Studium International Business and Economic Diplomacy - Student steht im Flur

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.

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.

Student stories

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.

  1. 1

    1. The core subjects

    Semesters 1-3

    The core subject international business focuses on internal company operations that are relevant for internationalisation processes. Courses are aimed at enhancing your prior knowledge of subjects such as international management, international finance, international employment relations and international marketing.

    The strategic focus of the course contents enables you to develop your managerial skills, and to accurately assess and positively influence a company’s competitiveness in an international context.

    The emphasis in the core subject economic diplomacy is on external factors that provide the framework for international economic relations, and which in turn have a significant influence on business success abroad.

    Courses concentrate on domestic and foreign economic policy, as well as on investment and business promotion measures. You will look at management of business relationships with domestic and foreign companies, political institutions, international organisations and NGOs, as well as the public, with a view to building effective corporate partnerships.

    Courses such as International Political Economy, International Institutions, Location Analysis and International Business Law are designed to give a clearer understanding of the dynamic interaction between economics, politics and law, and underline the role of businesses in a globalised world. The opportunities and challenges arising from internationalisation are highlighted in courses including Governance and Ethics, Economic Diplomacy and International Tendering.

  2. 2

    2. Employability and research skills

    Semesters 1-4

    The topics of international business and economic diplomacy are brought together in the core subject of Employability and Research Skills.

    The Skill Lab is a place where you can enhance both your hard and soft skills. For example, the Business Analytics course shows you how to understand and analyse business data from an application-led perspective, and how such data can be used to support corporate decision-making processes. The Consulting course helps you to develop the right demeanour, which is so important for managers. Meanwhile, the Negotiation Techniques and Crisis Management courses give you the skills needed to manage commercial and political negotiations in a professional manner, and show how you can contribute to boosting your organisation’s resilience in the face of crises.

    You will also learn the ins and outs of diplomatic etiquette, which will enable you act appropriately when dealing with political and business partners both at home and abroad.

    You can put the skills you have acquired to the test in a wide-ranging business simulation in semester 4. The Research Methodology course helps you to broaden your academic skills. The master thesis gives you the opportunity to carry out an academic analysis of a topic taken from one of the core subjects, and in turn further enhance your skills profile.

    A practical focus is more than just a buzzword at IMC Krems: programme lecturers share their real-life professional experience, and problems are discussed and analysed on the basis of case studies. In addition, projects implemented in partnership with companies allow you to examine your newly acquired knowledge from a practical viewpoint.

  3. 3

    3. The electives

    Semesters 2 & 3

    The core subjects, International Business and Economic Diplomacy, give you a detailed insight into the internal and external factors that have a decisive impact on the success of internationalisation processes.

    In your chosen elective, you go one step further and take on the role of an expert, focusing on strategic aspects of international trade in a business context, or on international collaboration from an institutional perspective.

    You can tailor your degree in line with your personal interests – the electives in semesters 2 and 3 give you all the flexibility you need.
    More about the electives

Curriculum

What can you expect from your studies? The curriculum provides an overview.
Click on the individual courses for further information.

  1. CourseSWSECTS
    Strategic Management
    International Operations Management 23
    Advanced International Marketing 23
    International Employment Relations 23
    Financial Management
    Performance Management 23
    Institutions and Diplomacy
    Economic Diplomacy 23
    International Business Law 24
    International Institutions 23
    Employability Skills
    Business Analytics I 24
    Negotiation Techniques 12
    Research Skills and Master Thesis
    Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods 22
  2. CourseSWSECTS
    Financial Management
    International Finance 24
    International Taxation 23
    Elective 1: Trade Management Strategies
    Developing Business Opportunities in International Trade 23
    Political and Economic Strategies
    International Macroeconomics 23
    International Political Economy 24
    Location Analysis 24
    Governance and Ethics 23
    Elective 2: International Economic Relations
    Foreign Policy Analysis 23
    Employability Skills
    Business Analytics II 24
    Crisis Management 12
  3. CourseSWSECTS
    Financial Management
    Mergers and Acquisitions 23
    Elective 1: Trade Management Strategies
    Logistics and Supply Chain Management 24
    International Reporting 24
    International Business and CSR 24
    Political and Economic Strategies
    International Tendering 24
    Elective 2: International Economic Relations
    European Economic Integration 24
    Interest Groups and Advocacy 24
    Development Cooperation and Economic Growth 24
    Employability Skills
    Consulting 23
    Diplomatic Protocol 12
    Research Skills and Master Thesis
    Research Seminar: Problems and Challenges in International Trade 26
  4. CourseSWSECTS
    Employability Skills
    International Business Project 24
    Research Skills and Master Thesis
    Master Thesis 022
    Master Exam 04

Electives

Choose your own focus areas. You select one of two electives on the programme. Courses are held in semesters 2 and 3.

Trade Management Strategies

Do you want to break into international markets with your products? Building on the core subjects, this elective takes you through key aspects that enable you to define a successful export strategy.

These include preparing business plans, which covers elements such as ideation, market and competitor analysis, and the export strategy. You will also study supply chain management, which gives you a clearer picture of the strategic significance of procurement, logistics and goods manufacturing.

There are also courses dealing with international accounting standards, meaning you will be in a position to handle financial reporting after you graduate.

In addition to business-related considerations, you will also gain an insight into the social responsibilities of international businesses, and learn how to develop strategies that enable your company to operate more sustainably.

International Economic Relations

If you’re looking to learn about international cooperation at an institutional level, this elective enables you to examine the factors that influence political systems, and the ways in which they do so. This puts you in a position to identify political trends and analyse the political stability of states and regions. You will investigate the role played by interest groups in political decision-making processes.

The elective also examines the process of economic and political integration in Europe. The aim is to enable you to analyse the effects of the EU’s trade and regional policies, the integration of its factor markets, monetary union and the EU expansion process.

However, the elective does not focus exclusively on Europe: the heterogeneous development of countries is an aspect of globalisation, which therefore also gives rise to options for collaboration with developing countries.

Career 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
10 good reasons

What makes us special? We are more than happy to tell you about the aspects of our university, which we are especially proud of.

Krems

Friendly and cosmopolitan: The city attracts students from all over the world, who come to study, research and work together.

Service centers

Our university has removed a host of administrative hurdles, leaving you free to concentrate fully on your studies.

Advisory Service

Do you have questions regarding our degree programmes or the application? Contact our Prospective Student Advisory Service.

Find out more

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Request our programme brochures

Are you interested in receiving brochures conveniently at your doorstep? Within Europe, we will send you our programme brochures by mail.

Order our brochures now

Opinions: International Business and Economic Diplomacy

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Our team

Get to know the core team of our master degree programme International Business and Economic Diplomacy.

  • Prof.(FH) Dr. Alina Schoenberg | Programme Director International Business and Economic Diplomacy - IMC Fachhochschule Krems
    Prof.(FH) Dr. Alina Schoenberg
    Programme Director International Business and Economic Diplomacy

    Programme Director International Business and Economic Diplomacy

    Prof.(FH) Dr. Alina Schoenberg

  • Prof.(FH) Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Michael Bartz
    Professor (FH) Institute International Trade and Sustainable Economy
  • Prof.(FH) Dr. Anna Fornalska
    Professor (FH) Institute International Trade and Sustainable Economy
  • Prof.(FH) Mag. Dr. Jan Grumiller
    Programme Director Environmental and Sustainablity Management
  • Prof.(FH) Klaus Kotek, MBA
    Professor (FH) Institute International Trade and Sustainable Economy
  • Vanessa Reisecker, MA
    Scientific Project Staff Institute International Trade and Sustainable...
  • Prof.(FH) Mag. Dr. Martin Waiguny
    Academic Head

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.

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
12/04/202426/04/202403/05/202424/05/202407/06/202410/07/202419/07/202424/07/2024

After 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 15/05/2024
Application deadline for non-EU nationals 15/04/2024
Apply now

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.

Details

You would like to plan ahead and would like to know when your degree programme starts? Here you will find the answer!

Details

Questions about the degree programme?

Prospective Student Advisory Service


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Ask Katrina

Ask Katrina


Would you like first-hand information about the International Business and Economic Diplomacy degree programme? Contact Katrina directly, he will be happy to answer all your questions about the study programme.

[email protected]