The MSc program in International Business and Marketing focuses on themes within international business, marketing, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability and digitalization. The program also provides a foundation for work in other sectors. Compulsory courses (including the master’s thesis) amount to 67.5 ECTS credits for the core program and 30 ECTS for your chosen major. Elective courses consist of make up the remainder of the programs to complete the required 120 ECTS credits. Up to two elective courses may be chosen from outside the business management fields. Language is an integral part of the study as courses are taught entirely in English.
CORE PROGRAM COURSES
The first semester introduces you to core elements of the program through the introductory course in International Business and Marketing (AE511416). You will also be introduced to philosophical issues in business related research and the theories behind business economics in the course Scientific theory and Perspectives in Business Economics on Organizations (AE512417). These courses are general and provide you with a foundation upon which to pursue later courses and your chosen major. The two remaining courses in this semester are determined by your major.
In the second semester, you will further build on business research started in the first semester in the Data Analysis course (AM521817). Here, you will learn to use quantitative methods to research business issues through more advanced statistical analyses using common statistical analysis and programming software. You will also take a course called Sustainable Business Development (AI521316). This course gives you insight into an area of increasing importance for international businesses and is a strategic focus area of the Department of International Business. Students are also required to take a course called Experts in Teamwork to develop better teamwork skills, an important ability for business managers to master. This course provides an excellent opportunity to lift your focus and enjoy learning about a topic of interest to you, as the course is actually a collection of different courses you can choose between that differ on focus but teach the same teamwork skills. Experts in Teamwork (EiT) is an obligatory course for all study programs at the second degree (master's) level at NTNU. Courses in English at NTNU in Ålesund can be found here: https://www.ntnu.edu/eit/villages#alesund. There are also many courses in English available at our other campuses, though you would be required to travel to take them. The final course you take this semester is determined by your major.
All courses are electives in the third semester. However, you will need to choose at least one course from provided options to complete you major. These courses build on the courses you have taken in your first year and will help you prepare for you master's thesis to be completed in the fourth and final semester. The list of available electives may change from year to year, depending on interest and capacity.
MAJOR COURSES
In addition to core program courses, you will need to choose a major. We have two majors the reflect the strategic focus of the Department of International Business, International Business and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. You will need to take at least 4 courses (30 ECTS) from your chosen major. At least one course in your final semester must be taken from outside of your chosen major. You have the option to complete a minor, but this is not required.
Major in International Business:
The major in International Business provides you with deeper knowledge of the issues and challenges of international business through a quantitative focus. Required courses in the first semester are International Business Strategy (AI521716) and Management Accounting (AE511516). These courses provide you with advanced knowledge of international business strategy theories and models, as well as tools to analyze the costs and profitability in doing business internationally. In the second semester, you will take a course in Advanced Microeconomics (AE512317) that will help you gain sophisticated knowledge about microeconomic theory and optimization techniques. You will be required to choose at least one of two courses in third semester to complete the course requirements for you major. You can choose Industrial Organization (AE511712) and/or Global Sourcing and Supply Network Management (AM510512). These courses build on knowledge gained in the previous semesters to give you even deeper understanding of the international business environment.
Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
The major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship provides you with skills importance in customer-focused innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovation, entrepreneurship and marketing are tightly related. We take the view that innovation and entrepreneurship start with understanding customers preferences first and then designing the business and its activities accordingly. Required courses in the first semester are Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AI521216) and Digital Marketing Innovation (AI521516). The course in Innovation and Entrepreneurship introduces you to theories and methods in innovation and entrepreneurship and the business plan, whereas Digital Marketing Innovation focuses on analyzing and understanding customer preferences and the marketing plan given the digital environment that affects all businesses. In the second semester, you will take a course in Innovation and intellectual property rights (AI521112). This course will give you knowledge regarding important themes, methods and challenges in innovation research and protection of Intellectual Property Rights. These themes are important in relation to your master’s thesis. You will be required to choose at least one of two courses in third semester to complete the course requirements for you major. You can choose Qualitative Research Methods (AM521917) and/or Commercialization of Innovation (AI521820). Qualitative methods provide you with research tools you can use in your master’s thesis to study many topics related to innovation, entrepreneurship and marketing. Commercialization of Innovation is a practical course in which you act as a consultant providing advise to a real company on how to commercialize an innovation that they've received research funding for to further develop.
MASTER’S THESIS
You will write a master’s thesis during your second year of the MSc program. This is your chance to shine by demonstrating the knowledge and competence you’ve gained throughout your two years of study. You will choose a topic early in the third semester and begin working on it; completing it in the fourth semester. The thesis should be clearly focused on research related to your chosen major, as it will build on knowledge and skills you obtained throughout the program. You will likely write your thesis along with another student under faculty supervision, though it is also possible to do this individually. You can choose a topic from a list provided by the Department of International Business or of your own choosing within your chosen field of study. The thesis must provide new knowledge and will document that you have gained sufficient competence in analyzing actual research problems.
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