- International Business degrees prepare students for specialised roles in global contexts, enhancing employability in the business management sector.
- Master’s programme admissions often require relevant undergraduate degrees, standardised tests, CVs, and motivation statements to showcase experience.
- Top universities in Europe, like Rennes School of Business, offer tailored programmes with diverse specialisation tracks for a global learning experience.
- Various international programmes provide unique learning environments, fostering collaboration through projects, workshops, and real-world business simulations.
Fancy studying business, finance or economics? Keen on broadening your horizons and learning in a global context? Then an International Business degree may be just the degree for you! If you have already completed your undergraduate studies, then choosing a master’s degree programme is an important decision and crucial to making sure you are on track to achieve your career goals.
In this article, we’ve chosen a variety of Master’s in International Business from across Europe, and explained what makes them stand out.
Why study international business management?
International business management is a fascinating area of study and one of the most employable Master’s degrees – in today’s ever-globalised world, studying the international context of business is an asset for companies. It’s a programme designed to develop students’ leadership skills and cultivate their awareness of global economics and trade, preparing graduates for a fast-paced career.
In addition, studying international business can lead to a wide range of opportunities afterwards. Unlike graduates of standard business degrees, who may go on to work in mainstream business roles such as sales, graduates of international business programmes often take on more specialised or niche roles, ranging from international development to corporate consulting to import-export management. With so many avenues of employment, studying international business management is sure to impress hiring managers in any globally focused line of work, making it an especially valuable degree.
What are the Application Requirements for a Master’s in International Business?
Master’s programmes require applicants to have completed an undergraduate degree; indeed, some programmes may require your first degree to be in a related field, like economics or management. That said, many programmes with such requirements accept alternative qualifications, such as completion of a foundation year in business or proof that you undertook business or economics modules in your first degree.
In addition, many of the top-ranked master’s programmes in business ask applicants to take a standardised test like the GMAT or GRE. While this isn’t mandatory for all programmes, submitting a standardised test score with your application is a great wy to make you stand out from other candidates.
Aside from academic requirements, most business schools will ask for a CV and a motivation statement as part of their admissions process. This is the ideal place to highlight any relevant work experience you may have and articulate why you want to undertake graduate studies in international business.
Finally, a few programmes offer interviews to applicants who pass the first stage of the admissions process. Others may accept reference letters to increase the depth of your application. If a programme you are applying to requires these additional steps, use them to fill in what your transcript, CV and motivation statement may not say about you. Most likely, interviews and reference letters will not make or break your application for a master’s in international business, but they are great opportunities to paint a more complete picture of yourself and what inspires you to apply.
The Best Master’s in International Business
Below, we have listed and detailed some of Europe’s top master’s programmes in international business. Located in five countries, these schools offer a wide range of programs and approaches to graduate-level study in the field.
Rennes School of Business
Although Rennes School of Business is another top-ranked institution in France, it offers a unique global experience, with 95% of faculty members from outside France and 55% of students who are not French. This international context is backed by a degree programme tailored to each student. In addition to modules on topics ranging from global marketing strategy to corporate social responsibility, the MSc in international management at Rennes SB allows students to choose a specialisation track in data analytics, finance, luxury marketing, marketing or supply chain management. This means you can tailor your international management curriculum to your future career interests.
Student Review
Rennes School of Business is more than a place for just learning ,it has so many usefulness and I’m so grateful to experience it all; the lecturers ,the students ,the facilities,the togetherness ,the warmness and many others.
Bocconi University
Bocconi University in Milan is a top-ranked European business school known for its vibrant international community and strong career outcomes. Its MSc in International Management is a two-year, English-taught degree that equips students with deep insights into global business, sustainability, data-driven decision-making, and multicultural leadership. You can tailor your path through specialisations, study abroad options, internships, or elite tracks such as the CEMS Master in International Management, thereby broadening your global network. The programme emphasises real-world skills, intercultural learning, and global mobility — ideal if you’re aiming for an international management career.
Student Review
The 2 years of my Master of Science program have been the experience I sought after my Bachelor’s in India. Bocconi emphasized theoretical and practical ways of learning, which involved collaboration among my course peers and those in other universities and organizations. I feel more prepared to enter the workforce having realised the areas of my interest and following the pursuit of skills that will enhance my career trajectory.
Brest Business School
Brest Business School was created in 1962 and is a member of the prestigious Conférence des Grandes Écoles. The objective of the program is to provide students with both the technical and behavioural skills in the fundamentals of international trade and knowledge of technical import/export procedures. The MIB is a multicultural melting pot where each student learns to observe and collaborate to deepen their understanding of the International and its human and managerial specificities.
Student Review
Brest Business School is a top choice in France for advancing knowledge in modern business. I’m currently pursuing my master’s at their Brest campus, which features a modern building with excellent classrooms and a well-stocked library, fostering a great study environment. The professors are highly knowledgeable and supportive. I highly recommend this school to anyone eager to learn.
ESSCA School of Management
At ESSCA School of Management, the MSc in Global Business Management is designed to help you build the confidence for an international career. The one-year, English-taught programme combines strategy, data, innovation and cross-cultural teamwork, so you graduate ready to face global business challenges. Plus, you can choose to study in Paris or take the IBSA dual-degree track, spending one year at a second international institution and gaining additional international experience. Options for global study include a specialisation in International Finance & Investments in the US and International Marketing in Spain.
Student Review
It has been a great experience at this University where teaching, tutors and students were of great quality and competitiveness. Classes were held in batches of 20-30 students. The overall quality of the content was good to great. The library was also great, with lots of books available online. Architecture and layout seemed modern. They even had a piano and a Japanese garden for students to use!
Students were friendly and the town of the university (Angers) was incredible!
Great staff that handle your concerns and great choices for accommodation. Student life with clubs and french cuisine is also amazing. These are the reasons I am giving 5 out of 5
Munich Business School
The MA in international business at Munich Business School equips students with insider business know-how and personal and professional development skills, creating well-rounded graduates prepared for work on a global scale. With a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the Munich Business School has a wealth of resources to guarantee you get the most out of your master’s degree. Furthermore, this master’s programme offers students the opportunity to take elective modules in foreign languages and non-traditional areas alongside the degree’s core and focus modules, making for holistic graduate-level education. At MBS, you certainly get the most out of the €25,740 tuition fees.
Student Review
What stands out is the faculty’s focus on interactive teaching, which keeps the experience mentally intriguing without being overwhelming. The professors bring both academic depth and real-world experience, sparking debates that make you reflect later
In short, Munich Business School is less about rote learning and more about cultivating a mindset that thrives on exploration and dialogue. It’s not flawless, but its strength lies in how it makes you think differently about business and the world.
C3S Business School
C3S Business School offers a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership, which is equivalent to a 120-credit Master’s in Management degree. Accredited in the UK, the degree helps students step confidently into senior leadership roles. During the one-year programme, students focus on real-world strategy, decision-making, and leadership skills they can apply in the workplace. There’s flexibility to study the programme on campus in Barcelona or online, and it’s possible to progress from the diploma to an MBA top-up – great for boosting your career in a cost and time-effective way.
Student Review
My experience at C3S this year has been truly unforgettable and exceptional. Being alongside the outstanding professors at CSSS has made this journey even more meaningful for me. I am currently in my second term, and I have encountered nothing but professionalism, care, courtesy, and respect from every single professor and staff member. I would especially like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Aida, the Head of HR, for building such a strong, supportive, and genuinely admirable team.
TalTech
Tallinn University of Technology offers an MA in International Business in the Digital Area, ideal for professionals seeking to develop specific skills in digital transformation. Students attending TalTech offer high praise for the university, noting its friendly, supportive atmosphere as a unique advantage. Another advantage is TalTech’s relative affordability. Their master’s in international business costs €5,000 per year, which is far less than the tuition fees for many master’s programmes that exceed €10,000, and non-EU students pay the same as EU students.
Student Review
The education provided is absolutely exceptional. Tallinn, a beautiful city rich in history and culture, makes it an even better place to live. The people are friendly, and the systems are incredibly accommodating. It’s a great option for anyone looking to get a top-tier education at a very affordable price. Highly recommended!
Choose a Master’s in International Business
Hopefully, some of these universities sparked your interest and will help you jump-start the next step of your career journey. Even if that is not the case, EDUopinions can help you make the best decisions for your educational journey, so be sure to check out our other articles on master’s programmes.
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