The world's top 10 master's programmes in international trade

QS partnered with the Hinrich Foundation to develop a rankings which would help students to identify those programmes which would fast-track their career in international trade.

We released the first ever QS International Trade Rankings – the latest in our portfolio of QS World University Rankings – in December 2022.

QS International Trade Rankings 2023
Rank	Institution	Business school	Qual.	Programme name	Location
1	Arizona State University	Thunderbird School of Global Management	MIM	Master of Global Management	United States
2	Victoria University of Wellington		MIntTr	Master of International Trade	New Zealand
3	Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU)	Nanyang Business School	MBA	Professional MBA (International Trading)	Singapore
4	University of Minnesota Twin Cities	Carlson School of Management	MBA	MBA	United States
5	University of Cambridge	Judge Business School	MBA	Global Executive MBA	United Kingdom
6	University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	UCLA Anderson School of Management	MBA	MBA	United States
=7	Carnegie Mellon University	Tepper School of Business	MBA	Part-time Online MBA	United States
=7	City, University of London	Bayes Business School	MSc	MSc International Business	United Kingdom
=7	Stanford University	Graduate School of Business	MBA	MBA	United States
10	KEDGE Business School		MSc	MSc International Business	France

Here we’ve provided an at-a-glance overview of the top ten programmes in the QS International Trade Rankings 2023, highlighting the elements which make each programme among the best in the world. Click through on each sub-heading to learn even more about each school's programme with a downloadable PDF.

10. KEDGE Business School

Download a PDF profile here

Real-world experiences are embedded throughout this MSc International Business with students participating in business simulations, consultancy projects and internships – and the results speak for themselves with 99% of students offered a job within six months of graduation. Faculty members at KEDGE also boast a wealth of industry experience and maintain strong ties to organisations including the European Academy of Management and the French Finance Association. 

=7. Stanford University, Graduate School of Business

Download a PDF profile here

The Stanford University MBA was rated second in the world for Partnering with Industry Bodies with faculty members holding leading roles in influential organisations including the American Finance Association, and the US National Bureau of Economic Research. Other highlights include numerous opportunities to gain international experience including the Global Management Immersion Experience and the Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange Program.

=7. Bayes Business School, City, University of London

Download a PDF profile here

Students on this MSc International Business will have opportunities to engage with the School’s many industry partners and benefit from living and studying in one of the world’s most important financial centres. Ranked fourth in the world for Experiential Teaching, opportunities on this programme include the International Business Research Project – a chance to write an in-depth study on a critical business topic. 

=7. Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University

Download a PDF profile here

This is a fully-flexible programme designed to allow working professionals to study an MBA with minimal disruption to their working week. Candidates attend virtual meetings twice a week and attend regular weekend sessions too, either on campus or remotely. Graduate outcomes are excellent with 97% of graduates receiving a job offer within three months of course completion.

6. Anderson School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles

Download a PDF profile here

Ranked sixth globally and in the top five for Trade Programme Content, the Anderson School of Management MBA offers more than 115 specialist electives so students can tailor the course to their specific areas of professional development and interest. It also scores in the top five for Graduate Outcomes, with a wealth of resources and expertise available through the Parker Career Management Center.

5. Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

Download a PDF profile here

The unique value of this programme is that students on the course in both China and in the UK have the chance to engage and interact, benefiting from each other’s knowledge and experience of two global economies. Course content is practice-driven with focus areas including trade macroeconomics, cultural intelligence and management effectiveness.

4. Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Download a PDF profile here

The Carlson School of Management full-time MBA offers a flexible delivery, enabling students to complete the course alongside additional personal and professional commitments. Programmes including the Carlson School Enterprise Programs also provide real-life exposure to solving business challenges and the opportunity to pitch and present to senior executives from the School’s extensive network of business organisations.

3. Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Download a PDF profile here

Ranked third in the world globally, this course was rated the best in the world for Programme Delivery. It’s a part-time course taught over 18 months with alternate weekends on campus and a study trip to world trading hub, Geneva, Switzerland. This flexible programme enables students to share current perspectives and experiences from their organisations and apply learnings immediately.

2. Victoria University of Wellington

Download a PDF profile here

Second in the world is the Victoria University of Wellington, with industry engagement the stand-out contributing factor to their rankings success. Their partnerships with governmental agencies, businesses, social enterprises and grassroots organisations gives students access to a wealth of opportunities. 

1. Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University

Download a PDF profile here

Taking the number one spot was the Thunderbird School of Management, the content of the Master of Global Management focuses on supporting graduates to a build global mindset as well as competency in five core knowledge areas: cross-border trade, trade policy, logistics and supply chain management, finance and accounting, leadership and soft skills.

The next edition of the QS International Trade Rankings will be released on 15 November 2023. Full methodology for the rankings is available here.