International Business and Economics Programme 180 credits

Image: Simon Jönsson

About the programme

The programme prepares you for an international career and for qualified tasks in companies and organisations working across national borders. The programme provides an understanding of global challenges and how international organisations and a global economy work. You have good opportunities to study abroad or do an internship. You become eligible for our master's programmes in business or economics and can also apply for other master's programmes in Sweden or abroad.

International profile

You study in English and work with global issues and markets.

Data-driven decision making

You learn how to analyze and visualize data to support well-informed decision-making.

A holistic view of economics

Gives you a deeper understanding of how strategic decisions at the company level are connected to developments in markets and the broader economy.

Programme overview

Main field of study (Economics or Business Administration)
50%
Secondary fields of study (Economics or Business Administration)
17%
Statistics
12%
Law
4%
Elective courses
17%

While studying

As today’s business environment becomes increasingly global, organisations need people who can quickly adapt to a constantly evolving, highly competitive global market, master cross-cultural relationships, and create successful strategies that take into account both local and global perspectives. Also, technological development is very fast and has a huge impact on today’s business.

The International Business and Economics Programme is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to work with most demanding business issues. If you are interested in working with qualified tasks in companies, organisations or in the public sector that have a large exchange across national and cultural borders, this is the programme for you!

About the programme

The programme is taught in English and prepares you for an international career. The programme gives you a comprehensive understanding of global challenges and how international companies as well as global economy function. During your studies, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to work in a complex, cross-border, multicultural environment. You will also develop competences needed to cope with technical innovations.

During the first three semesters you will study the courses in business administration, economics, statistics, business analytics and law. This will give you a solid foundation by equipping you with the basics for success in more advanced business and economics courses.

The programme starts with an introduction to international business, markets, trade and global challenges. Further, you will learn about how to lead an organisation, the managerial decision-making process and marketing. After that you will proceed with macroeconomics and finance.

Since data-driven and fact-based decision-making is becoming increasingly important for companies and organisations, you will study three statistics courses in business analytics and data visualisation during the third semester. The law course will introduce you to international law adapted to the international labour market.

Specialisation

You can choose to specialise in either business administration or economics. Regardless of which specialisation you choose, you will deepen your knowledge of international business.

If you choose business administration you will enroll in courses in project management, entrepreneurship, accounting, operational management, and the course covering challenges in the international business environment.

If you choose economics, you will study the courses in economic modelling, industrial economy, financial economics, the microeconomics course in consumer behaviour and the macroeconomic course in institutions and policies as well as the course on current topics in economics.

At the end of the programme, you will write a bachelor's thesis within your chosen field of study.

Elective courses, study abroad, and internship

During one semester you have an opportunity to personalise your learning by choosing some of our elective courses. During this semester, you will have the opportunity to study abroad. To get connected to potential employers, you also have the option of doing an internship either in Sweden or abroad.

Courses

Year 1

Markets, Trade and Global Challenges, 7.5 credits
International Business Administration and Global Challenges, 7.5 credits
Leading and Organizing in an International Context, 7.5 credits
Managerial Economics, 7.5 credits
Contemporary Marketing, 7.5 credits
Macroeconomics, 15 credits
Finance, 7.5 credits

Year 2

Business Analytics, 15 credits
Introduction to International Business Law, 7.5 credits
Data Visualization of Global Trends, 7.5 credits

Specialisation economics
Economic modeling with Applications, 10 credits
Industrial Organization, 5 credits
International Economics, 7.5 credits
Financial Economics, 7.5 credits

Specialisation business administration
Project Management, 7.5 credits
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology, 7.5 credits
Financial Accounting, 7.5 credits
Managerial Accounting, 7.5 credits

Year 3

Elective courses (including the opportunity to study or do an internship abroad), 30 credits

Specialisation economics
Microeconomics: Consumer Behavior, 5 credits
Macroeconomics: Institutions and Policy, 5 credits
Current Topics in Economics, 5 credits
Bachelor's Thesis in Economics, 15 credits

Specialisation business administration
Meeting challenges in the international business environment, 15 credits
Bachelor's Thesis, International Business Administration, 15 credits

Programme coordinators are Irina Alexeyeva and Johan Gustafsson.

Applies to all Bachelor’s Programmes at USBE

We integrate competencies in our programmes

In our programmes and courses we focus on competencies that are needed for your future professional life.

Internship

You have the opportunity to do an internship for ten weeks in Sweden or abroad. This possibility is only available at a few business schools in the country. The internship gives you a good opportunity to put theoretical knowledge and experience into practice and show off your skills to potential employers. You will arrange your internship yourself in a company you find interesting. This way you are able to find an internship position that meets your expectations and provides more opportunities for you to use the internship as an entry to the labour market.

Studies abroad

Studying abroad is not only fun and challenging for you as a student but also a welcomed experience with future employers. Internationalization is an important area for us and we are working continuously to offer you as a student many opportunities for an adventure in Europe or further away on another continent. In our programs you therefore have the opportunity for studies abroad for a semester or two.

We have about 60 partner universities, mainly in Europe, but also in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and China - all of them selected especially for our students. Students who would like to study farther away can avail themselves of Umeå University's global agreement offering an opportunity to study in North America, Oceania, and Asia.

Sustainability perspective all the more important

Sustainability get a whole lot bigger attention in today's firms and organizations and we lifted these questions up early in our educational programs. Together with our students are we working for a more sustainable business school and to revise the courses to improve the education about, and for, sustainable development at the program independent of your choice between business administration and economics. Our work on sustainability takes as a starting point the 17 sustainable development goals and Agenda 2030.

We are certified by the environmental management system ISO 14001 and we are members of the international networks GBSN, PRME and SDSN.

Corporate connections

The business school collaborates in many different ways with companies and organizations. For example internships, guest lectures, company visits, guest lectures, essay assignments and cases from companies.

As a student you might perhaps do an internship at one of our corporate partners. Professionals outside the university come to us as guest lecturers and teachers. Our researchers will in turn contribute with new knowledge to society. A group of advisors consisting of corporate and community representatives are also linked to the business school and they contribute with their knowledge and experience.

We put quality and student learning at the centre

At Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, we offer an education that is relevant, engaging, and designed to prepare you for the future. Our quality assurance system – based on both Swedish national guidelines and international standards – ensures that our courses and programmes maintain high quality and are continuously improved. We are accredited by AACSB, one of the world’s most respected accreditations for business schools. With a strong focus on student-centred learning and competence development, you will grow into a critical, independent, and practically skilled professional.

Our programmes are developed in close dialogue with society and the business community, and they integrate perspectives such as sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility. This means that you will gain not only academic knowledge, but also the insights and tools needed to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future. We continuously follow up, evaluate, and improve – so that you receive the best possible education and support along the way.

Show programme syllabus

Future and career opportunities

The programme prepares you for qualified work in Sweden and abroad. You will develop the skills of doing business across national and international boundaries. In addition to the understanding of economic and cultural conditions you will develop your communication skills. After graduation you can work in companies ranging from medium size to multinational, authorities, banks, and embassies.

Common positions are project management, business developer, analyst, controller, account manager.

The programme gives you eligibility to apply for our master's programmes in the chosen field or for a master's programme in Sweden or abroad.

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Voices about the programme

Hillary Mondonedo

Student

I have always been more interested in the international aspect of business and economics and see myself working in more internationally focused fields.
Artin Bakhan

Student

I aspire to build a successful career in business and economics, and pursuing this programme will prepare me with the necessary skills and knowledge