledge of mathematics is important for being successful in this Bachelor’s program. In order to be admitted, you must therefore prove that you have sufficient knowledge of mathematics.
You can find more detailed information about the admission requirements on this program's 'Application and admission' page.
Tuition fees and monthly cost of living
Tuition fees
When you wish to study at Tilburg University, you must pay a tuition fee.
- Tuition fees cover the cost of lectures and facilities provided by the university, such as the extensive university library, Wi-Fi on campus, and symposia and other meetings.
- Tuition fees at Tilburg University are always for one full academic year.
More information on the tuition fees and rates
Estimated monthly costs of living
Besides the tuition fees, you will have living costs and other expenses. You will find life in Tilburg relatively inexpensive compared to life in other Dutch university cities, such as Amsterdam and Utrecht. The approximate cost of living is between € 715 and € 1,215 per month.
(Furnished) accommodation | € 350 - 750 per month |
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Foods & Drinks | € 200 - 300 per month |
Books & Readers | € 65 per month |
Insurance | € 100 per month |
Sport membership | + € 139.95 per year |
Other Bachelor's programs you might like
Related Bachelor's programs
Do you want more information on this Bachelor's program?
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Maria
Bachelor's student"I chose GMSI with the idea of learning how to tackle world problems. During the program I learned to think about issues from different perspectives: organizational, economical, and sociological. And last but not least, I found a second family in my fellow students."
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Eline
Bachelor's student"The GMSI program offers me multiple perspectives on contemporary social issues and enhances my critical thinking of the functioning of organizations. The classes are vibrant with engaged international students."
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Zahra Sultany
Alumna"During my internship at Care Nederland I did research on social media use for women's rights in Afghanistan. My research gave me even more insight into the challenges that women in Afghanistan have to face every day."
Meet us
Throughout the year you have the opportunity to meet us and learn more about Tilburg University and the programs that we offer. You can take part in various types of events: on-campus, abroad or online.
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To be announced
Campus Experience
Are you curious about life as a student at Tilburg University, or not sure which university you want to attend? Discover our compact and green campus during the Campus Experience and find out if Tilburg University is your future home.
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09:30 - 17:00
Bachelor's Open day
Do you want to know which Bachelor's program suits you best? Sign up for the Bachelor’s Open day on Saturday, November 5. Get to know more about our international Bachelor's programs and ask our students, teachers and study advisors all your questions.
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To be announced
Student for a day Bachelor's programs
Do you have a specific study program in mind or are you still considering various options? Join one or more of our Student for a day event(s) in Fall 2022. Together with our students you can attend a variety of mini-lectures and discover whether the study program suits you. The exact data are not scheduled yet.
All information in one brochure
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Are you and Global Management of Social Issues a match? If you...
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are interested in Global Issues and want to have an impact on society
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want to pursue an international career
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are looking for a challenge, and have an analytical and critical attitude
Then this is the program for you!