The Master of Science in International Business, a program with an international focus, prepares you to operate in international markets, to manage cross-cultural teams, and to communicate and negotiate internationally.
The MSc in International Business is an official program, accredited by AMBA, that provides students with the knowledge, techniques, skills, and critical attitudes to understand and be successful in the current dynamic context of the global company.
The program is organized so that students learn about all the processes and strategic decisions involved in business internationalization: from how to interpret current political, economic, and social affairs in international business, to acquiring and putting into practice the analytical tools required to develop and implement an International Business Plan.
You will acquire the skills required to communicate and negotiate in a multicultural business environment. You will also be able to identify, analyse, and develop business opportunities in the changing scene of international markets through the understanding and implementation of commercial, financial, human resources, and operational strategies. At the end of the program you will master the analytical tools used in preparing and implementing an International Business Plan. In addition to this, the program includes a curricular internship and a one-week international Business Trip.
The MSc in International Business benefits from the outstanding faculty of ESCI-UPF, the school of International Studies, UPF-BSM faculty, and the participation of experienced professionals of diverse sectors. The program's faculty is known for their applied approach, their constant contribution to creating knowledge and their proven ability to stimulate and convey knowledge.
The MSc in International Business faculty is composed of professors from ESCI-UPF, the school of International Studies, and from UPF-BSM. In addition to the regular program faculty, experienced professionals from diverse sectors are invited during the year to share their expertise, knowledge, and experience in international business.
The MSc in International Business is endorsed by Pompeu Fabra University, the 1st Spanish university and the 15th best university in the world (of those with less than 50 years), according to the Times Higher Education ranking. In addition, UPF Barcelona School of Management has EQUIS accreditation, the most prestigious institutional recognition for business schools globally.
Why choose this program
Hands-on learning and skills
The Master's structure in modules and the final project are both designed to be able to develop your understanding regarding how companies implement commercial, financial, human resources, and operational strategies for the internationalization of organizations. The Master of Science in International Business will also teach you the skills needed to manage, communicate, and negotiate in a multicultural and international business environment.
Learn from the best
You will learn from the faculty of the UPF's Department of Economics and Business, UPF-BSM, ESCI-UPF and from experienced professionals in the areas of trade, operations and marketing, among others. UPF is the first-placed Spanish University in Economics and Business (Times Higher Education Ranking 2021) and the 15th best University among those under 50 years old (Times Higher Education Under 50 Ranking).
International environment
The program welcomes around 30 people each year from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds, creating a multicultural and international environment where teamworking and networking will become key elements of your experience.
International Business Trip
The master of science includes an international business trip where you will visit institutions that contribute to internationalization processes and attend talks with top managers of international companies. The trip, which is an excellent cultural and networking opportunity, is included in the program's fees.
Unique International Opportunity with QTEM
Enhance your master's with the QTEM Program: a unique opportunity to study abroad. Access an international network of outstanding students and over 20 academic partners recognized in the fields of management, economics, and finance.
Boost your career
The MSc in International Business provides the resources necessary for you to complete a curricular internship as part of the program's contents, which constitutes relevant work experience in the field of international business.
Who is it for?
The MSc in International Business is aimed at recent graduates and junior professionals of diverse backgrounds who wish to acquire new skills and a realistic, practical, and professional perspective of International Business.
Accreditations
UPF Barcelona School of Management is the management school of Pompeu Fabra University, the 1st Ibero-American university and the 16th placed university in the world, among those under 50 years of age, according to the Times Higher Education ranking.
UPF Barcelona School of Management has EQUIS accreditation, the most prestigious institutional recognition for business schools globally, and places itself among the top business schools in the world.
The Master of Science in International Business has AMBA accreditation from the Association of MBAs, which recognizes UPF-BSM for its academic quality and reputation.
The Master of Science in International Business is an official master's degree and has the academic recognition of the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain. The Quality Agency of the University System of Catalonia (AQU) has also institutionally accredited UPF-BSM. This accreditation certifies all the official master's degrees that we teach and recognizes the quality of our educational model in accordance with the criteria of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
The program is part of the QTEM, an international network bringing together outstanding students of more than 20 top international institutions and many international corporations. UPF Barcelona School of Management is the first and only Spanish institution that is part of the QTEM network.
Curriculum
The MSc in International Business is organized around core modules which unfold parallel to the 3 key phases of a company's internationalization process:
- Internal and External Diagnosis (1st term)
- Strategic Planning (2nd term)
- Business Operations (3rd term)
Additionally, in the 3rd term students embark on a one-week Business Trip to a foreign country in order to experience the implementation of international business plans. Flight tickets, accommodation, and transfers are included in the tuition fees of the master of science. During previous courses we have visited Poland, the Benelux countries, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Morocco, and Russia.
Throughout the whole academic year participants work on their MSc Project in tutorized sessions on campus. The Project usually takes the form of an International Business Plan or an international start-up development plan, in which the knowledge acquired throughout the course should be demonstrated.
At the end of the Master of Science in International Business participants will undertake a curricular internship in companies. Career development sessions will be offered to aid individuals in finding placements and prepare them for their professional future in international business.
Classes of the MSc in International Business take place at UPF Ciutadella Campus, close to the city centre, Ciutadella Park and the beach.
Complementary activities
The Master of Science in International Business also includes the possibility of participating in practical activities and activities for personal and professional growth such as:
- QTEM Program: After successfully completing the Master of Science in International Business students have the opportunity to participate in the QTEM Program, an optional and free of charge experience to study abroad at more than 20 top international universities which are leaders in the field of Economics.
Find more information about QTEM here. - Brush-up Courses: these online preparatory courses cover business, analytic tools, economics, physical and chemical principles, and environmental subjects. They are designed for students needing a refresher before starting the program and must be completed and passed either before or during the first month of the master's program.
- Spanish Course: 80% discount during the first trimester for basic Spanish level. Three hours per week at the Language Service of UPF.
- Career Development Program: career sessions and workshops where participants obtain specific training on how to improve their professional profile, approach potential employers, and develop professional soft skills.
- International mobility: The UPF Barcelona School of Management offers you the possibility of expanding your training and international vision through the International Mobility Programme. Extend your studies extracurricularly, during the academic year following the completion of your Master's, at a top-level institution. Limited places.
- UPF-BSM Inside: is a group of interdisciplinary subjects (applied data, communication, creativity, innovation and project management, sustainability and leadership among others) that, if you take this program, you can access at no additional cost. They are 100% online and you can take them throughout the academic year at your own pace, as they have been designed as self-study subjects.
Qualification obtained
Once students have completed the course they will obtain the Màster Universitari en Negocis Internacionals. International Business - Máster Universitario en Negocios Internacionales / International Business official Master Degree, awarded by Pompeu Fabra University.
Students will also receive an additional Master of Science in International Business completion certificate awarded by the UPF Barcelona School of Management and ESCI-UPF.
Issuance of official Master's Degrees: The amount stipulated in the DOGC (Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia) must be paid for the rights to issue the title. This rate varies annually and the rate in force at the time of application for the degree will be applied.
Double Degree
The UPF Barcelona School of Management Master of Science in International Business offers a Double Degree option with the EBS Business School (Germany): (Currently not open for application 25/26)
- MSc in Automotive Management
- MSc in Finance
- MSc in Real Estate
- MSc in Management
Faculty
The MSc in International Business faculty is composed of professors from ESCI-UPF, the school of International Studies, and from UPF-BSM. In addition to the regular program faculty, experienced professionals from diverse sectors are invited during the year to share their expertise, knowledge, and experience in international business.
Collaborating faculty
- José Miguel Aliaga
Adjunct professor at ESCI-UPF
PhD in International Trade (Candidate) from the Polytechnical University of Barcelona (UPC). He holds a Bachelor in Political Sciences from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and has a Master in Supply Chain Management from the UPC.
He has held decision-making positions in a number of international companies, working in the areas of purchasing, global operations, logistics and customs management. As an international consultant, he has focused his expertise on the aeronautics, textile, food and logistics industries. His fields of interest include companies’ export/import behaviour and the economic impacts of special economic zones (SEZ). - Andrew Barry-Coles
Adjunct professor at ESCI-UPF
Bachelor in Spanish and French Philosophy from the Liverpool John Moores University. Multifranchisee Kids&Us at Kids&Us Language School. - Eduard Beltran Betriu
Managing Director at CEFNE Creating Value
He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Barcelona, a Diploma from the French School for Government Service (ENA) and Master in Political Science from the IEP of Paris (Sciences-Po). He served as Deputy Head of the Cooperation Office of the French Ministry of Justice (2005-2009) where he coordinated the relations with the European Union and foreign governmental partners. He has also practiced law in France, Belgium and Spain for 12 years in the areas of arbitration and foreign investments projects in the EU. He is a member of the Barcelona Bar and has been a member of the Paris Bar. - Valentí Camps Fons
Adjunct professor at ESCI-UPF
PADE-Top Management Program from IESE Businesss School. He also has a Top Management Program for Retailers and Suppliers from Harvard Business School, an MBA at ESADE and holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from UPC. He is professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and ESEC (Toulouse University). - Clàudia Canals
Senior economist at CaixaBank
PhD in Economics from Columbia University - New York. She also holds a Master of Science and a BA in Economics, both from Pompeu Fabra University. Clàudia is a Senior Economist in the Macroeconomics Unit of the Strategic Planning and Research Department of CaixaBank. She has worked as a Research Assistant at Columbia University and at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and also as an Assistant Professor at Columbia University. Her areas of study include international trade and macroeconomics, focusing on the US and emerging economies (Asia and Latin America). - David Cosculluela Agustí
Adjunct professor at ESCI-UPF
PDD from IESE Business School. CEO at Ninco. He also holds a Bachelor in International Business from ESCI-UPF, where he is the current Alumni President. - Miriam Díez
Dr. Miriam Díez has over 30 years of professional experience supporting organizations in change processes and creating healthier work environments. Secretary of the Global Future of Work Foundation and Head of the Research Area. Member of the Work Psychology Section of the Official College of Psychologists of Catalonia. - Elena Golovko
PhD in Management from IESE Business School. She has a MA in Economics from New Economic School (Russia) and is also Tenured Assistant Professor at Department of Management of Tilburg University. - Alberto Lempira Guevara Chacón
PhD in Business (Candidate) from Barcelona University
He is also MSc in Marketing from Pompeu Fabra University. Has a Postgraduate in Social Media and Digital Marketing from Tecnocampus, a Posgraduate in Transmedia Storytelling & Branded Content and a Postgraduate in Inbound Marketing, both from INESDI and a BE in Production Engineering from Metropolitana University (Caracas). He has worked with different organizations from corporate to political marketing. He is the host of the NotYourMarketer podcast. - Cristina Pérez Muñoz
Head of Innovation & Commerce in Insights Division of Kantar
MBA in International Business from UOC - Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. She also holds a Master in Magement of Cultural Companies from UPF-BSM; a Master in Management of Cultural Heritage from UOC - Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and a Degree in Economics from University of Barcelona.
She has more than 30 years of experience in market research mainly in quantitative research techniques. Her diverse experience covers a wide variety of projects including Customer Satisfaction, Advertising & Brand Image study, Advertising Pre-testing, Concept Testing, Customer Profiling & Segmentation, U&A... with special focus in Shopper Research and Innovation during the last years, helping clients to understand shopper’s behavior, by generating insights and Trade Marketing strategies which deliver successful results in launching products and campaigns in the market. She has worked on products and services in many different industries mainly in FMCG (different areas: beverages, food, electronics, household care, personal care, infant…) - Joan Pere Plaza
Associate professor at ESCI-UPF
PhD in Political Science from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. He also holds a Bachelor in Political Science from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. His areas of research are the political parties of the European Union. Postdoctoral research of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. - Toni Prat Jorba
Senior Partner at Global Abogados
PDD from IESE Business School. He also holds a Bachelor in Law from the University of Barcelona. - Tomislav Rimac
Associate Professor at ESCI-UPF
PhD in Management by the IESE Business School, University of Navarra. He also holds an MBA by the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto (Canada).
Methodology
The Master of Science in International Business is an on-campus program that combines diverse teaching methodologies to offer a hands-on learning experience.
Practical case studies
Learning from the successes as well as the failures of real organizations with a hands-on applied approach to put the skills you have acquired into practice.
In-class discussions and group activities
The master of science includes practical simulations, group dynamics, on-site presentations, and interactive activities to enhance the learning process in the institution. You will benefit from sharing these activities with the diverse group of people that participate in the program.
Guests speakers
Experienced professionals from diverse sectors are invited to the campus to share their expertise and their knowledge of international business in specific fields.
Company visits
An opportunity to discover organizations in diverse sectors and to learn about their business strategies and their operations in international markets.
International Business Trip
A one week trip visiting international organizations located in the country of destination to broaden the students' comprehension and knowledge of the dimensions involved in the internationalization of businesses.
Evaluation
The assessment criteria for the Master of Science in International Business is explained at the beginning of each term. The evaluation system varies depending on the course requirements and the skills to be assessed. The following are common evaluation activities:
- Written exams and quizzes
- Oral presentations
- Individual work and essays
- Group projects
- Class participation and debates
Tools
Project-oriented learning and the combination of lectures and active methodologies such as case studies, flipped learning, solving real problems and professional simulations allow the student to connect theory and practice, acquire advanced skills and achieve learning which is transferable to work.
You will have:
- Master's Final Project or Postgraduate Final Project
- A personal mentor to monitor your final project
- Digital resources to achieve transversal skills
- Interdisciplinary activities and workshops
Professional Future
The MSc in International Business is aimed at recent graduates and junior professionals from diverse backgrounds who wish to acquire new skills and develop a realistic, practical, and professional perspective of international business. Once graduated, students will be able to work in top international companies operating in diverse markets.
Student profile
Every year the program welcomes students from all over the world, coming from different backgrounds, to study a master of science in Barcelona: a vibrant, dynamic, and international city. The multicultural environment and international vision of the program begins with the multicultural group of students, creating an international environment that becomes the first step to communicating, working, and developing businesses globally.
Average age
International students
Previous studies in Business and Economics
Previous studies in Social Sciences, Humanities and Law
Previous studies in Engineering and Sciences
Career opportunities
The MSc in International Business includes a curricular internship as an essential element of the academic curriculum. The Internship counts as a course with academic weight which must be completed in order to earn the program's degree. Resources and assistance will be provided by UPF-BSM Careers Service to support students in their search for internships and job positions.
- Import-Export Manager
- International Entrepreneur
- International Sales Manager
- International Expansion Manager
- International Logistics Manager
- International Marketing and Research
- Foreign Subsidiaries Manager
- Consulting