Society needs leaders with specialized expertise in developing and delivering new solutions. That could be you with a Master's in Service Leadership in International Business from the University of Stavanger.
2 years (4 semesters)
120
English
August every year
Services and service industries are the driving force in both the public and private sectors – from hotels, tourism, and logistics to healthcare and digital services like banking solutions and online platforms.
- Become a strategic leader: Learn to build effective teams, develop employees, and deliver results-oriented service solutions using modern leadership tools.
- Develop modern leadership skills to balance effective teamwork with independent decision-making.
- Gain advanced knowledge of leadership theory, human resource management (HRM), marketing and service operations. Also, learn methods for strategy development and operational improvement in global businesses.
- Specialize in a topic that interests you: The master's thesis is an independent research project with supervision, where you choose a topic within key leadership and scientific areas from the master's program.
- Apply what you learn in another country: You can go on an exchange in your third semester. This allows you to tailor your master's degree with courses in your specific areas of interest – in an international environment.
This is primarily a leadership education, and that is the part I know I will benefit from the most. Additionally, NHS is a recognized institution and a mark of quality on my CV.
Career prospects
With a Master's in Service Leadership in International Business, you can work as:
- Sales or Marketing Manager
- Product and Customer Manager
- Key Account Manager
- Business Consultant
- Project Manager
- Service Leader
Former NHS students work in various leadership roles across many areas within the service industries.
Further studies
This master's degree can qualify you for admission to a PhD program.
Consciously or unconsciously, you form many good and useful relationships at NHS that I have greatly enjoyed and benefited from both professionally and personally afterwards.
Learning outcomes
All study programmes at the UiS have a set of defined learning targets. Read more about the learning outcome for this study programme.
Knowledge
The candidate
- Has advanced knowledge within service leadership in international business and particular insight in leadership theories, human resource management, marketing and aspects of developing and controlling service operations.
- In- depth knowledge of a chosen field within international service leadership.
- Has thorough knowledge about methods applied in strategy development, marketing and operational development and assessment within service leadership in international business.
- Can analyze professional problems based on knowledge within service leadership in international business, its history, traditions and societal role and functions.
Skills
The candidate
- Can analyze and be critical to various information channels.
- Can structure and formulate professional reasonings, especially concerning responsible leadership, business accountability and sustainable industrial and business development.
- Can analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations within service leadership in international business, and,
- work independently with solving practical and theoretical problems.
- Can employ relevant methods in research and development projects addressing development and assessment of service business operations, nationally and internationally.
General competence
The candidate
- Can analyze relevant professional, practical and research ethical issues within service business industries.
- Can employ his/ her knowledge and skills on new areas in order to accomplish advanced task and projects.
- Can communicate extensive independent work and master expressions used within service leadership in international business.
- Can communicate professional issues, analyzes and conclusions within service leadership.
Academic requirements
A bachelor’s degree, which includes at least 80 ECTS credits in one or several of the following subjects, is required:
- Hotel/Hospitality Management
- Restaurant Management
- Tourism
- Business Administration
- Economy
Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree.
Application and admission
Contact
For inquiries regarding admission to international Master's programmes, send an email to: admissions@uis.no.
Find more information here: When to apply?
Q&A about the study program
Can I study and have a part time job? Who are the students on this program?
What are the living costs and living condition in Norway?
studyinnorway.no address these questions and guide you in order to be a successful student in Norway.
How much is the tuition fee?
The program is free of tuition fees.The only thing you have to pay is a fee to the student welfare organization (about NOK 700 per semester). The welfare organization will provide you with a lot of good services during your time as a student at UiS.
Can UiS give me a pre-assessment of my background before I apply?
No, the university has no capacity for this, you have to apply.
Can I study and have a part time job?
This master program expects that you put in 40-50 hours a week and you should be able to attend lectures and group meeting with fellow students. Therefore, there is only limited time for a job, but working 8-10 hours a week / in the weekends, should be OK. Foreign students with a student visa are allowed to have a part time job in Norway.
Who are the students on this program?
Normally half of the students are Norwegians, the other half will come from all over the word – Europe, North and South America, Asia.
What does “case-based teaching" mean?
In all courses the teaching will be based on cases describing real leadership / management challenges. Students are expected to take active part in such discussion and must do several presentations as well.
Study plan and courses
Enrolment year: 2025
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Compulsory courses
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Research Methods
Year 1, semester 1
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Strategic Leadership
Year 1, semester 1
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Customer Service Management
Year 1, semester 1
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International HR Perspectives
Year 1, semester 2
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Services Marketing
Year 1, semester 2
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Cost and Revenue Management
Year 1, semester 2
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Master's thesis in service leadership in international business
Year 2, semester 3
Master's thesis in service leadership in international business (MSERMAS)
Study points: 30
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Term 3 at UiS or exchange study
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Exchange studies, term 3
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Courses in term 3 at UiS - Choose 3 courses
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International Marketing
Year 2, semester 3
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Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology
Year 2, semester 3
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Applied Service Innovation Project
Year 2, semester 3
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Leadership Challenges
Year 2, semester 3
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NHS – Department of Leadership and Service Innovation
NHS – Department of Leadership and Service Innovation has educated hotel managers and other leaders in the tourism and service sector since 1912, and is the second oldest school of hotel and tourism in the world.
The service industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world. In that context, expertise in service management, hospitality management, experience and destination development is essential, along with traditional knowledge in service, marketing, economics, and leadership.
Future leaders in the service sector must be able to handle both human and digital aspects, drive continuous service development and innovation, extract value from data and information, and use advanced analytical methods. They need to address new challenges such as artificial intelligence and novel business models, while also understanding the interconnections across various fields like IT, marketing, sales, customer experiences, and psychology.
NHS – Department of Leadership and Service Innovation offers bachelor’s and master’s programs that prepare students for careers in service, management, service development, hospitality, and tourism. In addition, we offer a research school in Service Leadership, International Business and Hospitality Management as part of the PhD Programme in Social Sciences.
The department is cooperating with universities all over the world for student and teacher exchange programs, and we also offer exchange programs in English.
Students from more than 40 nations from all over the world are studying at NHS – Department of leadership and service innovation.
A department with a long history
NHS – Department of Leadership and Service Innovation was previously known as Norwegian School of Hotel Management and has existed since 1912.
Student exchange
By going on exchange to one of our partner institutions abroad as part of your studies, you will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving your career opportunities, you grow as a person and gain the ability to greater reflect on the topics you study as part of your degree.
Exchange semester
In the 3rd semester the students can choose to study abroad for one semester and take courses equivalent to 30 credits (ECTS).
By going on exchange to one of our partner institutions abroad as part of your studies, you will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving your career opportunities, you grow as a person and gain increased social, cultural and academic competence. In an increasingly international job market, this is a positive asset on your cv.
Choice of courses
The students can choose courses freely if they are consistent with the master's programs learning outcomes and no not overlap with compulsory courses already included in the program.
Help for pre-approval of courses
After the deadline for applying for student exchange, the department will assist on the process of pre-approval of courses. The department has lists over courses that have been pre-approved earlier at the various universities in order to make the pre-approval process easier.
Do want to know more?
Please contact administrative coordinator for the program Oddvar Norland for more information.
General information about exchange: Exchange guide in Digital student service desk
See where you can travel
Contact us
NHS – Department of Leadership and Service Innovation
Faculty Administration SV
Administration NHS
