Program content
The International Business program takes place over 3 terms. Thus, during the 1st term of the International Business program, you will learn the International Business Foundations and familiarize yourself with the latest trends in the international arena. Moreover, you will benefit from the Internationalization Days workshop.
In the 2nd term, you will be able to understand different regional spotlights and how to innovate when doing international business. Moreover, you will work on a Company Consulting Project to put into practice what you have learned in class. Finally, you will embark on a Business Trip to broaden your international horizons.
In the 3rd term, you will need to work on your Master’s Dissertation, supported by the TBS faculty. In addition, you will have the chance to undertake a 4-to-6 month internship in a renowned national or international company.
Throughout the whole course of the MSc International Business, you will benefit from the Soft Skills Certificate, the Company Visits program, and the Optional Language Course.
*Non-contractual information. Courses are subject to change every academic year.
International Business Foundations
This academic block is divided into 5 modules, designed to provide you with sound fundamentals in international business.
Issues & Trends in International Business
This module aims to develop your appreciation of a range of contemporary issues impacting international operations and understand how business managers are responding strategically to them.
- Non-Market Strategies for International Business
- Competing Successfully in Emerging Markets
- Managing Strategic Acquisitions Internationally
International Strategy & Organization
During this module, you will learn how international and internationalizing firms define which products to offer around the world, how to compete in international markets, where to locate, and how to coordinate their worldwide activities effectively.
- Strategy in an International Context
- Organizing for International Business
- International Strategy & Organization in Action
International Business Development
This module of the master’s in international business will provide you with the skills needed to identify and assess appropriate sales markets and sourcing locations in a variety of organizational and environmental contexts.
- International Business Development
- Global Sourcing
- International Logistics in Action
Regional Spotlights I
This module will introduce you to significant historical, political, economic, and demographic factors in specific regional contexts. Furthermore, you will learn to identify the specific opportunities and challenges that these factors pose to firms doing business there.
- Business Dynamics in the Middle East
- Business Dynamics in South East Asia
- Business Dynamics in Europe
Research Methods & Dynamics in International Business I
In this module, you will be equipped with solid skills to design and conduct a research project with state-of-the-art methods and tools in International Business.
- Research Methods
- Issues & Trends in International Business Research
International Business in Action
This academic block of the MSc International Business Program is divided into 4 modules based on the understanding of different regional spotlights and the impact of innovation when doing business.
Managing Business Operations Globally
Through this module, you will obtain a comprehensive understanding of specialist business functions and how they are performed in different international contexts.
- International Sales
- CSR in a Global Context
- International Key Account Management
Managing Cross-Cultural Interactions
During this module, you will study the strategic choices that firms face when developing their HR policies and practices whilst developing appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake country studies that allow for comparative analysis of employment systems in different parts of the world.
- International Human Resource Management
- International Negotiations
- Project Management
Regional Spotlights II
- Business Dynamics in Africa
- Business Dynamics in Latin America
- Business Dynamics in China
Research Methods & Dynamics in International Business II
- Master’s Dissertation Supervision
Internationalization Days
Become a real consultant in the operational mission of the MSc International Business. You will become an active member in a hands-on workshop and will be asked to provide a solution to a real company challenge being constantly supervised by mentors/facilitators.
The emphasis of this practical activity is on the implementation of the solution, reached with the Binnakle methodology, anticipating challenges, and creating a robust contingency plan.
The workshop features a tour of company facilities, conferences, and project management sessions that will help you improve your knowledge and global skills.
Soft Skills Certificate
Working towards this certificate will allow you to develop your management and leadership skills and improve the relational and behavioral abilities you need to make the most of your career in international business. This certificate, included in the MSc International Business program, is the result of a joint collaboration between 26 lecturers and professionals in leadership and management and the TBS Career Starter service.
Management & Leardership Skills
This subject will provide you with 9 key skills to manage teams and get the most out of your professional career:
Personal Skills
- Self-awareness
- Communicating effectively
- Lifelong learning
Leadership & Management
- Building an inspiring vision
- Leading teams
- Responsible decision-making
Relational Impact
- Managing interpersonal relationships
- Building trust and well-being at work
- Influencing effectively
Career Agility
TBS Career Starter offers this subject to help you discover your talents and make the right decisions to move towards your career goals.
Over the course of lectures, workshops, personal tests, and coaching sessions, expert professionals will help you take the first step in your career, ask the right questions, and choose the right internship or job for you.
- Coaching: We will help you identify your skills, strengths, and areas for improvement. Personality tests and individual coaching are some of the tools we use to combine self-knowledge with your aspirations and career choices.
- Personal Branding: You will take part in CV-building and e-portfolio workshops so you can highlight your experiences and skills to future employers.
Business Trip: broaden your horizons
At the end of January and as a full-time student of the MSc International Business, you will embark on a Study Trip to a relevant business hub, where you will discover the business dynamics of a destination through international perspectives and specific national policies.
You will have the opportunity to live a 360º immersive experience with visits to well-known companies’ facilities, which will give you a firsthand understanding of the business climate of the destination and the challenges of managing an international organization. This business trip will also broaden your horizons, as you will be actively involved in solving specific challenges designed to bring the subject matter to real life.
Flight tickets and accommodation are covered in the program tuition fees.
Company Consulting Mission (SESAME)
Try out your skills as a consultant during a practical and transversal consultancy assignment for two weeks during your MSc International Business program!
A representative from a TBS partner company will send you a letter of engagement on a current strategic issue.
TBS lecturers will support students to work on a strategic plan to analyze the company’s competition and positioning. They will then put forward suggestions on strategy and operations to respond to the challenges facing the company.
This hands-on task will let you put into action the skills and knowledge you have gained over your MSc program.
- Aerospace Valley
- Airbus Foundation
- AllRead
- Cap Gemini
- Comtesse du Barry
- Continental Automotive
- EY
- Hilti
- Mars Petfoods
- Motorola
- Thalès
- Rockwell & Collins
Company Visits Program
Students will be invited to visit different international companies over the course, to see how they operate first-hand. Each visit will be directly related to modules on the MSc International Business course and student projects.
Companies visited during previous academic years include:
- Covides
- Vallformosa
- Frime
- ABB
- Acció
Optional Language Course
Make the most of your time in Barcelona by learning Spanish. We offer you the opportunity to take a 40-hour language course for beginners, included in the master’s tuition fee.
If you are planning to undertake your internship in Spain, speaking Spanish would be a highly valuable asset as most of the companies would expect you to be fluent in this language. That is why we encourage you to benefit from this opportunity.
The course’s timetable is embedded in your MSc International Business so that you can combine it with the program’s classes and activities. However, it does not provide you with ECTS credits. Finally, please consider that we require a minimum of 8 students registered to offer each language course.
Master’s Dissertation
The master’s in International Business includes writing an individual dissertation on a current international business issue from an academic or professional perspective. This essay will be part of the body of work on the study, analysis, formalization, and abstraction of the subject. Your dissertation must include the concepts below:
- Motivation: Justification of your chosen research topic
- Resourcefulness: Showing the skills to plan and write a research project
- Creativity & Common Sense: Demonstrating a structured and logical methodology
- Cross-functionality: Problem-solving through a multidimensional approach
You must submit a master’s thesis in order to graduate.
Optional Internship
You will have the opportunity to work as an intern at a national or international company over a period of 4 to 6 months. Although you do not need to complete an internship in order to graduate, TBS encourages you to do so to supplement your education with professional experience in international business, as it would help towards better professional integration.
While you study international business in Europe you will have the chance of discovering the exciting environment full of prestigious companies and getting to know international students from all over the world.
How do I find an internship?
TBS Career Starter will offer advice and support to help you develop your skills, as well as provide you with the professional tools to find the right internship for your career. You will receive individual coaching so that you make the most of your time as an intern.
It can be difficult to find an internship, and it requires persistence, autonomy, and initiative. You will get support at the Career Starter workshops, which will help you boost your employability on your internship search.
Over previous academic years, students from Master of Science in International Business have interned at the following companies and organizations, to name a few:
Qualification obtained
For holders of a 3-year bachelor’s degree:
- 2-year track: you will obtain a double degree, Master of Science degree and the Diploma of Specialised Studies in International Management (an official diploma accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.)
- 1-year track + Preparatory Program: you will obtain the Master of Science private degree*, awarded by TBS Education.
*Private degrees, also known as in-house degrees.
For holders of a 4-year bachelor’s degree:
- 1-year track : you will obtain a double degree, Master of Science degree and the Diploma of Specialised Studies in International Management (an official diploma accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation).
Academic Regulations
The academic regulations outline the rules and requirements that students must adhere to in order to successfully complete their academic program. These regulations are established by TBS Education to ensure consistency, fairness, and quality in the academic process.