In the 21st century businesses are more globally integrated than ever before meaning international business expertise is highly sought after to understand the dynamic conditions and opportunities within a global market. Organisations need managers with skills in this field if they are to achieve their international aspirations.
This challenging course will suit those who have aspirations to manage in an international context and would either like to enhance career opportunities in this field or develop an existing career for the purposes of progression. 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.
You will gain in-depth knowledge about the dynamic nature of global business environments and an understanding of international entrepreneurial activity, as well as experiencing industry based trips and professional speakers that will enhance your practice awareness. The aim of this course is to equip you with effective management and operational processes that will enable you to pursue a career path to managerial positions.
This programme is dual accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status. Upon graduating, you will be eligible for a CMI Strategic Management and Leadership qualification (subject to CMI moderation) in addition to your Middlesex University Degree*. The qualification recognises the core skills necessary to succeed in Management and aims at enhancing employability and earning potential.
*Graduates that commenced their degree from 2019 onwards will be eligible for a CMI Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership qualification if they pass the programme’s mapped modules without compensation. Programme handbooks detail the mapped modules on each programme.
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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.
There are three different awards available for this course;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
More information about this course
See the course specification for more information about typical course content outside of the coronavirus outbreak:
Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we've learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning. Please regularly check this section of the course page for updates.
You will attend online 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 will 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. For the MA you will work on your own International Business Management Project.
You will be assessed through exams and your International Business Management Project, as well as other pieces of individual and group coursework. You will receive regular feedback on your work throughout the course, including your assessed coursework.
We have developed new approaches to teaching and learning for the 2021/22 academic year, and have resumed the majority of our teaching on campus.
We are currently reviewing our approach to teaching and learning for 2022 entry and beyond. We've learned a lot about how to give you a quality education - we aim to combine the best of our pre-pandemic teaching and learning with access to online learning and digital resources which put you more in charge of when and how you study. We will keep you updated on this throughout the application process.
Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.
This information is likely to change slightly for 2022 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown in 2021/22 | ||
Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: | 7.5 hours |
Live online learning | Average hours per week, per level: | 5 hours |
Tutor set learning activities | Average hours per week, per level: | 2 hours |
Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.
Definitions of terms
Support
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
The course provides both the international perspective and management understanding that will enhance career progression for those already working in a business environment and the career path of those setting out to work in an international business management role. Some of the specific roles within this area are:
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.
Start: October 2022, EU/INT induction: September 2022
Duration: 15 months full-time
Code: PGN12E
Start: October 2022, EU/INT induction: September 2022
Duration: 1 year full-time, Usually 2 years part-time
Code: PGN200
Start: October 2022, EU/INT induction: September 2022
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGN20C
