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Give new direction to your INTERNATIONAL aspirations

In this privatised and liberalised world, every business wants to expand itself in the International market because opportunities are huge everywhere. In this age of cut-throat competition where companies face intense competition in home country, they look for expanding their market to ensure sustainability and profitability.

Give new direction to your INTERNATIONAL aspirations


Gauri Chhabra

In this privatised and liberalised world, every business wants to expand itself in the International market because opportunities are huge everywhere. In this age of cut-throat competition where companies face intense competition in home country, they look for expanding their market to ensure sustainability and profitability. MNCs rule the international business, trade and commerce and every other company is trying to adopt the money-making techniques as used by MNCs. To make your presence felt internationally, you would not only need out-of-box business strategies but right kind of people who understand international business and its various aspects. Graduates who specialise in International Business are key resource for those companies to plan, execute and get results from international operations of business. 

But students are also confused whether to go in for an MBA in International Business or MA in International Relations. Let us try and understand the difference between the two.

Difference between International Business and International Relations

International Business comprises all commercial transactions that take place between two or more regions, countries and nations beyond their political boundaries. It refers to all those business activities that involve cross border transactions of goods, services, resources between two or more nations whereas a Master’s in  International Relations prepares students to be active and engaged participants in an interconnected world. An international relations degree provides you with the knowledge required to mediate agreements between countries, whether as a representative of the United Nations or the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank. The role of an international relations professional is crucial within these international institutions and within the diplomacy they facilitate between states, nations, and beyond. 

It is an academic discipline, which focuses on the study of a nation’s policy with respect to the competitive world. And on how to take and retain power in the globalised world, while maintaining international peace. The field helps you acquire a systematic approach and the ability to analyse political circumstances in the global context. 

Difference in course curriculum

In the course curriculum of the MBA in International Business, you would be taught about the; procedure and documentation involved in export and import, methods of approaching customers in foreign countries, currency conversation and fluctuation, raising capital from international market and distribution market. In the first year, the students know about the basic knowledge of general management with international business. In the second year the students can go for choosing specialisation in the area of finance, marketing, supply chain management with the emphasis of international business.

On the other hand, MA in International Relations is a standard master’s programme that is a dynamic mix of political science, economics, foreign policy, anthropology and sociology. Students pursuing this course are also encouraged to take up an additional foreign language.

MBA in International Business  

Getting in

MBA in International Business is a postgraduate programme that equips students with the sufficient knowledge and training for basic knowledge of International Business. It is a degree designed to develop the resources and capability of managers in the global economy. Like any other MBA course, admission in MBA in IB is done through national level management entrance tests like CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, SNAP, IIFT etc. On basis of score obtained, you apply to different B schools offering MBA in International Business. A short listing on the  basis of minimum acceptable cut off is declared and short-listed students are asked to attend the Group Discussion process for final selection.

Career Scape

Management analyst

Management analysts, also known as management consultants, work to improve profit margins, worker efficiency and the structure of business and organisations. Specialising in international business allows you to head overseas and advise companies on how to improve. These workers are hired by big and small companies alike to help improve a company's infrastructure.

Administrative service manager

Administrative service managers can provide international companies assistance with efficient operation and services. These workers often oversee the centralised operation of multiple areas within the company like mailing, scheduling, distribution and data processing. An administrative service manager can improve his or her company with strategies that include examining energy saving techniques or transportation costs.

Sales manager

A sales manager is responsible for coordinating a sales team and has to make sure the company reaches the sales target. Through effective planning and budgeting, the sales manager builds a strategic and effective sales plan and he/she is also responsible for promoting the products or services provided by the company.

International trader

International traders are also known as commodities and securities traders and deal with advising corporate clients on various matters related to trade and investment opportunities. An international trade specialist makes a clear overview of clients’ financial abilities and suggests investments that would benefit them. Additionally, the trade specialist can also provide consultancy in terms of securing capital, real estate and international business strategies.

International traders may be employed by investment firms, banks, government or work as freelance consultants.

Finance controller

A finance controller manages everything that deals with financial reporting of a company, and this includes accounts, transactions, payroll, preparation of taxes. Finance controllers collaborate and communicate with all departments of a company and need to have a holistic understanding of the entire business.

Business development manager

A business development manager combines strategic analysis with marketing and sales techniques to help a company grow and increase its revenues. Business development managers usually focus on establishing new partnerships and increasing sales from existing accounts.

Institute watch

  • Symbiosis, Bangalore, offering MBA International Business
  • Amity University, Noida, offering MBA International Business
  • Panjab University, Chandigarh, offering MBA International Business
  • UEI Global, Chandigarh, offering MBA International Business
  • Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, offering MBA International Business
  • University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, offering MBA International Business

Which Degree Is Right for You?

The MBA in International Business and the Master of International Relations programmes are both designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles. 

The key difference lies in the focus of the degrees. While an MBA does include some discussion of international issues, particularly in terms of providing context for national developments, the degree typically tends to be domestic in focus. 

An MBA graduate having the degree in international business can work for either private or government sector organisations. The nature of work requires to work under global assignments and move starting with one nation then onto the next as the organisation administration obliges you to do. 

An MBA, in IB, graduate can also opt to work for Indian or foreign MNCs in the International Business department/division, import and export departments of companies, global logistics companies like shipping or airlines, global tourism sector, international consultancy firms and international courier companies. It can also be useful to think about future career goals before choosing one programme over the other. That is, students choose an MBA programme if they wish to work primarily with national issues in local, state or central organisations. 

The Master of International Relations degree, as you might expect, shifts this focus to the wider world. International relations students analyse domestic policy decisions, but they tend to do so with the greater aim of understanding how international events are affected by the decisions.


Master’s in International Relations

Getting in

If you want to go in for Master’s in International Relations, you must have completed your BA degree under any recognised university in Arts. The marks of admission for this course may vary from university to university. In various colleges and universities, they conduct entrance exams plus interview for the admission of the student. 

Institute watch

  • Christ University, Bangalore, offering MA in International Relations
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, offering MA in Political Science (Major in International Relations)
  • Delhi University, New Delhi, offering MA in Political Science (Major in International Relations)
  • Jadavpur University, Kolkata, offering MA in Political Science and International Relations
  • RIMT University, Punjab, offering MA in International Relations
  • Central University of Gujarat, offering MA Political Science and International Relations

Career Scape

Indian Foreign Service: Considered a prestigious service to be part of, the Indian Foreign Service is one of the best possible options for you wishing to pursue a career in international relations. 

World agencies and international NGOs: A large number of not-for profits work across the world on a wide variety of issues. It is important for them to understand the countries they are working in to be able to devise effective interventions. With qualifications and experience in international relations to be able to effectively understand local government policies, prevailing political/economic conditions.

Multinational business houses and world bodies: The trade world is literally without borders as more and more companies/business houses are setting up shop in countries across continents. Similarly, changes in policies/political conditions/economic climate or even natural calamities affect businesses all over the world and not just in countries where they take place. Organisations like the World Bank, business houses operating in multiple continents and even governments of countries recruit professionals with expertise in international relations/law/trade etc to be able to analyse and interpret events accurately and plan/re-plan their strategies accordingly.

Journalism: As mentioned repeatedly through this entire article, globalisation has impacted all sectors and journalism is no exception. Reporting, be it politics, economics or any other subject, has never been simple but has grown all the more complex today. Consider the recent incident of an Indian diplomat being ‘ill-treated’ in the United States has become a critical issue. Reporting on such an issue requires a nuanced understanding of diplomatic relations between nations, history of Indo-US relations to begin with. 

You can either pursue a course in journalism and through experience and exposure develop expertise in international relations or do a course in international relations/trade/law etc and get into journalism.

Teaching: Since institutes offering courses in international relations are few in number, there is likely to be a good demand for faculty for courses of this nature. While one can become eligible for teaching at universities and colleges by doing masters in the subject and clearing NET, it may be wise to spend some time working in either of the organisations/sectors  and then move to teaching so that you are able to bring valuable practical experience to the classroom.

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