MSc in International Business

The ZHAW School of Management and Law has its MSc in International Business ranked 58th worldwide in the Financial Times Masters in Management 2025.² Taught in English over three semesters in Winterthur, near Zurich, it reports a 100% employment rate at three months and an FT weighted three-year salary of about US$102,164 — the highest in this Tier-5 group.¹ ⁵

Overview

ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) is a public institution, and its School of Management and Law completed triple-crown accreditation — AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA — in 2025.³ The FT-ranked degree is specifically the MSc in International Business, not a generic management master’s.² For a wider view of whether the credential fits your goals, see our guide on whether a MiM is worth it in 2026.

Curriculum & Structure

The programme runs over three semesters — two taught semesters plus a thesis — entirely in English, with double-degree options at international partner schools.¹ The cohort is small and international: students are around 26 on average, roughly 56% from outside Switzerland, spanning about 20 nationalities.

Application & Deadlines

The MSc in International Business admits once a year for a mid-September start, with a single application deadline — the 2026 intake closed on 15 June.⁴ No GMAT is required; admission uses a relevant bachelor’s degree, an assessment of cognitive competencies and motivation, and C1-level English. See how to build a MiM profile.

Tuition & Funding

As a public university of applied sciences, ZHAW charges about CHF 720 per semester for Swiss-domiciled students — roughly CHF 2,160 over the programme — with a CHF 500 per-semester surcharge for students domiciled abroad (about CHF 3,660 total).⁴ Even at the international rate the fee is inexpensive by global standards.

Career Outcomes

The Financial Times 2025 weighted three-year salary is about US$102,164, the highest in this tier, with a 100% employment rate at three months.⁵ ZHAW cites FT-derived figures rather than publishing its own absolute salary, so the FT number is the cross-school benchmark. For early-career context, see our career learnings from a MiM.

Campus & Reputation

Winterthur sits within the greater Zurich economic area, Switzerland’s financial and corporate heartland, and ZHAW’s applied focus, triple-crown standing and top-of-tier salary outcomes make the MSc in International Business a strong, low-fee route into Swiss and international business careers.³ For how a MiM compares with an MBA, see our piece on MiM versus MBA.