Master of Arts in Global Trade Management - classic/cooperative

The global economy opens up a wide range of opportunities for companies. It is important to take advantage of the many strategic opportunities offered by global trade for a company's own development, but also to understand and incorporate the complex and dynamic framework conditions, especially the restrictions of foreign trade. The Master’s degree program Global Trade Management opens up a wide range of career opportunities. The selection of courses is ideal for teaching generalist skills to enable graduates to obtain an attractive trainee position after graduation, or by combining different courses to facilitate direct employment into the corporate world.

As research analyst in a consulting company, graduates

• understand, process and communicate current and future developments,
• prepare interdisciplinary, in particular economic country analyses,
• develop options for the organization of entrepreneurial activities for clients.
  

As Country or Region Manager in a multinational company, graduates

• are responsible for maintaining and expanding existing customer relationships,
• develop further business and customer potential,
• evaluate investment decisions and
• work within the company as an interface with all relevant departments.
  

As Procurement Manager, graduates

• are responsible for the purchasing departments at national and international level,
• can implement potential savings in collaboration with colleagues from the Logistics department,
• continuously identify new suppliers and conclude strategic contracts and
• flexibly find suitable solutions in case of supply difficulties.

Like all other degree programs of the department of IBA, the Master’s degree program in Global Trade Management offers flexibility in terms of how the program can be completed. Students can opt for the traditional classic program, or alternatively, they may prefer to choose the cooperative program. The difference between both can be seen in the study plan below. Additional information on the cooperative degree program can be found in the section “Information on Cooperative Studies”. In addition, it is possible to shorten the standard period of study from 4 semesters to 3 semesters by excluding the placement semester. On successful completion of the program, students will receive a Master’s degree in

• 4 semesters with 120 CP or in
• 3 semesters with 90 CP.

The degree program is divided into the following sections.

1 ǀ Semester 1: The core elements of global trade

The first semester focuses on the key components of global trade, with the modules of “Strategies of Internationalization”, “Foreign Trade Operations” and “International Economics” giving students the opportunity to further develop their expertise based on the Bachelor's degree for a career in international companies. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between micro and macroeconomic corporate environments and strategic courses of action. Through the "Foreign Trade Operations" module, students are put in a position to successfully shape strategic and operational decisions in terms of foreign trade as well.

The “Business Psychology” and “Leadership and Intercultural Management” modules deal with the managerial skills required to take on a future position in leadership. It teaches students the skills needed to successfully combine their theoretical management know-how with actual practice.

The “Project and Change Management” module demands students of the classic program to practice working together on diverse projects learning how to cope with potential conflicts in international teams. The cooperative program ensures that students are offered equivalent learning outcomes during their practical phase in the company.

2 ǀ Semester 2: Advanced business and global trade skills

With the modules “E-Commerce” and “Global Market Research and Data Analytics”, students expand their previously acquired knowledge with further professionally required digital and data analytical skills that are needed in the context of global trade activities.

In addition, three compulsory elective modules need to be chosen, which on the one hand represent a modern foreign trade and business management focus. On the other hand, they reflect the relevant activities of the value-added process of an international company. Such kind of specialization appears to be meaningful and necessary especially in terms of career field related aspects since the more qualified graduates are thus awarded a clear qualification profile.

The compulsory elective modules include:

• Intellectual Property Rights
• Advanced International Controlling
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Global Careers, Employee Motivation & Organization Design
• Strategic Marketing & Relationship Marketing
• International Supply Chain Management
• International Entrepreneurship
• Advanced Customs and Foreign Trade Management
• Analytics and Digital Consulting

The compulsory elective modules, without exception, all have an international focus and, thanks to their small group sizes, permit very practice-oriented teaching. Project work, workshops or excursions to internationally operating companies and/or organizations increasingly take place.

In the end, the module "Foreign Trade Consulting" of the classic degree program takes up current topics of international business administration and foreign trade, which will be realized from a practical business perspective in a short-term intensive format. The cooperative program ensures that students are offered equivalent learning outcomes during their practical phase in the company.

3 ǀ Semester 3: Placement semester

The third semester is designed as an internship semester. It comprises a continuous period of at least 20 weeks and must be completed in a company in Germany or abroad. The goal is to apply the acquired specialized business knowledge and skills and entrepreneurial competencies in practice and to implement them in a professional way.

It is possible to shorten the standard period of study from 4 semesters to 3 semesters by excluding the placement semester. These have to be proven by one of the following options:

• Proof of relevant professional work experience of at least one year after the successful completion of the Bachelor's degree and prior to the commencement of the Master's degree program.
  This proof has to be submitted as a certificate from the employer and must include the type, duration and scope of the employment as well as the main focus of the professional activity, both individually and in total.
• Proof of a Bachelor's degree with at least 210 CP.

The shortening must be notified by the time of registration for the Master's thesis.

It is recommended to complete an internship semester as this is where the knowledge gained can be deepened and important contacts for the further career can be made. The duration of 20 weeks ensures a comprehensive insight into the company and the work areas.

4 ǀ Semester 4 (3): Master's Thesis

The last semester is reserved for writing the Master’s Thesis in the form of a research topic related to a selected area. The Master's thesis should preferably be written in a company, whereby the students apply their expertise in a company. Finally, the writing of the Master's thesis enables students to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies to real-life corporate problems within a specified period of time.