University of Victoria

Summer Graduate Business Studies (SGBS)

Graduate students worldwide select this program to grow their business knowledge.

If you are a future business leader, who envisions a career where you will “do well by doing good,” then this is the program for you.

The SGBS is ideal for graduate students from various disciplines who:

• Wish to develop a fundamental understanding of the skills and tools in business needed to succeed in today’s global marketplace
• Wish to experience real Canadian university-level education
• Plan to study abroad in the future and want to sample an international learning environment
• Wish to experience a short, challenging, and enjoyable master’s level program with a variety of international students

Course 1 - Cross-Cultural Management

Understand the complexity and dynamics of doing business across national borders. Cross-national management is a challenge because of cultural differences that affect business and management practices. Successful cross-national management, therefore, requires a good understanding of cultural differences. Effective global (or cross-national) managers should have a global mindset, perspectives, and attitudes.

Furthermore, they should be trained with important cross-cultural management skills such as:

• cultural awareness and sensitivity
• cross-cultural communication and interaction
• managing diversity
• cross-cultural negotiation
• cross-cultural adaptation

Course 2 - Social Entrepreneurship

This module will begin with classroom-based work covering basic concepts relevant to social entrepreneurship. Case studies will be used to ground these concepts in practice and engage students in participatory learning processes. Following an introduction to social entrepreneurship, students will learn about a variety of social enterprises in the Victoria area. The course will wrap up with a team-based project that requires students to apply what they’ve learned through the analysis of a social enterprise case.

Course 3 - Global Strategy

Develop an understanding of doing business in a global environment. We provide tools to help make sense of the complexities inherent in operating on an international scale. Topics include evaluating the attractiveness of different markets; considering the best ways to enter these markets; differences in culture and the impact on consumer behavior and human resources management; and adaptations that are required in planning for different markets. We tie this analysis together with a strategic understanding of the forces shaping business success in the context of globalizing markets.

Company Visits

Potential company visits and networking opportunities vary from year to year and in the past have included:

• City Hall visit to meet local government officials
• BC Parliament building visit to observe debates
• Local social entrepreneurship business
• World-renowned sustainable real estate project
• Manufacture industry
• Tourism industry
• Local tech park
• Health Care Industry
• Business Associations
• Retail industry
• Local farms