Programme description for Management and Business Development, master's programme (2026–2030)

A candidate who has completed this programme should have the following learning outcome defined in terms of knowledge, competencies and skills:

KNOWLEDGE

The candidate should:

• have advanced knowledge of the business environment
• have a broad knowledge of the internal business processes and procedures which allow for a long-lasting growth, competitiveness and sustainability
• have advanced knowledge about the factors and components facilitating the business’ strategic planning, locally and internationally
• have advanced knowledge about the functionality and role of main business capabilities – flexibility, adaptability, cultural complexity and sensing
• be knowledgeable about the different functions of the business, their contribution and internal interactions
• be able to analyse academic issues based on the history, traditions, unique characteristics, and place in society of the academic field of management and business development

SKILLS

The candidate should be able to:

• work independently and in a team setting
• communicate scholarly issues in written texts and oral presentations
• provide outcomes under various levels of stress and uncertainty
• identify and use relevant theories and methodological approaches on a specific problem
• demonstrate analytical skills when addressing contemporary business challenges
• evaluate and analyse various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate academic reasoning

GENERAL COMPETENCE

The candidate should be able to:

• implement critical thinking regarding strategic business decision
• balance knowledge and uncertainty when addressing core business issues
• integrate new ideas, concepts and solutions into existing business processes and operations
• apply ethical reasoning in work life and understand how organisations can act responsibly
• discuss dynamics of change and contemporary issues in the global business environment

Learning outcomes from the various specializations:

International Management:

The candidate should:

• be able to think and work across boundaries and borders in order to understand and navigate the current challenges for global business
• be able to focus on current issues in an interconnected world and interact with those working in industry
• have acquired valuable research and critical thinking skills to prepare for flexible strategy development and decision making under increasing complexity

Strategic Marketing:

The candidate should:

• be able to differentiate between strategic marketing planning (what) and the tactics aimed at achieving it (how)
• be able to plan and execute the business marketing strategy in fit with the overall strategy and the business’ resources and capabilities
• have advanced knowledge about the business goals and the marketing-related goals and be able to provide a strategic marketing plan aligned with these goals

Innovation and Transformation:

The candidate should:

• hold comprehensive understanding of theories on innovation and transformation in firms and society
• have detailed insights into the dynamics of regional economic development and the role of innovation policy in fostering sustainability and economic growth
• be able to utilise theoretical models of innovation and transformation to analyse and address challenges within organisations and societies

Entrepreneurship:

The candidate should:

• be able to identify and evaluate new entrepreneurial ventures in an ever-changing business environment
• be able to build a feasible business plan while addressing all relevant internal and external factors
• be able to pitch business ideas at different stages (pre-seed, seed, beta, and so on) to potential investors while matching the pitch massaging to the target audience purposes

General admission requirement is completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent education with a scope of minimum three years’ duration (180 ECTS credits).

Academic basis:

• Either: a major subject within business, administration, marketing, management, relevant social sciences or equivalent of minimum 80 ECTS credits, of which a minimum of 20 credits are at level 2 / additional level.
• Or: an integrated programme of at least two years duration within business administration, marketing, management, relevant social sciences or equivalent.

A minimum of 7.5 ECTS credits in social science methodology must be included in the academic basis. A weighted average grade of C or better is required.

Admission takes place in accordance with regulations on admission to study programmes and courses at the University of Agder.

The Master’s program in Management and Business Development has a special focus on business responsibility and sustainability. It is designed for aspiring students who seek to comprehend, develop and lead businesses in the complex and dynamic environment of the global arena. This program equips students with cutting-edge skills in international business, enabling them to implement critical thinking regarding the complexities of today's global markets. Through a comprehensive curriculum that integrates advanced theories and practical applications in marketing, international business, innovation, and entrepreneurship, students will develop the strategic mindset necessary to innovate and create value in diverse business environments in a responsible and sustainable way. Whether aiming to launch new ventures or lead established companies, graduates will be prepared to make impactful contributions to the ever-evolving world of business.

The master’s programme in management and business development has these specializations:

• International Management
• Strategic Marketing
• Innovation and transformation
• Shift Entrepreneurship

Teaching methods vary between lectures, group- and teamwork, case discussions, laboratory, seminars, presentations, simulations, exercises, term papers and supervision on papers. There will also be chapter readings, multimedia presentations, different kinds of project work, workshops, case studies and field trips. ICT and library databases will be used in several courses. See each course description for details.

All compulsory courses in the specializations International Business, Strategic Marketing and Shift Entrepreneurship are taught in English. Several electives and courses in Innovation and transformation are also taught in English. The remaining courses in the specialization in Innovation and Transformation are taught in Norwegian as well as some of the electives.

In todays’ business environment, desired employees are adaptable and self-managed while also possess the ability to function well as team members. They have knowledge and skills in the various aspects of the business and can implement strategic/critical thinking and creativity. The program provides the graduates with an optimal set of knowledge, competencies and skills on both the general and the specialization levels, that are highly sought after in workplaces. These competencies and skills are relevant for a wide range of organizations and companies including private companies, public organizations, and non-profit and voluntary organizations.

With a master’s degree in management and business development, one can work in:

• Large national and international companies and corporations: This includes companies operating in various sectors such as finance, technology, manufacturing, and retail. These organizations often offer leadership positions and career development opportunities.
• Consulting firms and advisory services: Graduates can find exciting opportunities in the consulting industry, where they can work on solving complex challenges for various organizations. This can include strategic consulting, business development, and the implementation of new processes.
• Entrepreneurship and startups: Many graduates may be interested in starting their own business or working in a startup environment, where they can contribute in developing and scaling new ideas and concepts. This provides the opportunity to take initiatives and shape the future of a new company.
• Public and non-profit organizations: Graduates can seek positions in the public sector, including government and municipal agencies, where they can use their knowledge in management and business development to contribute to societal development and public services. Non-profit organizations also offer opportunities to work towards social and community goals.
• International organizations and chambers of commerce: Graduates can seek positions in international organizations such as the UN, the World Bank, or the EU, where they can work on global issues and collaborate with different countries. Chambers of commerce and international trade organizations also offer opportunities to work with international trade and relations.
• Academic and research institutions: Successful completion also qualifies for admission to the PhD programme at the School of Business and Law, and to other PhD programmes in Norway and abroad.

These various job opportunities provide graduates with a Master's degree in Management and Business Development a wide range of career paths and opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in different fields.