Extended MSc International Business with Advanced Practice

The module will be of benefit to those international and home students whose research skills need to be enhanced and/or evidenced before progressing on to Masters level education. It will provide the relevant underpinning knowledge and understanding of research-related topics in business. Drawing on enhanced knowledge and understanding, students will also identify the range of research methods available before defining specific research aims and objectives.

While addressing philosophical issues and conceptual aspects underlying management research, it also focuses on quantitative as well as on qualitative research methods and techniques involved in practical application. In order to facilitate student learning and development, there are both theoretical and practical elements to this module.  It is expected that students will carry out an in-depth literature review to demonstrate academic crafting and writing skills, as well as advanced knowledge within the chosen discipline and appropriate research scope.

Academic skills differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. The skills required for academic study in English present challenges for students of business and management. This module is designed to support students’ transition in the use academic writing conventions, critical thinking and effective presentation skills. It uses students’ existing knowledge and experience of English to explore techniques for reading academic texts in a range of areas of business and management.

This is a dynamic module which provides students with an opportunity to develop their capabilities in recognising, assessing and planning a new enterprise with a focus on the consequences of decision making in all aspects of enterprise development including marketing, sales, human resources, finance and operations.

This module aims to review and enhance participants’ existing academic writing skills in contexts relevant to the modules it complements. It will also introduce skills and frameworks specific to postgraduate study, with weekly opportunities for participants to transfer these elements to their own assignments and to obtain feedback on their progression. As it provides the skills required to succeed in all written assignments, this module is compulsory

Businesses now operate in a globalised, highly connected multi-layered business environment, where global, regional and local firms are increasingly intertwined. Such an environment presents many challenges, and is typified by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. As the leaders/managers and decision makers of the future, this module will help students understand key concepts and current trends in Global Business, prepare for work in multi-layered environments, and to understand the need for flexibility and adaptability, both in the domestic and regional and global contexts.

Students will be provided with an introduction to financial theory and techniques for entrepreneurship and managerial decision-making within an international business context. Students will acquire skills for planning, control and funding throughout the business cycle.

Given the need for export-led growth and the expanding global markets, coupled with shrinking and saturated local/regional markets, this module focuses on developing the student’s knowledge, skills and expertise in relation to the international marketing effort, through the lens of both SMEs and MNEs. The module attempts to better understand the complexities of marketing internationally across borders which is critical to inform decisions and choices to inform market development and growth through global sales development. The module provides a contemporary understanding of the importance and role of international marketing to support the growth, development and success of indigenous and international organisations in a global arena.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of e-business and its practical application in a range of different contexts. On successful completion of this module students will have an in-depth knowledge of e-business; critically evaluate current practice on creating and managing an e-business; understand the implications of e-business for international business; and analyse how an organisation can apply e-business technologies to support its competitive strategy in an international business context.

The module explores issues relating to multinational companies in their approach to people management, such as comparative employee relations, compensation, performance management and managing diversity.

The primary aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the strategic management of an SME engaged in international marketing. This includes understanding how the competitive position of a firm is devised based on analysing structure, country-based sources of advantage and their distinctive competencies. Further, translating strategy into organisational action requires an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the many organisational forms and processes that may be used to attain the desired competitive position.

This module examines the vital role of research in international business decisions. It is designed for students who have minimal or no prior research experience, to gain appropriate knowledge, understanding and practical skills relevant to the international business research environment.

This module provides students with an appreciation of the growing importance of international entrepreneurship, and rapid internationalization by small firms. It develops appropriate enterprise knowledge and skills among students to foster international entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviour. A variety of teaching methods are used including, formal lectures/tutorials, group and individual work, guest lectures, and so on. This module will assist students to develop their personal international entrepreneurial effectiveness and to think creatively with regard to problem solving and possible future scenarios, as well as assist them on their global citizenship journey.

This module is designed to further enhance the employability of the students who have completed the MSc International Business whilst giving them experience of a workplace environment. In considering this they produce both reflective reports which help aid skills development, and also an internship project in which they apply the theoretical concepts encountered on the course to a “live” management issue.

This applied module enhances the practical and employability skills of students by requiring them to undertake consultancy projects for real life case study clients. The module requires students to draw on relevant theories from previously studied MSc International Business modules, and to apply these in international business contexts, to deliver valuable project outcomes for client companies. The core elements of the module are company and industry specific, however, the international context of the projects will enhance students’ development of a global citizenship perspective.

The Masters Dissertation enables students to carry out research on a chosen topic within the area of international business. Academic supervisors provide advice and guidance to students during their process. On successful completion of their 15,000 word dissertation students will be awarded their MSc in International Business.

The Applied Research Project enables students to apply the theoretical concepts encountered on the MSc International Business program to a real-life management issue. In doing so, they choose and justify appropriate research methodologies, gather data and make conclusions and recommendations to an organisation.