Course description
Introduction
Three Universities: University of Westminster Harrow Business School in the UK, EUROMED Marseille Ecole de Management in France and Hochschule Bremen in Germany, joined together in the IBSA (International Business Schools Alliance) to offer a one-year international Masters Degree, that provides learning experience throughout Europe.
With this Masters, IBSA seeks to go the ‘extra-mile’ beyond the international perspective, seeking explanation and critical analysis of those issues that make a business belong to the global competitive arena, rather than just trade with entities from other countries.
Why are we offering this course? In Business as well as in Economics issues are increasingly addressed at a ‘global’ level. The fundamental phenomenon of globalisation is “the closer integration of the countries and peoples of the world which has been brought about by the enormous reduction of costs of transportation and communication, and the breaking down of artificial barriers to the flows of goods, services, capital, knowledge, and (to a lesser extent) people across borders” (Stiglitz J., 2002, Globalization and its discontents).
This is related to the on-going evolution of business practice and competitive environment. What used to be ‘Over-the-border commerce’ evolves into ‘Cross-country expansion’, as the relationships between international economic entities become collaborative and long-term rather than based on short-term competition. But when the development of a business involves a number of countries to such an extent that events from anywhere in the planet, might become relevant for the business performance, the context is that of ‘Global economy’
The IBSA programme aims to equip graduates for leadership in businesses where global issues have significant implication for the decision-making process and outcomes. Graduates will be equipped for positions in which awareness of economic and cultural diversity is important as professional, managerial and entrepreneurial skills.
IBSA graduates will fit in positions where moving and quickly adapting to new environments is essential, which means that they will meet the needs of the businesses that are developing globally and which operate within a diverse range of social, cultural, economic and political contexts.
IBSA graduates will also be able to recognise how domestic businesses are affected by global trends and events.
The learning experience that the IBSA programme provides what the environment currently needs, in order to fill positions at managerial level with people professionally prepared to face and develop the global involvement of businesses. The IBSA programme offers a cross-cultural learning experience that will benefit from the philosophy of integrated diversity, as it incorporates the diverse academic, cultural and professional traditions of each partner university within a common programme of structured activities.
The IBSA programme offers a unique learning experience, designed on students’ needs and graduates’ opportunities, which combines advanced core learning (semester one), specialised learning (semester two and research project), international experience in global context (the whole course) through the blend of cultures and nationalities carried by the peer interaction and the student-to-teachers collaboration in different countries. In particular the final course project research, focusing on the student’s specialisation, aims to enhance and develop the candidate’s ability to take responsibility for an entire project, starting from scratch, addressing global issues, relating sources from different countries and achieving professionally relevant outcomes.
Course Content
The IBSA Programme is divided into three parts:
1. core modules (semester one) – worth 60 UK credits (i.e. 30 ECTS credits)
2. specialisation modules (semester two) – worth 60 UK credits (i.e. 30 ECTS credits)
3. project (semester two) – worth 60 UK credits (i.e. 30 ECTS credits)
The language of the course is English.
Semester two will offer three specialisation options:
1. E-business in a Global context – at the University of Westminster’s Harrow Business School,
2. Advanced Finance in a Multinational Context – at EUROMED Marseille Ecole de Management,
3. International Entrepreneurship – at the Hochschule Bremen.
Each of these options consists of a number of modules for a total of 60 UK credits (i.e. 30 ECTS credits) and a dissertation project worth 60 UK credits (i.e. 30 ECTS credits).
Under the structure of the course, students must move to one of the two partner universities for their second semester providing an enriching experience through the interaction of students from different countries.
The IBSA Programme addresses global economy issues in both the context-setting modules (semester one) and specialist modules and project (semester two). Every module will address quality of management, leadership and business practice in organisations, as transferable skills. Also critical, intellectual and independent research skills will be facilitated and assessed in a challenging learning experience where in-class learning, group work and independent research will be used.
A number of guest speakers from prestigious institutions – such as Global Consulting Companies, Central Banks and Leading Universities – will hold seminars, addressing cutting-edge issues of the professional world and current academic debates.
Associated Careers
As an IBSA graduate you will be eligible for a dual award, from the two universities attended, as follows:
MA in Global Business from University of Westminster,
International MBA from Hochschule Bremen,
MSc in International Business from EUROMED Marseille Ecole de Management.
You will also be able to use appropriate skills to compete for managerial positions in businesses where an awareness of the global environment is required. To achieve this end the close links of the three Universities with the international businesses community are used.
