Master Degree in International Trade & Business
Take control of international trade in the era of AI and make decisions that shape the global landscape.
- Format In-person
- START * scholarships available for this call
- LANGUAGE English
- MODALITY Full Time
MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE & BUSINESS
The MITB at ESIC University is an official, 100% English-taught programme for graduates who want to understand, manage and transform international trade. In a world redefined by geopolitical disruption, digital acceleration and sustainability mandates, the ability to operate across borders — combining market intelligence, trade finance, compliance, logistics and ESG strategy — has become a core executive competence.
The MITB is built for professionals who want to drive the full arc of international trade: from market selection and entry strategy to trade finance, supply chain optimisation, compliance and sustainable value chain management. Everything is real, applied and globally connected.
"From Brussels to Beijing: Live Global Governance First-Hand." Two fully paid international immersion weeks — Brussels & Strasbourg and China — are integrated into the programme and supported by Erasmus+ grants for every student.
INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED BY:
New: Official Master’s Degree + Certificate in Applied AI for Professionals
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- Work with AI using structured methodologies and critical thinking.
- Enhance productivity across any business function.
- Make informed decisions in automated environments.
- Design practical, real-world AI-powered solutions.
Why ESIC?
At ESIC we know that doing is the best way of learning. Our programme design is based on pragmatic components like tools, workshops, real-world cases, and the deployment of licenses so that you can access the labour market with the best possible preparation. Our MITB approach stands out for its many advantages:
Official university degree with European recognition
The MITB is a verified official master's degree under the Spanish university system (ANECA / Madri+d), carrying full academic recognition across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) at MECES Level 3
Dual academic-professional faculty
75% of the 16 MITB faculty members combine ANECA-accredited academic credentials — JCR publications, CNEAI sexenios, doctoral degrees — with senior executive careers in international trade, banking, logistics and consulting. Teachers who have lived the world they teach.
Business network of 200+ companies
ESIC's Professional Development Unit maintains active collaboration agreements with over 200 companies for internships and placement, with a minimum 2:1 ratio of internship places to MITB students.
Transformative Learning methodology
Every MITB module integrates real cases, live data, professional simulations and applied projects. Students work with UN Comtrade, WTO Statistics, Power BI, ICC trade finance instruments and OFAC sanctions screening tools throughout the programme.
Rankings
#1
SPAIN
Leaders in Marketing Master’s Programs according to El mundo
#3
SPAIN
ESIC on the podium of the Best Business Schools for recent graduates and young professionals
#34
EUROPE
ESIC among the European Top Schools for studying marketing programs
#49
WORLDWIDE
Best Marketing School based on the opinion of alumni, students, and employers
ESIC ACCREDITATIONS
More than 55 years of history means that we have institutional agreements and collaborations that recognise our quality as a business school. These are our accreditations:
ASSOCIATION OF MBAS
The international impartial authority
on postgraduate business education
EFMD Programme Accreditation
The leading international system of quality assessment,
improvement and accreditation of business programmes
Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación
Sistemas de Garantía de Calidad de Centros y Docencia
ASSOCIATION OF MBAS
The international impartial authority
on postgraduate business education
EFMD Programme Accreditation
The leading international system of quality assessment,
improvement and accreditation of business programmes
Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación
Sistemas de Garantía de Calidad de Centros y Docencia
Why should you study International Trade Business?
Global trade is being rewritten
The post-globalisation era is reshaping supply chains, trade routes and business models. CBAM, CSDDD, AI-driven customs, digital payments — understanding these forces is now a core executive competence, not a technical speciality.
The talent gap is real and growing
Employers across logistics, banking, consulting and manufacturing report a persistent shortage of professionals who combine analytical rigour, regulatory knowledge and commercial execution in international environments. The MITB was designed to close that gap.
Data is the new trade intelligence
From UN Comtrade and WTO Statistics to Power BI dashboards and AI-assisted tariff classification, data literacy is now essential for anyone managing international commercial operations. The MITB trains this competence from day one, with real tools and real datasets.
Sustainability is now operational
ESG and scope 3 emissions are embedded in contracts, trade finance, supplier selection and regulatory compliance. MITB students learn to navigate this reality — not just report on it.
Two worlds, one programme
Brussels and Beijing represent the two poles of today's global trade architecture. The MITB places you physically inside both ecosystems within the same academic year, with full Erasmus+ support and zero extra cost.
Career-ready from day one
The GLO LAB capstone project and mandatory internship ensure students graduate with documented professional deliverables and a network in the sector — not just a degree.
STUDENTS’ PROFILE: WHO IS THIS MASTER’S DEGREE FOR?
The MITB is designed for recent graduates who want to build a career in the international dimension of business. The programme welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds and combines them in an English-speaking, multicultural learning environment.
MITB students share three things: curiosity about the world, analytical ambition and the drive to make things happen — not just to understand why they happen. They come from economics, business, law, engineering and international relations. What they have in common is more important than where they come from.
- Recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in any field.
- Official B2 English certificate or above (CEFR), accredited externally at the time of pre-registration.
- Analytical mindset and genuine interest in global markets, trade policy or international business.
- Motivation to work with real data, real cases and real companies from day one.
- International career ambition — commercial, financial, logistical or strategic roles.
Students whose background does not include economics or international business may be required to complete one or both supplementary pre-programme modules (CF-1: Fundamentals of International Trade, 3 ECTS; CF-2: Quantitative and Financial Foundations, 3 ECTS), delivered online in the two weeks prior to programme start. A placement test determines this on an individual basis.
Our students
Age
Gender
Country
International
Objectives Master Degree in International Trade & Business
The MITB trains professionals capable of analysing, deciding and acting in complex international environments — integrating quantitative and qualitative evidence, regulatory frameworks and sustainability criteria. Aligned with MECES Level 3, the programme ensures knowledge integration, judgement under uncertainty, specialised communication and learning autonomy.
Upon graduation, students will be able to:
Analyse international trade flows, competitive advantages and trade policy instruments to support strategic decisions.
Build trade intelligence dashboards from official databases, including UN Comtrade, WTO Statistics, Eurostat and OECD TiVA.
Prioritise international markets and design evidence-based market entry and go-to-market strategies.
Structure trade finance operations and design mitigation plans for counterparty, country and foreign exchange risks.
Manage the full import-export compliance cycle, including tariff classification, rules of origin, customs valuation, AEO programmes and counterparty screening.
Design and optimise multimodal logistics networks and implement paperless trade flows such as e-invoicing, eCMR and track & trace systems.
Integrate ESG criteria into trade and supply chain decisions, including scope 3 metrics and compliance with CBAM and CSDDD regulations.
Communicate with precision in English to technical and non-technical audiences through executive reports, policy briefs and board-level presentations.
Lead multicultural teams and conduct intercultural negotiations in complex institutional and cultural environments.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND LEARNING METHODOLOGY
The Master’s Degree in International Trade & Business (MITB) combines key modules in global trade, strategy, finance, data and regulation with an integrative final project and international experience, allowing you to apply everything you learn in real-world business contexts.
Throughout the programme, you will tackle the main challenges shaping international trade today — in a landscape defined by geopolitics, digitalisation and the growing role of data and Artificial Intelligence in global decision-making. You will develop the ability to design market strategies, manage risk, and lead cross-border business decisions with accuracy and strategic insight, combining technical knowledge with real-world application.
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Global trade economics, geopolitics and policy
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Market strategy, internationalisation and commercial intelligence
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Trade law, compliance and risk management
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Trade finance and global operations
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Data analytics, AI, digital trade and innovation
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Sustainability, communication and global leadership
Throughout the programme, you will develop a holistic understanding of international trade, integrating strategy, execution and decision-making to operate effectively in complex global environments. You will be prepared to lead in international contexts where the interaction between data, technology and human judgement increasingly defines competitive advantage.
- Global Trade Economics & Policy · 6 ECTS · Semester 1
You will analyse how geopolitical forces influence international trade and business decisions, developing the ability to navigate uncertainty and risk. You will learn to interpret global scenarios and make strategic decisions in environments where regulation, politics and economic power are constantly evolving.
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Trade flows, comparative advantages and competitiveness
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WTO governance, tariffs and non-tariff barriers
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Trade policy impact and global market dynamics
- Geopolitics of Business · 3 ECTS · Semester 1
You will analyse how geopolitical forces influence international trade and business decisions, developing the ability to navigate uncertainty and risk. You will learn to interpret global scenarios and make strategic decisions in environments where regulation, politics and economic power are constantly evolving.
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Weaponized interdependence
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Global trade conflicts and regulatory scenarios
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Sanctions, export controls and supply chain risk
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Reshoring and global trade restructuring
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Resilience over Efficiency
- International Market Strategy · 6 ECTS · Semester 1
You will learn how to prioritise markets and design internationalisation strategies supported by data and commercial intelligence. You will develop the ability to select the right markets, define entry strategies and make decisions that drive sustainable global growth.
• Market selection and prioritisation models
• Entry strategies and go-to-market approaches
• Commercial performance and key account management
- Cross-Cultural Management · 3 ECTS · Semester 1
This module will strengthen your ability to manage teams, negotiations and relationships in multicultural environments. You will develop the skills to lead effectively across cultures, adapt communication styles and operate confidently in global business contexts.
• Cultural frameworks and international communication styles
• Intercultural negotiation strategies
• Global team leadership
- International Trade Law & Compliance · 3 ECTS · Semester 1
You will gain a solid understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing international trade. This module will prepare you to manage compliance, mitigate risks and make decisions with confidence in complex regulatory environments.
• Tariff classification, rules of origin and customs procedures
• Sanctions, compliance and regulatory frameworks
• International contracts and arbitration
- International Trade Finance & Risk Management · 3 ECTS · Semester 1
You will learn how to structure and manage financial operations in international trade, developing the ability to assess risk, optimise financial flows and support strategic decision-making in global transactions.
• Trade finance instruments and banking operations
• Country, counterparty and foreign exchange risks
• Financial structuring of international transactions
- Data Analytics for International Trade · 6 ECTS · Semester 2
You will work with real datasets to support decision-making in international trade, developing the ability to transform data into actionable insights and guide strategic decisions in global markets, using AI tools to handle international databases.
• Trade data analysis and visualisation (Power BI)
• Indicator development and trade intelligence
• Data-driven decision-making processes
- Digital Transformation in Trade · 3 ECTS · Semester 2
You will explore how technology is reshaping global trade operations, from digital platforms to automation and AI. You will develop the capability to understand and leverage digital tools to improve efficiency, visibility and decision-making in international business.
• Digital platforms and cross-border e-commerce
• Paperless trade and digital documentation
• AI, automation and blockchain in supply chains
- Global Innovation Management · 3 ECTS · Semester 2
You will understand how innovation drives global value chains and transforms business models. You will develop the ability to identify opportunities and lead innovation in international contexts where technology and sustainability are redefining competitive advantage.
• Innovation ecosystems and global supply chains
• Technology transfer and international business models
• Sustainable and green innovation
- Communication, Ethics & Sustainability in Global Trade · 6 ECTS · Semester 2
You will strengthen your ability to communicate, lead and act responsibly in international environments. This module will prepare you to make decisions aligned with ESG principles, manage global stakeholders and lead with integrity in complex international contexts.
• Executive communication in English
• ESG frameworks and sustainability strategy
• Ethics and corporate governance
- International Internship (Prácticas Académicas Externas) · 6 ECTS · Annual
You will complete a mandatory internship in a company linked to international trade, gaining first-hand experience in real business environments. This module allows you to apply your knowledge, develop professional judgement and accelerate your integration into the global workforce.
- International Experience · 6 ECTS · Semester 2
You will participate in international academic or professional experiences within ESIC’s global network, strengthening your global mindset and intercultural competence. This experience prepares you to operate confidently across borders and adapt to diverse business environments.
- GLO LAB — Global Trade Project (TFM) · 6 ECTS · Semester 2
As the final stage of the programme, you will develop a real international trade project, applying everything you have learned. You will design and defend a complete internationalisation strategy or solve a real business challenge, demonstrating your ability to analyse complexity, take strategic decisions and create impact in global markets shaped by data, technology and AI.
*Academic structure subject to change. Some business reality and networking sessions may be delivered via webinars outside of class hours.
Master's Degree from ESIC University
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded the Master’s Degree in International Trade & Business, issued by ESIC University*.
Find out more about what obtaining a degree from ESIC University entails.
CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The MITB is built around the principle that the best learning happens when theory meets real complexity. Every module integrates applied activities with professional-grade tools and real data.
- Market Intelligence Lab — Live exercises with UN Comtrade, WTO Statistics and OECD TiVA. Students build RCA indices and trade intelligence dashboards in Power BI.
- Trade Finance Simulation — Real bank instrument structuring. Students select instruments, estimate cost-risk-return profiles and present to a simulated risk committee.
- Compliance Audit — Real-case tariff classification, origin determination and counterparty screening using OFAC and EU sanctions databases. AEO compliance audit simulation.
- Geopolitical Risk Workshop — Scenario analysis and policy brief production on live trade conflicts and sanctions regimes.
- Intercultural Negotiation — Live simulations across cultural contexts (China, Middle East, Latin America, Northern Europe) with structured feedback.
- ESG & Scope 3 Audit — Students design a supplier scorecard and scope 3 measurement framework for a real company, applying GRI and ISSB/IFRS S1-S2 standards.
- Market entry strategy for a Spanish SME entering Southeast Asia — full arc from intelligence to go-to-market.
- Trade finance operation structuring for a high-risk market transaction.
- Digital trade transformation roadmap for a logistics operator — e-invoicing, eCMR, blockchain traceability.
- GLO LAB preparatory case — internationalisation strategy with real company data, Comtrade intelligence and ESG dimension.
TOOLS YOU WILL LEARN
- Data & analytics: UN Comtrade · WTO Statistics · Eurostat · OECD TiVA · Power BI · Python (introductory).
- Trade finance: ICC model contracts · SWIFT documentation · COFACE country risk platform.
- Compliance: HS tariff classification tools · EU/OFAC sanctions screening · AEO self-assessment frameworks.
- Digital trade: e-invoicing platforms · eCMR systems · blockchain traceability demos · AI-assisted customs tools.
- Communication: executive presentation coaching · policy brief writing in English · Bloomberg data access.
FACULTY AND GUEST SPEAKERS
*Faculty and guest speakers are subject to change.
Employability
Boost your career with the support of ESIC’s Professional Development Unit (PDU)
The PDU supports you at every stage of your journey—both as a student and later as part of our Alumni community. The Employability area manages nearly 4,000 internship offers and over 2,000 job opportunities each year, with a global employability rate of 95%. It offers access to an exclusive job portal, international job platforms, and organises recruitment activities, career fairs, and employability training.
👉 Remember: your professional success will also depend on your initiative in identifying opportunities and your engagement throughout the process.
Learn more about ESIC’s Employability, Entrepreneurship Services and Alumni here.
97%
of our students are employed within the first year after completing the programme
+2.000
students receive career guidance each year from our Professional Development Unit
+3.200
partner companies collaborate annually in talent recruitment
+4.000
internship opportunities are managed annually by the Unit across our campuses
+1.800
job opportunities are available each year through our employability porta
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- International Trade & Export Manager
- Trade Finance Specialist
- Global Supply Chain & Logistics Manager
- Trade Compliance Officer
- Market Intelligence & Trade Analytics Analyst
- International Business Development Manager
- ESG & Sustainability Manager — International Trade
- International Trade & Digitalisation Consultant
WHERE DO OUR STUDENTS WORK?
International Experience
International business cannot be understood from a single vantage point. That is why the MITB builds two international weeks directly into the programme, one in Europe and one in Asia, each in a different semester. In just a few days in each region, you will experience first-hand how Europe and Asia approach the major challenges facing international trade today, and graduate with something most international business education never offers: both perspectives, not just one.
Questions? Contact us: oficina.internacional@esic.edu
Beyond these two integrated weeks, MITB students have the same Erasmus+ options as every ESIC master. You can extend your programme with a full additional semester of mobility at a European university under Erasmus+, a longer, deeper immersion for those who want their international experience to go further.
Questions? Contact us: oficina.internacional@esic.edu
With the support of Erasmus+, you can undertake a professional traineeship at a company or institution in Europe within the twelve months following the completion of your master's, a direct route into real international experience and the European job market. Because the placement is arranged during the master's programme itself, you finish the programme with your destination already in motion.
Questions? Contact us: oficina.internacional@esic.edu
Extension Programme
Expand your training after completing the Master’s with modules at more than 60 universities across Europe, Asia and the Americas. You will obtain official certification, a global perspective on marketing, and an international network that strengthens your professional profile.
*Prices and international destinations available on request: oficina.internacional@esic.edu
CAMPUS, PRICES AND FORMATS
Our Master’s Degree in International Trade & Business in Madrid is taught at ESIC Business & Marketing School campus. Our campus in Madrid was inaugurated in 2021 and has 40 classrooms, an auditorium for 300 people, 16 work rooms, 5 meeting points, a gym, a mindfulness room, a cafeteria, and much more. Our classrooms are full of students from our master's and postgraduate programmes specialising in marketing, management, and technology. The campus is the place to network, work on your ideas, and learn. But, above all, it is the perfect place to live in the present and build the future.
Campus in Madrid
Avenida Juan XXIII 12,
Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid
Phone +34 91 452 41 00
View on Google MapsIntakes and prices
Duration: October 2026 – July 2027
Tuition Fee:
€ 18.000
Format: Full Time
Schedule: Monday to Thursday, 18:00 – 22:00
ADMISSION PROCESS
We accompany you throughout the whole process, guiding and advising you so that you choose the best option for your professional career. These are the steps to follow:
1 Application
- You request information through our form.
- An advisor will contact you in the following 24–48 hours.
- You have a first contact call, and a consultancy meeting is convened for questions and doubts.
- You have a second call where all your doubts are solved, and you are guided in everything you need.
2 Documentation
- If the programme meets your needs, you proceed to apply.
- Prepare the necessary documentation (such as university degree or certificates).
- Conduct a personal and professional essay.
- You hand in all documentation.
3 Interview
- Once the documentation is approved, you are scheduled for an interview with the programme director.
- At this interview, you will be able to discuss any specifics you want to know about the programme, as well as any questions you may have.
4 Enrolment
- After the interview, your advisor will contact you within 24–48 hours to notify you if you have been accepted into the programme.
- Once you have been accepted, you have about 5 days to formalise your enrolment.
- Once the enrolment is complete, you will be given all your access (virtual classroom, e-mail…).
- Of course, our last step is always to congratulate you and to wish you the best in your studies.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDY GRANTS
We currently offer a range of scholarships and financing agreements to help support your future.
We do not want economic issues to be an obstacle for you to reach your objectives and ensure training with a future. Therefore, we present you with a wide range of possibilities that will help you in this sense, both the Scholarship Plan that we have developed at ESIC, as well as those that are available to you from different public and private organisations. The scholarships and grants available are as follows:
- Early enrolment grants
- Diversity grants
- Expiga grants
- Women and Leadership grant
ESIC has financing agreements with certain banks with preferential conditions for students enrolled in any of its programmes, as long as you have a bank account in Spain. The specific rules and conditions of each of these agreements can be found in the Secretary's Office. ESIC helps you with the financing of your degree.
If you live outside one of the cities where ESIC has a campus and you are looking for accommodation, we recommend a series of companies and residences dedicated to student accommodation. Find the one that best suits your needs.
MORE INFORMATION
ESIC has partnered with Flywire to accept payments from international students worldwide. You can make your payment easily and securely in your own currency, using local payment methods from the safety and comfort of your home. Real-time tracking and multilingual support are available around the clock.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FLYWARE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. The MITB is a verified Official University Master's Degree under the Spanish university system, fully recognised across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) at MECES Level 3. Verification is conducted by Madri+d on behalf of ANECA and the Spanish Ministry of Education.
A minimum B2 level (CEFR) is required, certified by an official external certificate recognised under CRUE/ACLES criteria. No internal university tests are accepted. Candidates without a valid external certificate cannot be admitted.
The MITB welcomes students from any bachelor's background. Depending on your academic profile, you may be required to complete one or both supplementary modules (CF-1 and CF-2, 3 ECTS each) in the two weeks prior to programme start. A placement test determines this individually.
Yes. Both international weeks (Brussels/Strasbourg and China) are fully integrated into the curriculum and included in the tuition fee. Erasmus+ mobility grants are available to all students, further reducing travel and accommodation costs.
The International Internship (6 ECTS) is a mandatory component of the MITB. It can be completed in Spain or internationally. Erasmus+ grants are available for international placements. Managed by ESIC's Professional Development Unit in coordination with the MITB Academic Director.
The GLO LAB is the MITB's professional capstone project — not an academic research thesis. Students design and execute a real internationalisation strategy or trade challenge for a real company, and defend it before a three-member panel. The deliverable is an executive report, not a monograph.
No. The MITB is offered exclusively in full-time mode. There is no part-time option. This ensures the depth of learning and the quality of the international experience for all students.
MITB graduates are prepared for roles in international trade management, trade finance, logistics and supply chain, trade compliance, market intelligence, ESG in global trade, and international business development — in multinational corporations, banks, logistics operators, consulting firms, chambers of commerce and international institutions.