Triangle

Course overview

Our International Business MSc will help to expand your global career opportunities and earning potential. It will give you the essential skillset needed to excel in international business or international management positions.

You will gain in-depth knowledge of the international business environment, international business strategy, international marketing, business economics, finance, and accounting. You'll also learn how to be an effective leader with a grasp of the key concepts and theories of international entrepreneurship and innovation, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, organisational behaviour, and human resource management.

You have the option to take industry-recognised digital qualifications by Microsoft and SAP alongside your course, which will develop your digital skills.

With your awareness of the role international business has to play in the global economy, this MSc will enhance your CV and help to bring you to the notice of prestigious employers who are looking for the skillset you will have. As an asset to their organisation, you can put your knowledge and skills into practice, having a real impact on their business.

Why choose this course?

Top 20

in the world and 5th in the UK

Top 100

in the world and top 15 in the UK

Gain digital skills

Business School students have the opportunity to gain digital skills with industry-recognised Microsoft and SAP certifications

Triple accredited

Part of an elite group of business schools worldwide to gain ‘triple crown’ accreditation

EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB accredited

More than 27,000

Business School alumni connect you to a powerful global network of business contacts

83% of our research

ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent

Course content

Across the autumn and spring semesters, you will take 120 credits of taught modules. Each module typically consists of 10 two to three hour sessions.

You will complete a 60-credit dissertation over the summer, and will be allocated an appropriate dissertation supervisor who will oversee your progress.

Modules

Core modules

Semester one

Business Economics

The module covers the following:

  • Key concepts of business economics
  • Markets
  • Firms and market power
  • Market structure and government policy
  • Government intervention
  • International trade 
  • International capital and other factor flows
  • The macroeconomic environment
  • Balance of payments and Forex 
  • Macroeconomic policy
International Business Environment

This module examines various dimensions of the international business environment, such as economic, cultural, and political environment, on which multinational firms formulate their strategy. It also develops an understanding of the impact of the global business environment on business' international decisions.

Detailed case-studies are examined, illustrating more general points by referring to how firms make sense of environment and make strategic choices.

Managing People

This module explores key contemporary issues in organisational behaviour and the management of people in diverse and dynamic contexts. The topics covered will include employee motivation, leadership and working in teams, power and politics, conflict, change, culture and diversity.

Principles of Accounting

This module covers:

  • financial statement analysis
  • managerial accounting for planning and control
  • budgeting
  • discounted cash flow and valuation
  • evaluating financial proposals

Semester two

Essentials of International Marketing

The module introduces you to marketing theory and practice. Particular attention will be given to the changing international business environment and its challenges for international firms.

It critically reviews contemporary issues in international marketing and provides insights into the development of competitive strategies and international marketing management within the context of consumer goods, industrial goods and services.

International Business Strategy

The module examines theories of firm internationalisation and various strategic choices facing international managers. Detailed case-studies are examined, illustrating more general points by referring to firms and entrepreneurs that have set important benchmarks in business performance and globalisation.

Research Methods for Management Studies

This modules covers the following:

Part I: Introduction qualitative analysis
This part of the module will be concerned with the collection and analysis of qualitative data.

Part II: Introduction quantitative analysis
Survey design and measurement, introduction to statistics; hypothesis testing, t-tests, ANOVA, regression analysis.

Part III: Introduction to management research
Relating to literature review, asking research questions and objectives, formulating research hypotheses, discussion of findings; quantitative and qualitative research in the dissertation relating to its application.

Summer

Resources Management and Organisation Dissertation 60 credits

The module aims to allow you to synthesise, apply, and extend the knowledge you have gained in the taught component of the programme by engaging in primary data collection. Through investigating a current research topic and gathering original data, you will develop a deeper theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary issues in your area, while also enhancing your research, communication, and data analysis skills.

Business Project

The Business Project requires students, working as groups, to undertake research in a topic which is relevant to business, management, marketing, finance, accounting, or information system. You must choose their research topic that is relevant to your named degree programme. The specific topic is subject to a formal approval process.

The module is intended for you to apply knowledge, concepts, skills, and techniques, acquired during the taught stage of your programme to real-world, business scenarios. You will be presented with real-word business problems for which you are required to review relevant literature, conduct research, analyse data, and formulate viable solutions.

Optional modules

One from:

E-Business 10 credits

The E-Business module is aimed at future managers and business people who want to know how information and communications technologies (ICTs) can help them to be successful in their careers by understanding how companies use these technologies.

Aims of the module:

  • To familiarise the strategic management issues and technology developments associated with e-business
  • To provide a solid strategic business view of the uses of web technologies and information systems
  • To help understand how and why e-businesses are successful or not, i.e. what makes them 'tick'
Human Resource Management 20 credits

The intricacies of managing the human resources within the business context are developed in this module. It examines processes, practices, and procedures associated with HRM management and administration that an employer/manager needs to be familiar with, and analyses the current best practice in the HR function.

Launching an Entrepreneurial Business

This module aims to give you a theoretical understanding and practical experience of launching a new entrepreneurial venture. In so doing, this capstone module enables you to comprehend the role of, and conflicts and interdependencies between, different business and management disciplines; thus, it provides you with an insight into how decision-making in each area can impact on the overall performance of the firm. The module also aims to foster reflexive practice to facilitate lifelong learning.

Managing for Sustainability 10 credits

Sustainable companies are those that are managed in socially, economically, and ecologically responsible ways. Today's managers are expected to understand the impact of management decisions and practices on the environment and society.

This module considers how sustainability principles are applied in organisations, and how to manage for sustainability. Through use of multiple learning approaches, the module enables you to practically interact with real businesses to address some sustainability challenges faced by the organisation.

The module introduces the you to frameworks and theories use to critically assess sustainability, and to integrate sustainability into the business strategy.

The module enables you to develop an understanding of the practical dilemmas facing businesses as they seek to respond to multiple, and often, conflicting stakeholders expectations. You will be expected to critically reflect upon your practical experiences and capture these using a learning journal.

Strategic Entrepreneurial Growth

The module combines practical and theoretical perspectives on the process of planning and implementing strategic entrepreneurial growth.

The module will help develop your capacity to evaluate multiple strategic options under conditions of uncertainty. Using frameworks and concepts you will construct a strategic growth plan for a small entrepreneurial firm or social enterprise. The module also provides insights into the owner-founder’s experience of strategic growth.

Human Resource Management 20 credits

The intricacies of managing the human resources within the business context are developed in this module. It examines processes, practices, and procedures associated with HRM management and administration that an employer/manager needs to be familiar with, and analyses the current best practice in the HR function.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 01 October 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

The taught modules are mainly delivered in the form of lectures and seminars.

Digital professional skills certifications

We offer the opportunity for you to take industry-recognised Microsoft and SAP certifications alongside your degree programme. This will enhance your digital capability, differentiate your CV and help you stand out to future employers. Find out more on our digital professional skills website.

How you will be assessed

  • Dissertation
  • Examinations
  • Group project
  • Coursework

The main assessments include exams, individual coursework and group projects.

Contact time and study hours

You will take four taught modules with total credits of 60 in autumn and spring semester respectively. Modules are 10 or 20 credits.

You will have about 22 contact hours and 78 study hours for one 10-credit module. For one 20-credit module, you will have about 44 contact hours and 156 study hours.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:1 (or international equivalent) in any discipline, excluding business and/or management

Applying

You are required to submit a personal statement and a list of modules being studied in the final year (for applicants who have not yet completed their undergraduate degree).

This is a conversion course which is not designed for students with an extensive background in business and management. If your previous degree study contains modules with a business and management focus, please be aware that it is highly likely there will be overlap with your prior study. This should be considered carefully before applying as you may qualify for our MSc Business and Management instead.

Please note: this is a highly competitive course and there are a limited number of places available. The school reserves the right to close applications when capacity is reached – this may be ahead of the advertised closure date for PGT courses. Early applications are encouraged to avoid disappointment.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply

Fees

Qualification MSc
Home / UK £15,800
International £32,400

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you'll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.

Funding

Business School MSc scholarships

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

Career destinations for our postgraduates include:

  • accountants
  • finance and investment analysts and advisers
  • marketing associate professionals
  • human resources managers
  • management consultants
  • business analysts
  • business development managers
  • financial managers
  • data analysts

Some MSc graduates have gone on to doctoral studies, others have become entrepreneurs. Our Ingenuity Lab has supported a number of our MSc graduates in starting their own company.

Career progression

86.2% of all postgraduates from Nottingham University Business School secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £31,419.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates

This content was last updated on Tuesday 01 October 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.