1-minute introduction

Watch our animated one-minute introduction video to learn more!

Teaching schedule

Courses are available in various formats, including daytime courses typically between 8.30 and 18.30, seminar courses with visiting professors on two or more consecutive days, online and distance learning courses available 24/7, private courses, and at certain campuses also evening courses typically from 19.00 to 22.00 and weekend courses typically on Saturdays, or any combination in a blended format. Courses are scheduled usually in sessions of 3 hours each. Connect with an admissions advisor, or refer to the course planning once enrolled to find out more about course availability in specific formats throughout the academic year and at our various campuses.

Program language

All courses are taught entirely in English across the campus network. Students should have a certain proficiency in English when they start. Students may have English as a native language, may have had English as the language of instruction during previuos studies, may have had advanced English langauge courses during previous studies, may have an English language school certificate, and/or may have scores from standardized tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. Refer to the table below for further details on required scores for standardized tests and language school certificates (CEFRL). Depending on the submitted documentation, students may be subjected to an English test at the start of their studies. Typically, non-native speakers who studied in English before or those who had advanced English lessons during previous studies, and with sufficient confidence, perform well. Because of the multi-cultural environment, only a relatively small percentage of students are native speakers.

Program duration

Full-time students can earn a Master degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.

Part-time students can earn a Master degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning. Completing half the typical number of courses equals twice the typical duration of the full-time program. The more flexible your working hours, the more courses you will be able to join to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Refer to the Teaching Schedule information on this page for more details on available courses. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.

Program requirements

The structure of our flexible study programs is based on the American model of higher education, allowing students to choose their courses (with some limitations) based on program requirements, previous studies, current interests and future ambitions. Each of our programs has different "Program Requirements" that need to be met by the end of the studies. Once a minimum number of courses has been completed or a minimum number of credits has been earned in each category of these Program Requirements, a request for graduation can be submitted. Take a look further down this page for the specific requirements for this program.

The program requirements outline the structure of each program. Each line refers to a specific category of courses or to another requirement. The list of courses related to each of these specific categories are found further in this document. The following program requirements apply to all students starting in October 2018 or later. Students who started prior to October 2018 should refer to the Student Guide for correct program requirements. All requirements should be met in order to graduate. Once all requirements are met, a request for graduation can be submitted. Switching to another program once the studies have started is possible as long as the new program requirements are met by the end of the studies. In such case a program change fee applies. Therefore, the decision to switch should be made as early as possible to avoid not meeting the program requirements within the intended program duration. While all efforts have been made to ensure that the curriculum is complete and accurate at the time of publication, we reserve the right to change the curriculum as well as the course planning at any time and without prior notice.

Ranking

Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program was ranked in the Global Top 200 and the European Top 60 in the 2019 QS Global MBA Rankings, and was ranked as a Tier One program in both the European and the Global 2019 CEO Magazine MBA rankings. Our Executive MBA was ranked 28th in the 2019 CEO Magazine Executive MBA ranking, and our Online MBA was also ranked 6th in the 2018 CEO Magazine Online MBA ranking. Learn more about the school's rankings.

Accreditation

Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program is programmatically accredited by the US-based Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the EU-based European Council for Business Education (ECBE). Learn more about the school's accreditation.

Academic degree

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree awarded by the school's HQ in Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned, and upon the recommendation of the school's Academic Council. Learn more about the school's academic degrees.

Blockchain-verifiable diploma

All certificates, diplomas, degrees and other awards issued by the school can be awarded not only the traditional way on paper in a school-branded diploma cover, but also through the Ethereum blockchain. With this cutting-edge technology, we are adding a whole new dimension to diploma verification, of which students and alumni benefit. With secure document verification, one such benefit is the instant verification of the awards by employers during the recruitment and hiring process, thereby reducing the processing time and avoiding unnecessary delays in by instantly verifying the validity of the award. Those with Blockchain-verifiable awards will have a major benefit over other candidates when it comes to the speed at which they go through the hiring process. Refer to the program fees document for pricing details.

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Professionally Experienced Professors

Academically qualified and professionally experienced professors link theory and practice by bringing contemporary case studies into the classroom, preparing students to become the global leaders of the future.

Interactive Teaching Methods

Small class sizes with up to 30 students allow professors to use interactive teaching methods, thereby increasing group interaction, improving group dynamics and building long-lasting connections among students.

Student Services

Starting as a student soon? Then take a look at the various services available to our current and future students, including accommodation, insurance and other services.

Truly Global Community

Our truly global community of students, faculty and staff, is made up of 85+ different nationalities from around the world, with students showing great appreciation for cultural diversity and entrepreneurial initiative.

Alumni Network

Learn more about our ever-expanding alumni network and take a look at upcoming alumni events at our various campuses and other places around the world.

Credit system

Our Graduate/Master programs are based on and are fully compatible with the established European and American educational systems. Master programs consist of 60 European credits, equivalent to 40 American semester credits. Courses are assigned a number of credits, indicating the estimated workload. Each credit equals up to 30 learning hours, including contact hours, exam hours, self-study hours and group-study hours. The workload of a typical full-time graduate student amounts to 20 credits and 600 learning hours per quarter.

Grading system

Students are assessed on a combination of attendance, participation, individual assignments, group assignments and exams. Assignments may include reading materials, term papers, reports, presentations, and others. The combination of these assessments provides students with an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. The minimum passing grade is D (60%). In case of an FX grade, students have the option to request a second exam or assignment in order to obtain the minimum passing grade of 60%. Exams can be in paper-based, open-book or take-home format.

Honor system

Students who achieve a certain GPA (Grade Point Average, or the weighted average of all grades earned, calculated on a 4.0 scale), will have their academic honors listed on the academic transcript and diploma supplement that is issued together with the diploma.

Honor society

The top 20% of our students each academic year who also achieved a GPA of 3.25 or higher are eligible to become a member of our Omicron Rho chapter of the Delta Mu Delta honor society. The local chapter welcomes alumni holding a Bachelor, Master and/or Doctoral degree of UIBS. Delta Mu Delta membership itself is limited to students and graduates of business programs accredited by ACBSP. Delta Mu Delta recognizes and encourages academic excellence of students at qualifying colleges and universities to create a DMD community that fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through life-time membership. Membership to this exclusive honor society comes with the relevant academic regalia and framed membership certificate.

Application deadlines

Our Admissions Department applies a rolling admissions process and does not set deadlines to submit applications because of the multiple starting dates available. Applications are reviewed continuously troughout the year. Only in case a student visa is required do we recommend to apply 1-3 months prior to the intended starting date.

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Admission requirements

Students should be fluent in English, and have obtained a Bachelor degree (or equivalent). Refer to the application process for further details on the recommended English language levels.

Degrees with 180 European credits or 120 American semester credits are considered equivalent. Other degrees can be submitted along with your application for review by our Admissions Department. No distinction is made between academic or professional Bachelor degrees.

Students who do not hold a business-related Bachelor degree or equivalent may be required to complete an inbound assessment test prior to starting the program, and, depending on the results, earn an additional number of credits in leveling courses from the Pre-Master Foundation Program in order to be fully prepared for our graduate programs.

Students who have 15 or more years of relevant work experience may apply directly for the Pre-Master program and will be required to complete an inbound assessment test prior to starting the graduate program, and, depending on the results, earn an additional number of credits in specific undergraduate courses.

Private Tutoring and Private Coaching

The Private Tutoring and Private Coaching options allow students to schedule additional one-on-one sessions with professors or study coaches to catch up on missed contact hours or to receive additional academic support. Sessions are charged per hour and take place on-campus at a time that is convenient for both the student and professor or coach.

Professional Internship

The Internship option encourages students to put their skills and knowledge into practice through offers received by our Careers Department from regional and international companies and organizations. No credits can be awarded for internships. Internship agreements of up to 3 months are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit and cannot be considered for a student visa extension.

Pre-Master Foundation Program

This entirely optional and fully customizable program allows students who do not hold a business-related Bachelor degree or equivalent to earn up to an additional 30 credits in levelling courses in order to be fully prepared for our graduate programs. Learn more at the Campus-based Pre-Master and the Online Pre-Master.

90-credit Dual Master

Continue at UIBS and earn a second private (programmatically-accredited) Master degree for an additional 30 European credits and a total of 90 European credits on a full-time or part-time basis throughout the campus network, including also in an online, executive or blended format. Any combination of programs is possible, including with those from our sister school, United School for Liberal Studies (UnitedSLS). The applicable program requirements will depend on the combination of programs. Shorter Graduate Certificate programs are also available that can be completed on top of your Master program. Additional dual degree programs are available with our academic partners; these typically add another academic year to your studies rather than 1 to 2 additional quarters.

Transfer between campuses

Students can transfer between campuses on a quarterly basis with guaranteed program compatibility. Our quarter-based academic calendar allows for a continuous study abroad experience across Europe and Asia.

Consider spending one or more quarters at our satellite campus in Tokyo, Japan and experience all the city and country have to offer.

Graduation ceremony

Each academic year, students from across the campus network celebrate their graduation in Barcelona, Spain. During the ceremony we honor all students who graduated in the past 12 months, all students who graduated just recently, as well as all imminent graduates who wish to participate. Watch the video of our most recent Graduation Ceremony below!

Global study trip

Each academic year, students from all campuses in Europe, as well as students from our academic partners can join our Global Study Trip to Tokyo, Japan. The weeklong trip is packed with cultural excursions, company visits, social activities and an Asian Management seminar.

Global Master program

Earn a Global Master degree at UIBS by studying in Europe and Tokyo, and finishing with one of our academic partners in the United States, such as UC Irvine or UC Berkeley.

Professional career perspectives

Our professional study programs prepare students for a wide range of professions across a wide range of industries. Important to note is that our programs do not aim for access to regulated professions or government employment. While access to government employment may be limited because of the private nature of our degrees, several alumni do work for government authorities in a number of positions.

Extension Program in California @ UC Berkeley

The California Extension Program is operated by one of our local academic partners, the Haas School of Business from the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley), through its Berkeley Haas Global Access Program (BHGAP), and is available to all Graduate students and alumni who wish to complete a study abroad period of up to 2 semesters in Berkeley, California, in addition to the studies at UIBS. Credits earned at UC Berkeley may also partially count towards a second Master degree at UIBS. Exclusively for students in the Master in Business Studies (MBS) program, up to 8 American semester credits (12 European credits) can be transferred from UC Berkeley into the program at UIBS. Specific admissions and/or academic conditions may apply.

Extension Program in California @ UC Irvine

The California Extension Program is operated by one of our local academic partners, the Division of Continuing Education from the University of California at Irvine (UC Irvine), and is available to all Graduate students and alumni who wish to complete a study abroad period of up to 2 semesters in Irvine, California, in addition to the studies at UIBS. Credits earned at our partner may also partially count towards a second Master degree at UIBS. Exclusively for students in the Master in Business Studies (MBS) program, up to 12 American quarter credits (12 European credits) can be transferred from UC Irvine into the program at UIBS. Specific admissions and/or academic conditions may apply.

Postgraduate/Doctorate programs @ UIBS

Continue in a Postgraduate program at UIBS and earn a private Doctorate degree by completing an additional 60 European credits on a part-time basis throughout the campus network. Shorter Postgraduate Certificate programs are also available.

Postgraduate/Doctorate programs @ UnitedSLS

Continue in a Postgraduate program at our sister institution, the United School for Liberal Studies (UnitedSLS), and earn a private Doctorate degree by completing an additional 60 European credits on a part-time basis throughout the campus network. Shorter Postgraduate Certificate programs are also available.

Student interviews

Check out several interviews with students from our various campuses!

Professor interviews

Check out several interviews with professors from our various campuses!