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Master of International Business

Master of Science (MSc) in International Business 2024-2025

Education Level: Academic master's programme
Language of Instruction: English (Dutch-taught equivalent programme available)
Duration: 1 year (full-time), 60 ECTS
Type: Daytime education
Location: Brussels
Academic calendar:
- 1^st semester: 3rd week of September - end of January (exams in January)
- 2^nd semester: 2nd week of February - end of June (exams in June)
Programme guide*: Specific course descriptions and detailed admission requirements can be found in the programme guide. The programme guide relates to the current academic year until three months prior to the start of the following academic year.

* Subject to changes

About the programme

The Master of Science in International Business (MIB) is tailor-made for students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than business economics and management. MIB offers you a broad perspective on the business domain. You will gain insight into all major disciplines related to international business economics and management, including business economics, strategy, human resources management, marketing, corporate finance and accounting.

MIB targets students with a strong motivation to work as a manager in an international environment and ready to develop the leadership skills needed by intercultural businesses. The focus is on critical thinking and on problem-based learning in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary environment.

MIB is strongly business-oriented, so you will have the chance to study in the center of Europe and to interface with the business world in many ways. For instance, you will be able to attend guest lectures (with guest lecturers from for example the European Commission, AG Insurance, KBC, Mondelez International, Hilti, etc.)*, follow training sessions or visit companies and EU institutions. You can even write your master's thesis as part of a company project. Moreover, you can include an internship in your study programme or you can voluntarily extend your master's programme with an internship of one semester.

KU Leuven has joined forces with the University of Toulouse Capitole (Toulouse School of Management) to develop a double degree programme. After the application procedure that takes place at the beginning of the academic year, the selected students will study two semesters in Brussels and two semesters in Toulouse. Graduates of the double degree programme will be awarded both a master in International Business from KU Leuven and a master in International Management from University of Toulouse Capitole, which gives these students an edge in the increasingly integrated European labour market.

*Guest lectures might differ from year to year.

Duration: 1 year (full-time), 60 ECTS

Students who do not have direct access to the master's programme are required to do the preparatory programme (max. 21 ECTS/27 ECTS).

EEA nationals and non-EEA nationals who reside in Belgium under a valid residence permit can follow less than 60 ECTS per academic year and accordingly spread their studies over several years. This possibility needs to be discussed with a study career consultant.

	FIRST ACADEMIC YEAR		SECOND ACADEMIC YEAR
PLANNING OF THE PROGRAMME	1st semester	2nd semester	3rd semester
MIB without preparatory programme	Master (start week 7/8)	Master	/
MIB with preparatory programme	Preparatory programme (start week 1) / Master (start week 7/8)	Master	(Master)*

*The 1st semester of the programme is divided into two modules of 6 or 7 weeks each. In Module 1 you will take certain course units of the preparatory programme. As of Module 2, you can start with your master's programme. Depending on your exemptions in the preparatory programme, you can complete the MIB possibly in one year or use a 3rd semester for limited teaching activities (e.g. master's thesis, internship, etc.). Do you have questions about your individual study programme? Please contact your study career consultant.

Brushing-up course in mathematics

Have you not taken any mathematics for a while and are you uncertain of your prior knowledge? Our course prior to the start of the academic year is highly recommended. You review high school math skills and are acquainted with specific economic applications.

Preparatory programme leading to the Master of Science (MSc) in International Business

Students who have very limted or no educational background in business economics and managment are first introduced to the basics in a compulsory (max.) 21/27 ECTS intensive preparatory programme to allow them to build the foundation needed for this master.

1 May (for non-EEA citizens)
1 July (for EEA-citizens)
Beginning of the academic year (EEA and non-EEA applicants residing in Belgium)

* EEA = European Economic Area

Apply now

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding opportunities

EEA citizens: € 1,116.00 / academic year
Non-EEA citizens: € 4,446.60 / academic year¹

¹The tuition fees for Non-EEA citizens are subject to indexation.

Check our most up to date and competitive tuition fees here.

Partial tuition fee waiver

Are you looking for means to finance your studies? Look at the scholarships and funding opportunities.

Why choose the Master of International Business?

by Ms. Dorien Steegmans

Why choose our master’s programmes?

by Fleur Van Winckel, Zain Khalid & Enzo Peeters

FEBTalks is a series of talks by Professors at the Faculty of Economics and Business unravelling a complex world. Two-minutes of insights based on recent research.

Watch here

I have a question

Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you still have doubts feel free to get in touch with the Faculty of Economics and Business of KU Leuven.

I have a question