Small Business Management in International Markets

The Master’s Degree in Small Business Management in International Markets at the University of Ferrara is a two-year programme taught entirely in English. It is designed to prepare students for the strategic, financial, organisational, commercial, and legal challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises operating in international markets.

The programme combines advanced business and economic knowledge with quantitative methods, international trade, innovation, entrepreneurship, financial management, marketing, sustainability, accounting, organisational behaviour, and international business law. Students develop the ability to analyse global markets, evaluate business performance, design internationalisation strategies, and support sustainable growth and innovation within SMEs.

Practical and Interdisciplinary Learning

The course uses a multi-method and highly interactive approach that combines lectures, seminars, workshops, software-based activities, case studies, group projects, business testimonies, and practical exercises. Students learn to apply theoretical concepts to real business situations while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.

During the second year, students can choose between an internship and additional language training. The internship requires a minimum of 100 hours in a company or institution and provides direct professional experience in a national or international organisation. Students may also select a project work activity, in which they collaborate with a faculty member and an organisation to address a specific business problem or introduce a process or product innovation.

Main Areas of Study

The curriculum covers:

• Development economics and emerging markets.

• International trade and competitiveness.

• Economics of innovation and entrepreneurship.

• Strategic control and performance management.

• Economic and business statistics.

• Governance and accounting of SMEs.

• Organisational behaviour and human resource management.

• Consumer and market law.

• Financial management.

• International marketing and sustainability.

• Logistics and operations management.

• Geopolitics and geoeconomics.

• Sustainable finance for SMEs.

• Quantitative analysis and international business strategy.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for professional roles such as:

• Business and management specialists.

• Market analysts.

• International business and market specialists.

• Strategy and management consultants.

• Financial planning and performance management analysts.

• International marketing specialists.

• Business development professionals.

• Economic and market researchers.

• SME internationalisation consultants.

• Innovation and entrepreneurship specialists.

The programme is particularly suitable for students who want to work with growing companies, consulting firms, financial institutions, research organisations, or international businesses seeking to expand into global markets.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.

• Open to Italian, EU, non-EU, and international applicants.

• English proficiency at B2 level.

• Direct entry with a degree in:

  • Business Administration and Management — L-18.

  • Economics — L-33.

  • Equivalent former classes 17 or 28.

  • Equivalent four-year degrees in Economics or Business Administration.

• Other degrees may be accepted after an academic evaluation.

• Applicants from other fields should have at least:

  • 30 CFU in business and management.

  • 10 CFU in economics.

  • 5 CFU in statistics or mathematics.

  • 5 CFU in law

International graduates generally need at least C- or 1.7 GPA.

Applicants below these thresholds may be invited to an interview.

• Passport.

• Bachelor’s degree certificate.

• Official academic transcript.

• Course descriptions or syllabi.

• Curriculum vitae.

• English-language certificate.

• Proof that previous studies were taught in English.

• Official translations or legalisation documents for foreign qualifications.

• Any additional documents requested by the admissions committee.