Studies & Degrees in MBA International Management
MBA International Management Study Programs
An MBA in international management is a Master of Business Administration that looks at the company from a cross-border point of view. It covers the usual core of an MBA (strategy, finance, accounting, marketing, operations and people management) and adds the questions that arise when a business works in several countries: international trade and marketing, the management of multinational companies, international business law and leading teams from different cultures. Schools use several names for it, such as International MBA, Global MBA or MBA in International Business.
The study plan of the MBA at Schiller International University shows the typical mix: business economics, managerial accounting and finance, international marketing, multinational business management, production and operations management, human resources management, international business law, research methods and a master's thesis or project. Most programmes work with case studies, business simulations and group projects, and many classes bring together students of several nationalities.
Qualifications and levels
The MBA is a postgraduate programme. Applicants normally need a first university degree, and many schools also value work experience: EAE Business School reports an average of four years of experience among the participants of its International MBA. A degree in business is not always required. At EAE, students with previous studies in economics or business administration are exempt from additional training, while other profiles must complete preparatory courses.
Most of the schools on this page are in Spain, and there the kind of qualification matters more than the letters MBA:
- Official master's degree (máster universitario). Under Royal Decree 822/2021, the study plans of an official master's degree have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The International MBA of La Salle – Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona has an official name, Máster Universitario en Administración de Empresas y Dirección Digital (MBA); it lasts 12 months, has 60 ECTS credits and is taught on campus in English.
- School's or university's own qualification (máster de formación permanente). The same decree allows universities to award their own lifelong-learning master's qualifications of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits, which must always be clearly distinguished from official degrees. Cerem's online MBA with a specialisation in international finance (14 months, 72 ECTS credits) leads to a private Cerem qualification and a máster de formación permanente of Universidad Nebrija.
- Double qualifications. Some schools combine both. The International MBA of EAE Business School in Barcelona (60 ECTS credits, full time, in English) awards EAE's own máster de formación permanente together with an official master's degree of the Universitat de Lleida.
- Foreign degrees taught in Spain. Schiller International University follows the American system and is accredited in the United States by the ACCSC. Its MBA has 36 American credits, which the university equates to 72 ECTS, lasts 12 months in the accelerated format and is offered in English at its campuses in Madrid, Paris, Heidelberg and Tampa.
Outside Spain, the Swiss School of Management describes its MBA as a one-year programme of 60 ECTS credits.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 16 active schools for the MBA in international management: 13 in Spain and one each in Italy, France and the United States. In Spain most are in Madrid and Barcelona, among them EAE Business School, La Salle – Universitat Ramon Llull, Schiller International University, Cerem, Universidad Nebrija, C3S Business School and UIBS / Barcelona Business School. The list also includes the Universidad de Almería and ITAE in Badajoz.
Points to compare before applying:
- the type of qualification (official master's degree, own qualification or foreign degree) and whether it is recognised in the country where the student plans to work or continue studying
- the language: the programmes of EAE, La Salle and Schiller mentioned above are taught in English, Cerem's in Spanish and online
- the format and length: full time on campus for about a year, or online alongside a job
- the international element: La Salle includes a one-week study trip to Asia, and Schiller allows study at campuses in four countries
- the profile of the class, such as work experience and the share of international students, which EAE puts at 93% for its International MBA
Careers
The MBA is a generalist management qualification, used to move into roles with responsibility for a business area or a market. La Salle says its programme prepares for positions in management, strategy, digital transformation, business development, innovation, consulting, entrepreneurship and international leadership. EAE lists roles such as international trade manager, international business consultant and operations director in multinational companies among the career paths of its programme. These are the schools' own descriptions; no official statistics exist for this specific qualification.
Frequently asked questions
Is an MBA in Spain an official master's degree?
It depends on the programme. Some are official master's degrees (máster universitario), others are the school's or university's own qualification (máster de formación permanente), and some award both. The programme page should state which one applies.
How long does an MBA in international management take?
The programmes described here last between 12 and 14 months and have 60 to 72 ECTS credits.
Do I need work experience?
Requirements differ by school. Cerem asks for a university degree and values relevant professional experience; EAE reports an average of four years of experience among participants.
Can I study it in English in Spain?
Yes. The International MBA programmes of EAE Business School and La Salle – Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona and the MBA of Schiller International University in Madrid are taught in English.