International Business Degrees Explained

‘Global MBA’, ‘IMBA’, ‘International Business Degree’, ‘Master of International Management’ - while there seems to be many different ways to describe an International MBA program, the big question is ‘are all these international degrees really the same?’ One could say that it depends on who you’re talking to. An American business school that offers international courses within their MBA curriculum might deem their program ‘International’. An Indian student attending a UK business school might consider their MBA ‘International’ since they are studying business practices from outside of their region. While an argument can be made for both cases, a truly international business degree goes beyond touching on a few case studies set in an overseas context, or studying in a country different than your own.

It seems that one important aspect that sets some international business degrees apart from others, is the hands - on experience of working on international projects in international cities with international classmates. In other words, different practices, forms of knowledge, and perspectives are what drive learning. Imagine visiting the Vodafone headquarters in London, doing an internship in Rio de Janeiro, learning about new technologies in Silicon Valley, and attending an exports seminar in Shanghai - all while collaborating with fellow students who have studied and run their own businesses in places like Singapore, France and Mexico. The breadth of knowledge one would glean from such experiences is staggering.

How do international business degrees like this work? Some business schools have their own campuses in different international locations, offering teaching and internship opportunities in each. Hult International Business School has campuses in London, Boston, Dubai and Shanghai and offers a Global Rotation Program where students can take modules and do internships in each campus location, gaining valuable local knowledge and contacts in each. The European School of Management has campuses in Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid and Torino, and students can chose to do their core courses on one particular campus, or follow a global track that rotates from campus to campus.

Another International MBA model is one in which universities partner up with other universities in different countries, thus allowing students to study abroad for a semester or two. Anderson School of Management at UCLA locates it’s core courses in the US, but offers many study abroad opportunities at partner universities in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. IESE Business School has its main campus in Spain, but also has partnerships with universities across the globe. Students will meet colleagues from 26 different countries and have the opportunity to take courses in Barcelona, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, India, and New York.

That said, is an international business degree for you? Those typically interested in doing an International MBA may have interests in international trade, emerging markets, or a desire to work for a multinational corporation. Firms with global divisions and markets are keen to find employees with both business acumen and international savvy and often send recruits to places like Budapest, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, and Hong Kong.

While the thought of international experience and travel may be appealing for some, those with families and roots in a particular place may not have the capacity to participate in such a program. If you’re thinking about doing an international MBA, you should not only have an interest in learning about different international business perspectives and practices, but also have the desire and ability to work in these international contexts as well. However, for those who do have the interest and means to engage in an international business degree, the world is definitely your oyster.