Bachelor
International Business Management
Unique program in French-speaking Switzerland, the International Business Management bachelor’s degree is taught entirely in English and deals with fundamental subjects of management with an international and intercultural dimension.
From September 2026, future students will have the opportunity to strengthen their international experience as well as their employability, to personalize their study path as well as to have greater autonomy in their learning journey.
Bachelor of Science HES-SO en International Business Management
180
3 ans à plein temps, 4 ans temps partiel
Campus Battelle, Carouge (GE)
Anglais
- Program overview
- Career prospects
- Application
- Curriculum
- Minors and Electives
- Academic info
Program overview
At the heart of a unique international crossroads, HEG Geneva is ideally positioned to offer a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management.
The program aims to train agile and globally-minded professionals with critical thinking skills, a keen business sense and intercultural sensitivity, enabling them to participate in the creation and management of sustainable and responsible international companies.
The Bachelor's degree in International Business Management at HEG Geneva is a program taught entirely in English, designed to train professionals capable of working in multicultural and international environments. It naturally provides access to international companies, such as multinationals, international organisations and the many exporting companies in the local economy. The program can be taken either part-time over 4 years or full-time over 3 years.
Main areas of study
- Economics and international trade
- Responsible business management, international law
- Finance & accounting
- Human resources, logistics
- Marketing, sales, negotiation
- Leadership & intercultural communication
- Data management and technology
- Applied projects (applied research and mandates)
The program explores the international dimensions of these subjects in specific courses and includes, for example, the management of different stakeholders in a multinational and multicultural context. It takes into account latest technological developments as well as societal and environmental imperatives.
In their final year, students can specialise through options (Minors) such as:
- Commodity Trading
- International Economics & Emerging Markets
- Digital Transformation
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Applied Marketing
International perspective
To strengthen their international profile, students are encouraged to participate in a university exchange with one of the HES-SO's 170 international partners during their academic career. For those who are unable to go abroad, the program offers local alternatives linked to International Geneva, as well as collaborative projects with international partner universities, using innovative digital solutions. This approach guarantees intercultural immersion for all.
During your studies at HEG-Geneva, your international education will be enhanced by the cultural diversity of students from the region as well as students from numerous partner business schools and universities around the world who are studying in Geneva on exchange programs.
Language learning
The program includes language learning as a tool for conducting international business and a vehicle for cultural integration.
The entire program is taught in English by lecturers from multicultural backgrounds. A minimum level is required for admission (minimum certified B2, see details in the admission requirements). However, your English level will develop naturally through total immersion in the programme. In addition, oral and written English communication courses are part of the curriculum to improve your command of the language for professional purposes.
Students are offered the option of learning a second language (Business German or Business Spanish) in order to broaden their international horizons while ensuring they have a sufficient level of proficiency for use in a professional environment.
Professional development
The program emphasises preparation for working life by encouraging part-time study (60% of students choose this option). Students will be able to leverage their professional experience gained alongside their studies through ECTS credits and receive support to optimize their integration into the job market.
The school is also committed to offering more internships and assignments for full-time students in order to strengthen their practical skills and employability, particularly through the career centre.
Flexibility & autonomy
The new curriculum offers more choice and adaptability. From the middle of the program onwards, students can select options to personalize their final profile. In their final year, students can give their degree a specific focus by choosing an option (Minor). The part-time option allows students to complete the program over four years while working. To make it easier to balance studies and employment, some specialization courses can be taken online without compromising educational quality.
Duration of studies and qualification awarded
Full-time
Normal duration of studies : 6 semesters (180 ECTS* credits).
Part-time
Normal duration of studies : 8 semesters (180 ECTS* credits).
*European Credit Transfer System
Bachelor of Science HES-SO en International Business Management
After completion of our program, a UAS bachelor’s degree in International Business Management is awarded. This title is recognised and protected by The Swiss Confederation.
Fields of study
The main fields of study covered in the program include
- International Business Environment
- Intercultural Management
- Intercultural Communication & Negotiation
- International Economics and Trade Law
- International Marketing & Communication
- Commodities Trading and Logistics
- International Organizations
- Business in Emerging Markets
Basic courses (e.g. first year courses) provide a generalist approach of business management, with an international component. Law courses include European and trade laws, accounting courses cover international standards, and marketing courses incorporate various international markets in the discussion.
Communication and human resources courses include an emphasis on intercultural questions, while the program strongly insists on Leadership questions throughout the whole curriculum.
During the final year, student choose elective courses in areas of specialisation. The main topics include international commodity trading, business in emerging markets and in particular Asian markets, international organisations management, international marketing and sales (program may be subject to changes). Final year courses also cover topics such as sustainable management, CSR and entrepreneurship, which have been on offer at HEG for many years.
Calendar & Schedule
Full-time studies
Students who wish to complete their program in three years may enrol in full-time studies. Classes are held Monday through Friday and are spread over the five days of the week. Class schedules vary depending on the semester, but generally run from 8:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. during the first and second years. In the final year, most classes are spread over two to three days, but some specialisation classes may be held in the evening (5:15 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
Part-time studies
Students who wish to combine work with their studies or who prefer a reduced timetable can complete their Bachelor's programme in International Business Management over four years instead of the standard three years.
Classes are held two days a week, allowing students to continue working. However, we recommend limiting your work contract to a maximum of 60% of full-time hours in order to have enough time for your studies
| Class days per semester for part-time studies | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | Semesters 1 and 2 |
Monday 8:15 AM - 9:30 PM |
Tuesday 8:15 AM - 9:30 PM |
||
| 2nd Year | Semesters 3 and 4 |
Thursday 8:15 AM - 8:45 PM |
Friday 8:15 AM - 8:45 PM |
||
| 3rd Year | Semesters 5 and 6 |
Monday 8:15 AM - 9:30 PM |
Tuesday 8:15 AM - 9:30 PM |
||
| 4th Year | Semesters 7 and 8 |
Thursday 8:15 AM - 9:30 PM |
Friday 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM |
Please note that some electives are proposed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. |
Academic calendar
2025-2026
- Remedial exams: Monday, August 25th to Saturday, September 13th, 2025
- Start of term (Fall semester): Monday, September 15th, 2025
- Modular exams: from Monday, January 12th to Saturday, January 24th, 2026
- Start of term (Spring semester): Monday, February 16th, 2026
- Modular exams: from Monday, June 10th to Saturday June 20st , 2026
- Remedial exams: Monday, August 24th to Friday, September 12th, 2026
Subject to modifications form HES-SO
2026 - 2027
- Remedial exams: Monday, August 24th to Saturday, September 12th, 2026
- Start of term (Fall semester): Monday, September 14th, 2026
- Modular exams: from Monday, January 18th to Saturday, January 30th, 2027
- Start of term (Spring semester): Monday, February 22th, 2027
- Modular exams: from Monday, June 14th to Saturday June 26th , 2027
- Remedial exams: Monday, August 30th to Saturday, September 18th, 2027
Subject to modifications form HES-SO
Student testimonials
Hello everyone, my name is Alexander and I graduated from HEG in June 2017.
I soon found an internship in a bank – BNP Paribas – where I started as an intern; I was mainly responsible for inventory management. My missions included counterparty risk analyses, but also statistics compilations on goods stored in the whole world and customer risk analyses. Then, all the information was transferred to another risk department in charge of deciding what maximum amounts the bank was willing to deposit in certain countries or invest in commodities so as to spread the risks.
Afterwards, still within BNP Paribas, I worked in the documentary credit department where my task was to issue financial instruments, LCs, to finance various goods or cargoes such as wheat, oil, rice or metals. I did this job for BNP Paribas and also for Crédit Agricole. An experience in two different companies really enabled me to see diverse structures and how banks work.
During my studies at HEG, team work and varied working methods clearly helped me to develop the flexibility and adaptability necessary for my internships in banks.
In February 2021, I was hired in a trading company where I am responsible for filing transactions in various banks. The trading company has credit lines in all the banks represented here and my job will be to find the one that will grant us the best possible rate in order to lower the company costs as much as much as possible.
The electives I chose at HEG, namely Trade & Commodity Finance and Shipping, gave me access to this professional career.
Alexander Mireskandari
My name is Maxime PROVINI and I am an entrepreneur. In December 2018, I had the pleasure to set up my company called Ô CAVE Wine Explorers.
I developed my entrepreneurial spirit during my studies at HEG where I attended various classes that gave me valuable insight into entrepreneurship, but also into business management in all its aspects. This led to my motivation for creating and undertaking.
So, in December 2018, I launched Ô Cave with 3 partners. Our activity includes exploring, selecting and tasting wine. We like to present it this way, it is a bit different from what we usually see. According to this useful tip learnt during my studies : “Do it like others, but a little differently, a little better.”
To achieve this, different steps were necessary :
The first one was to structure our idea, even if only in our head. What do we want to do and how ? I used different tools and thus, after one year, was able to clearly imagine the direction we should give to our company.
Then was the time to set off on adventure. We had to meet prospective suppliers and promote our company to attract potential customers; that was the launching period aiming to actually sell our first wine bottle, import our first wine bottle. Here also, I was able to observe the international dimension I had tackled during my studies. At the beginning, I went myself to the customs to deal with the movement of goods. This is interesting as you are truly on the ground ! It is easy to see a wine box being delivered to your home, but tracking customs transit and doing paperwork to get it is completely different. That was a hands-on learning experience for my partners and me.
It's now been two years since the company was founded and we are proud to be here today. The first year was quite complicated; now I would say that we are really in a development period, a growth phase and all the steps explained above are in fact a summary of the tools I had the opportunity to gain during my studies at HEG.
Maxime Provini
Career prospects
Thanks to our practical and professional approach – the foundation of HEG – our graduates acquire skills that are highly valued by employers: professional expertise, a pragmatic approach to business challenges, and collaborative and responsible interpersonal skills.
87% of graduates find employment within 18 months*, mainly in French-speaking Switzerland, but also in Europe and internationally.
*source Observatoire de la formation, March 2024
Your future recruiters
Located in the heart of international Geneva, this program gives you privileged access to the region's key international players, such as international and multinational companies, as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations with an international focus. The region also benefits from numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the export-import sector that will welcome your skills.
Diverse career opportunities
Our graduates hold a variety of positions in finance, auditing, consulting, marketing, business development, human resources, project management and logistics.
Career opportunities can be found in multinational companies, SMEs in the process of internationalisation, international organisations or public administrations, for example in the following roles:
- Financial or business analyst
- Marketing or sales manager
- Strategy or audit consultant
- International project manager
- Event or logistics manager
- HR or administrative manager
Industry sectors
Alumni of the program work in a variety of sectors representative of the regional and international economy, such as: international trade, financial and banking services, consumer goods, luxury goods and watchmaking, personal services, consulting firms, etc.
Students interested in starting their own business can continue to develop their entrepreneurial project at the HES-SO Geneva incubator (Pulse) during or after their studies.
Support
HEG-Geneve’s career centre supports you in your job search. The final-year ‘Career Management’ module also allows you to reflect on your career choices and prepare yourself adequately for the job market.
Application
University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Academic Year
Begins in week 38, i.e. on Monday September 14th 2026.
Registration deadlines
Applications must be submitted online from Monday January 12th 2026 to Thursday April 30th, 2026.
Application Deadline
-
For candidates who do require prior entry exams : until the 15th of March 2026
-
For candidates holders of a non-European diploma : until the 15th of March 2026
-
For candidates who do not require prior entry exams : until the 30th of April 2026
Only complete applications, for which the registration fee has been paid, will be taken into consideration.
Admission conditions
| Diploma | Exams | Professional Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Maturité professionnelle and CFC de commerce, CFC de gestionnaire du commerce de détail, CFC de gestionnaire de vente, CFC de médiamaticien-ne, CFC de logisticien-ne, CFC de droguiste, CFC d'agent-e relation client, CFC d'assistant-e en pharmacie, CFC d'agent-e de transports publics, CFC d'agent-e en information documentaire, CFC de libraire, CFC de spécialiste en communication hôtelière, CFC d’opticien-ne, CFC d’assistante médical-e, CFC de développeur ou développeuse de business numérique. |
NO
|
Acquired
|
| Swiss Maturité professionnelle with another CFC |
NO
|
Min.1 Year1
|
| Swiss Maturité gymnasiale recognized by the Confédération + CFC de commerce, CFC de gestionnaire du commerce de détail, CFC de gestionnaire de vente, CFC de médiamaticien-ne ou CFC de logisticien-ne, CFC de droguiste, CFC d'agent-e relation client, CFC d'assistant·e en pharmacie, CFC d'agent-e de transports publics, CFC d'agent-e en information documentaire, CFC de libraire, CFC de spécialiste en communication hôtelière, CFC d’opticien-ne, CFC d’assistante médical-e, CFC de développeur ou développeuse de business numérique. |
NO
|
Acquired
|
| Swiss Certificat ECG + CFC de commerce, CFC de gestionnaire du commerce de détail, CFC de gestionnaire de vente, CFC de médiamaticien-ne or CFC de logisticien-ne,CFC de droguiste, CFC d'agent-e relation client, CFC d'assistant-e en pharmacie, CFC d'agent-e de transports publics, CFC d'agent-e en information documentaire, CFC de libraire, CFC de spécialiste en communication hôtelière, CFC d’opticien-ne, CFC d’assistante médical-e, CFC de développeur ou développeuse de business numérique. |
NO
|
Acquired
|
| Maturité gymnasiale recognized by the Swiss Confédération2 |
NO
|
Min.1 Year 1
|
| Diploma ES in Tourism, Hotel Business or Business Administration obtain equivalences upon file's analysis |
NO
|
Acquired
|
| Brevet federal in the field of Business Administration3 |
NO
|
Acquired
|
| Passerelle FCPM |
NO
|
Acquired
|
|
General French Baccalaureate 2 and 4 Baccalauréat STMG with a min. average of 12/202 |
NO | Min.1 Year1 |
| Diplomas from abroad that give access to a Swiss university2 and 5 |
YES 2
|
Min.1 Year1
|
1 Professional experience should have been acquired post-certification full time and within a study related field
Professional experience can be acquired either through one or more paid activities, each subject to an employment contract respecting the minimum wage, or through internships which meet the conditions of the internship agreement. The agreement must be sent to the HEG Genève’s admissions office within one month of signing, so that it can be registered. If there is any doubt about the validity of the internship for admission to the HEG Genève, the candidate can contact the school. The candidate must also register in HEG Genève’s admission’s process between mid-January and the end of April.
2 It is highly recommended that candidates update their accounting level
3 Please consult the list below: Liste des brevet fédéraux admissibles.
4 Please consult the list below: Baccalauréats généraux français dès 2021 et précédemment.
5 Please consult the list of the swissuniversities.
If an exam is required, please refer to the section entitled “Entrance exams”.
Applicants may enrol in the Bachelor's program in International Business Management without taking an English proficiency test if they meet one of the following conditions:
- Hold a French-English bilingual Swiss Maturité professionnelle diploma,
- Hold a French-English bilingual Swiss Maturité gymnasiale diploma,
- Have completed all of their secondary education at an English-speaking institution recognized by the Rectorate of the HES-SO,
- Able to provide one of the following recognized language certificates at level B2 or above of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages):
- TOEFL iBT: score of 72 or above.
- IELTS: score of 5.5 or higher.
- Cambridge English: B2 First or above.
Entrance requirements for foreign applicants
Note n° 4 & 5
The HEG-Geneva bases its application requests on this list in order to evaluate eligibility of all foreign diplomas. Thank you for consulting this information before aplying.
Entrance exams
As of 2019, examinations for admission to the UAS are the same as for all Swiss Universities and Universities of Applied Science.
Dates
- Written tests: from 6th to 8th August 2025
- Oral exams: from 11th to 14th August 2025
Location
COPAD (Collège pour Adultes Alice-Rivaz, rue Theodore-de-Bèze 2-4, 1204 Genève)
Examination Subjects
French, English, Mathematics, History and Geography
Fees
Set by the ECUS Center it costs CHF 870.- for the five subjects.
All charges are borne by the candidate. In case of visa refusal, fees will be refunded except for administrative costs.
In case of failure at one or two subject, fees will be CHF 100.- per exam the following year.
Preparation
Please refer to the ECUS website.
Inquiries and requests
Equivalencies requests
Should you wish to obtain equivalencies of your bachelor's studies, please fill the form below.
Your request must be sent to the following address
Haute école de gestion de Genève
Campus Battelle
Bâtiment B
Rue la la Tambourine 17
1227 Carouge
Suisse
Passerelles
English update coming soon
English update coming soon.
Les classes passerelles offrent la possibilité d’acquérir une expérience professionnelle réglementaire en école et permettent ainsi l’admission dans une filière de la HES-SO Genève. Elles sont destinées en particulier aux personnes en possession d’une maturité gymnasiale qui souhaitent s’orienter vers une filière Bachelor offerte par les hautes écoles spécialisées.
Classes passerelles : Maturité gymnasiale
Grâce à la classe passerelle les élèves ayant obtenu un certificat de maturité gymnasiale sont admis-es dans les hautes écoles spécialisées de la HES-SO, selon la Loi sur les hautes écoles.
Une classe passerelle est une année de pratique professionnelle.
L'année de pratique professionnelle peut s'accomplir :
- sous la forme d'un stage de 52 semaines minimum réalisé en entreprise et validé par la HEG. L'année de pratique professionnelle est reconnue pour l'accès à la filière pour les détenteur-rices d'une maturité gymnasiale.
- sous la forme d'une année de pratique professionnelle dans une école professionnelle. L'attestation délivrée au terme de l'année permet l'admission à la HEG.
Si vous cherchez à être rapidement opérationnel-le sur le marché de l’emploi et que les domaines de la finance, du marketing et des ressources humaines vous intéressent, alors l’année passerelle proposée dans le cadre de la Formation Commerciale pour Porteurs de Maturité (FCPM), formation certifiée EDUQUA, est faite pour vous.
Cette passerelle est conçue comme une année de pratique professionnelle
- En entreprise (30 semaines)
- En école (16 semaines)
Vous pourrez grâce à la partie école acquérir des bases solides dans les 3 domaines d’études que vous approfondirez à la HES :
- Les disciplines économiques : gestion, marketing, droit, économie d’entreprise, économie politique.
- Les langues, dans leurs aspects communicationnels : français, 2ème langue nationale, anglais.
- Les applications bureautiques, outils incontournables dans le domaine des services : traitement de texte, tableur, bases de données, PAO.
La partie en entreprise vous amènera quant à elle à réaliser une première expérience professionnelle dans des secteurs économiques directement en phase avec vos études ultérieures. Ce stage vous apportera de multiples enrichissements personnels tant aux plans des relations humaines que de la mise en pratique de vos connaissances scolaires.
L’admission à la passerelle FCPM exige la signature d’un contrat de stage dans une entreprise. L’école tient à votre disposition toute la documentation utile à la recherche du stage et à la signature du contrat.
Lieu des cours
Collège et École de Commerce Nicolas-Bouvier,
rue de Saint-Jean 60 CH - 1203 Genève
Site internet
Personne de contact : Michaël Donze, +41 22 546 22 00
Document de référence
Fees & Tuition fees
Fees
Fees/expenses are non-refundable even in case of non-eligibility
CHF 150.-, payable when submitting your online application
Compte postal No 17-607292-9
IBAN: CH09 0900 0000 1760 72929
Au nom de la Haute Ecole de Gestion de Genève, 1227 Carouge, the choice of curriculum should be filledout in the «communication» field of the inpayement slip.
Tuition fees
Other expenses
At the beginning of the academic year, students are also required to pay :
- A charge of CHF 110.-to CHF 150.-per academic year to cover various printing, course material and examination fees.
These charges are non-refundable.
Curriculum
Registrations for courses/modules for the coming semester are made by the course secretariats.
A new study plan will be implemented from the start of the academic year in September 2026. Module descriptions will be gradually updated to reflect the future program.
Full-time program (IBMS)
Modules descriptions
Semesters 1 and 2
Semesters 3 and 4
Semesters 5 and 6
Part-time program (IBMW)
Modules descriptions
Semesters 1 and 2
Semesters 3 and 4
Semesters 5 and 6
Semesters 7 and 8
Minors and Electives
The Bachelor of Science in International Business Management offers 5 minors in the final year of the program.
It is also possible to select electives separately (without a minor).
Minor Commodity Trading
This option enables students to acquire solid knowledge and apply the skills required in physical commodity trading companies. It provides the practical and technical foundations necessary to work in the commodities trading, maritime transport and finance sectors. The Bachelor's degree in International Business Management, with a specialisation in Commodity Trading, is the only Bachelor's degree recognised by Suisse Négoce, the umbrella organisation for the sector.
Fall semester
Minor International Economics and Emerging Markets
This option prepares students to navigate the high-growth economies that are driving global trade and investment. Students develop expertise in international trade, finance and business strategy by analysing key markets, including Brazil, China and India. The option provides an overview of business development and investment strategies in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, preparing graduates to support companies in their internationalisation efforts
Fall semester
Minor Digital Transformation
The digital transformation option equips students with essential skills to leverage digital technologies and analytics to drive organisational change. By applying an agile mindset, students gain practical expertise in data-driven decision-making and the business applications of intelligent digital technologies, enabling them to navigate dynamic technological contexts.
Fall semester
Minor Innovation & Entrepreneurship
This option enables students to acquire the tools and skills necessary for effective and sustainable innovation within a start-up (entrepreneurship) or an organisation (intrapreneurship). Students are encouraged to explore innovative ideas, identify new opportunities and develop innovative strategies that redefine markets by integrating economic performance with social and environmental responsibility. The option covers key aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship, including creative problem solving, data-driven decision making and disruptive business models.
Fall semester
Minor Applied Marketing
This option prepares students to acquire both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to work in today's highly digitalised marketing field. It builds on an understanding of consumers and fundamental topics (marketing, international sales and brand management) and allows students to specialize in the use of digital tools, particularly e-commerce and social media. Sustainability is a central element of the option, encompassing both the promotion of behavioural changes towards more sustainable lifestyles and the development of environmentally friendly marketing and brand strategies.
Fall semester
Individual electives (without a minor)
Fall semester
Spring semester
Academic info
For the smooth running of your studies at HEG-Geneva, we invite you to regularly consult the useful documents.
Course regulations
Course regulations for the Bachelor's degree programs in the field of economics and services at the HES-SO.
Education Incentive Act
Equal opportunities
The HEG’s equal opportunities system works to promote an open school rich in diversity. The HEG fights against factors of inequality and does not tolerate any form of discrimination
Disadvantage compensation measures are possible for students with special needs.
Validations & examens
Validation rules/prerequisites
Exams
The exam schedule is available to IBM students on a secure platform.
Internships
Les stages ne sont pas obligatoires dans la formation International Business Management mais fortement conseillés pour les étudiant-es à plein temps. Ils peuvent s'effectuer entre la mi-juin et la mi-septembre.
Offres de stages et jobs étudiant-es
Les étudiant-es HES-SO possèdent un grand bagage théorique et pratique. Elles et ils mettent à la disposition des entreprises, institutions et collectivités locales leurs compétences pour réaliser des travaux de Bachelor et de Master en lien avec le terrain ou pour acquérir de nouvelles expériences professionnelles.
Theses
Bologna Agreement
The main objective of the Bologna agreement is to create a European area of higher education. It enhances the mobility of students and researchers, increasing the attractiveness of studying in Europe, and facilitating the recognition of diplomas.
Military service
For all questions related to military service and civil protection, please refer to student affairs on the HEG-Geneva intranet site.
Student life
The successful completion of your bachelor, in a caring environment that encourages integration, is a priority of the HES-SO Geneva and its Student Affairs. Student associations on campus, such as the Student Association (AE) and the Junior Enterprise (JE), also enable students to put their skills to good use during their studies, serving both the student community and local businesses.
Contact
Haute école de gestion de Genève
Filière International Business Management
Campus de Battelle, Bâtiment B
Rue de la Tambourine 17
CH-1227 Carouge, Suisse
+41 22 558 54 66
ibm@hesge.ch
Séances d'information
Évènements