Master in International Business and Digital Transformation

Creating global competitive advantage in the age of ai and geopolitics

POLIMI GSoM Business Digital Transformation

Overview

Are you ready to build a successful and impactful career in International Business and Digital Transformation? Our Master's programme offers a unique opportunity to develop the skills, mindset, and global perspective needed to thrive in a rapidly changing business environment.

Today, companies operate in a world shaped by increasing international interconnectedness, accelerating technological innovation, the rise of Artificial Intelligence, and evolving geopolitical dynamics. While international expansion continues to be one of the most powerful drivers of growth, organizations face complex challenges, from identifying attractive markets and designing entry strategies to managing cross-cultural teams, navigating institutional differences, and responding to global uncertainty.

Digital technologies, and AI in particular, are transforming the way businesses approach these challenges, creating new opportunities to compete, innovate, and generate value across borders.

Our Master in International Business and Digital Transformation is designed to help you understand both the opportunities and obstacles of conducting business across countries and cultures, while leveraging digital technologies to drive growth and strategic decision-making.

Through a distinctive international learning experience across Italy and the United Kingdom, you will gain firsthand exposure to different business ecosystems and develop one global mindset. The programme prepares you to become a future business leader capable of navigating complexity, leading digital transformation initiatives, and creating sustainable value in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.

Two countries, one global mindset: learn in Italy and the UK how to lead, innovate, and create value in a world transformed by AI and geopolitical change.

Download our brochure and discover how to accelerate your international career.

Is it right for me?

You are an ideal candidate if you:

have a background in any discipline and want to develop a holistic view of international business in the digital era by acquiring the professional expertise, approaches and tools to help your company design and manage international growth.

Please note that we’ve designed this programme for recent graduates with ideally no more than 3 years of work experience. If you have more experience, you might also like to take a look at our International MBA programmes.

Why choose this master?

The Master in International Business and Digital Transformation is unique for the following reasons:

A programme that responds to market demands:

According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report identifies technological change, AI adoption, digital access, and geoeconomic fragmentation as among the most significant forces transforming business over the next five years. Employers expect 39% of today's core workforce skills to change by 2030, while AI, big data, cybersecurity, technological literacy, analytical thinking, and leadership are among the fastest-growing competencies in demand. In this context, future business leaders need more than traditional management expertise. They must be able to navigate global markets, understand geopolitical dynamics, lead digital transformation initiatives, leverage AI-enabled technologies, and build sustainable competitive advantage in an increasingly interconnected and complex world. This Master's programme is designed to develop exactly these capabilities.

A practice-based learning method:

throughout the journey, you’ll learn from practitioners and use interactive methodologies, including more than 40 hours of classes with experts, business cases, role-plays and companies. You’ll get valuable insights on emerging trends and the skills that are needed in the current job market, while also benefiting from networking opportunities that transcend the classroom.

A real international experience:

live a unique experience by attending a dual-degree programme between POLIMI Graduate School of Management and Henley Business School. You will have the chance to attend a term both in Reading, UK, and Milan, Italy, immersing yourself in a diverse cultural setting fostered by two leading institutions at the cutting edge of international business and digital innovation.

Our partners

in partnership with:

Our Educational partner

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Programme structure

Our Master in International Business and Digital Transformation is an 18-month programme that equips you with the essential skills to develop analytical and pragmatic international business and digital capabilities and cross-cultural interpersonal skills.

You’ll address topics such as International Strategic Marketing and International Distribution, acquire a deep knowledge of international business processes and functions, and organisational and digital tools to foster international growth.

At POLIMI GSoM your learning journey goes beyond lectures and textbooks as we have designed a transformational path that will allow you to embark on a journey towards professional and personal fulfilment.

The programme will start at Henley Business School in October and from January onwards, classes will resume at POLIMI Graduate School of Management.

Starts and End of courses may vary.

Want to learn what hands-on activities await you? Found out more by downloading our brochure.

Our services

Throughout your journey you will have the chance to be inspired by the vibrant cultural atmosphere of Milan, Italy. You will be able to enjoy leisure activities while immersing yourself in one of the most important centres worldwide for international business, with a rich entrepreneurial network that also serves as a backdrop to some of the most important international events.

To enable you to do so, we offer you a wide range of services to ease your path as you settle into your life in a new city and live the POLIMI GSoM experience. Discover all our services, ranging from housing to Italian courses by consulting the following ranging from housing to Italian courses by consulting the following website

Career

YOUR CAREER PATH

The Career Development Centre provides students with a self-assessment of their skills and an analysis of the job market; candidates will be supported in designing a customised career strategy and an effective action plan, to turn their career aspirations into achievable goals. The Career Development Programme will assist students to develop professional skills and to become successful “Career Leaders”.

Discover more about the services of our Career Development Center

CAREER IMPACT & TOP EMPLOYERS:

Our Master in International Business and Digital Transformation gets you ready for a variety of roles, including:

International and Digital Business Developer
Chief International and Digital Officer
Chief Business Development Officer
Digital Transformation Manager for International Business
Digital Export Manager
Project Manager for the International and Digital Expansion of a company
International Business and Digital Consultant

Over 70% of our students were offered employment opportunities by the end of the programme, covering positions in a wide range of sectors such as Consulting, Manufacturing, Tech & Digital, and many others.

Admissions

Please note that we process applications on a rolling basis, which means that they may close even before the deadlines. Our limited number of seats available in the class means the sooner you apply, the better.

If you are a non-EU candidate, we recommend that you apply at least 3 months before the programme starts, to leave enough time for a Verification Statement of your degree and to apply for your student visa.

1. ACTIVATE YOUR APPLICATION AND SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTS

Fill in the form at apply.gsom.polimi.it and upload these documents:

your CV in English
university transcripts/mark sheets
bachelor’s/master’s degree (if already available at the time of the application)
copy of your passport or ID
digital picture
letter of reference
motivation letter

Financial Aid Essay (if you’re applying for one of our tuition fee reductions)

English proficiency certificate: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or equivalent (if already available at the time of the application)

2. SCREENING

We will let you know if you have been selected for a Motivational Interview in English, which we will do online.

Fees and Benefits

The programme costs €26.000. These costs cover the entire length of our programme, but they do not include living and travel expenses.

We at POLIMI GSoM have partnered with Flywire to accept payments from international students worldwide.

Please note that we don’t offer full scholarships, and that the DSU and other scholarships offered by Politecnico di Milano and the Italian Government cannot be used for POLIMI GSoM’s programmes.

Discover more about our financial aid opportunities

Hear from our Ambassadors

If you are looking to get in contact with someone who has faced the selection process and completed the programme, then get in touch with our Ambassadors.

They will be more than happy to help you figure out the Master’s professional objectives and give you all the information and insights that you might need before starting your application process.

Meet all our Ambassadors!

Discover more

Through this experience, I shifted from being just a contributor to becoming a driver of innovation. And that, I believe, is the essence of modern leadership - being the bridge between vision and execution in a dynamic, interconnected world.

Ekaterina Makarova

Innovation strategy @Pometon S.p.A

Russia

Do you have questions about the programme, the selection process or participation options? Our Admissions Team is available for a 30-minute one-to-one info session, designed to help you assess the path that best fits your profile and professional goals.

During the meeting, you can explore the Master in more detail, clarify any questions about the application process and receive guidance on the opportunities available.

To book your info session, complete the form and you will be contacted to schedule your appointment.