Master of Science in International Business and Trade

The International Business and Trade Programme take its point of departure in present day managerial decision making. Continuous globalization processes of domestic economies have led to a situation where firms must face and comprehend the impacts from global production and trade networks. Consequently, there is a growing need for firms and managers to respond to the increased possibilities as well as complexities of the greater and more relaxed movement of capital, people, services, products and knowledge as they are subject to and must understand forces from national and supranational levels.

The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach, synthesizing methods of international business environment analysis with theories concerning strategic management of multinational corporations. This also includes an understanding of the legal framework affecting international trade and foreign direct investment. It has its foundation in both business studies as well as economic geography, making the program unique in the area of international management.

The International Business and Trade programme gives You a distinctive combination of training and knowledge about the functioning of multinational companies in the global economy. This is viewed from a business perspective and supported by a thorough legal understanding concerning international trade. During the programme, deep insights are accumulated concerning different industries and countries through courses that fine-tune individual analysis capability and give valuable skills and understandings concerning project team work. Furthermore, the programme provides opportunities for field work in an international environment at respected European and Asian universities.

The programme is carried out with a strong emphasis on real world examples and case studies from manufacturing and service companies, operating globally, based on both typical western and emerging market contexts. Many of the case studies and project assignments are implemented in close cooperation with established multinational corporations as well as internationalizing small and medium sized firms. The programme is especially designed for students who plan a future career in international companies, in marketing, purchasing, exports and strategic management. The programme is also aimed at students who wish to specialize in trade policy and/or trade promotion in international organizations, or national government institutions.

Within the International Business and Trade programme You can specialize in an area of your interest. In practice this means at least 3 courses of 7.5 hec plus a Master Degree Project in the specific area. Graduate School will offer two cross-master specializations, specifically Environmental Sustainability and Event and Tourism as alternatives to the elective courses.