International Business Development

Programme Overview

If you have a taste for the business side of the engineering industry this course could be for you.  The aim of the course is to give you an introduction to some of the skills required to grow a business internationally.  A business development manager has the key role of understanding the technical side of the business, growing the business over time and dealing on a face to face basis with clients.
 
The option is run in English and the subjects are taught in a mix of English and French.

Contribution to sustainable development goals

Learn more about Centrale Nantes' commitment to the 17 sustainable development goals

Admission

This specialisation is open to international students selected by our partner institutions via a double degree programme or an exchange study programme.

Double Degree Programme

• Selected students spend two years studying courses from the engineering programme at Centrale Nantes. This usually includes one year of the common-core engineering curriculum followed by one year of specialisation. 
• Double degree students are typically accepted after successfully completing two or three years of higher education in their home institution.
• Learn more about the double degree programme

Exchange Study Programme

• Selected students have the opportunity to spend a semester or a year of their studies at Centrale Nantes to obtain ECTS credits. 
• Applicants must be fluent in French (B2 level recommended) and have a Master 1st year university level with the equivalent of 240 ECTS credits (in the European system, or equivalent).
• Learn more about the Exchange Study programme

NB Most engineering programme courses are taught in French.

Course Content

• Prospection and Sales
• Negotiation
• International Marketing
• Finance
• Company Law
• Presentation by an industry professional on a typical career path for international business developers (subject to availability)

Download syllabus

Examples of previous projects

• Orange Business Services - Nantes
  The aim of the project was to carry out market research into how businesses meet their connectivity needs, with a particular focus on SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network). Orange wanted to gain a better understanding of business users’ needs regarding this type of service and to obtain an objective overview of competitors’ offerings in this sector.
• NHK Group (Japanese company – approximately 28,000 employees – specialising in ball bearings)
  Following a brief training session, the task was to assist the French subsidiary in exploring new international markets in the medical equipment sector. The students identified the medical and hospital equipment requiring ball bearings, then identified and recommended to NHK the relevant international manufacturers and the expected potential revenue.
• Tysilio (A company based in Aix-en-Provence, operating in 14 countries and specialising in the sale and installation of photovoltaic panels)
  This company was looking to expand into Africa, particularly Togo. The students drew up an action plan and assessed the Togolese market alongside the Africa manager. The company has since installed photovoltaic panels for several businesses in Togo, enabling them to better manage their energy costs.
• Amco (A French company with a strong international presence, specialising in elastomer processing)
  Following a visit to the company and training on elastomers, the students explored the rail market in Poland and identified and contacted potential clients for this new market for the company.
• IoD Solutions (2022 winner of the ‘Entreprendre Atlantique’ network – a consultancy firm helping businesses integrate AI)
  This Nantes-based company was seeking to expand internationally and was weighing up several countries. The students carried out a competitive analysis of each market and then recommended a country following an assessment of potential financial risks.

After the option

Sectors of activity and employment prospects:

A role highly sought after by manufacturers, telecoms and energy operators, service providers and consultancy firms.
Target roles include: International Business Engineer, International Sales Director, International Key Account Manager, International Innovation Engineer, Business Development Manager, Director of an overseas subsidiary.

Student feedback

Video of Francesco, a student in the International Business Development specialisation (video in French with English subtitles)

Video transcript

Pitch your specialisation: Francesco, specialisation International Business Development

I'm Francesco CANNATA, an engineering program student here at Centrale Nantes. I'm doing a double degree with the Politecnico di Milano, Italy and I'm in my final year. 

20 seconds to pitch your specialisation:

I'm following the professional option in International Business Development. The option provides an overview of all company functions. We have courses in finance, law, business development and negotiation. We also have a project, working in groups of 5/6 students with a company. Personally, I am working with a division of Orange. We're working on analysing the business market for Artificial Intelligence. 

3 reasons to choose this specialisation:

The main thing is that the teachers are highly qualified, as I said, we have 360° view of business. Some of the courses are taught in English, so they give you an insight into what an international career is going to be like, and help to prepare. 

Why Centrale Nantes?

I wanted to come to Centrale Nantes for several reasons, the first being the student associative life, which is very well established, the number of international students and close links with companies. 

What is next? 

I am in my final year and I am thinking of undertaking my final internship as a consultant for ERP systems. I'd like to continue working in project management.