International Business

Variant degrees:

• MSc in International Business (Marketing)
• MSc in International Business (Finance)
• MSc in International Business (Human Resource Management)
• MSc in International Business (Information Systems Management)
  

Management is a key part of the University’s teaching and research portfolio. The University has developed an enviable reputation for delivering world-class business and management programmes, and for undertaking internationally recognised research. The programme provides an opportunity for students to learn and to understand the business opportunities of an increasingly interdependent yet diverse business world.

Programme Objectives

The aim of the MSc International Business is to incorporate the new dimensions of international business competencies. It is an innovative, rigorous and challenging programme that will give you a comprehensive grounding in the theoretical and empirical knowledge of international business.

The International Business programme is specifically designed to achieve the following:

• An understanding of the relevance of international trade in today's business environment
• An understanding of the challenges and opportunities that result from globalisation
• A knowledge of the different approaches to managing businesses in the global environment
• An awareness of the emergence of new trading blocs and the pressures they inflict on business and managers
• An awareness of the ethical and environmental issues that have emerged as a result of globalisation and its impact on consumers

Entrance Requirements

A good Honours degree in any discipline, or equivalent professional qualifications in a relevant subject from a university recognised by the University of Stirling.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21.

Funding

A limited number of SAAS funded places are available.

There is also an Al-Tajir Scholarship of £1,500 for the MSc in International Business students. This award is made available in the Spring semester and is based on academic performance.

information on possible sources of funding

Modes of Study

Full-time: MSc: one year; Diploma: nine months

September

Structure and Content

The programme consists of two 15-week semesters of taught modules and a three-month dissertation period. Successful completion of the taught element of the programme leads to the award of Postgraduate Diploma and upon completing the dissertation the students will be awarded an MSc in International Business.

Autumn semester core modules:

• Introduction to International Business: aims to provide you with the means to understand and manage changes in the international business environment
• Managing International Organisations: introduces to the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of managing international organisations in a global market economy, including the context of international business, and the range of strategic options open to companies
• Responsible Business in Society: introduces students to a range of critical material on the role of business and the challenges facing the business world

Plus one elective from:

• Consumer Behaviour (MKT module): Provides an overview of marketing and consumer buyer behaviour
• Accountancy and Finance (FIN module): Examines published accounting information from a user’s perspective; the corporate finance section explores the major issues involved in making corporate investment and financial decision
• People Management (HRM Module): Provides an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of approaches to human resource management
• Foundations of IT (ISM module): An introduction to Information Technology and covers the operation of computer system and networks

Spring semester core modules:

• Strategic Management: Examines the main underlying approaches to strategic management, from prescriptive approaches and techniques to those which draw on observation and experience of real management issues
• Europe and Emerging Economies: Focuses on current business approaches and strategies within Europe, the Asian emerging markets, and provide a perspective on Africa
• Management Research Methods: Covers research methods used in business and management to help students prepare for their dissertation
  

Plus one elective from the following:

• International Marketing – (MKT)
• Marketing Communication – (MKT)
• Financial Statement Analysis – (FIN)
• International Corporate Finance – (FIN)
• Sustainable and International HRM – (HRM)
• Contemporary Issues in HRM – (HRM)
• Strategic Planning for ISM – (ISM)
• Operations Management – (ISM)
  

Delivery and Assessment

Teaching involves lectures, seminars, workshop-based sessions and presentations. You are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination, including written assignments and presentations. Successful completion of the taught element of the programme leads to the award of Diploma or allows you to continue for the award of MSc in International Business by completing a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic agreed with the Programme Director. This must be submitted by the end of August.

Timetable

Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.

RAE Rating

The reputation of our research staff was recognised in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), where 85 percent of our research activity was rated as being of ‘International Significance’.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the programme have gone on to gain employment in a wide variety of public and private sector organisations in positions in management consultancy, international business, marketing, human resource management and information technology.