Programme description for Master’s Programme in International Business (2024–2027)

Two courses are taught in parallel in the first half of the semester with a final exam before the next two courses are taught by the same principle. The course TFL400, taught in the second semester, are taught throughout the entire spring semester. Note that changes in the study plan may occur.

 

Electives may be subject to modifications as they rely on sufficient student enrolment and available resources.

Electives autumn 2023

• ORG419 Judgement and Decision Making

• ORG438 Project Business

• ORG440 Supply Chain Management

• ORG452 Internship in Nordic Enterprises in High-Growth Economies*

• ORG456 Internship in Enterprises in Norway*

• ORG457 Crowdfunding Lab

• ORG468 Creative Problem Solving

Electives from other faculties:

• IS-403 Digtal transformasjon og prosessledelse (10 ECTS credits)**

• IS-406 Digital Technology and Enterprise Systems I (10 ECTS credits)**

• IS-500 IT and Management (10 ECTS credits)**

• ORG447 Styring og nettverksorganisering i offentlig sektor (10 ECTS credits)**

• ST-408 The European Union and Domestic Administration (10 ECTS credits**

• ST-412 Styringsverktøy i offentlig forvaltning (10 ECTS credits)**

*Separate admission process in second semester. Limited number of available places. Read more about the internship courses in the course descriptions.

**Limited number of available places and separate admission. Continuous admission to these electives. Contact the Student Adviser for information and admission.

Courses with course names in English are taught in English. All other courses will be taught in Norwegian.

Students may also apply for admission to electives offered in the master’s programme in Business Administration – Siviløkonom. Admission to these electives is based on pre-requisites. Contact the Student Adviser for information about this possibility.

In addition, students may apply for approval of European Integration (30 ECTS credits summer/autumn) as electives. Those who wish to do so should contact a student advisor at an early stage and must themselves apply for admission to the summer program by the regular deadline for application.
European Integration courses:
ST-419 History, Institutions and Policies of European Integration* (10 ECTS credits) Summer
ST-420 Current Issues in the European Union* (10 ECTS credits) Summer
ST-421 Current Debates on the European Union* (10 ECTS credits) Autumn

Students may apply for admission to "SV-420-1 UiA Samskaping – Teori i praksis (10 ECTS credits) and have it approved as an elective. They may also apply to have courses from other master’s programmes approved. Contact the Student Adviser at the School of Business and Law for further information.

Important information regarding electives
Please note that course schedule collisions might occur, and that courses on offer may be subject to modification as they rely on sufficient student enrolment and available resources.

What do you learn?

Learning outcome

A candidate who has successfully completed this programme should have the following learning outcome defined in terms of general competence, knowledge, skills: 

GENERAL COMPETENCE (Programme Goals)

The candidate should be able to:

• analyse key international dimensions related to the core themes in the programme

• analyse how new ideas, concepts or products emerge within relevant fields

• apply ethical reasoning in work life and understand how organisations can act responsibly

• think independently and critically

• communicate scholarly issues in written texts and oral presentations

• solve problems

KNOWLEDGE

The candidate should be able to:

• demonstrate advanced knowledge in the areas of business administration and management in international markets

• demonstrate insight into strategic and operational challenges businesses may face in an international context

• discuss key development trends within the programme's subject areas

SKILLS

The candidate should be able to:

• integrate insights from various disciplines

• discuss theory and methodological approaches relevant to the analysis of empirical and theoretical problems in the subject area

• identify and apply relevant theories and methodological approaches on a specific problem

• assess the economic and social consequences of a given solution to a particular problem

• further develop their knowledge base in a lifelong learning perspective

Structure and content

Admission requirements

General admission criteria is completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent education with a scope of minimum three years’ duration (180 ECTS credits).

Academic basis: Either a major subject of minimum 80 ECTS credit, of which a minimum of 20 credits at level 2 / additional level, or an integrated programme of at least two years duration within business administration, marketing, management or equivalent.

The following subject areas must be included in a total of at least 60 ECTS credits:

• Business Economics

• Economics

• Methodology

• Marketing

• Organisational and management subjects

All subject areas must be covered.

A weighted average grade of C or better is required.

There is no conditional admission to the master's program in International Business.

Admission takes place in accordance with regulations on admission to studies and courses at the University of Agder: https://www.uia.no/en/studies/how-to-apply-to-degree-programmes/supplementary-regulations-regarding-admission

Recommended previous knowledge

A thorough knowledge of English is highly recommended because the language of instruction is English in all compulsory courses as in several electives.

General description and profile

The International Business master’s programme provides students with theoretical insights and analytical skills in handling business management and challenges in a international markets. Central to the program are multinational companies and how they operate. Challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) when entering into the international arena will also be discussed.
The program provides students with knowledge of how the strategic and operational challenges can be analyzed, for example by developing and implementing relevant strategies, management and marketing practices as well as management systems.

The programme gives students increased cultural understanding and knowledge of international business, making them well suited for positions in enterprises operating in international markets.

International students are admitted to the program as well as Norwegian, and all compulsory courses are taught in English.

Teaching methods

The International Business master’s programme is an ordinary full-time study. Two courses are taught in parallel in the first half of the semester before the next two courses are taught according to the same principle. Teaching methods are accounted for in the course descriptions and may vary between lectures, discussion seminars, groups, written assignments and presentations. Various software and library databases will be used in several courses. The language of instruction is English in all compulsory courses as well as in several electives.
Teaching is coordinated with a corresponding specialisation in MSc Business Administration - siviløkonom, master’s programme.

Assessment methods

In most courses, there are examination requirements (individually or in groups), and some requirements include oral presentations. Many courses have an individual written in-school examination that counts 100% of the grade, while some courses have combination of a written in-school examination and an assignment. Most courses have letter grades A-F, where F is fail. See each course description for further details.

Internationalization

The International Business, master’s programme is international in content and orientation. Students are exposed to international dimensions and issues in teaching as well as in the curriculum. All teaching is in English, and most of the courses are also offered to incoming exchange students. Several faculty members have an international background and are active in international research networks.

Students can apply for exchange in the third semester. The School of Business and Law also offers internship in Nordic enterprises in Asia and Africa combined with studies at one of our partner institutions. Studying abroad provides an opportunity to take courses and subjects beyond what is offered at the School. Additional benefits of studying abroad are improved language skills and cross-cultural communication skills, both highly valued by many employers.

The School of Business and Law at UiA is internationally accredited by AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), and the accreditation opens the doors for collaboration with good institutions worldwide. For further information on exchange opportunities, see the International Office's website.

Requirements for continuing in programme

60 ECTS credits, including ME-423 Research Methods, must be successfully completed in order to be assigned a supervisor for the master's thesis.

Occupational profiles / further studies

Candidates with this specialisation may apply for a variety of positions in public and private sectors, as well as NGOs, and especially in enterprises operating in international markets. The program also provides the basis for establishing and running their own business. Successful completion also qualifies for admission to the PhD programme at the School of Business and Law, and to other PhD programmes in Norway and abroad.

Qualification awarded

Master in International Business

Evaluation

Study programme evaluation is conducted annually in the programme committee in accordance with the Quality System, section 4.2.

Other information

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NORWEGIAN SIDE TITLE “SIVILØKONOM”

The master programme in International Business will not award students with the Norwegian side title “Siviløkonom” even though students hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, or equivalent.

UHR-Economics and Administration (a disciplinary strategic unit for Economics and Administration) has defined the terms for use of the side title “Siviløkonom”. See information here: https://www.uhr.no/strategiske-enheter/fagstrategiske-enheter/uhr

The master programme in International Business does not meet the terms to award students with the side title “Siviløkonom”.

Students holding a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, or equivalent, who would like to have the side title “Siviløkonom” kan apply for admission to the two-year master’s programme in Business Administration – siviløkonom. Students who get admitted to the master’s programme in Business Administration can apply for approval of courses taken the first year in International Business. Local admission with ordinary application deadline 15 April (for international applicant – see information from the Admissions office about application deadlines).

Students with a completed two-years master’s degree in International Business, who would like to take the two-year master’s degree in Business Administration – siviløkonom, will have to take a minimum of 60 ECTS-credits to get a new degree. These students will also have to write a new master’s thesis.

For more information contact the student adviser.