MSc International Business
Our Masters course will help you to understand how international business is conducted, with a focus on developing the managerial skills needed to succeed in the global business world.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
- Start date September 2024, January 2025
- Duration MSc full-time: 12 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
Overview
We're here to help you prepare for a flourishing career in global business.
Throughout this Masters in International Business, you’ll develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills within the context of trading across national boundaries. By the end of the course, you’ll have an expansive knowledge of how organisations operate across economies, currencies and regulatory frameworks. You’ll also become an expert in engaging with stakeholders from different cultures and working effectively with a multi-location team.
The course covers core business subjects such as accounting, people management and strategy, in the context of international regulatory frameworks and business practices. It also emphasises ethical, environmental and sustainability issues, which are increasingly important within the global business environment.
Dual Degree – University of Porto or Budapest Business School
We’ve partnered with the University of Porto and Budapest Business School to offer students on this course the chance to gain two Masters degrees by undertaking additional study in either Porto in Portugal or Budapest in Hungary. Further information will be shared with students when they join Stirling. There are scholarships available which reduce course fees at Porto, along with a number of funded free places at Budapest Business School.
Preparing business leaders of the future
Postgraduate education at the University of Stirling Management School goes beyond text books and lecture rooms. We also focus on your personal and professional development.
Our unique Flying Start Leadership Programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career. These range from practical skills, like effective public speaking, to developing ways to work under pressure in difficult situations and managing conflict. Find out more about Flying Start.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
The course provides you with the key skills and experience you’ll need to forge your career in an international arena. You will:
- explore the relevance of international trade in today’s business environment;
- understand the challenges and opportunities that result from globalisation;
- develop different approaches to managing businesses in the global environment;
- investigate the ethical and environmental issues that have emerged as a result of globalisation, and their impact on consumers;
- cultivate management skills in report writing, networking, critical thinking and group working skills;
- focus on personal and professional development to enhance your learning throughout the academic year.
Research overview
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second-class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
A research-based prize is open to all students undertaking the dissertation or consultancy project and is awarded to the student who submits the best piece of work. The prize may be shared if more than one dissertation/consultancy project achieves the highest mark.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2023). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
Teaching is carried out through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, study visits, presentations and case study exercises.
When you successfully complete the taught element of the course you'll be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. You can then continue for the award of the MSc International Business by completing either a 10,000-word dissertation or undertaking a consultancy project.
Participation in the consultancy projects is subject to business availability.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams, including written assignments and presentations.
Course director
Key staff
Staff involved with the course are:
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK and Republic of Ireland | £10,350 | £10,900 |
| International (including EU) students | £19,645 | £20,600 |
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
MSc International Business graduates have forged successful careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors around the world. Employers include:
- The World Wildlife Fund
- Lufthansa
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Procter and Gamble
- Ernst and Young
- EBSCO Publishing
- Accenture
With the knowledge and skills that are sought after by organisations, you’ll be equipped to take on demanding leadership roles in general business areas or in the specialist areas of marketing and human resources.
From the beginning of our course, we help you to develop the skills you need for your future career:
- Our unique Flying Start Leadership Programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career.
- Stirling Management School is unique in having a dedicated employability manager. From the very beginning of the course, your career is our focus.
HigherEd Global Talent Portal
As a Management School student you'll have access to the HigherEd Global Talent Portal where you’ll find internships, trainee positions, apprenticeships and graduate positions from companies around the world. It helps international students looking for placements back at home and local students that want to explore an international experience.
The global talent portal is in addition to all other existing initiatives and resources available for you through the Careers Service, and the Target Connect vacancy and events system.
Employability skills
You’ll have the opportunity to gain first-hand practical experience by working on consultancy projects with external clients.
Consultancy projects
Consultancy projects allow you to work with an organisation to investigate a ‘real-world’ issue, enhance your transferable business skills and make professional connections that may lead to a job offer in the future. Current clients range from start-up businesses to international organisations in public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Participation in the consultancy projects is subject to business availability.
What our students said
Syria
MSc International Business
Read Heval's storyI believe in empowering people, showing them a better way of life and even showing them what I am passionate about. Just being genuine will take you a very long way. If you are passionate about something, people can tell.
Argentina
MSc International Business
Read Nicolas's storyEngaging with local business was certainly the best part of the course. From these experiences I was able to not only understand how to put into practice all the theories that I had learnt, but also I could actually see if my ideas and solutions were meaningful for businesses’ owners.
Hungary
MSc International Business
Read Flora's storyTo me, the circulation of products was akin to the lifeblood of the countries. And I wanted to know more about it. I wanted to understand it with the hope that one day, I would be able to affect it, and maybe direct it.