Business is now recognized as a global practice, even if products and services never leave a local market. Global events and competition affect almost all companies and industry sectors. Therefore, it is important to understand the global environment as companies operate in more complex and diverse environment where international factors come into play.

International management is the practice of managing business, not-for-profit, governmental, or other entity's operations across countries. International management professionals are familiar with the culture, business practices, economic and political environment of countries in which multinational firms and/or other organizations operate. They have the skills needed to formulate effective management strategies in today’s globally complex and competitive environment.

As an international management major, you’ll have courses on supply chain management, global finance, innovation in emerging markets and industrial location of multinational activities. As well, you’ll take courses on cross-cultural management, global leadership, crisis management, and regional aspect of international management and business. You’ll also draw from fields such as history, geography, political science, psychology, economics and sociology. This will allow you to enhance the skills needed to meet the challenges of doing business in an organization that faces different international pressures or that operates globally.

International Management majors go on to work in a variety of work environments - both internationally and domestically. Graduates work in the private sector, government, post-secondary education and as entrepreneurs. We have graduates working in the diplomatic corps, in government, as lawyers, as professors, in college and university international offices, in international development agencies, in the oil and gas sector and as small business owners.

Students choose international management because of the breadth of training, their strong interest in global management issues, and their desire to experience the world while gaining valuable management training.

You can also choose a minor to enhance your knowledge in a secondary line of study. Many minors complement international management well such as fintech and financial innovation, political science, population health, economics, family and small business management, accounting, marketing, agriculture enterprise management and supply chain and operations management. Learn more about our available minors.

Why take international management at the Dhillon School of Business?

As an international management major at the Dhillon School of Business you’ll participate in the required international exchange (with more than 45 international partners). This truly life-changing experience allows students to learn about managing cross-cultural differences and how work behaviour and business practices differ throughout the world. With these experiential learning opportunities, students will develop cross-cultural competencies and a global mindset.

Many of our students also enrol in co-operative education while at the Dhillon School of Business. Co-op allows you to get paid work experience before you graduate and can even help you land a job immediately after graduation.

Employment stats for a career in international management*

Job postings in the last 12 months

• Canada: 6,700
• Alberta: 676

Average salary 

• Canada (0-5 years of experience): $77,200
• Canada (6+ years of experience): $109,800
• Alberta (0-5 years of experience): $87,800
• Alberta (6+ years of experience): $125,200

Top employers hiring

Canada:

• Provincial Health Services Authority 
• Bombardier
• John Wood Group
• TC Energy
• Biotalent Canada

Alberta: 

• Alberta Health Services
• Attabotics 
• De Haviland Aircraft of Canada
• TC Energy
• Nutrien

* Employment data provided by Lightcast 2023. 

The advantages of being a Dhillon School of Business student

Experiential learning

You’ll have lots of opportunities to apply the theories you’ve learned in the classroom to real-life, hands-on situations as well as programs to help you connect with our student community. As a Dhillon student, you'll have access to these experiential programs and more:

• Co-operative Education (Co-op)
• DSB Edge
• Student Professional Development
• Integrated Management Experience (IME)
• Student Managed Investment Fund
• Dhillon School of Business student clubs
• Hungary work-study
• Malaysia work-study
• International exchanges
• Case competitions

Visit our Dhillon School of Business website to learn more about student experience opportunities.

Education that’s personal

Our students say they chose the Dhillon School of Business because of the smaller class sizes and more personal and supportive approach to teaching. Here you’ll get many opportunities to connect and interact with your professors and peers to set you up for success.

Flexible study options

Whether you’re a traditional student interested in our Lethbridge campus with full-time classes during the day or a working professional interested in the Calgary Campus’s evening and weekend classes, we have a flexible study option for you.

Internationally recognized for quality

As an AACSB accredited business school, the Dhillon School of Business have met very rigorous quality standards proven to provide you with the best in business education worldwide. You can trust that your education here will give you a distinct advantage in the real world including more competitive salaries, more employers interested in you after graduation and more. See all our professional accreditations and designations.