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International Business Management MA

Offering a diverse student community and location close to London's financial centre, Middlesex is the perfect environment to build the skills for a career in international business
Code
PGN122
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
September 2024: £12,600 (UK)* £17,600 (INT)*
Course leader
Qiuping Li

Why choose International Business Management MA at Middlesex?

In the 21st century, businesses are more globally integrated than ever before. This means that international business expertise is vital in order to understand the dynamic conditions and opportunities within a global market. Organisations need highly skilled managers if they are to achieve their international aspirations.

This challenging course will suit you if you have aspirations to work in an international context and would like to enhance your career opportunities in this field.

Core to the course is an understanding of managing company operations and dealing with issues such as financial performance, all within a diverse and multicultural arena to enhance your international perspective.

Middlesex University undergraduate graduates can benefit from a 20% discount to start their International Business Management MA in January.

What you will gain

The aim of this course is to equip you with effective management and operational processes that will enable you to pursue managerial positions.

You'll gain in-depth knowledge of the dynamic nature of global business environments and an understanding of international entrepreneurial activity. You'll also have access to industry field trips and hear from professional guest speakers who will enhance your awareness of the sector.

The course offers a holistic perspective on international business, covering strategic and logistical issues such as decision-making, business strategy, multinational enterprise, financial analysis and supply chain management.

You'll be taught by academics who have research expertise in multinational enterprise innovation strategy, emerging market strategies, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) internationalisation, strategic marketing, and international human resource management.

We have 145 years of experience delivering professional, creative and technical education that prepares students – like you – for success in global careers.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • One of the top 20 UK universities
    For business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023
  • Postgraduate success
    95% of our postgraduate students go on to work or further study – Graduate Outcomes, 2022
  • Excellent reputation
    Top 3 university in the UK – Times Higher Education Young Universities, 2023

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

Expanding your knowledge and understanding of the theories that inform contemporary international business practice, this course begins with a base of learning in the fundamental areas of strategy and management in a globalised business environment.

Once the basics are in place you will explore areas around decision making, trade and enterprise, while selecting from a number of modules that allow you to pursue knowledge in areas you feel are most appropriate to your interests and career aspirations.

The aim of the learning is for you to gain the necessary skills to enable you to manage people and organisational activities in dynamic environments and manage products and services within international markets. You will end the course by utilising the knowledge and skills you have learnt to shape and complete your own international management project.

Modules

  • Modules

    • International Business Strategy (30 Credits) - Compulsory

      The aims of the module are to introduce students to the theoretical frameworks for analysing international business and developing international business strategies, and to equip students with the knowledge, skills and tools for developing and implementing international business strategy for international competitiveness. It improves students' cultural awareness and understanding of critical issues relating to the complexity of managing international operations, and develops students' critical and independent thinking, decision making and problem solving.

    • Trade and the Multinational Enterprise (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      The aims of the module are to provide an appreciation of the economic theory relevant to both trade, multinational enterprises MNEs, foreign direct investment FDI and globalisation; to introduce the students to all major strands of the debate about new trade theories, MNEs, and FDI; to acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge to evaluate and analyse policy issues relating to MNEs, business, trade and globalisation; and to develop the ability to undertake research in this area.

    • Global Supply Chain Management (15 Credits) - Optional

      This module aims to present the international nature of business supply chains and how companies work in a global marketplace. Students develop a critical understanding of the theories and practices of how companies grow and manage their global supply chains. The module enhances students' understanding of business competitiveness in global marketplaces. Students will be taught the underlying theories that will enable them to evaluate the choices given by organisations and how these are linked to the management of these international networks.

    • International Marketing (15 Credits) - Optional

      The module examines the impact of culture on international and global marketing. The principal aim of the module is to equip students with advanced knowledge of international marketing and ability in critical and independent thought, research and decision making which will enable students to pursue a career in international marketing.

    • International Business Management Project (60 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module provides students with a means of developing further the skills and knowledge gained on MA International Business Management, by application to a specific organisational issue or problem. It enables students to demonstrate proficiency in the design of a business enhancement project, application of appropriate methods of investigation, management of the change process, and maintenance of vision in the face of the vicissitudes of business realities.

    • Management in a Globalised Context (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      The module will critically evaluate the effect of national culture on corporate culture and on the experience of the manager and those who they manage. The module will ask student to consider the ethical demands of different global contexts, and equip them with the tools they need to respond effectively to these challenges. The teaching in the module is rooted in the realities of management in a globalized context, and draws on current academic research and professional experience.

    • Managing the Multinational Organisation (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to illustrate and explore the role of HRM in the international context and develop students’ awareness of current HR issues with particular reference to multinational corporations, thus enhancing their employability in the global work place. The module examines the cultural and institutional influences on HRM in multinational corporations, HRM practice in different regions, and IHRM policies in multinational corporations.

    • Management Analytics (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module explores the major concepts, models, tools, and metrics used in management analytics for overseeing management related projects. Specifically, in the first part of the module students will be equipped with building blocks of management analytics. In the second part, the module will provide students with fundamental machine learning concepts and techniques, which are most applicable to management research.

    • New Trends in International Business (15 Credits) - Optional

      This module aims to help students critically evaluate contemporary trends in international business to gain an updated perspective of the theoretical and practical developments in the field of international business (IB) research and practice. The module discusses a range of new trends, including new international markets, competitors, technologies, opportunities and challenges, that influence international business and the operations of firms on a global level both directly and indirectly.

    • International Entrepreneurship (15 Credits) - Optional

      The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of international entrepreneurship and its contributions to the global economy. This will allow the student to confidently discover and develop business opportunities on a global scale. The module uses a combination of workshops and self-directed learning to develop their skills.

    • International Reward Management (15 Credits) - Optional

      This module provides students with the knowledge and critical understanding of strategic reward management in a global context. Students will critically evaluate current reward theories and practices within a variety of international contexts. The module aims to develop the skills required to research and critically analyse reward within an international organisational contexts, and to present written findings and recommendations to senior management. It aims to give students credibility in the subject of reward, so that they can join, or progress further in the HR profession.

    • Multichannel Marketing Management (15 Credits) - Optional

      The impact of technology has been immense on how products, services, experiences and ideas are being distributed to consumers. The internet, the mobile and the social media represent new platforms that businesses can use as potential channels to distribute their products and services. In this context, determining the appropriate channel combination is crucial for organisational success. The module aims to equip students with an in depth understanding and knowledge of a range of theories and tools for creating an effective multichannel strategy. Students will learn how to reduce the risk of selecting inappropriate channels through a systematic analysis of market trends, organisational capability and the shopping experience across different channels. They will address the factors underpinning the successful integration of an organisation’s multichannel proposition for achieving competitive advantage. They will further learn to think strategically about offline and online retailing and apply a range of marketing principles in choosing and managing physical and virtual channels.

    • Cross-Cultural Communication and Global Brands (15 Credits) - Optional

      The ability to communicate in culturally diverse settings has become a key prerequisite of successful global brands. Although there is a worldwide convergence of technology, media and financial systems, globalisation has not consistently produced globally uniform consumers; global brands often encounter unfamiliar challenges in specific regions or parts of the world. This module examines the discipline of cross-cultural communications in relation to global marketing. It is concerned with the development, implementation and evaluation of marketing communication activities across a diverse range of cultural settings. Students in this module will consider how cultural values influence, and can be reflected in, global communication programs for both ‘goods’ and ‘services’ markets. Message creation, execution and the available vehicles of message distribution will be evaluated across different cultural contexts. Through exposure to a wide range of real-life examples, students will be able to design comprehensive communication solutions to boost brand shares globally.

    • Entrepreneurship in the Digital Sector (15 Credits) - Optional

      This module is underpinned by the ethos that ‘Entrepreneurship’ is now a career choice for many students in these challenging, dynamic and uncertain times. The recent developments in digital technologies has facilitated a new breed of Entrepreneur for the 21st century- the ‘ E-entrepreneur’ This module is designed to foster entrepreneurial talent and to encourage entrepreneurial skills underpinned by online digital technologies as a platform for students to shape their future careers ,income streams and destinies

    • Applied Corporate Finance (15 Credits) - Optional

      The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the major issues in corporate finance. In particular it develops the student’s ability to analyse corporate finance issues; apply finance theories to deal with practical issues in corporate finance; and investigate emerging issues and contemporary trends in the field.

To find out more about this course, please download the International Business Management MA specification (PDF).

How we'll teach you

You'll attend workshops, seminars, lectures and talks by guest speakers, and further your understanding through online class discussions and work on case studies.

In your own time, you'll use online learning resources and do your own research, directed reading and independent study. There will be some sessions on research methods.

Some coursework and research will be done in groups and you will work on your own International Business Management Project.

The course is delivered by our academics in person and via digital platforms. Our learning activities include lectures, presentations, webinars, one-to-one tutorials and group projects.

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

Where will I study?

You will be studying at our north London campus in Hendon.

Timetable

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Teaching and independent learning

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Typical weekly breakdown

A typical week looks like this:

Learning

Contact hours per week

On-campus

15

Online

0

Independent study

2

Learning terms

On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.

Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Skype or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.

Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.

Part-time study

You can also study this course part-time, you can find out more detail about this in the course specification document.

Academic support

We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. Our Sheppard Library is open 24 hours a day during term time and always available online. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.

Coursework and assessments

You will be assessed through your International Business Management Project, as well as other pieces of individual and group coursework.

Feedback

To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.

You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.

95% of our postgraduate students go on to work or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2022).

How can the MA International Business Management support your career?

The course provides both the international perspective and management understanding that will enhance your career prospects if you're already working in a business environment. It will also boost your employability if you're setting out to work in an international business management role.

Career paths

Some of the specific roles our graduates have gone on to include: management analyst, trade manager, international management consultant, import/export agent and sales representative.

Some of the organisations our graduates have gone on to work in include Coca Cola, H&M, Armani, Tata Group, Cisco and Hilton.

MDXworks

Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:

The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023

A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.

Global network

You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year – September 2024 and January 2025 start.

UK students1

Full-time students: £12,600
Part-time students per taught credit: £84
Part-time students per dissertation credit: £42

International students2

Full-time students: £17,600
Part-time students per taught credit: £117
Part-time students per dissertation credit: £59

Additional costs

The following study tools are included in your fees:

  • Free access to resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
  • Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free printing for academic paperwork
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

  • The Alumni Postgraduate Award – as an undergraduate student continuing postgraduate studies at Middlesex, you can apply for 20% off your fees
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
  • The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
  • The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
  • Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Help from your employer

Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

  • Tran Hoai Thu

    MA International Business Management

    I spent a year studying the MA International Business Management at Middlesex University in 2010. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life that has laid the ground for my career ahead.

    First to mention is the enthusiasm and devotion of the tutors and lecturers to the students. They not only inspire the students through their lectures but also know how to encourage us to contribute our private ideas to diversify the lesson. They are not rigid or conservative but always appreciate any new discovery from students, which leads to exciting class discussions in which everyone wants to share their views. This confidence is such a key factor for the future managers like us that I am now bringing it into play at work and in life. Teamwork is another advantage you will learn from this course. Teams are randomly selected, so you have a chance to work with different people from various countries, which enables you to broaden your knowledge of culture and working styles.

    After this MA course I came back to Vietnam, my home country, to start my career. I applied for the position of Personal Assistant (PA) to the Executive Assistant Manager (EAM) at Inter Continental Hanoi Westlake as it is a strong brand internationally and they offered an attractive salary. I passed two writing tests and then the three final candidates had an interview directly with the EAM. Thanks to the confidence and knowledge learned from Middlesex University, I got the job.

    In this position, I am a coordinator for most departments, such as sales & marketing, human resources, revenue and other managers in the hotel, so I have overall knowledge of them all. Having my MA in International Business Management, which covers four main modules including international business management, marketing, HR and statistics, adds huge value to my job. Additionally, in this international working environment I have an opportunity to work with diverse national colleagues which is no longer strange to me since I got acquainted with various working styles during the course.

  • Despo Georgiou

    MA International Business Management

    I decided to do a postgraduate course to enhance my management skills and develop as a business executive. Middlesex University was recommended to me by one of my undergraduate professors in Cyprus, who studied at Middlesex.

    The aspects of my course that I enjoyed most were the participation in workshops and seminars which helped to heighten my awareness of cross cultural contexts, and the enhancement of my research skills, particularly developing strategies to evaluate which products or services will succeed and where in the global marketplace.

    As part of the course I am developing advanced skills in analysis and critical evaluation, including decision making in the context of international business environments. I am also learning appropriate research skills that particularly apply to international business, as well as collaborating with people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.

    I chose this course as it relates both to my past work experience and to my plans to continue to contribute to international business in the future, especially as most businesses now engage in international markets. Developing knowledge and skills to engage ever more effectively in international business is truly a lifelong endeavour.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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