International Business and Economic Diplomacy master degree programme
Against the backdrop of current economic and political developments, you will recognise the significance of international business relations and capitalise on them in order to achieve success on international markets.
Our two-year master programme is centred on developing broad-based, forward-looking expertise related to international management and economic diplomacy. This programme gives you managerial skills that will enable you to confidently hold your own in a competitive and constantly changing environment. The programme also comprises wide-ranging practical elements, with a focus on ongoing enhancement of soft skills and research techniques, all of which improve your employability.
This is the tuition fee for EU and EEA citizens. In addition, the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH) dues amount to EUR 22.70. Please note that different tuition fees apply for non-EU citizens.
The degree programme
International and interdisciplinary, with a strong strategic and practical focus: welcome to the International Business and Economic Diplomacy master degree programme!
Slowbalisation vs. Globalisation 4.0
Although protectionism and initiatives aimed at decentralising politics are increasingly the focus of attention, digitalisation and new business models are resulting in ever closer ties between consumers and producers.
This has enabled companies to develop new global markets and change existing ones, but it is also bringing about shifts in political, economic and social frameworks.
International Business meets Economic Diplomacy
The interplay between the core elements of the programme, international business and economic diplomacy, enables our graduates to play a part in companies’ internationalisation processes.
Thanks to their sound knowledge of international market dynamics, graduates can identify business potential, and their expertise also supports successful execution of these commercial activities through establishment of a network of key international stakeholders.
Study the international way
Studying the international way: you will be studying alongside colleagues from around the world, discussing cultures, global events and economic developments with lecturers who have an interdisciplinary, international background, and exchanging notes at guest lectures and on visits to international businesses and organisations. You also have the option of spending the fourth semester at one of our partner universities.
Tip
Do you want to strike the right balance between studying and your work commitments? Or would you prefer to have the weekends off? We offer two study-time models for this part-time master degree programme: you can attend courses either on Thursdays and Fridays, or on Fridays and Saturdays.
The programme also includes courses and excursions spread over a total of three block weeks. So the degree is perfectly compatible with professional and/or family commitments.
A particularly attractive option is the dual degree we offer in conjunction with the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Besides obtaining a master of arts at IMC Krems, you will also be accredited with the Australian Master of International Business at our partner institution. For this dual degree, additional tuition fees are charged at our partner institution.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY STUDENTS ON AIR
" Our students are tomorrow’s game changers: they are open-minded, innovative, systematic and forward-looking. For them, international cooperation and diplomacy are priorities – not just as a means of promoting foreign trade, investment and innovation, but also as a way of safeguarding environmental and economic sustainability. "
Programme director Alina Schoenberg
A formula for success: theoretical knowledge + practical experience
The programme is built on three pillars.
Curriculum
What can you expect from your studies? The curriculum provides an overview.
Click on the individual courses for further information.
Course SWS ECTS Strategic Management International Operations Management 2 3 Advanced International Marketing 2 3 International Employment Relations 2 3 Financial Management Performance Management 2 3 Institutions and Diplomacy International Institutions 2 3 Economic Diplomacy 2 3 International Business Law 2 4 Employability Skills Business Analytics I 2 4 Negotiation Techniques 1 2 Research Skills and Master Thesis Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods 2 2 Course SWS ECTS Financial Management International Finance 2 4 International Taxation 2 3 Elective 1: Trade Management Strategies Developing Business Opportunities in International Trade 2 3 Political and Economic Strategies International Macroeconomics 2 3 International Political Economy 2 4 Location Analysis 2 4 Governance and Ethics 2 3 Elective 2: International Economic Relations Foreign Policy Analysis 2 3 Employability Skills Business Analytics II 2 4 Crisis Management 1 2 Course SWS ECTS Financial Management Mergers and Acquisitions 2 3 Elective 1: Trade Management Strategies Logistics and Supply Chain Management 2 4 International Reporting 2 4 International Business and CSR 2 4 Political and Economic Strategies International Tendering 2 4 Elective 2: International Economic Relations European Economic Integration 2 4 Interest Groups and Advocacy 2 4 Development Cooperation and Economic Growth 2 4 Employability Skills Consulting 2 3 Diplomatic Protocol 1 2 Research Skills and Master Thesis Research Seminar: Problems and Challenges in International Trade 2 6 Course SWS ECTS Employability Skills International Business Project 2 4 Research Skills and Master Thesis Master Thesis 0 22 Master Exam 0 4
Electives
Choose your own focus areas. You select one of two electives on the programme. Courses are held in semesters 2 and 3.
Newsletter & additional information
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Get additional information nowCareer paths for graduates of the International Business and Economic Diplomacy master programme
After graduating from the International Business and Economic Diplomacy master programme, you will have advanced knowledge of management, as well as expertise in economic and political analysis, and negotiating. This means you are ideally placed to perform various roles in private and public sector organisations with an international focus.
Strategic aspects are the centre of attention throughout the programme. Your interdisciplinary education allows you to assume managerial responsibility for a variety of functions.
You have the option to put your knowledge to use at an Austrian company, or to head abroad. Whichever you choose, you will have what it takes to launch an international career, and your professional experience as well as any time spent studying abroad during the programme will boost your attractiveness for prospective employers.
Or are you interested in starting your own business? The broad-based approach employed in the degree programme gives you all the tools you need to set up your own company and manage it successfully.
- The professional areas open to graduates include
- National and international organisations and NGOs
- Foreign direct investment (FDI) management
- Think tanks
- Consulting
- Foreign trade (import/export)
- International marketing
- Outsourcing/product management
- Risk management and hedging
- HR and employee development
What makes us special? We are more than happy to tell you about the aspects of our university, which we are especially proud of.
Friendly and cosmopolitan: The city attracts students from all over the world, who come to study, research and work together.
Our university has removed a host of administrative hurdles, leaving you free to concentrate fully on your studies.
Do you have questions regarding our degree programmes or the application? Contact our Prospective Student Advisory Service.
Opinions: International Business and Economic Diplomacy
Click through the videos of the degree programme.
Get to know our university of applied sciences from a new and very personal perspective.
Our team
Get to know the core team of our master degree programme International Business and Economic Diplomacy.
Application and admissions – the next steps
You've found a course that's a perfect fit? Great – you’ve already taken the most important step! We’ve put together an overview to guide you through the next steps.
What are the admission requirements for master programmes?
To qualify for a master programme, you must have completed a bachelor degree – with a workload of at least 180 ECTS and lasting at least six semesters – in a related subject, or hold an equivalent degree from a recognised Austrian or foreign higher education institution.
If your undergraduate studies are not sufficiently relevant, for instance if you’ve completed a degree in an unrelated subject, your qualifications will be assessed after we have received your completed application.
Information about accepted previous academic qualifications
In which form do I have to prove my English language skills for this Master degree programme?
There are three different options:
Option 1: No additional proof of English proficiency is required if:
- English is your native language
or - you have already a recognised English language certificate (IELTS Academic Training - at least 7.0 Overall Band Score, Cambridge Certificate - Level C1, Toefl IBT - at least 94) at the time of your application
or - you have completed your prior studies either entirely in English or bilingually, with at least 70 ECTS of the courses taught in English.
You are required to upload the English language certificate that you have already obtained at the time of the application. Same applies to the proof of English as the language of instruction of your prior studies. Please upload a confirmation in the form of a list courses lectured in English with ECTS (for example, the Diploma Supplement) already at the time of the application.
Option 2: A combination of an existing proof of English language skills from your prior studies and an English test is required if you have completed less than 70 ECTS of the degree programme in English. The following combinations are accepted:
- Proof of at least a 6-month semester abroad in an English-speaking country together with the EF-SET50
or - At minimum 10 ECTS English language courses in your prior degree programme and a confirmation that these were held at C1 level, together with the EF-SET 50
You are required to upload the proof of the semester abroad or the English language courses in your prior degree programme plus the confirmation of the level already at the time of the application. The EF-SET 50 with a result at level C1 can be submitted later until the start of the degree programme.
Option 3: An English language certificate is required, if the aforementioned options 1 or 2 do not apply to you. The following English language certificates are accepted:
- IELTS Academic Training – minimum 7.0 Overall Band Score
or - Cambridge Certificate – level C1
or - Toefl IBT – minimum 94
You can submit the English language certificate or the result of the EF-SET 50 until the start of your studies. Please upload all other certificates and documents from options 1 and 2 already at the time of application.
Option 1 and 2 do not apply to you and you still need an English language certificate as proof of your English language skills? At the IMC University of Applied Sciences you can complete both an IELTS preparatory workshop as well as the IELTS certificate. If you are interested, please contact our language services or directly sonja.berger(at)fh-krems.ac.at.
Application interview
Everything revolves around the students on our Master degree programmes. That’s why we’d like to get to know you personally.
As part of the online application you will have to write a statement of motivation. Predefined questions about your motivation can be found in the online application. In your answers, which have to be entered in the provided input fields of the online application, you deal with the questions and explain your motivation to study the selected Master degree programme
Your statement of motivation and your CV (curriculum vitae) form the basis for your application interview. The admission interview is a one-to-one interview, usually with the degree programme director.
In addition to getting to know you personally, your motives for the Master degree programme will be discussed, as well as your professional background and the skillset you have acquired so far. Special attention will be paid to your previous academic and professional experience, your methodological and language skills and your general suitability with regard to your intended Master degree programme.
The application interview is held in the language of instruction of the degree programme and can take place online via Microsoft Teams or in presence.
Interview dates
There is usually a selection of dates to choose from, with quotas allocated for each date. You can select a preferred date and time slot for your admission interview during the online application process. In order to still benefit from the full selection of dates, we recommend that you submit your application in good time.
Get an overview of the dates for your programme.
Admission interview
09/06/202327/06/202307/07/202321/07/2023After you have successfully completed your online application, your application will be checked for completeness and correctness. As soon as this process is completed, we will inform you by e-mail and confirm the date for your admission interview. We will send you the Microsoft Teams Meeting Link in a separate e-mail a few days before the application interview date.
Application deadline for EU nationals / Extended application deadline | 15/05/2023 / 15/08/2023 |
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Application deadline for non-EU nationals
Application for the next study year possible from 01/12/2023 | 15/04/2023 |
You've decided for one of our degree programmes? First of all: congratulations and thank you for choosing us! We’ll be happy to guide you step-by-step through your online application.
You would like to plan ahead and would like to know when your degree programme starts? Here you will find the answer!
Questions about the degree programme?
Prospective Student Advisory Service
Do you have questions regarding the entry requirements, the admission procedure and more? Our Prospective Student Advisory Service is happy to help.
Ask a Student
Join our Facebook group: Direct your questions to our students and get first-hand accounts about studying at IMC Krems.
Facebook groupStudent Ambassadors
Would you like first-hand information about the degree programme? Contact our student ambassadors directly, they will be happy to answer all your questions about the study programme.

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