Master in Small Business Management in International Markets at University of Ferrara
Two-year English-taught LM-77 master's at the University of Ferrara on managing small and medium-sized firms in international markets, with double degrees in Sweden, Germany and Spain.
Master
2 years
Ferrara
English
University of Ferrara
Small Business Management in International Markets is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's (LM-77) taught in English at the University of Ferrara, preparing managers and consultants for internationalising SMEs. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS in economics or economics and management, or an equivalent foreign degree.
- Credits across the core fields: about 30 ECTS in business, 10 in economics, 5 in maths and statistics, and 5 in law.
- English at B2 level, shown by a recognised certificate, a previous English-taught degree or 30 ECTS passed in English; otherwise an interview.
- No entrance test: the teaching committee reviews your degree and CV and may call you for an interview.
- Legalised school diploma and bachelor's certificate with translation and transcripts; a declaration of value or CIMEA statement only if Unife asks.
About the programme
Small Business Management in International Markets is a two-year laurea magistrale in business economics (class LM-77) worth 120 ECTS, taught entirely in English by the Department of Economics and Management of the University of Ferrara. It prepares graduates for management and consultancy roles in small and medium-sized enterprises that trade across borders.
It suits graduates in economics or economics and management who want to combine industrial economics and business administration with a clear focus on how smaller firms grow abroad. Teaching is in person in Ferrara, and attendance is strongly recommended.
What you will study
The first year is a shared core on performance, organisation and finance in internationalising firms. The second year adds law, strategy and finance, a choice of specialist units, and a research project with dissertation. Compulsory units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Governance and Accounting of SMEs (9 ECTS)
- International Trade and Competitiveness and Development Economics and Emerging Markets
- Economics of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
- Strategic Control and Performance Management, and Financial Management
- Consumer and Market Law, and Power, Markets and International Strategies
- A choice between Sustainable Finance for SMEs and International Marketing and Sustainability
- An internship or Spanish language unit, a research project (10 ECTS) and a dissertation
How the programme is taught
Classes use active methods in small groups, such as problem-based learning, project work, workshops and case studies. You can link your thesis research to an internship or project work with a company. Selected students can join a double degree, spending the first year at Kristianstad University (Sweden), Paderborn University (Germany) or the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) and the second year in Ferrara. Erasmus+ and Atlante exchanges are also open.
Career paths
The department points graduates to management consultancy, general management, marketing and human resource management in small businesses, with these routes named on the course page:
- Launching a start-up or taking over a family business
- Management roles in SMEs and management consultancy
- Venture capital firms, banks and public research institutes
- PhD research in entrepreneurship and related fields
Fees and scholarships
There is no programme-specific fee: Unife charges every student on family income (ISEE, or an income document for income earned abroad) and credits earned. In 2026/27 that meant €156 to about €2,250 a year in four instalments. Unife lists a total exemption for an ISEE up to €27,000 and for students eligible for the ER.GO regional scholarship, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
The department's teaching committee assesses your bachelor's degree, CV and documents, and may ask for an interview. Apply on apply.unife.it with a one-time €20 fee, and pre-enrol on Universitaly for Ferrara, since only candidates who do both are evaluated.
In 2026/27 this master's had an early window, 12 January to 30 April 2026. Bring your legalised diplomas and translations when you arrive; a declaration of value or CIMEA statement is needed only if Unife asks. After admission you apply for a type D study visa.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is this master's taught in English?
Yes, entirely. You need English at B2 level, shown by a recognised certificate, a previous English-taught degree or 30 ECTS passed in English. Without these, the teaching committee can assess you in an interview.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
A degree of at least 180 ECTS in economics or economics and management, including roughly 30 ECTS in business, 10 in economics, 5 in maths and statistics, and 5 in law.
Is there an entrance test?
No. The department's teaching committee reviews your degree, CV and documents, and may request an interview if it needs more information. The course has no enrolment cap.
Can I earn a double degree?
Yes. Selected students spend the first year at Kristianstad University, Paderborn University or the University of Castilla-La Mancha and the second year in Ferrara, receiving degrees from both universities.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
Dates for 2027/28 are not out yet. For 2026/27 this master's took non-EU applications on apply.unife.it from 12 January to 30 April 2026, with a €20 fee and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
What careers does it lead to?
Graduates move into management consultancy, general management, marketing and HR in small firms, start their own business, take over a family business, or join banks, venture capital firms and research institutes.
Similar programmes
More programmes in this city
They began right where you are
