International Business Strategy, Master Programme

120 credits

This master programme provides you with thorough knowledge on how to develop competitive, dynamic, and socially responsible strategies for international companies. You will also strengthen your connection to research within the field.

This master programme is based on courses in business administration with specialisation in international business strategy, which gives you extensive theoretical insights and an advanced practical understanding. This means that you will be able to identify, apply, and critically evaluate theories on international business, marketing, and entrepreneurship from a strategic point of view.
There is special focus on megatrends in society; for instance, globalisation and the ongoing development on emerging markets like those in:

• The Baltic region
• Russia
• China
• India
• Latin America
• Africa

Another focus is internationalisation of companies that work business-to-business – both traditional industry companies and more fast-growing, entrepreneurial, smaller-sized companies.

During the course of the programme, you will work in international teams and develop your skills within intercultural communication and academic writing to shape a common platform for learning.

The programme is interactive and research-based through its integration of the programme team’s research in courses, in the form of literature and illustrative examples. You will work with live cases where you analyse and work out solutions at international companies of different sizes, from multinational larger companies to small and medium-sized regional companies. Through this, you will get in-depth knowledge on what strategic challenges international companies are facing. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to specialise within a specific subject field through eligible courses or studies abroad. Through its deeply-rooted theoretical knowledge and reflective approach, the programme will prepare you for a business career as well as for an academic career.

Career

The programme provides you with core competence for a career in international companies and organizations, in particular concerning international business strategy and marketing. After graduating, you can, for example, work as:

• Business Analyst
• International Marketing Manager
• Strategy Manager

Degree

Master of Science in Business and Economics (120 credits) with specialisation in International Business Strategy (Main field of study: Business Administration).

We are accredited

The School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University are accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; AACSB.

International opportunities

The language of tuition is English. In this way, you will become prepared not only for a career in Sweden, but also for a career in international contexts. The programme admits students from all over the world, which means that you will get international and multicultural experience throughout the programme. Further opportunity for internationalisation is provided through the opportunity to study a semester abroad at one of our partner universities around the world.

Template for the Statement of Purpose intended for individual assessment to be included in the programme application.

Statement of Purpose

“We’re working to break colonial mentality in the music industry"

Illustration of Daniel Uribe. He has short black hair, glasses, and a mustache. He wears a pink-purple t-shirt, headphones around his neck, and tattoos on his left arm holding the headphones. The background is yellow.

“We work, with our platform, on expanding the voices of artists from the global south who have been less heard from a historic perspective and build bridges with the global north.”

Daniel Uribe has co-founded the record label TraTraTrax which focuses on releasing electronic music from Latin American and other global south artists, connecting with producers from the global north, for example from Europe and North America. He is committed to changing the narrative that the music industry has built from a colonising perspective.

“We’re working to break colonial mentality in the music industry. By changing the field we’re working with decolonisation lenses through music.”

Daniel studied International Business Strategy at Linnaeus University, since it's programme that focuses on internationalisation between advanced economies and developing economies. He also works as a Country Manager for BikeExchange, an Australian-founded, global bicycle marketplace. Working from his home in Medellín, Colombia, he has the world as his workplace. He sees his role in business not only to change the view of the world in different aspects but also the view of business.

“I work for a very capital-intensive company and in every project, it’s 'what’s the ROI (return on investment) on this?'. But we can’t forget we are humans after all. So, for Christmas, I wanted to send an e-mail with no focus on sales, and instead just send a Christmas message a have a human approach to it, and it ended up being one of the emails that generated the most revenue in the month. Being more human and understanding that you’re dealing with humans on the other side is important. Also, learning how to slow down, and have a long view of things rather than a fast pace is very important. I believe, that with those two you can tackle all the problems we face in the world.”

Read the whole interview with Daniel

Daniel chose Sweden because of a mixture of love, interest, and luck. Love: He was living in Bogotá and had a relationship with a Swedish woman who told him to look into Sweden. Interest: He then chose the programme in regards to what he wanted to do in future. And luck: He got accepted by Linnaeus University immediately and was also rewarded a two-year scholarship by the Swedish Institute.

Sweden has formed him in many ways, and he learned a lot about himself during his years in Kalmar.

“For some reason, Sweden felt like the place I could slow down the most, you had like four hours in a day not being interrupted by anyone and could go for a walk in the woods. I learned more about myself and had an intensive introspective growth, even more so than what I learned during my studies. When I try to make a meaningful change in my life, I always think about how I made decisions in Sweden.”

He also has some habits he’s brought home from Sweden.

“I must go outside and stand in the sun every day and open my palms towards the sun, even if the sun shines every day here. And my home is full of trash cans. For all the recycling.”

A lot of one-and-one time with the professors

Jared came here from USA and describes International Business Strategy as a programme that walks you through internationalization of large and small companies while it offers a big variety of perspectives such as finance, marketing and sales. In the programme you get to work with real life scenarios with your classmates who are from all around the world. The international environment makes you learn almost as much from the classmates as from the course material.

Studying here feels like being part of a big family

Miguel C. was born in Peru but grew up in the US. His goal for the future is to make the world a better place through his leadership skills.

Read the full interview

- International Business Strategy programme prepares me well for the future. Since the world is becoming exponentially more and more globalised I believe there will be a large demand for people with this kind of education in the future. I chose to study in Sweden at Linnaeus University as I was eager to learn and study a new culture, also - to gain experience and Sweden seemed nice. Linnaeus University had exactly the programme I was looking for, and Kalmar really appealed to me, it is a super nice and cool city.

What's your impression of Sweden?
- I must say that I think both the country and the Swedes are awesome. It is a friendly country rich in culture. I really enjoy the tradition of Swedish 'fika' (coffee break in Swedish)!

What are your career plans?
- The main goals in my life are to be a good father, a good husband and to become a leader in the public or private sector in Peru, and in that way be able to help my people.

What's the best thing with being a student at Linnaeus University?
- It feels like being part of a big family. The university puts a lot of effort into integrating all different cultures and making the international students feel at home.

I have grown both personally and professionally

Alex journey with Linnaeus University started several years ago when he read the big sign that says “Människor växer här'' at Kalmar harbour, when he was a student on Linnaeus University Summer Academy. In the future, he wants to work as a researcher.

Read the interview

- After that experience, I decided to first study International Sales and Marketing, and then to attain a master’s degree in International Business Strategy. I want to prepare for a career as a researcher in academia and a practitioner in the international business world.

Alex appreciates the atmosphere at Linnaeus University and the fact that teachers and students are so engaged in their subjects.

- Studying at Linnaeus University is like parachuting into a land of inspiration, creativity, and opportunities. Students are focusing on their future rather than the next assignment. Being a student at Linnaeus University means having access to the beautiful minds of researchers who have a lot to give. The possibility to learn in such a supportive and encouraging environment paved the way for me to achieve personal and professional growth.

He is happy with his choice of education, and the fact that the programme encourages students to take responsibility for their studies, but he admits that he has to work hard.

- This approach allowed me to develop the skills required to become an independent, postgraduate knowledge seeker. Furthermore, having the opportunity to practice also let me enjoy the thinking and writing process. However, I can truthfully argue that in order to succeed on the programme you have to put in a lot of working hours.

Living in Kalmar
Alex likes the new university facilities, where he usually studies during the day, and also what the city has to offer.

- All the university facilities cluster together in the middle of the city, next to the Baltic Sea. It’s an alluring work environment. Besides the university, living in Kalmar is a unique experience. Kalmar is history, art, and culture. It’s a peaceful calm place, yet it is full of life. Most days, when I am done working, I go out for a coffee in the city. After that, I focus on my hobbies: BBC radio, classical music, Jazz FM, and cooking.

After graduation, Alex wants to become a researcher and a business practitioner, focusing on the international market.

- I aim to proceed with a lifelong career as a researcher; I have a huge interest in teaching and research within the area of international business and marketing. My journey with Linnaeus University started with a summer course, and today Linnaeus University, and Kalmar are part of my extended self. I will continue to be a business practitioner by running my businesses in Kalmar, with main focus on the international market.

Kalmar – the student city by the sea

In Kalmar centre, right next to the sea, you will find the university’s facilities that were inaugurated in August 2021. In Kalmar, everything is nearby, and you can take your bicycle to the university regardless of where you live in the city.

New students have housing guarantee. This means that you are entitled to student accommodation within two months. This is one of the reasons for Kalmar being appointed Student City of the Year 2023 by the Swedish National Union of Students. Kalmar has also received the award because the city offers students an excellent living environment. What is more, the city works actively to create opportunities for students to stay in Kalmar to work when they have completed their studies.

Kalmar municipality has about 70 000 inhabitants. Kalmar has a strong trade and industry with many companies that are on the forefront in green energy, e-commerce, and eHealth, which means there is good opportunity to establish contacts for your future work life.

Kalmar has a cultural history centre and has been named Sweden’s Summer City several times. No wonder, with all the hours of sun, beaches and concerts. What is more, the island of Öland is just one bridge away.

Learn more about our student cities