MSc Business Administration - Strategy and Management in International Organisations, 120 credits

Degree: Master of Science with a major in Business Administration.

The two years master’s programme in Business Administration - Strategy and Management in International Organisations (SMIO) focuses on topics within the discipline of business administration. Three features are central in this master’s programme: strategy, management and international organisations.

The programme’s overall purpose is to contribute to the education of a new generation of researchers and practitioners who understand science and business as social phenomena. Upon successful completion of the programme, students will have acquired good analytical skills and the ability to think strategically. Moreover, they will be qualified for working with international companies and organisations. This is a four semester programme and during the last semester students will undertake a master’s thesis.

Courses

Semester 1. An introduction to academic studies is followed by a course in Leadership and organisation. This course examines the exploration/exploitation dilemma from a leadership and organisational studies perspective. The second course, Contemporary Business Processes, will introduce, develop and strengthen an understanding of the challenges and opportunities confronted in business. Students will also study Project Management in International Settings. The course focuses on projects as a major tool and organisational form for the implementation and realisation of strategic goals in an organisation.

Semester 2. Advanced Consumer Marketing takes an integrative and advanced approach to consumer marketing. The Management Control Systems course focuses on the different methods necessary to manage and provide information support to private and public organisations. The third course, Perspectives on Human Resource Management (HRM) focuses on four different perspectives: HRM in project-based organisations, HRM in public and non-profit organisations, international HRM and HRM as a societal trend.

Semester 3. Strategy - Classic and Contemporary Views is rooted in international business and corporate strategies. This course addresses different aspects of strategy and strategic issues. Innovation and Project Management has two major components: the first part is a theoretical introduction and the second one focuses on the company as a knowledge-producing entity, on other related organisational structures and on control mechanisms.

Semester 4. In conjunction with research methodology, the master’s thesis will further develop students’ knowledge and skills. As well as that, it will enhance their ability to solve problems independently and in a scholarly manner. The choice of subject and method will indicate that students have taken an international approach. The master’s theses are to be written in teams of two.

Employment and career opportunities

Upon completion of the Business Administration master’s programme, students will become competitive candidates for employment in international companies within areas such as: human relations, strategic management and marketing. Often the analytical skills gained and developed during the programme are a very important factor during the job selection process. The international training which students received during the two years Business Administration master’s programme provides an advantage when looking for a job. Students with an interest in research can pursue doctoral studies (PhD) in Sweden or elsewhere in the world.

Specific requirements

A bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Economics with at least 90 credits (3 semesters of full-time study) in the subject of Business Administration is required.

The specific requirements will be assessed as unsatisfactory if the average grade is in the lower third of the grading scale used in the country where the degree was awarded i.e. grades must be average/pass or above (the equivalent to the Swedish grade "Godkänd").

Letter of Intent
Each applicant must enclose a Letter of Intent, written in English by the applicant, comprising a reason why the applicant wishes to follow the programme, and a summary of degree thesis/degree project. For those students who hold a degree that does not require such a degree thesis/degree project the Letter of Intent should describe previous studies and academic activities related to the Master's programme/es applied for.