The Joint Master’s Programme in International Business and Geopolitics, developed by the DIVERSE European University Alliance, has been accredited by the Dutch agency NVAO until 2032. Eight universities from the DIVERSE Alliance, including Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO), participate in the programme alongside the University of Macau.
NVAO highlights the joint nature of the programme
In its evaluation, the agency emphasised the joint nature of the programme, noting that, from its design through to its future delivery, it reflects a strong shared structure developed by the DIVERSE member institutions. It also highlighted the innovative combination of the twin disciplines — international business and geopolitics — within a single curriculum, noting that it responds to labour market demands.
NVAO also recognised the strength of mobility, which is an integrated part of the programme rather than an additional element, as well as the work and collaboration of the working groups in developing the programme and the transparency demonstrated throughout the self-evaluation report process.
In addition to the member universities, students from the DIVERSE Student Council and external stakeholders also participated in the accreditation process, sharing their perspectives, expectations and needs regarding the programme. The agency viewed these contributions very positively.
The programme has been accredited under the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes. This means that, instead of undergoing a separate national accreditation procedure in each country, the joint master’s was assessed once, against a single set of agreed European standards, by a single agency (NVAO). The resulting accreditation decision is intended to be recognised by the national authorities of all four countries where the degree-awarding institutions are based. This recognition process is currently underway.
A joint, transnational and interdisciplinary programme
Jointly designed and delivered by the partner institutions, the Joint Master Programme in International Business and Geopolitics takes a transnational and interdisciplinary approach and responds to the growing global demand for professionals capable of understanding and managing the complex relationship between political power, economic interdependence and strategic decision-making in the business environment.
The programme aims to prepare students for careers in government ministries and agencies, international organisations, think tanks, multinational corporations, consulting firms, NGOs and development agencies.
The Master’s programme is offered by Algebra Bernays University in cooperation with Autónoma University of Lisbon, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, G.E. Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, as degree-awarding universities; and Griffith College, Technische Hochschule Rosenheim, Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and University of Macau, as non-degree-awarding institutions.
The programme comprises 120 ECTS credits and will be delivered in Zagreb (Croatia) and at the locations of the partner institutions in Lisbon (Portugal), Santander (Spain), Târgu Mureș (Romania), Dublin (Ireland), Rosenheim (Germany), Nuremberg (Germany), Pori (Finland) and Macau (China). The first cohort of students is expected to begin the programme in September 2027, marking the start of this new joint academic offering.
UNEATLANTICO welcomes this recognition, which acknowledges the work carried out and the opportunity to be part of an international academic project focused on two key areas in the current context — geopolitics and international business — and committed to educating the professionals and future leaders who will face the challenges of an increasingly interdependent world.