MSc in International Business

Aarhus University
Aarhus, Denmark
Fees
Free for EU/EEA/Swiss students; tuition fee applies for non-EU/EEA students (confirm on the school's page)
Duration
2 years
Language
English

Aarhus University’s MSc in International Business is a two-year, English-taught, research-based management master at Aarhus BSS — one of Denmark’s triple-accredited business schools — and it is tuition-free for EU/EEA and Swiss students.¹ It pairs a generalist business core with a strong international and exchange orientation, making it a strong-value Nordic option for early-career graduates.

Overview

Aarhus BSS (the School of Business and Social Sciences at Aarhus University) holds the triple-crown accreditation — AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA — that fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide carry. Its MSc in International Business is a 120-ECTS, two-year programme built on a bachelor’s in economics and business administration: a pre-experience master aimed at graduates who want to work in international management, consulting or analysis roles, rather than at experienced managers.¹

Curriculum & Structure

The programme runs over four semesters: the first covers prerequisite and methodological courses, the second moves into specialisation, the third is an open semester for electives, an internship or a study-abroad exchange, and the fourth is the master’s thesis.¹ The third-semester flexibility is a defining feature — Aarhus University has more than 300 partner universities worldwide and sends over 700 students on exchange each year, so international mobility is built into the degree rather than bolted on.¹ For how an exchange semester fits into a MiM, see our guide to the MiM exchange semester.

Application & Deadlines

Entry is a relevant bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) with specific prerequisite coursework — including quantitative methods/statistics, marketing, finance, accounting and organisational theory — plus documented English proficiency.¹ The GMAT is not required; admission is grade-based with a limited intake, so meeting the requirements does not guarantee a place. There is a single annual intake starting in August/September (no winter start), and deadlines differ for non-EU/EEA and EU/EEA applicants, so apply early and confirm the exact window for your category on the school’s own page. For more on test-free routes, see studying a MiM in Europe without the GMAT.

Tuition & Funding

As a public Danish university, Aarhus charges no tuition for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens — among the strongest value propositions in the Nordics. Non-EU/EEA students pay a tuition fee; Aarhus does not publish a single headline figure across all its master’s programmes, so we don’t quote one — confirm the current tuition for this specific programme on the school’s own page. Either way, budget for Denmark’s relatively high cost of living. See the wider picture in low-cost and tuition-free MiMs in Europe and how much a MiM costs in Europe.

Career Outcomes

As a generalist international-business master, the degree feeds roles as analysts, consultants and managers in multinational corporations, international service firms and the public sector.¹ Aarhus does not publish a single headline graduate salary for the cohort, so we don’t quote one; confirm current outcomes on the school’s own page, and see the regional context in our Nordics MiM career outcomes piece.

Reputation

A triple-crown accreditation, a research-led two-year structure, a built-in exchange semester across 300+ partners, and tuition-free study for EU/EEA students make Aarhus a credible, strong-value Nordic MiM option — particularly for European students who want an international management master without a tuition bill. For the wider context, weigh Aarhus against other Nordic and European programmes on the best MiM in the Nordics shortlist, the Denmark MiM hub, and the full rankings, and read our take on whether a MiM is worth it in 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Aarhus University's MSc in International Business cost?
It is tuition-free for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, as Aarhus University is a public Danish institution. Non-EU/EEA students pay a tuition fee — Aarhus does not publish a single figure that applies across all programmes, so confirm the current tuition for this specific master's on the school's own page. Budget separately for Denmark's relatively high cost of living.
How long is Aarhus University's MSc in International Business and is it taught in English?
It is a two-year, full-time programme worth 120 ECTS, taught entirely in English in Aarhus, Denmark. The structure runs over four semesters: prerequisite and methodological courses, then specialisation courses, then a third semester of electives, study abroad or an internship, and finally a master's thesis.
Do you need a GMAT for Aarhus University's MSc in International Business?
No — the GMAT is not required. Admission is grade-based with a limited intake, meaning you are not guaranteed a place even if you meet the requirements. Entry is a relevant bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) with specific prerequisite coursework in areas such as quantitative methods, marketing, finance, accounting and organisational theory, plus documented English proficiency.
Can you study abroad during Aarhus University's MSc in International Business?
Yes — the third semester is designed for electives, an internship or a study-abroad exchange. Aarhus University has more than 300 partner universities worldwide and sends over 700 students on exchange each year, so international mobility is a built-in option rather than an add-on.
Is Aarhus University a good business school?
Aarhus University's school of business and social sciences (Aarhus BSS) is one of the relatively few business schools to hold the triple-crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA). The MSc in International Business is a research-based management master with a strong international and exchange orientation, and the tuition-free structure for EU/EEA students makes it a strong-value option in the Nordics.

Sources

  1. Aarhus University — Master's degree programme in International Business masters.au.dk ↗ — Aarhus University (retrieved Jun 2026)
  2. Aarhus University — Tuition fees and application fee masters.au.dk ↗ — Aarhus University (retrieved Jun 2026)