Bachelor GMSI

Global Management of Social Issues BSc

3 years English Starts end of August

In this Bachelor, 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'. Global Management of Social Issues integrates knowledge from three academic fields in the social sciences: Human Resource Studies, Organization and Management Studies, and Sociology.

#94
in the world in Social Sciences & Management

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023

3
ways to personalize your study

choose an internship, study abroad, or minor

40%
international students

in your classroom

Short overview of Global Management of Social Issues

  • Approach current complex societal issues (wicked problems) from a multidisciplinary perspective and develop analytical thinking skills.
  • Work with academics and students from all over the world in a small-scale and interactive learning environment.
  • Take part in simulation exercises (as a part of a humanitarian emergency response team) or participate in the Model United Nations (MUN) to train your leadership, team working and project management skills.
Program and courses

Program content

Learn how to approach complex societal challenges in an international context from an organizational and management perspective. Additionally, you will learn to understand and manage these international societal challenges by combining insights from Human Resource Studies, Organization and Management Studies, and Sociology.   

  • During the first year, you will take courses from three disciplines within the social sciences: Human Resource Studies, Organization and Management Studies, and Sociology. Through these courses, you will develop an initial understanding of the backgrounds, nature and causes of wicked problems, such as poverty, migration, climate change, and 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 and wicked problems.
  • During the third year, you will integrate the theoretical knowledge and insights from the first and second year in a practical way. There are several opportunities available. You can participate in a project that deals with wicked problems or an internship either abroad or in the Netherlands at an organization in an international context. It is also possible to take additional minor courses or do your minor abroad. You will finish your program with a Bachelor’s thesis.

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.

More on the program and courses

Beyond your Bachelor's: Extracurricular Activities

Beyond your Bachelor's: Extracurricular Activities

  • Join our  Study Association Polis. They organize multiple formal and informal activities for their members.
  • Join the faculty association IDEA.
  • Challenge yourself by participating in one of the programs of excellence, such as an honors program.
  • Do an internship, study abroad or do minor courses during the mobility window.

View all extracurricular activities

After your Bachelor's

Careers and subsequent Master’s programs

After obtaining your Bachelor's degree in Global Management of Social Issues, you can choose to do a Master's program. After you have completed a Master's program, you will have favorable career prospects as a consultant, HR manager, or social entrepreneur.

Graduates found work at Doctors Without Borders, Greenpeace, the Red Cross, Philips, KLM, Rabobank, Ahold, PwC, and Unicef.

 Discover what you can do after your Bachelor’s

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.

Go to application and admission

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 € 925 and € 1.125 per month.

(Furnished) accommodation Starting from € 550 per month
Foods & Drinks € 200 per month
Books & Readers € 65 per month
Insurance € 100 per month
Sport membership + € 139.95 per year

The Bachelor's program in 4 minutes

Do you want more information on this Bachelor's program?

  • Julia

    Julia

    Bachelor's student

    "What I like most about GMSI is that the program is very versatile and that you look at the different subjects with an international mindset."

    Ask me a question

  • Bachelor student GMSI Amirali

    Amirali

    Bachelor's student

    "Studying GMSI has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. Since the study is interdisciplinary, it allowed me to explore my interests and discover what attracts me more. Without GMSI, I wouldn't have been able to find my passion."

  • Bachelor student GMSI Maud

    Maud

    Bachelor's student

    "The GMSI program taught me how to look critically at social issues from different perspectives. What I like most are our interactive classes with engaged international students who have different insights and opinions."

Study choice activities

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.

All information in one e-brochure

Create your own e-brochure with information on program content, admission requirements, career prospects, and student life in Tilburg.

All information in one e-brochure

Are you and Global Management of Social Issues a match? If you...

  • are interested in Global Issues and want to have an impact on society

  • want to pursue an international career

  • are looking for a challenge, and have an analytical and critical attitude

Then this is the program for you!

Our Students on Instagram: #wearetilburguniversity