ObjectivesIf you have never taken a business or management degree, the MSc in International Business provides an opportunity for you to study the global economy and prepare for a career in the modern business world. The modules in the first semester provide the core knowledge and skills that apply to international business. In the second semester, the elective modules will extend your understanding of these core disciplines. There are modules covering international management (especially global strategy) and the business systems of Europe and the Far East. The Overseas Project, a block module in the second semester, allows you to undertake a research project based at the University’s Ningbo campus in China. The main purpose of this module is to enable you to undertake a comparative study to enhance your knowledge of British and Chinese business, culture and/or society and the relevant associated academic material. It is also possible to spend the entire Spring Semester at the Ningbo campus. During the summer students write a 20,000 word dissertation on a topic directly related to international business that links the core disciplines with detailed empirical research. By the end of the programme, you will be familiar with most aspects of the world of international business.
Entry requirementsThe MSc in International Business is suitable for applicants from a variety of disciplines; however, it is not suitable for those who already have a business-related degree.
Academic titleMSc International Business
Course descriptionKey facts
-The MA in International Business was ranked in the Financial Times top European Masters in Management programmes
-One of the elective modules on this course gives you the opportunity to carry out an overseas project and come into direct content with international business.
-The Business School is a leading UK centre for management education, and is ranked seventh in the UK in the 2007 Times Good University Guide.
-We regularly review and update our MSc programmes to ensure that their content is relevant to the changing global business environment.
Course Content
You will study the following core modules in order to develop your knowledge and skills relating to International Business:
-Comparative Culture and Communications
-Contemporary Chinese History, Culture and Society
-In addition, you will be able to choose from a broad range of elective modules including:
At least one from:
-East Asian Business and Society
-European Business Organisation
Not more than one from:
-Comparative Perspectives in Entrepreneurship
-E-Business
-European Business Organisations
-International Communications, Media and Culture
-International Finance 1
-Introduction to Japanese for International Business
-Introduction to Mandarin for International Business
-Introduction to Spanish for International Business
-Managing International Business in China
-Overseas Project
-Strategic Human Resource Management 2
-1 students must take International Accounting as a pre-requisite
-2 students must take managing organisations as a pre-requisite
Please note that all module details are subject to change.
Over the summer period towards the end of the course, you will undertake a 60-credit supervised 20,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choice relating to International Business – this is an opportunity to concentrate in depth on an international topic according to your individual interests and career requirements.
Course Structure
The MSc in International Business is taught on a full-time basis over one year
During this time, you must accumulate 180 credits to qualify for the award of MSc
120 credits come from modules taught and examined during two 15-week semesters.
Each taught module typically consists of ten 2 or 3 hour sessions. Assessment is by a combination of individual essay or group project and written examination.
The remaining 60 credits of this course are allocated to an independent Management Project or dissertation, which is completed over the summer period for submission in September.