Study international business abroad
An in-depth guide to studying international business as an international student.
International business degrees abroad
International business is the study of how business and trade operates across global borders. You’ll draw upon topics like economics, marketing and international relations to learn about how global markets work.
By completing a program in international business, you’ll develop a detailed understanding of how business is conducted in different countries and cultures. You’ll also examine how markets and business management practices have been impacted by the increased connectedness of the world.
Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to observe international business in motion. Seeing first-hand how business concepts and practices differ between countries and cultures will equip you with the knowledge, skills and adaptability required to succeed in the field.
International business program structure
International business is a global subject which is taught all over the world. The exact structure and content of your course will, therefore, depend on the country and institution.
A BSc in international business is usually taught over three to four years and will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the field. It’s also possible to study an MA in international business over one or two years, and even a PhD which can take anywhere between four and seven years to complete.
If you choose to study in the US, you’ll follow the liberal arts model of education. This means that you’ll complete two years of general education before beginning your specialist international business education in your final two years of study.
Many universities will encourage you to study international business alongside a foreign language. This will help you to effectively communicate with business professionals who do not speak your native language.
Most international business programs are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and independent study. On some programs, you’ll be required to complete an internship with a business operating in the international marketplace so that you can gain real, hands-on experience.
International business programs will be assessed differently depending on the institution, but you’ll probably be expected to complete a mixture of exams, coursework and presentations. Here’s a list of core international business modules that are common across most programs:
- The global business environment
- Globalization
- Quantitative methods for business
- Principles of marketing
- Business law
- Global business issues
- Global strategic management
Best universities to study international business
How to study international business abroad
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International business study abroad programs
International business undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in international business
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Business Administration: International Business - BA Keiser University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 33,120 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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International Management with Specialization in International Relations - BBA Geneva Business School, Switzerland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,900 CHF
- Start date
- February, September
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International Business - BBA IFM University, Switzerland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 28,500 CHF
- Start date
- March, October
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Business Administration - International Business - BSc Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 35,736 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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International Cultural Studies (International Business) - BA St. Francis College, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 26,688 USD
- Start date
- January, May, September
Certificate in international business
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Foundations of International Business - Cert Vrije Amsterdam Summer School, Netherlands
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 month
- Tuition fees per year
- 1,150 EUR
- Start date
- July, August
Diploma in international business
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International Business, Advanced Diploma - AdvDip RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 6 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 11,000 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
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Business Administration – International Business - OCADip Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- January, May, September
Pathway in international business
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Law with International Business (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
International business graduate programs
Master's in international business
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International Business - MBA Keiser University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 18,912 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Business Administration: International Business - MBA Lincoln University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 9,000 USD
- Start date
- August
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MBA: Concentration in International Business - MBA Westcliff University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 12,600 USD
- Start date
- January, March, May, June, August, October
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International Management with a specialization in International Management - MIM Geneva Business School, Switzerland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 33,900 CHF
- Start date
- February, September
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International Business - MBA IFM University, Switzerland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 9 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 33,500 CHF
- Start date
- March, October
Doctorate in international business
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Business Administration: International Business - DBA Lincoln University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 5 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 9,000 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Business Administration in International Management - DBA Geneva Business School, Switzerland | Online
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 11,700 CHF
- Start date
- February, September
Diploma in international business
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International Business - PDip University of Otago, New Zealand | Online
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 31,056 NZD
- Start date
- February
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Business - International Business - OCDip Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- January, May, September
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International Business in Hotel and Resort Management - PGDip Swiss Hotel Management School, Switzerland
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 35,700 CHF
- Start date
- November
Certificate in international business
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International Business - PGCert Northeastern University, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,000 USD
- Start date
- January, May
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International Business - GradCert RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 20,500 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
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International Business Management - PGCert Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- January, July, September
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International Business Management - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,022 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
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International Business Management - PGCert Durham College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,457 CAD
- Start date
- September
Pathway in international business
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International Business (Global Pathways) - PGP Northeastern University, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 4 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,200 USD
- Start date
- March, July, November
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International Business Management, Pre-Masters - PGP University of Surrey, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 6 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 11,500 GBP
- Start date
- February, September
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International Business Management with Entrepreneurship Pre-Master's Programme - PGP Kingston University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 8 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 9,500 GBP
- Start date
- January, April
Future international business careers
As an international business graduate, you’ll have the tools to kickstart your career anywhere in the world. Since most successful businesses now need to operate across borders, employers are always on the lookout for international business graduates who have the attributes needed to excel in a globalized world. You’ll be well placed to achieve success in any of the following roles:
- Business analyst
- Business development manager
- Business advisor
- Sales executive
- Corporate investment banker
- Management consultant
- Marketing manager
- Purchasing manager
- Financial trader
Most universities will host business networking events with employers. These are a great opportunity to make connections and secure work-experience placements so that you can stand out when it comes to applying for graduate roles.
