University of Economics – Varna

Speciality “Intercultural Business“

Professional field: “Administration and management”

Professional qualification: “Management and administration”

Professional qualificational degree: “Master”

Period of study: 2 years for full-time study

Brand name of the programme: “Magellan”

1. Basic purpose of the characteristics

The Integrated International Master Program, jointly developed and implemented by four different European universities, provides a transformative learning experience designed to develop global leaders to lead culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams in multicultural environments. It aims to create a dynamic learning environment by nurturing psychological, business, and cultural intelligence; promoting intercultural communication; teaching about global contexts, competencies, and problem-solving. It is based on the synergy of business, leadership, culture, and learning strategies that form a multidimensional framework leading to the development of globally literate business leaders.

This two-year master's program focuses on international business and enhances students’ global business literacy. It also examines how global and cultural issues affect business functions, such as strategic management, marketing management, and legal regulations. It aims to support experiential learning by linking education, work, and personal development through internships which foster meaningful activities related to course-based experience.

2. Professional knowledge and skills

After finishing the Magellan study programme, students will become globally literate and culturally intelligent and develop a global mindset. They will possess a broader perspective on the world, markets, companies, and people. They will be able to understand the motivations and expectations of businesses, markets, and strategies across cultures and borders.

Multiple studies show how hard it is to find employees with adequate intercultural skills. Moreover, at companies, such training is not provided. Students with how intercultural skills have very good job opportunities nowadays. Most companies are going global, and they need staff prepared to work on those environments

Companies demand intercultural skills in order to improve the understanding of the workplace as well as to adapt the strategies to diverse environments.

3. Training in programme “Intercultural Business - Magellan”

The study programme is divided into four semesters and takes place at four different European universities. The first semester takes place at the University of Economics in Katowice (Poland), where students learn about international business theories, including subjects such as economics, law, management, marketing, and market research. The second semester takes place at the University of Debrecen (Hungary). Students learn about the intercultural aspects of international business with a strong focus on the management of intercultural competence, leadership, negotiation and communication skills, and CSR. The third semester is offered by the University of Economics in Varna (Bulgaria). Students learn about the new technologies used in international business from an intercultural perspective but also will have a great opportunity to improve their soft skills by exploring design thinking methods. They also learn about e-business strategies, take part in an intensive program and prepare a consulting project together with selected companies.  The final semester at the CEU Cardinal Herrera University (Spain) is dedicated to topics such as consumer behavior, relationship marketing, and brand management. Students finalize their internship and master's thesis.

Teaching classes are conducted by lecturers from four partner countries as well as other universities. All lecturers have extensive experience in teaching as well as in the field of international business. The semesters are organized in the following order: the first semester begins in Poland, then the students study in Hungary, the third in Bulgaria and the last one is offered in Spain. During the studies the latest teaching methods are used: interactive lectures, case studies, experiential learning, intensive programmes, simulation games, as well as practical activities in the form of meetings with entrepreneurs, study visits, or consulting projects.

4. Career opportunities

A graduate of Magellan study programme may ultimately be employed in a managerial position in an international corporation and, hold the position of managing director (CEO), marketing director (CEM) or Director of Intercultural Affairs, Intercultural Communication Director, International Services Manager, Intercultural Training Manager, International Human Resources Director, Communication and Leadership Instructor, Intercultural Consultant, Facilitator Job Developer.

5. Competence to be acquired by students during their training in programme “Intercultural Business - Magellan”

The main distinctive features of the study programme are the emphasis on linguistic competence as well as the development of practical skills of the students in cooperation with enterprises.

The graduate will be fully prepared to work in an international environment, and also to work in an international group while observing the principles of socially sustainable development.

Due to the in-depth teaching and practical training students will develop intercultural knowledge, skills, and competencies. All that is so relevant nowadays when facing the international job market. Every person willing to develop his/her career in an international environment should have knowledge on how to understand/interpret: a specific market, an international workplace and even on a social scale how not to be misled by certain cultural habits/rules/reactions.

In accordance with the Recommendation of the Council of the European Union (EU) of 22 May 2018 on the implementation by Member States of a policy supporting the development of key competences for lifelong learning; The National Qualification Framework of the Republic of Bulgaria (NKRB), in which knowledge, skills and competences (including personal and professional) are presented, at UE - Varna, a competence approach is applied in the education of students, aimed at forming the necessary general cultural, professional and personal competencies.

The basis of the application of the competence approach at UE - Varna is the priority orientation of education towards its results: formation of the need on the part of the educated students for continuous development and acquisition of social, cultural and professional competences, self-determination, socialization, personal development and self-improvement.

When studying in the MBA program, an opportunity is provided for the balanced development of all key competencies in accordance with the competency model, namely: literacy; multilingual; mathematical, science, technology and engineering, technology and engineering; digital; personal, social and learning to learn; citizenship; entrepreneurship and cultural awareness and expression.

The core key competencies acquired by the MBA graduates are:

1. Personal, social and learning to learn – ability to deal with complex situations and uncertain environment; acquiring learning skills; maintaining optimal physical, emotional and mental health; maintaining a healthy, aware and future-oriented lifestyle; empathy and conflict management skills in a supportive and inclusive context; expressing and understanding different opinions and positions; tolerance, trust.
2. Cultural awareness and expression – knowledge of local, national, regional, European and world cultures and expressions, including their languages, heritage, traditions and cultural products, and an understanding of how these expressions can influence the ideas of the individual; includes an understanding of the different ways ideas are communicated between creator, participant and audience through written, printed and digital texts, theatre, film, dance, games, art and design, music, ritual, architecture, as well as hybrid forms; understanding one's developing identity and cultural heritage in a world of cultural diversity, motivation.
3. Citizenship – knowledge about people, groups, teams, economy, culture, society; knowledge of one’s national values and understanding of European values; goals and policies of social and political organizations; objective awareness of global environmental and demographic changes; European integration; diversity and cultural identity in the world; participation in democratic mechanisms for elections and decision-making interest in social, economic and political events; striving for social justice.

Programme

Intercultural business (in English), Full-time (2024)

First year

2023