Industry-Based Study Programme (IBSP)

Overview

The Industry-Based Study Programme (IBSP) offers students a unique opportunity to gain international exposure by combining academic learning with real-world industry experience overseas. Through this programme, students develop professional skills, cultural awareness, and global perspectives that prepare them for today’s competitive workforce.

IBSP is recognised for Credit Recognition towards 5 CUs of Free Elective and is NOT endorsed for Global Learning (GL) fulfilment for students.

What Students Will Experience

Students engage directly with overseas companies, organisations, and industry partners to gain first-hand exposure to global industry practices and professional environments.

Through industry visits, company tours, mentorship sessions, and knowledge-sharing with professionals, students gain insights into international business operations, workplace expectations, emerging technologies, and sector trends.

IBSP emphasises experiential learning by integrating real-world industry projects and applied activities guided by industry professionals. Students will:

Participate in industry-led workshops and training sessions
Work on applied industry projects, case studies, or business challenges
Collaborate in teams to analyse problems and propose practical solutions
Present project outcomes or reflections based on industry feedback

These experiences strengthen students’ ability to apply academic knowledge in professional contexts while developing problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and workplace readiness skills.

Learning overseas provides students with meaningful cross-cultural exposure and global perspectives. Through immersion in an international work and living environment, students will:

Experience different work cultures, professional norms, and business etiquette
Interact with international peers, professionals, and mentors
Develop adaptability, confidence, and intercultural communication skills

These experiences build cultural intelligence and prepare students to thrive in diverse, global workplaces.

The IBSP is structured to support academic outcomes while enhancing employability. Students can expect to:

Earn 5 Credits (CU)
Fulfill the Overseas Experience / Global Learning Experience requirement (for Cohort 2022 or earlier)
Strengthen their resumes with international experience
Build global networks that may support future careers

Beyond academics and industry exposure, students will develop personally by:

Navigating a new country and environment
Enhancing self-reliance and leadership skills
Gaining a broader worldview and global mindset

Why IBSP Matters

Gain Real-World Experience

Students engage in practical industry projects within an international context, applying classroom knowledge to real business challenges

Build Employability Skills

Strengthens both professional and soft skills, including teamwork, communication, and adaptability in diverse environments

Develop Global Awareness

Students develop global readiness, enhance their cultural understanding, and gain the confidence to work effectively across borders

Support Future Career Pathways

This programme provides a valuable international learning experience that prepares students for global career opportunities

Who Can Participate

IBSP is open to students seeking short-term, industry-based overseas learning experiences that combine professional exposure with applied learning.

Upcoming IBSP Destinations

We’re planning more exciting events for you. Stay tuned for upcoming sessions and opportunities!

Past IBSP Destinations

Programme Overview

In November 2025, 40 SUSS students took part in the Hanoi run of the Industry-Based Study Programme (IBSP), making this a particularly exciting edition with two classes conducted concurrently and bringing greater scale, interaction, and energy to the learning experience.

Focused on Business Intelligence (BI), the programme introduced students to the concepts, methods, and practical applications of BI through project-based learning within the Vietnamese business context. Students also engaged with FPT IS, a leading IT solutions provider in Vietnam, gaining valuable exposure to ERP, digital transformation, and enterprise technology solutions in practice.

Learning alongside local students, together with opportunities to observe Hanoi’s local culture and business environment more closely, added a stronger cross-cultural dimension to the programme. Together, these elements made the experience both academically engaging and internationally immersive.

Highlights

Two classes conducted concurrently
Strong emphasis on Business Intelligence and project-based learning
Industry engagement with FPT IS and Vietnam’s digital business ecosystem
Local student participation and closer engagement with Hanoi’s local context

Programme Overview

In July 2025, 30 SUSS students joined the Hangzhou programme in China, one of SUSS’ long-standing and consistently popular overseas learning programmes, well known for its strong industry relevance and immersive design.

Set in one of China’s leading hubs for AI, digital commerce, and innovation, the programme explored topics such as Alibaba’s AI-driven transformation, digital commerce operations, new media marketing, short video planning, and live-streaming practices. Students also visited Hangzhou Tianzi Network Technology Co., Ltd. and Hangzhou Shen Hao Technology Co., Ltd., gaining first-hand exposure to technology-enabled business applications.

A standout feature of the programme was the in-depth visit to the Alibaba campus. Students also had the opportunity to develop a complete business proposal and execution plan and discuss their ideas with seasoned industry practitioners. Together with first-hand exposure to China’s live-streaming ecosystem and Chinese-medium instruction, the programme offered a highly authentic, applied, and industry-relevant learning experience.

Highlights

One of SUSS’ signature and consistently popular overseas programmes
In-depth exploration of the Alibaba campus
Chinese-medium instruction for a more authentic learning experience
Opportunity to develop a full business proposal and discuss it with industry experts

Group of people listening to one man talk

5 people posing with their arms up with a sheet of paper in front of the middle person with Chinese words on the paper

5 people sitting around a table with their hands out in the middle doing a group cheer

Group of people sitting on the stairs posing for a photo

Group of people standing around a robot watching the robot

4 people at a shoot set with lights pointed at them and a phone in front of them

In November 2025, 19 SUSS students flew to Mumbai, India for the pilot run of our SUSS–Jio Institute Industry-Based Study Programme (IBSP).

Bringing together students from diverse programmes: both part-time and full-time, across different ages and industries, this first-ever cohort is gaining direct exposure to the political, economic, and institutional forces shaping India’s dynamic business landscape. They are also exploring India’s cutting-edge digital transformation architecture, including 5G, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

Sustainability is another key pillar of the programme. Through sessions on India’s ESG drivers and regulatory frameworks such as CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report), students are building a nuanced understanding of how responsible business is embedded within India’s growth strategy.

To make this pilot truly immersive, the cohort is also engaging in site visits across Mumbai, including:

Reliance Corporate Park
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC)
Vista Food
Jio World Centre

This marks an exciting beginning as we expand experiential, industry-based global learning opportunities for our students. Here’s to many more impactful cohorts ahead!

Programme Overview

In June 2024, 16 SUSS students travelled to Da Nang, Vietnam, for the inaugural run of the SUSS-FPT Industry-Based Study Programme (IBSP), marking the first collaboration of its kind with FPT and an exciting milestone in SUSS’ overseas industry-based learning journey.

Centred on Advanced Data Analysis with Python, the programme introduced students to Vietnam’s growing technology landscape through company visits and industry sharing sessions. Students visited Enouvo IT Solutions and Orient Software, gaining first-hand insights into how software development, digital strategy, and technology consulting support innovation and digital transformation in practice.

Alongside company learning, the programme also incorporated interaction with local students and opportunities to experience Da Nang’s local culture first-hand. This gave students a more immersive and meaningful learning journey, helping them better appreciate Vietnam’s technology environment and wider social context.

Highlights