The International Business Academy of Switzerland

What The International Business Academy of Switzerland does

The International Business Academy of Switzerland (IBAS) is a private higher education institution founded in 2013 and headquartered in Thalwil, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. It operates as a subsidiary of Denmark-based My Global World Group and is led by CEO Martin Nielsen. The institution delivers business education across five core programs: a Diploma Programme, a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA, 3-4 years on-site), a Master of Business Administration (MBA, available on-site in Switzerland and online via the Flexi Learn platform), and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA, also offered on-site and online as the Flexi DBA). The Flexi Learn platform enables both online and on-site delivery with flexible intake and duration for working professionals.

IBAS serves ambitious working professionals and international students from 63+ nationalities across six continents, with a distribution model built around its own Swiss campus, 8+ authorized learning center partners across Asia and the Middle East, and recruitment agents in Iraq, India, and Vietnam. Revenue derives primarily from tuition fees on multi-year subscription-style contracts, supplemented by non-refundable application fees, with payment accepted in USD, CHF, GBP, and Euro. Marketing is sales-led through dedicated admissions advisors and amplified via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The institution holds a layered accreditation stack that includes ACBSP accreditation for MBA and DBA programs (2022), ISASAHE Premier Accreditation (2024), ISO 29993:2017 (2023), QS 5-Stars (2022), EduQua, and IACBE membership. Its online MBA has been ranked #2 in Switzerland and #19 in EMEA by QS in both 2024 and 2026, improving to #46 globally in 2026 from #56 in 2024. Operational outcomes reported include 97.3% MBA retention and 94.4% DBA retention in 2025, with 3,500+ cumulative graduates across all programs from 2021 to 2025.

Name

The International Business Academy of Switzerland

Legal name

International Business Academy of Switzerland GmbH

Website

https://ibas.edu.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International Business Academy of Switzerland (IBAS) is a private Swiss business school founded in 2013 offering Diploma, BBA, MBA, and DBA programs via on-site delivery at Thalwil and the Flexi Learn online platform, serving working professionals and international students from 63+ nationalities through its campus and a global network of authorized learning centers and recruitment agents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Business Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Short-Term Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs (International) (EDAIAIAI)

Keywords

• Business education programs
• Online MBA programs
• Doctoral business degrees
• Higher education Switzerland
• Professional business credentials

Headquarters

HQ city

Horgen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - On-site Programs: Revenue generated from BBA, MBA, and DBA on-site programs delivered at the Thalwil campus in Switzerland. Programs have defined duration ranging from 1-4 years.
2. Tuition Fees - Online Programs (Flexi MBA/DBA): Revenue from Flexi Learn online programs offering flexible intake and duration for remote learners globally.
3. Application Fees: Non-refundable application fees charged during the enrollment process.
4. Scholarship Programs: Partial scholarships awarded to deserving or financially needy students; scholarship students who withdraw must pay full program fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IBAS delivers internationally oriented business education through structured progression pathways from Diploma to Bachelor (BBA), Master (MBA), and Doctoral (DBA) levels. Programs are offered both on-site at the Thalwil, Switzerland campus and online through the Flexi Learn platform with flexible intake and duration options, targeting working professionals and international students seeking accredited business qualifications.

Product overview

The International Business Academy of Switzerland (IBAS) offers a portfolio of business education programs ranging from diploma to doctoral level. The program structure includes five core offerings: the Diploma Programme (entry-level), BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) for undergraduate studies, MBA programs available both on-site in Switzerland and online through the Flexi MBA format, and the DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) offered both on-site and online via Flexi DBA. The Flexi Learn online programs provide flexible intake and duration for working professionals, while on-site programs are delivered at the IBAS campus in Thalwil, Switzerland. The institution operates as part of the My Global World Education Group and maintains partnerships with learning centers across multiple countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flexi MBA (Online) Master of Business Administration delivered online with flexible intake and duration, designed for working professionals seeking advanced business credentials.
• Flexi DBA (Online) Doctor of Business Administration delivered online, providing the highest level of business education for senior executives and researchers.
• MBA (On-site, Switzerland) Master of Business Administration delivered on-site at the IBAS campus in Thalwil, Switzerland, with a 1-2 year duration.
• BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) Bachelor's degree program in Business Administration with a 3-4 year duration, providing foundational business education.
• Diploma Programme Diploma-level business program serving as an entry point for students seeking foundational qualifications before pursuing degree programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97.3% MBA retention rate (ACBSP, 2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Solent UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2023Solent University in UK collaborates with IBAS to progress suitably qualified students from IBAS to study at Solent University. Students who have completed required study years at IBAS are eligible to apply for undergraduate Bachelor's or postgraduate Master's degree programmes at Solent University UK.
• EDUK8U Grad School AsiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarwin Innovation Sdn Bhd operating as EDUK8U Grad School Asia is an approved learning center for IBAS in Malaysia. Launched DBA program through this partnership signed by Martin Nielsen (MGW Group CEO) and Dr Roy Prasad (EDUK8U Group MD).
• National Management AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIBAS administration visits NMA in Myanmar for QA audits of admissions, registrars and academic departments. NMA provides high quality education for students enrolled in IBAS programs.
• Myanmar Commercial UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner institution in Myanmar producing IBAS graduates. Distinguished graduates include Dr. Zin Ko Ko (founder and chancellor), Dr. Nan Wai Linn (Vice Principal), and Dr. Nay Tun Aung (Director of General Administration).
• My Global World Sdn BhdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of IBAS, headquartered at Bjødstrupvej 18, 8660 Skanderborg, Denmark. Manages IBAS brand and global education operations.
• Myanmar Commercial CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearning center partner in Myanmar providing IBAS business programs.
• PSM International CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearning center partner in Myanmar for IBAS programs.
• International Business Academy of TurkeyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearning center partner in Turkey for IBAS programs.
• ECC Knowledge GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearning center partner in UAE for IBAS programs.
• GQEP Group of SchoolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearning center partner in Philippines for IBAS programs.
• IIBM Institute of Business ManagementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearning center partner in India for IBAS programs.
• Imperial Institute of Higher EducationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearning center partner in Sri Lanka for IBAS programs.
• Al Mansour Company for International AdmissionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized agent in Iraq specializing in assisting students wanting to study abroad. Located in Baghdad.
• BCESminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized agent founded in 1997, specializing in aiding students and parents with study abroad services including counselling, admissions, scholarship and visa assistance. Preferred and trusted partner of British High Commission. Located in Gurgaon, India.
• Bach Khoa Training InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized agent in Vietnam founded by training experts. Provides professional training services including CEO coaching, business management consulting, and investor project appraisal. Located in Ho Chi Minh City.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Hult International Business School: US-headquartered private business school with global campuses and a strong online MBA offering; competes head-to-head with IBAS in the international online MBA segment for working professionals.
• IMD Business School: Lausanne-based elite Swiss business school focused on MBAs, EMBA, and executive education; comparable Switzerland-based business school competing in the same Swiss MBA rankings and student pool as IBAS.
• S P Jain School of Global Management: Private international business school with multi-city model (Dubai, Singapore, Sydney, Mumbai) and online programs targeting global professionals; comparable structure and international student focus.
• Geneva Business School: Swiss-based private business school offering BBA, MBA, and DBA programs with on-site and online delivery across multiple European campuses; the closest direct peer in scale, structure, and program mix to IBAS.
• EU Business School: Private international business school offering BBA, MBA, and DBA across multiple European campuses and online; comparable model with multi-country campus network and international student base.
• Swiss School of Business and Management (SSBM) Geneva: Swiss private business school delivering online MBA and DBA programs to international students with flexible intake; directly competes with IBAS's Flexi Learn offerings in the same Swiss-branded online segment.
• Schiller International University: International private university with multi-country campuses and online programs offering business degrees to globally mobile students; similar model of cross-border delivery and international student base.

Broad incumbents

• University of St. Gallen (HSG): Switzerland's leading public university for management education offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs; much larger incumbent that competes for the same Swiss and international MBA talent pool as IBAS.

Regional players

• International School of Management (ISM): Germany-headquartered private business school with international partner network and online programs; comparable private international business school model focused on European and emerging market students.

Others

• My Global World Education Group: Parent company of IBAS (Denmark-headquartered) managing multiple international education brands; relevant as the holding entity and strategic decision-maker for IBAS rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Theme_Fusion
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_C7uAOAH9RMzZs-CKCZ62w
• Facebookfacebook.com/IBAS.Education
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-international-business-academy-of-switzerland
• Instagraminstagram.com/ibas.mgwegroup

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The International Business Academy of Switzerland