A perfect match

Do you already have a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics, Business Administration or Management and are you looking for a master’s programme with a distinct international and multidisciplinary character? Are you interested in a hands-on approach and a programme that can be adapted to your interests and preferences? Then our MSc in International Business is a perfect match for you!

This internationally oriented programme offers students a wide variety of courses ranging from social sciences to finance, combining multiple disciplines relevant to the management of a company. At VUB, students are prepared to become international managers. 

Solvay Business School at VUB

The Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School has its roots in the founding of the Business Engineering programme by Ernest Solvay in 1903. A long tradition of integrating business education with technology was born back then and still continues in all of its programmes. 

We strive to educate our students to become highly skilled professionals with an excellent command of various languages and a good understanding of multiple cultures wanted by national and international public institutions and by multinational companies. 

International university

Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a dynamic and modern university with almost two centuries of history. VUB has 15.000 students, 21% of which are international students from more than 120 different countries. 

Being a student at VUB means studying in an international and open atmosphere of tolerance and diversity that will help you to grow into an independent and critical-thinking individual. 

VUB offers high quality English-taught programmes, supported by outstanding research. VUB is known for treating its students as individuals. Professors and teaching assistants are available and open to answer questions from students. Interactive methods ensure close interaction and contribute to students growing into independent and critical individuals.

Academic rhythm

Our academic calendar runs for one entire year, starting with the first semester (September), followed by the exam session, then a second semester (until May) followed by another exam session. You have second session exam chances in August-September.

Programme design

The programme consists of 120 ECTS: two modules of 60 ECTS each. This way, the curriculum can be completed in two academic years. Three types of courses are offered. The first deals with the current international economic context, while the second consists of advanced business courses. The remaining courses are at the intersection of those two fields and focus on doing business in an international context.

Module 1

Compulsory course overview.

Module 2

In the second year, you can personalise your curriculum by picking electives. If you want to turn theory into practice, you can combine an internship at a multinational company with some more theoretical courses.

Internship options

As practical experience is becoming increasingly important when looking for a job, the International Business programme offers students the opportunity to do an internship. Students can choose an internship of 6 ECTS (20 full-time workdays) or 12 ECTS (40 full-time workdays), but there is no maximum duration. It can take place at any time during the academic year, though we prefer you to do it during the summer. The International Business programme has connections with companies like Coca-Cola, IBM, Daikin, BNP Paribas, KPMG, and PwC. In addition, students can apply for internships at the European Commission and the European Parliament – both in Brussels. As international experience can boost your resume, VUB allows – and even encourages – international internships.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes describe the intended knowledge and understanding, skills and attitudes that you must master after completing your studies. Do you want to know more about the specific learning outcomes of this programme? Click here for more information.

Direct admission

Candidates with a Flemish university degree of ‘Bachelor of Science in de Toegepaste Economische Wetenschappen’, ‘Bachelor of Science: Handelsingenieur’ and ‘Bachelor TEW: bedrijfskunde’ or with the VUB degree of ‘Bachelor of Business Economics’ are directly admitted to the Master of International Business. The deadline to enroll is 30 September.

Admission after screening procedure

We target students who already have a profound study background in business/management/economics with above-average results. Entry is competitive. Candidates with a university bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a field related to business/management or economics who have obtained the minimum number of (European) credits in each of these subjects (a total of 69 ECTS) may be admitted after a review of their application by the faculty admissions board:

• Law (6 ECTS) 
• Business/Management (24 ECTS)
• Economics (15 ECTS)
• Quantitative methods (24 ECTS)

This list is not absolute; even if you lack some credits you still could be found eligible to join this programme. The only way to find out is to submit your application before the deadline!

Language requirements

There are three ways to prove your proficiency:

Option 1: send us one of the following language certificates proving your CEFR B2 level:

• TOEFL (only the internet-based test is accepted): minimum level: 79
• IELTS: minimum level academic module 6.5
• Cambridge English: Minimum scale grade 170 (equivalent to the CEFR B2)
• ITACE: minimum grade B2

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware that students may face difficulties taking a test in person. Please note that we also accept the TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator. These are variants of the classic TOEFL and IELTS tests that you may take at home.

Please note that language test results cannot be older than 5 years at the moment of application.

Option 2: having successfully completed secondary or higher education with English as the language of instruction:

• submit official proof of the language of instruction of your previous study;

Option 3: having successfully completed Belgian secondary education:

• submit official proof that you completed a study in the Belgian educational system

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