Overview
In an increasingly interconnected global economy, organisations need professionals who understand how to navigate international markets, manage cross-border operations, and compete across diverse cultural, political, and regulatory environments. The MSc International Business at Brunel equips you with the strategic perspective and practical skills to lead in this complex global landscape.
You will explore how multinational enterprises enter new markets and expand internationally, how global supply chains and trade systems operate, and how cultural, economic, and political forces shape business decisions worldwide. The programme develops your ability to think strategically across borders - whether you aim to work in a multinational corporation, drive international growth for a small or medium-sized enterprise, or advise organisations as a consultant.
The programme is recognised by leading accreditation bodies - AACSB, AMBA, Small Business Charter, and PRME - and is available with both January and September intakes. A distinctive feature of this MSc is the professional placement option, which allows you to extend your studies by up to 27 months and gain paid work experience in a UK organisation, supported by dedicated one-to-one careers guidance.
The curriculum covers core international business disciplines alongside current developments in areas such as AI, sustainability, and global supply chains. You can tailor your degree through a wide choice of elective modules, including International Entrepreneurship, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance.
Teaching is informed by research that shapes global business, economics, and policy. Brunel is ranked #6 in the UK for research impact (QS Europe, 2026), and our academic staff are active researchers and leaders in the international business field. You will also benefit from industry engagement opportunities including International Business Week, Pitch Events, Student Expo, and the Global Poster Competition.
You will study alongside a diverse international cohort - Brunel is top 10 in the UK for diversity - and our single-site campus in Uxbridge places you 45 minutes from central London, giving you access to multinational headquarters, financial districts, and global supply chains throughout your studies.
The programme provides a thorough grounding in the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively in international business environments. You will explore how companies enter new markets, expand internationally, and compete; how goods and services move across borders through logistics, trade regulations, and supply chain management; and how to work with and lead international teams by understanding cultural differences in business.
You will learn how organisations use data, analytics, and AI to make informed decisions in global markets, and examine how government policies, economic trends, and global events impact companies worldwide. Throughout the programme, you will tackle live business challenges through your assessments and dissertation, developing practical, industry-ready solutions.
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Course content
The MSc consists of six compulsory modules, two elective modules chosen based on your interests, and a dissertation.
Compulsory modules provide a strong foundation in international business. Elective modules allow you to tailor the programme to your career goals.
Skills You'll Develop
Subject-specific skills
You will understand how businesses operate and compete in global markets, analyse international trade, supply chains, and market entry strategies, and evaluate how economic, political, and cultural factors influence business decisions. You will learn to apply international business frameworks to interpret global business environments and understand how globalisation and policy shape multinational strategy.
Practical business skills
You will develop strategies for entering and succeeding in foreign markets, and learn to address the international business challenges facing both large multinationals and small global start-ups. The programme equips you to conduct global market research and competitor analysis, interpret business data to support decision-making, and apply your knowledge to real scenarios through projects, assessments, and your placement.
Professional skills
You will work effectively in multicultural, international teams, communicate your ideas through presentations, reports, and posters, and build cross-cultural awareness and a global mindset. The programme also develops your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and builds confidence in networking and professional environments.
Digital and AI skills
You will understand how AI and digital technologies are transforming global strategy, marketing, and operations, and learn to use data and analytical tools to analyse trends and support business decisions.
Compulsory
- MG5642 - Dissertation
The aim of this module is that of allowing you to conduct a piece of research including the identification of the research enquiry, data collection and analysis and the presentation of the results. The dissertation module, through the supervision of an academic member, develops you as an independent learner and brings together the knowledge and skills gained in the programme for the analysis of a specific business problem.
- MG5564 - International Business Strategy
This module communicates the forces that shape the operating environments of organisations, nationally and internationally. Upon completing this module, students will be able to systematically apply business management theories, concepts and techniques to central international business activities such as foreign entry.
- MG5565 - International Management
This module examines the legal, cultural, economic, political, technological and ethical challenges in managing complex international operations across borders. It also explores managerial behaviours and organisational processes that are key when operating in a competitive global environment.
- MG5561 - International Marketing
This module discusses the key aspects of international marketing in management science and practice such as the standardization/adaptation debate, the crucial role of culture and politics and how to develop successful product and branding strategies in global markets.
- MG5607 - International Trade
This module covers the importance of overseas trade on the global and national economies. It introduces common barriers to trade, regional trading arrangements, and the case for and against the concept of free (unrestricted) trade.
- MG5606 - The Global Business Environment
The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how globalisation has led to the intensification of international business activity pursued by the business enterprise in a changing global business environment.
- MG5643 - Understanding Business and Management Research
The module introduces the fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative methods in management research and how these are applied to solve complex problems in the field of international business. It also provides training on the most advanced statistical software packages used in management research and practice.
Optional
- MG55XX - AI Technology for Strategic Decision Makers
This module will enable students to get a high-level overview of the technical details and challenges that face AI applications design, development and adoption within organisational settings. Students will explore various technical topics, concepts, theories, methodological approaches and tools relevant to AI designing and developing AI applications using Large Lanugane Model (LLM), Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP). It will develop students’ skills of critical thinking, logical analysis, argument and judgement when deploying AI in organisations while considering the issues related to Big Data representativeness and ownership, LLM, and its relevance to meeting the strategic goals of the business
- MG5577 - International and Comparative Human Resource Management
This module examines human resources strategy and practice for organisations operating across national boundaries, including the EU and its member states, the USA, Japan and South East Asia.
- MG5593 - International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
This module explores key concepts and challenges in business ethics, sustainability, and corporate governance within an international context. It examines the dual ‘business’ models of shareholder and stakeholder approaches, while considering the wider societal impacts of business activities across organisations of all scales, from multinational corporations to SMEs. Through the application of moral philosophy, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability principles, and corporate governance frameworks, students will critically evaluate real-world business practices using empirical case studies.
- MG5656 - International Entrepreneurship
Students who take part in this module will be expected to understand and demonstrate knowledge of key theoretical and practical concepts which allow entrepreneurs to start and manage international firms. This block will discuss international entrepreneurial opportunities and will emphasise the relevance of contextualisation to different country and cultural environments.
- MG5594 - Knowledge Management, Social Networks and Innovation
This module introduces the global knowledge-based economy, its key aspects and the wider socio-economic factors conditioning fundamental knowledge processes such as knowledge transfer. It also covers contemporary issues such as the use of social engagement in international business.
- MG5573 - Logistics and Supply Chain ManagementThis module aims to provide students with a solid grounding in logistics and supply chain management principles and develop a critical understanding of relevant theoretical frameworks in the context of contemporary business practice.
- MGGM4 - Managing Global Change
To get insight into Managing Global Challenges 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 challenges, interests, beliefs, values and ways of work in organizations with international, multinational, global and transnational workforces and operations.
- SA5633 - Sustainable Development Practice and Policies
This module will equip students with the practical skills, tools and the common vocabulary to work in sustainable businesses, large international organisations and think-tanks. Effective decision-making relies heavily on evidence. The aim of this module is to train students in the art of synthesising evidence from multiple sources as well as planning, managing and evaluating the impact of projects. This module will introduce students to the common biases in decision-making and ways to address them in real-life settings. Methods for evidence generation (such as randomised control trials), evidence synthesis and evidence evaluation will be taught with practical examples from different sectors. The use of evidence in large intergovernmental processes will also be explained. The tools showcased in this module will significantly enhance the employability of students.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Students have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement, supported by dedicated one-to-one careers guidance. Activities such as International Business Week and employer networking events help build industry connections throughout the programme. You will develop transferable skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and analytical thinking that prepare you for a wide range of international business careers.
Career paths
MSc International Business graduates progress into roles across several key functions. In strategy and consulting, typical graduate entry points include Business Analyst, Junior Consultant, and Research Analyst, with mid-career progression to Management Consultant, Strategy Manager, and International Business Development Manager. In global marketing and business development, graduates enter as Marketing Executives or Business Development Executives and progress to International Marketing Manager, Head of Business Development, or Global Brand Manager roles.
The supply chain and international trade pathway leads from graduate positions such as Supply Chain Analyst, Trade Coordinator, or Logistics Officer through to Supply Chain Manager, Trade and Export Manager, and Operations Director. In finance and analytics, graduates begin as Financial Analysts, Data Analysts, or Investment Analysts, advancing to Finance Manager, Head of Analytics, or Corporate Finance Director. The project management and general management route starts with roles such as Project Coordinator, Operations Assistant, or Management Trainee and progresses to Project Manager, Operations Manager, and General Manager.
Placement outcomes
Over the last three placement cycles (2023–26), 67 MSc International Business students completed professional placements with 53 different providers, spanning multinational corporations, specialist consultancies, technology firms, logistics operators, NHS trusts, financial services, and the public sector. This is the largest placement cohort of any Brunel Business School postgraduate programme.
Among IB placements where salary data was recorded, annual salaries ranged from £20,846 to £28,000. Hourly rates ranged from £11.00 to £12.30. Across all BBS postgraduate programmes, the average annual placement salary was £22,613, with the highest recorded salary reaching £31,000.
Several employers have recruited IB placement students across multiple cohorts, demonstrating sustained demand for Brunel graduates: Orange Business Services/Orange Business Holdings UK (multiple students across all three cycles), Queen of Oil (4 students across 2023–26), Anglian Renewables (2 students across 2023–25), and CECOS Computing International.
Employers of Brunel Business School graduates
Across all Brunel Business School programmes, graduates have been recruited by Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, Bosch, British Airways, Capgemini, GSK, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, Microsoft, PwC, Rolls-Royce, and Xerox.
“Through this programme, I have developed a strong understanding of global business dynamics and how organisations operate and adapt in competitive global markets. Since joining Brunel, I have served in multiple professional roles and am now the Academic Course Representative — the growth and opportunities I have experienced here have been incredible.”
— Vidya Gangiraju, MSc International Business
UK entry requirements
A 2.2 (or above) UK Honours degree or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in or a related or non-related subject. Work experience is not required.
International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- TOEFL: 5 (min 4.5 in all subscores)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/27 entry
UK
£14,435 full-time
£1,955 placement year
International
£24,795 full-time
£1,955 placement year
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
At Brunel Business School (BBS), you will experience a rich and engaging on-campus learning environment. Our modules are delivered through engaging lectures, and in most modules, through seminars that allow for interactions in smaller groups. Additionally, you will have access to a wide range of resources on Brightspace, our online learning platform, including PowerPoint slides, video recordings, and peer-reviewed academic publications that align with the module learning objectives. Moreover, BBS students benefit from a range of support and opportunities from our dedicated staff and faculty, such as:
- Extra-curricular activities designed to enhance your skills and expand your network, such as social events, guest speakers and industry visits/field trips (please note these may vary within programmes)
- A dedicated Student Experience Team to provide pastoral care
- A dedicated ASK Academic Skills support team to help you understand and address coursework requirements
- Personalised tutoring and wellbeing advice to support your academic and personal development
- Employability guidance and career planning from our in-house director.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Teaching includes lectures, informal small study groups, and individual or group presentations using a laptop and digital projector.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment on the MSc International Business uses authentic, practice-led methods designed to mirror the tasks you will perform as an international business professional:
- Strategic essays - used in International Business Strategy, International Marketing, International Trade, and Global Business and Investments. You will analyse real-world international business scenarios, apply theoretical frameworks, and produce evidence-based strategic recommendations, mirroring the consultancy reports and strategy documents produced by business analysts and consultants.
- Research proposal - in Understanding Business and Management Research. You will design a rigorous research project with clear methodology, preparing you for both your dissertation and professional roles that require data-driven research and analysis, such as market research and policy analysis.
- Group poster presentations - in modules such as Sustainable Development Policies and Practices. You will collaborate across cultures to research a topic, synthesise findings, and communicate complex ideas visually and verbally, mirroring the pitch decks and conference presentations used in global project teams and consultancy.
- Examinations - in selected modules. You will synthesise knowledge and apply frameworks under time constraints, comparable to client briefings, boardroom Q&A, or graduate recruitment assessment centres.
- Dissertation - an independent research project on an international business issue of your choice, supervised one-to-one by an academic expert. This mirrors the end-to-end research and analytical projects undertaken in consultancy, policy, and corporate strategy roles.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.