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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Master's Degree Programme

About the programme
Language: English  (See language requirements)  | Place of study: Aarhus  |  Commencement: August / September (no winter intake)

Introduction

In today's rapidly changing and interconnected world, firms face an increasing array of choices regarding markets, locations for key activities, ownership modes, and organisation and processes for managing across borders. Globalisation has made it easier for firms to access new markets and customers around the world, tap into new sources of talent, technology, and capital, and spread business risks. Put differently, globalisation has allowed firms to take advantage of favorable economic conditions in different regions and learn from different cultures and ways of doing business. Thus, by operating in multiple countries, firms can stay competitive in an increasingly interconnected and globalised world. However, globalisation also brings significant challenges for firms, such as increased competition from abroad and the need to navigate different cultural, legal, and regulatory environments. International business is, therefore, an important aspect of modern firms, as it allows them to take advantage of the opportunities provided by globalisation while also facing the challenges it brings.

The MSc in International Business equips students with the foundations for taking effective strategic decisions in the multi-layered world of international business. Specifically, the MSc in International Business provides a theoretical frame for the advanced academic study of international business and the solving of practical issues arising in international business.

MSc in International Business Rune explains why there is a need for graduates from this degree programme. Christina tells about the competences the programme gave her and how it opened up a lot of career opportunities.

Admission requirements

In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the master's degree programme in International Business. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements: 

1. International and other qualifications


This section is relevant for you, if you have: 

  • a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an institution outside of Denmark or
  • a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a Danish institution, which does not ensure you a 'Legal right of admission´ or 'Direct admission'.

The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution: 

2. Legal right of admission
3. Direct admission


Below you will also be able to learn more about language requirements and find out whether or not this master's degree programme has a limited intake. 


1. International and other qualifications

If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements: 

General admission requirement

You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS). 

For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database

Specific admission requirements

If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements. 

You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below. 

Subject area Number of ECTS

Methods 

The following subject areas must be covered:   

  • 10 ECTS within quantitative methods or statistics  

  • Only 5 ECTS can be covered by Mathematics 

15
Marketing  7,5
Finance  7,5
Accounting  7,5
Organisation and leadership theory  7,5
Microeconomics  5
Operations management  5
Additional ECTS points within the abovementioned areas  25
Bachelor’s project  10
Total 90
Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Commercial Law (HA (jur.)) with commencement of study September 2014 or later from Aarhus University must have passed a total of 10 ECTS within the business economics subjects below: 
  • Supply Chain Management and Sustainability - 5 ECTS 

  • Investments and Corporate Finance - 10 ECTS 

  • Investments - 5 ECTS  

  • Corporate Finance - 5 ECTS 

  • Introduction to Empirical Economics – 10 ECTS 

  • Regnskabsanalyse og værdiansættelse - 10 ECTS 

  • Privatøkonomi - 5 ECTS 

  • Behavioural Finance – 5 ECTS 

  • Entrepreneurship and Business Planning – 10 ECTS 

  • Behavioural Economics – 10 ECTS 

  • The Economics of Strategic Decision Making 5 ECTS 

  • Decision Analysis – 5 ECTS 

  • Financial Statement Analysis – 5 ECTS 

'Professional Bachelor's degree' and other Danish qualifications

Certain Professional Bachelor's degrees or similar covering specific subject areas from other Danish institutions have been determined to fullfill the admission requirements to this master's degree programme:

Required subject areas – Professional Bachelor’s degree in Financial Management and Service from Business Academy Aarhus 

Industry specialisation in Accounting (“Programme specialisation subject A – external accounts” and “Study programme subject B – strategic accounting”) 

With the following electives:   

  • Quantitative Research Methods 10 ECTS 

  • Financial Investment Strategies 5 ECTS  

  • Operations Management 5 ECTS 

Industry specialisation in Finansielle forretninger (this industry specialisation is only offered in Danish) 

With the following electives:   

  • Quantitative Research Methods 10 ECTS 

  • Financial Investment Strategies 5 ECTS  

  • Operations Management 5 ECTS 

Required subject areas - AP degree in Marketing Management in combination with a Professional Bachelor’s degree in International Sales and Marketing from Business Academy Aarhus  Number of ECTS
BSS module (including Methods 5 ECTS, Finance 5 ECTS, and Operations Management 5 ECTS)  15

For applicants who hold one of the abovementioned professional bachelor's degrees from another business academy, it will be assessed whether the electives correspond to abovementioned electives. 

For applicants who hold another professional bachelor's degree, the degree will be assessed according to the requirements described in the section “International and other qualifications”.  

We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission. 

2. Legal right of admission

The following Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the Master's degree programme in International Business: 

  •  Bachelor's degree programme in Economics and Business Administration (HA)  

Please note that you must apply for admission to the Master's degree programme within three years of completing your Bachelor's degree programme. 

Learn more about Legal right of admission.

3. Direct admission

Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in International Business::  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Economics and Business Administration (HA) from Aarhus University* 
  •  Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration with supplementary subject (Erhvervsøkonomi med tilvalg) at study plan 2017 and onwards from Aarhus University. 
  •  Bachelor's degree programme in Economics and Business Administration (HA - general business economics) from Copenhagen Business School, University of Southern Denmark, Aalborg University or Roskilde University*


* With a diploma older than 2010, your Bachelor’s degree will be assessed according to the specific admission requirements described under the section: “International and other qualifications”. 

Download appendix for your application

You must fill in this appendix and upload it to the application portal. The appendix helps the Admission Board to assess your application.
Download appendix


Limited intake and selection criteria

This master's degree programme has a limited intake. 

Because of the limited intake all qualified applicants will be prioritised according to a set of selection critieria (see below). 

Meeting the admission requirements does not automatically ensure your offer of admission. Only if you have a specific bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'legal right of admission' will you be guarenteed an offer of admission to this master's degree programme.


Selection criteria

If there are more qualified applicants than available student places, the selection will be based on the following criteria (each criterion counts for 1/3): 

  1. Grades from the qualifying degree 

  2. Grades achieved in relevant subject fields: 

    • Management and organisational theory

    • Methods

Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the grade point average (GPA). 

  1. Relevant subject fields (measured in ECTS). In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under “International and other qualifications” are not included *.

    • Management and organisational theory

    • Methods

* The relevant subject fields are evaluated based on the following point system: 1 point per additional ECTS within the relevant field. You can earn a maximum of 15 points in this criterion. Example: If you have 10 ECTS in a relevant field where the requirement is 7.5 ECTS, you will receive 2.5 points.

English language requirements

In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements

Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement. 

Assesment of qualifications

Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications


Programme Structure

Academic Regulations

Below is an outline of the courses:


In the first semester you follow the prerequisite courses that form the methodological and academic basis for the further study programme.

In the second semester you follow the specialisation courses of the programme.

In the third semester you can choose elective courses within your areas of interest. The courses can either be taken at Aarhus BSS during the semester, at the Summer University or at one of our more than 300 partner universities abroad. You can also participate in project-based internship programmes either in Denmark or abroad.

The fourth semester is devoted to the final thesis. You may choose the topic of the thesis freely and so get a chance to concentrate on and specialise in a specific field of interest. The thesis may be written in collaboration with another student or it may be the result of your individual effort.

Student Life

Learning in an International Context

At Aarhus BSS, we conduct research at the highest academic level.

All researchers employed are engaged in research projects covering a wide range of different subjects and focusing on knowledge and skills considered essential for professional business activities in the global marketplace. All faculty have both research and teaching responsibilities, which means that our teaching is continually based on the latest research results.

Aarhus BSS is very internationally oriented. The broad scope of our research activities and educational programmes enable us to attract researchers, teachers, and students from all over the world, and this creates an international environment for research and learning in which academic views are exchanged, experiences are gathered and friendships are formed.

Aarhus University is a leading university in Denmark in building student exchange opportunities. The university encourages all students to spend time studying abroad. Every year, more than 700 students from Aarhus BSS go abroad to participate in exchange programmes around the world at our more than 300 partner universities. About the same number of students from all over the world come to participate in the exchange programme in Aarhus, and this contributes to a truly international learning atmosphere.

Follow the student life at Aarhus University

-experienced, photographed and filmed by the students themselves.

With thousands of pictures #AUInternational, #AarhusUni gives insight into the everyday life as a student at AU; the parties, procrastination, exams and all the other ways you’ll spend your time at university.

The photos belong to the users, shared with #AUInternational and #AarhusUni.

Career

Job functions for grads

The chart shows the five most common types of work for graduates 1-2 years after finishing their degree. The data is derived from a survey made by Epinion for the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Aarhus University in 2020.

JOB PROFILE

The study programme is aimed at providing you with the competences required to take part in the decision-making processes in a business with extensive international commitments or a public institution.

There are several career paths:

  • Danish and international businesses where you may be employed by headquarters or by a foreign subsidiary. Most often, the career will start with a job as an analyst, which may lead to a senior position such as Head of specific activities.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for example, as an employee at an embassy, as consulate generals and other international representations. Frequently, careers will start and proceed through the commercial departments, the goal being ambassador positions.
  • International service companies offering consultancy services to businesses which lack the necessary capacity within, e.g. financial advice, the conduct of international market analyses, the planning and implementation of FDI, either in the form of the establishment of new subsidiaries and/or acquisitions etc.

 PROFILE OF COMPETENCIES

The research-based MSc study programme in Economics and Business Administration builds on the competencies and insights acquired in the BSc study programme in Economics and Business Administration.

The study programme provides the graduate with specialist knowledge within the disciplines of the study programme, which gives the graduate high academic qualifications to develop solutions to issues pertaining to business administration in companies and organisations in the public and private sectors.

The study programme also qualifies the graduate for further studies, including PhD studies.

Through the study programme, the graduate has acquired knowledge that enables the graduate to

  • Analyse complex issues pertaining a semi-globalised world to design and implement firms’ internationalisation strategies
  • Design and manage an organisation with geographically dispersed entities
  • Critically reflect on the consequences of existing barriers and links between different countries and markets
  • Understand and consider knowledge pertaining to the various disciplines as well as identifying academic issues
  • Master the scientific methodologies and tools of the various disciplines as well as mastering general skills associated with employment within the areas studied
  • Assess and choose among the scientific methodologies and tools of the various disciplines as well as developing new analysis and solution models
  • Discuss professional and academic issues with both specialists and laymen
  • Manage work and development situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new solution models
  • Initiate and carry out, on an independent basis, monodisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration and take professional responsibility
  • Take responsibility, on an independent basis, for own professional development and specialisation

From Studies to the First Job

”The transition from campus to corporate is challenging but also exciting. Remember that it is not expected that you know everything from day one but it is expected that you are interested and seek out new knowledge and stakeholders to solve your work tasks.” (Msc in International Business)


”Start seeking a job before graduation and make sure too keep your spirit up even though the job does not come at first – f.ex. by participating in proactive job searching networks.” (Msc in International Business)

Read more about what a number of our alumni work with in their first job after graduation.

We want to help our students find successful careers. Students can always contact our Career Services for advice and assistance with getting onto the Danish labour market. Check out our careers page to see the range of services we offer.