MSc in International Business and Management

LAUNCH YOURSELF IN BUSINESS
Duration: 14 months / evening classes
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions| Upcoming Deadline: May 31, 2024
Start Date: September 2024
Fees: € 12,500

OVERVIEW

The MSc in International Business and Management will prepare young graduates (with business or non-business background) for an entry into the world of business. With a sharp focus on developing well-rounded professionals, this general management program will equip you with the knowledge, practical experience, and confidence to launch yourself in business. You will learn to apply skills in a variety of companies, whether in a large multinational corporation or in an export-oriented, fast-growing, small company and variety of functions whether it is finance, supply chain, or marketing in Greece or abroad.

 

Key features of the program

  • Weekday classes between 18:00 – 22:00, three times per week on average
  • 11 core modules & 2 workshops
  • Assessment: group reports/presentations, case study analysis, mid-term tests, final exams
  • 2 elective courses or international component (studies abroad)
  • Dissertation or Career Development (Internship or Professional Development for working students)

 

The MSc in International Business and Management Is Designed for:

  • Recent graduates from any discipline who wish to work in business and management.
  • Recent graduates in business, management or economics seeking in-depth insight into the mechanisms of the global economy as well as the strategy and operations of a multinational corporation or an internationalizing firm
  • Young professionals with limited experience who want to enhance their employability in the local and the international labor market.

You may find here more information about the Program's Intended Learning Outcomes.

 

Current Student Profile

 

HIGHLIGHTS

Mandatory career development course (summer internship for those currently unemployed or professional development for those who already work) is an integral part of our program of studies. Students will connect the knowledge, models and skills learnt in class with the everyday practice of business and management, improving significantly their employability after graduation.

An applied perspective within every single course. Students apply their knowledge to updated and cutting-edge case studies sourced from world-renowned authors and well-known publishers.

International relevance. Students familiarize themselves with international terms and global strategies through the capstone course “Global Business & Trade”. Particular attention is being paid to understanding the architecture of cross-border trade and the dynamics of international business strategy.

Extensive opportunities to take courses abroad through student exchange agreements with a large network of top Business Schools worldwide.

Exposure to real life business problems through Field Consulting Projects.

The optional research dissertation for those interested in pursuing a PhD and the elective courses help students become independent thinkers as they will critically assess and challenge the established models of management and propose innovative ways of addressing key challenges at work.

Graduates of the MSc in International Business and Management choosing to take The Alba MBA after having acquired the necessary work experience, will have three courses waived, in addition to the Alba Alumni discount*.

CURRICULUM

MSc in International Business & Management Total Year Schedule 2024-2025

The school reserves the right to re-examine the structure of all academic programs and proceed to any necessary changes in the total year schedules.

5th Period: Dissertation or Career Development (Career Development: Internship or Professional Development)*

You may find the Graduate Academic Calendar 2024–25 here.

*Students who wish to attend the 14-month program, will attend the “Career Development” or the “Dissertation” during May – July 2024.

*Career Development is an option provided only to Greek and EU students. According to Greek labor and immigration law, international VISA holder students are not permitted to do an apprenticeship in Greece. Alternatively, they can access global internship opportunities through the international job portals provided by Alba’s Career Office.

1st Period | September – October

Courses US Credits
Quantitative Methods for Business
1
For a successful career in business, professionals should possess sufficient quantitative skills to help them make informed decisions backed by data analysis and statistical inferences. The course aims to introduce, in an intuitive and rigorous way, the fundamental statistical tools of decision theory under uncertainty. Topics covered include basic statistical principles, probability distributions, inferential statistics (confidence intervals hypothesis testing) and regression. The course combines the theoretical concepts and reasoning with practical examples to help students master the quantitative methods of modern business management. The course also includes an introduction to Excel’s data analysis tool and basic functions.
Financial Accounting & Reporting
2
With the aim of evaluating corporate financial performance and making financially rational decisions, this course introduces students to financial accounting, reporting and analysis. This module aims to develop awareness in students of the way in which accounting is embedded in a particular socio-economic, political and cultural context and challenges the perception that accounting is a purely technical, uninterested and neutral practice. Within this framework, the module seeks to provide students with a broad introduction to the need for external accounting systems, the principles explicit and implicit within such systems, and the strengths and weaknesses in such systems. 
Business Economics
2
This course concentrates on the economic foundations of management by developing tools to analyze key issues of the industry (Microeconomics) and general economic environment (Macroeconomics) of a company. The first part, Microeconomics, analyses consumer behavior, producer pricing and production decisions under different market structures. The second part, Macroeconomics, studies the operation of the entire economy, analyzing topics such as the determination of aggregate output, employment, inflation, interest rates, exchange rates and other macro variables

2nd Period | November – December

Courses US Credits
Managing People & Organization
2
The course provides an overview of the core areas of management theory and organizational behaviour with a special emphasis on issues of organizational structures, culture and values, employee motivation and job design, leadership and power, group processes as well as organizational learning and knowledge management. It will help participants understand the complex relation between individuals, groups and organizations and will introduce the concepts and the tools for effective management of the human capital. It will also help them understand how they can become change catalysts by performing their leadership role as managers; how they can manage knowledge; how they can inspire people to put extra effort for achieving the organizational vision and for outstanding performance and results. Through case studies, videos and discussion, students will have the opportunity to exercise their critical thinking and build people management skills by applying organizational theory to a broad range of organizational types, settings, and challenges.
Business Writing
1
The purpose of the workshop is to address the question ‘what is the skill of writing?’.  According to the American writer Edwin Schlossberg, “the skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think”.  The workshop explores this statement.  This exploration and subsequent understanding is of paramount importance for any business activity, since much of the communication in the business world takes place in writing, usually within tight deadlines, ranging from short, simple e-mails to long, rich documents.  The salient gain of the participants from the workshop is the understanding of different modes and purposes of writing, as well as of different types and purposes of documents.  The main topics covered during the workshop include: the requirements of different types of documents, such as reports, case studies, research papers and proposals, proper referencing, and the research process.
Presentation Skills Workshop
1
‘What is a successful presentation and how is it achieved?’  ‘What does our audience see and hear during a presentation?’  This workshop aims to provide participants with knowledge on the techniques and tools needed for a successful presentation.  Presentations are means of communication in the business world.  This communication may have several aims: to describe, to explain, to clarify, to persuade.  During the workshop, participants learn how to capture the audience’s attention and how to communicate efficiently and confidently without ‘stage fear’.  Some of the topics covered during the workshop are: structuring an effective presentation, using verbal and non-verbal communication during the presentation, using audio-visual aids, dealing with questions.  A special feature of the workshop is that participants have the opportunity to see themselves presenting both at the beginning of the workshop and at the end, as the first and last presentations they make are video-taped.
Financial Management
2
This course analyzes the major investing and financing decisions made by an international firm. Topics covered include analysis of financial information for managerial decisions, valuation of corporate securities, financing decisions and cost of capital, company valuation, and long-term investing decisions.The students will learn and practice essential skills related to the successful development of a financial plan. After the completion of this course students are expected to be able to conduct financial analysis of major business decisions

3rd Period | January – February

Courses US Credits
Production and Operations Management
2
In this course students learn how the design of productive systems, strategic planning, and operations planning and control can help them increase productivity and customer service as a springboard for increased profitability. The course is intended to anyone interested in operations, strategic planning and valuation. In general, a working knowledge of operations, which typically employs the greatest number of employees and requires the largest investment in assets, is indispensable for general managers and entrepreneurs.
Marketing Management
2
The main goal of this course is to provide students with a framework of the theoretical concepts and practical tools of modern marketing. Students will learn how to translate business level goals into marketing strategies. How to use the basic marketing levers (i.e. product/service, price, distribution, marketing communications, and marketing research) to accomplish such strategies. Moreover, they will develop a critical thinking of new trends in marketing management and how they transform established marketing practices. Ultimately they will develop a more concrete understanding of what marketing is and what are its capabilities and boundaries within the contemporary business practice.

4th Period | March – April

Courses US Credits
Strategy Formulation and Implementation
2
This course deals with the analysis and creation of business and corporate strategy as well as practices for growth of a small firm or even a large multinational corporation. Business strategy formulates the set of objectives and policies that define how a firm positions itself to gain competitive advantage and increase returns for its shareholders. Two questions are of importance, then: “Where should we compete in” and “How should we compete?” In answering these questions, we formulate a plan on a) understanding the firm’s external environment in terms of industry-level competition and the institutional idiosyncrasies characterizing the context of a country and b) screening and diagnosing the firm’s internal resources and capabilities. Further, we look at issues of effective implementation of business and corporate strategies, such as identifying and implementing relevant business models, applying and combining product and market diversification strategy, gaining insights on the increasingly important role of innovation management, and familiarizing ourselves with the contextual, strategic and operational issues of corporate governance. The course offers students the opportunity to work in teams and develop unique case studies for well-known entrepreneurial firms.
International Business
4
In today’s globalized, interconnected and rapidly changing world, multinational enterprises’ human capital should be properly informed and equipped with the required skills and knowledge in order to, first, cope with the ongoing challenges they face due to increasing competition, and second, be prepared to leverage potential opportunities arising from the international context. In this course, we will introduce the core theories of International Business and Trade and explain what motivates firms to internationalize. We will then embark upon our journey to explore how multinational enterprises formulate and implement their international strategy. This includes strategies for analyzing and entering foreign markets, the formation of strategic alliances and networks and the process of designing and controlling international organizations. Finally, we will explain how the dynamics of internationalization have changed due to the emergence of the 4th industrial revolution and the rise of digitalization. A unique feature on this journey is the participation of all students in the most well-known global competition dedicated to international business, called X-Culture. Students are assigned to global virtual teams where they are invited to work with international students who study in universities across the globe. Students, working in teams, will be presented with an international business challenge (real case) and will be given about two months to develop a solution. Overall, the International Business capstone course offers both theoretical and practical knowledge as well as international experience to all students.
AND
International Experience
1
OR
Digital Business Strategies
1
This course delves into the transformative impact of digital technologies on businesses, exploring questions about how innovation disrupts markets, economies, and business models. Students will examine the implications for leadership, organizational structures, and management practices in the face of rapid technological change. The course emphasizes the significance of sound strategy and effective implementation in leveraging technological opportunities. It aims to cultivate a forward-thinking mindset by addressing key issues such as the reconfiguration of organizations, digital transformation, and the evolving role of management in the knowledge economy. Learning objectives encompass fostering awareness of digital possibilities, understanding digital disruption mechanisms, exploring new business models, and developing leadership strategies for navigating digital challenges. The course also tackles organizational structures, ethical considerations, and broader responsibilities in the context of radical technological change. Overall, it aims to equip students with the skills to identify opportunities and drive results in the dynamic landscape of digital business.
OR
Road testing- Feasibility Analysis
1
The objective of this course is to teach student teams how to “road test” their Lean Start-up Models by carrying out a full feasibility analysis. Using the “Business Plan Road Test” model, teams will develop research plans to investigate industry and market domains, at both micro and macro levels. They will also engage firmly with the internal elements of their venture, considering formally the competences, social and human capital, and motivational aspirations of their entrepreneurial team. After carrying out detailed secondary and primary market research, student teams will assess the financial, strategic, operational and marketing feasibility of their concepts, enhancing still further their business models.
OR
The Future of Work
1
This course examines the impact of technological advancements, economic factors, changing demographic patterns and shifting societal norms on the organization of work. Developments related to the aforementioned factors are discussed, as well as their repercussions on the labour market, competencies in demand and emerging working models / forms of work. The scope of intervention of alternative stakeholders (institutions, organizations, individuals) in ensuring decent and sustainable work is contemplated. The strategic role of Human Resources is emphasized in terms of: designing and implementing organizational interventions that enhance the organization’s adaptability to the environment leveraging traditional and emerging forms of employment developing learning and development programs that support the workforce through transitions The aim of the course is to develop increased awareness and fluency on the aforementioned issues. This aim is to be achieved through a synthesis of theoretical insights, practical examples and the co-creation of knowledge through independent search of relevant resources and group discussions.   

5th Period | May – July

Courses US Credits
Management Accounting
2
The course discusses the concepts and tools needed to understand and apply accounting information in optimizing managerial decisions, corporate planning and control. It focuses on the application of cost management, pricing, customer profitability analysis, budgeting, variance analysis, for effective decision making. Upon completion of the course students will develop an understanding of the importance of management accounting systems in helping corporations pursue their strategic objectives. They will also be able to apply management accounting techniques as well as understand their limitations in planning and control.
AND
Entrepreneurial Flexibility
1
The objective of this  intensive workshop is to  introduce the theories and practices required to master the post start-up phase of entrepreneurship, focusing on survival techniques, growth strategies, and modern approaches such as pivoting, and co-opetition. Exit options, and dealing with entrepreneurial failure, will also be covered. The emphasis on the workshop is on combining the latest theory with mini-cases, class exercises, and other forms of real life example. It is anticipated that the content of this class will form an additional conceptual underpinning for the Entrepreneurship Team Field Project.
OR
Negotiations
1
In the wide sense of the term, negotiating with others (both partners and rivals) is a necessary feature of all managerial jobs. In this course students are introduced into the fundamentals of effective negotiations: how to think strategically, what tactics to engage in, and what goals to aim at. The objective of this course is to improve participants’ ability to avoid traps in negotiations and help them see their range of rational options (and their ramifications) in particular situations. The course is designed to provide participants a conceptual framework for preparing and conducting negotiation, and to give them some experience in using this framework.
AND
Career Development
4
This course aims to provide students with theoretical stimuli and practical support, as to enhance the experience of participating in a real-life work environment. The main component of the course’s design is a 3-month internship, where students have the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and competencies gained during their studies. The internship will be complemented by (a) academic insights on themes related to the future of work, employability and career development and (b) a structured supervision process that encourages students to establish connections between management theory and practice through a guided, reflexive process. The course will examine the impact of technological advancements, economic factors, changing demographic patterns and shifting societal norms to the organization of work. It will also establish connections between the workplace of the future and emerging debates in employability and career development. Requirements for learning and development in the digital era will be critically evaluated with particular reference to the effectiveness of available learning models and methods. The value and relevance of responsible management and its manifestations in practice will also be highlighted, along with the role of the reflexive practitioner, i.e. the practitioner who is critically aware of the impact of his or her assumptions, values and behaviors on the workplace and the wider community.    
OR
Dissertation
4
The Dissertation is a research project of a student’s special interest in a faculty member’s area of expertise. The students will have the opportunity to construct a detailed plan of a research project; to review specific literature on the selected topic; to identify relevant research questions from the literature; to be able to turn general research questions into empirical ones; to select and justify an appropriate research design; to select and employ suitable methods or techniques to investigate the empirical questions; to analyze financial or social data and to write a report covering a review of the relevant literature, the research questions, an explanation and justification of the design, a description of the conduct and analysis of the research, and a discussion of the findings in relation to the literature and methodological issues.

6th Period | September – October

Courses US Credits
Sustainability Business Ethics & CSR
1.5
Understanding the ethical basis of human behaviour is of fundamental importance for building commitment to organizational goals and for imparting integrity and a sense of the common good in organizational members. The course examines a broad array of matters relating to ethics, including: individual and organizational obstacles to ethics; ethics information processing methods and judging theories; an action-learning framework for ethics leadership; adversarial win-lose ethics methods; integrative win-win ethics methods; dialogic transcendent ethics method; reflection and developing personal and contingency ethics leadership approaches; developing on ethics leadership action-learning plan. The course focuses also on sustainability, corporate social responsibility and corporate accountability with further emphasis placed on business strategies that aim to create long term value and a positive environmental, social and economic impact. Actionable knowledge is achieved by applying theory in real life situations through critical analysis and debating on prominent cases and in class discussions on current trends and developments on sustainable business activities.

FACULTY

The Professors

Academic Director
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Georgios Batsakis Professor of International Business

George Batsakis, PhD, is Professor of International Business at Alba Graduate Business School. His research focuses on internationalization processes and foreign market entry strategies of multinational enterprises and his teaching lies in the areas of international business, strategic management and entrepreneurship. He has published in leading international business and general management scholarly journals, such as the Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of World Business, Global Strategy Journal, Journal of Retailing, Journal of Product Innovation Management, British Journal of Management, among many others. Notably, in 2022 he was included in the Poets&Quants' Best 40-Under-40 Business School Professors in the world. Also, ResearchGate, the leading social networking site for scientists and researchers, has positioned him in the top 10% of scholars in the area of business and management (based on research interest score). George has acted as member of the program and scientific committee and Track-Chair of leading academic conferences (e.g., EGOS, AIB UK & Ireland), while he acts as ad-hoc reviewer for a number of highly-rated academic journals in the area of international business and general management. In terms of impact and outreach, he has established strong ties with the industry and regularly advises pre-seed stage startups on issues revolving around business model formulation, proof of concept and demand validation. George is frequently invited as a speaker in practitioners’ executive seminars and as a mentor, coach and judge in leading startup competitions and programs (e.g., VISA Innovation Program, Stage Two, Disrupt Greece, among others).

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Course Faculty
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Panagiotis Avramidis
Associate Professor of Finance and Quantitative Methods view more
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Evangelia Baralou Academic Director of the MSc in Tourism Management
Senior Lecturer in Organisation Studies, Open University, UK view more
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Georgios Batsakis Academic Director of the MSc in International Business and Management
Professor of International Business view more
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Olga Epitropaki
Professor of Management at Durham University Business School view more
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Christos Koritos Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Academic Director of the MSc in Marketing
Associate Professor of Marketing view more
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Kyriakos Kyriakopoulos Academic Director of Executive MBA, Academic Director of Alba - Eurobank MBA in Financial Services
Professor of Strategy and Marketing view more
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Maria Moragianis
Head of Career Development & Community Engagement, Highered. view more
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Androniki Triantafylli
Associate Professor in the Practice of Accounting view more
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Kostas Tzioumis Academic Director of the MSc in Finance
Associate Professor of Finance view more
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Stefanos Zarkos Academic Director of The Alba MBA & MSc in Entrepreneurship
Professor in the Practice of Finance view more

CAREER

After completing the program, participants should be able to:

  • Comprehend qualitatively and quantitatively the core areas of business;
  • Be effective decision makers, capable of solving a variety of business problems;
  • Craft an effective business plan and learn how to manage the project;
  • Display strong analytical and communication skills;
  • Be a valuable team player in a multinational-multicultural business environment.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships Scheme

You can secure pre-approval of your scholarship, before you apply for admission to the MBA or MSc program of your choice.

Apply for scholarship

GMAT Scholarships

Scholarships of 40% for MBAs and MSc programs for GMAT ≥ 645

>> View More about the specific scholarship

Accenture Scholarships – Marios Limnios

Three partial scholarships for MSc in International Business and Management & MSc in Finance program

>> View More about the specific scholarship

Next Generation Family Business Scholarship

One (1) merit-based partial awarded to a member of the next generation of a family business for several MBA & MSc programs

>> View More about the specific scholarship

SEV (Hellenic Federation of Enterprises) Scholarships

Partial scholarships of 50%  to Small and Medium Enterprises – members of SEV, offered as rewarding services to the members of the Federation.

>> View More about the specific scholarship

The Chris Argyris Scholarship

Two (2) partial scholarships amounting to 50% of total tuition fees for various MSc Programs,  based on a combination of academic performance & potential.

>> View More about the specific scholarship

Ulysses Kyriakopoulos Expendable Scholarship

Partial scholarships, based on a combination of academic/professional excellence, high academic & professional potentials and presence of financial need.

>> View More about the specific scholarship

Women on Top partial Scholarship

Women on Top offers one partial merit- based scholarship.

>> View More about the specific scholarship

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for admission, candidates must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree; 
  • Provide evidence of excellent command of the English language;
  • GMAT tests are optional unless the Academic Committee requires the applicant to take them: in any case, scores of 515 or more (GRE >155) can strengthen your application and help you secure a scholarship.

Candidates must submit:

  • The completed application form, including one recent photograph in jpeg format;
  • Two letters of recommendation in Greek or in English language;
  • Official Academic Transcripts as well as Certified copies of degrees from each undergraduate, graduate or professional degree earned;
  • Proof of competence in the English language (unless schooled in English): Proficiency (Cambridge Proficiency, Michigan Proficiency, MSU Proficiency), or TOEFL, or IELTS, or Duolingo English Test;
  • Three Essays, as indicated in the Application form;
  • Receipt of the non-refundable application fee's [€60] deposit.

Click here to download the details for admission.

For details on academic policy, course credit policy, fees policy, and rules for student conduct, please refer to the Student Handbook 

Additionally, the School's Students Code of Conduct can be found here

CONTACT

Get in touch with us
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Vicky Moschopoulou Senior Manager - Enrollment

We urge applicants to request further information or to come for a meeting at our downtown campus, in order to better understand their profile and motivations.

Just fill out and submit the form below and we will respond to you as quickly as possible.

Tel.: +30 210 89.64.531 ext. 2289

e-mail: [email protected]

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