Graduate Programs / Master in Business Studies (MBS)

Professional Master programs in Barcelona and Madrid

The profession edition of this program is offered only at our campuses in Barcelona, Madrid. This edition includes two Final Projects, one Business Internship and one Business Project.

Professional Master in Business Studies

1-minute introduction

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

The one-minute animated introduction to UIBS

Starting dates

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system with 10-week quarters that each consist of two 5-week terms planned in the fall, winter, spring and summer of each academic year. Our program's flexible structure and modular design allows for an optimal further education planning and provides multiple starting dates at the start of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar. Several of our campuses also organize early-start options for students, including Business English and individual Pre-Master courses.

Academic Calendar / view online

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.

additional English lessons TOEFL IELTS CEFRL Duolingo English test
optional 60 or higher 6.0 or higher C1 or higher 109 or higher
recommended 46 to 59 5.5 B2 100 to 108
mandatory 45 or lower 5.0 or lower B1 or lower 95 or lower

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.

Study destinations

Our campuses are all located in the city center of several exciting destinations. Students are encouraged to transfer between campuses for one or more quarters, but may also choose a single campus as their destination of choice. Students who prefer shorter periods abroad can join our seminar courses taught by visiting professors at several of our campuses throughout the academic year.

Program schedule

All campuses offer identical study programs and follow the same program structures for an interruption-free experience. However, not all courses are taught face-to-face at all campuses. Some courses are organized in a hybrid format (partially face-to-face, partially virtual), and some only virtually. Some programs are therefore also only available in a blended format, with some courses face-to-face, hybrid or virtually. Blended programs (and hybrid courses) are an excellent option for independent students as well as for globetrotters travelling far beyond the reaches of our campus network.

Study destinations

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Antwerp, Belgium
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Brussels, Belgium
  • Geneva, Switzerland
  • Madrid, Spain
  • Milan, Italy
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Zurich, Switzerland

Program content

Program requirements
  Courses European Credits (EC)
Electives
 24 48
Subtotal 24 48
Final Project
  • Graduate Thesis + Applied Research Seminar
  • course-based alternative (academic and other conditions apply)
 12
Total   60

 

These requirements are valid for all students starting in October 2020 or later. Students who started prior to this date can refer to the Student Guide for the applicable program requirements. All students should refer to the Student Guide for the correct program requirements at the time of starting the program. Information on this webpage may be outdated and is intended for promotional purposes only. The related courses listed below are subject to change and availability.

Note that while most courses account for 2 EC, some account for 4 EC. Attempting 4 EC courses will affect the course count in the tables below which is based on 2 EC courses only. The credit count is leading in the determination of meeting program requirements.

Alternative Final Projects, such as a Business Project may be available in the Metropolitan programs at our campus in Amsterdam. Academic and other conditions apply.

Electives

Electives can be any course scheduled that does not already count towards other program requirements.

Final Project

The Final Project consist of a Graduate Thesis + an Applied Research Seminar. Alternatively, students may opt for a course-based alternative, which consists of a selection of courses for the same number of credits as the Final Project.

International Graduate School in Europe
Global Graduate School in Europe
European Graduate School in Europe
American Graduate School in Europe
Swiss Graduate School in Europe
English Graduate School in Europe
British Graduate School in Europe
Private Graduate School in Europe

Academic

Ranking

This program was modeled after our Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program that was ranked in the Global Top 200 and the European Top 60 in the 2019 QS MBA ranking, as a Tier One program in the 2020 CEO Magazine Global MBA ranking, 41st in the 2019 CEO Magazine Global Executive MBA ranking, and 4th in the 2020 CEO Magazine Global Online MBA ranking. Learn more about the school's rankings.

  • QS MBA ranking
  • CEO Magazine Global MBA ranking
  • CEO Magazine Global Executive MBA ranking
  • CEO Magazine Global Online MBA ranking

Accreditation

Our Master in Business Studies (MBS) program is programmatically accredited by the US-based Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This program was also originally modeled after our Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program that is programmatically accredited by the EU-based European Council for Business Education (ECBE). Learn more about the school's accreditation.

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • European Council for Business Education (ECBE)

Academic degree

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Master in Business Studies (MBS) 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.

Verify Online

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.

Program European Credits (ECTS) American quarter credits American semester credits UK credits
Master degree 60 60 40 120
Graduate Diploma 24 24 16 48
Graduate Certificate 12 12 8 24

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 in order to obtain the minimum passing grade of 60%. Exams can be in paper-based, open-book or take-home format.

Percentage Grade Definition
90 to 99 A Excellent
80 to 89 B Good
70 to 79 C Average
60 to 69 D Poor
50 to 59 FX Unsatisfactory
0 to 49 F Fail

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 issued together with the diploma.

Percentage GPA Academic Honors
90 3.6 Summa Cum Laude
85 3.4 Magna Cum Laude
80 3.2 Cum Laude

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.

  • Delta Mu Delta (DMD) Honor Society

Learn more

Student interviews

Check out several interviews with students from our various campuses!

UIBS Student Interviews

Professor interviews

Check out several interviews with professors from our various campuses!

UIBS Professor Interviews

  • "The school had an incredible nurturing environment that I felt comfortable growing in. It was very challenging as well; I felt very open talking to my professors and fellow students about pushing myself forward academically and as a person." Scarlett, Bachelor Student

  • "I’ve been able to create long-lasting friendships with international people from all over the world. UIBS has given me all the professional skills and tools I needed to develop in my career." Elvitz, Master Student

  • "The school is so diverse; you have the possibility to travel the world and change campuses. During the global study trip, so many campuses came together, and even if you don’t know the students, you have something in common and everybody is just one big family." Philip, Bachelor Student

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