International Business MSc

About the Course

Nowadays, it is not just large multinationals that conduct business across national boundaries. Furthermore, fluctuations in the global economy affect all organisations, both large and small.

Suitable for anyone seeking a successful career in a multinational organisation or in a small enterprise operating internationally, this master’s degree will also appeal to anyone interested in undertaking research in either an academic or commercial setting.

Aims

In addition to providing a thorough understanding of the principal business and management functions, this degree explores the particular issues faced by organisations operating in an international context as well as the processes of globalisation in the twenty-first century and their implications.

Enquiries

Course Director
Professor T.C. Melewar
E-mail T.C.Melewar@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0) 1895 265859

International Students (all enquiries): Brunel International Centre
For ALL questions related to this degree or to follow up on your application.
Email international@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265519

Admissions Centre: for Home/EU applications already submitted
Email admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265265

Business School Enquiries Desk:  for enquiries prior to application
Email masterbbs@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 267124 or 265910

Special Features

”A postgraduate degree seemed a natural way to transition to the myriad of opportunities within the business world. Value for money was an important criterion in selecting a business school so Brunel’s reputation for top-quality research and a respected profile amongst UK public universities was just the right fit for me. Studying at Brunel has been an amazing experience – so much more than the academic study itself – it has also exposed me to people from different mindsets leaving me with a lasting perspective on the true meaning of diversity, as well as an international network of contacts.” Sumeet Ambre was awarded an MSc in International Business in November 2010.

Brunel Business School was ranked amongst the top 21 UK Business Schools in the Financial Times’s 2010 ranking of European Business Schools.

Brunel Business School is home to The Centre for Research into Entrepreneurship, International Business and Innovation in Emerging Markets (CEIBIEM). CEIBIEM, which was established following the merger of two of Brunel Business School’s internationally recognised research centres, BRESE and CIBSEM, is focused on issues of International Business and Strategy - particularly in emerging countries, such as Ghana, Tanzania, India and China; in Eastern European countries such as. Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia and Lithuania; as well as in Mediterranean countries such as. Greece, Portugal and Spain; and Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Accreditation

• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Course Content

The MSc in International Business is an excellent programme for those wanting to work in multinational corporations, non-governmental organisations, multilateral international organisations, or international law firms. Graduates of this course will be particularly attractive as recruits for companies and other organisations seeking to expand their international activities.

This postgraduate degree will provide you with:

• Transferable skills for engaging with the challenges of employment or self-employment within the global economy.
• Knowledge of international business areas, namely: international business environment; international business economics, international management (including cross cultural management), international business strategy, specialisation and international trade (including trade regulation), theory and practice in management, small business and entrepreneurship, ethics, sustainability and corporate governance, knowledge innovation and learning and international marketing.
• An understanding of the processes of globalisation in the 21^st century and their implications for managing a business.
• Comprehensive knowledge and skills for a successful career in a multinational corporation, non-governmental organisation, multilateral international organisation, or for further academic research.

Core Modules

International Business Economics

By the end of this module you will have gained fundamental knowledge of business economics and be able to critically assess the main structures and activities in today’s economic market. You will also appreciate how relationships within the international economic system affect business planning, measurement and control, as well as the forces behind globalisation, liberalisation and cross-border business and resource movements.

Organisational Behaviour

This module explores the main theories and key functions of leadership and management and their application, and you will be able to critique these as well as appreciate the contemporary issues facing leaders and managers. You will also be able to critically evaluate characteristics of effective management and how this differentiates from leadership, and discuss and assess relative strengths and limitations of key approaches to developing leaders and managers in organisations.

International Business Strategy

During this module you will explore the sources of competitive advantage and comparative advantage when firms operate in international markets. You will gain an understanding of how to evaluate the key strategic issues facing the multinational enterprise. You will also explore the dynamic inter-relationships between international corporate governance, strategy and innovation.

International Management

You will gain a systematic understanding of the theories and concepts pertaining to the management of organisations operating in the international arena and their challenges: legal, cultural, economic, political, technological and ethical. This module also allows the opportunity to explore managerial behaviours and organisational processes relevant to operating in a competitive global environment.

Understanding Business and Management Research

This module provides students with a balanced view of social science and business research methods enabling a critical understanding of research information. It provides students with knowledge of relevant research methods and techniques for the Master's level project work.

Dissertation

A research-based dissertation is an integral element of the programme to which considerable importance is attached. It offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their academic competence and professional potential. There are few constraints on the research topic other than it must be directly relevant, amenable to enquiry and of appropriate intellectual depth. The dissertation involves the full cycle of proposal development, literature review, methodology, evaluation, and final reporting.

Elective Modules (one from)

Global Diversity Management

This module provides an insight into Global Diversity Management by examining how organizations plan, coordinate and implement a set of management strategies, policies, initiatives such as training and development activities that seek to accommodate diverse sets of social and individual backgrounds, interests, beliefs, values and ways of work in organizations with international, multinational, global and transnational workforces and operations.

International Business Ethics, Sustainability and Corporate Governance

This module provides students with the chance to consider business ethics, corporate social responsibility and corporate governance in the international context. These issues will be addressed from both the ‘business’ side and the ‘society’ side, and for both large corporations and small firms, using a combination of empirical studies and the theoretical resources of moral philosophy.

Knowledge Management, Social Networks and Innovation

This module explores the intersection between knowledge, social network technologies and innovation. It examines how organisations create, utilise and communicate knowledge in the global knowledge-based economy and the wider social and economic factors affecting knowledge transfer. The module identifies the exploitation of WEB.2.0 which enables social engagement and processes for business development.

Assessment

Taught modules are assessed either wholly by coursework or by coursework and formal examination. Examinations normally feature in second term modules only. Dissertation research typically involves original research into an international business problem or issue of the student’s choice.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £7,130 full-time

International students: £12,650 full-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

A good honours degree (2.1 or above) typically in business or social science or cognate discipline and from a recognised university plus satisfactory references. Those with a lower second class degree (2.2) may be considered providing that they can show evidence of significant relevant (eg work) experience.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
• TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
• Pearson: 59 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT 65% (min 60% in all areas)

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.