(Full time) 2022 start
International Business MSc
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
This industry-accredited Masters prepares you to conduct business in a rapidly transforming global landscape.
You will consider the latest emerging issues in international business, such as the rise of emerging market multinationals, challenges to global innovation management and trade-offs in nurturing commercially sustainable international businesses.
You will be able to identify the motivations and methods for firms to enter and operate in foreign markets, address controversial issues in international business and formulate your own international and strategic business plans. Furthermore, you will be able to appreciate the factors that drive performance in the global economy, and explore how the rise of emerging economies affects businesses and their international strategies.
As a student on this course you will join a diverse community of staff and students from all over the world, and benefit from links with a variety of organisations, networks and alliances, allowing you to gain global experiences. You’ll enjoy a wide-ranging learning experience, both inside and outside of the classroom, with the opportunity to apply to our ‘Masters Beyond Borders’ scheme to spend a semester abroad at a partner university in Europe or Asia.
Academic excellence
Teaching on the course is informed by our leading research expertise and specialist knowledge in international business, providing you with the latest thinking and developments in the fast-changing global landscape.
The Centre for International Business at the University of Leeds (CIBUL) is recognised as the world’s leading research centre for international business. We unite leading global experts and work alongside major private companies and public sector bodies.
Accreditation
MSc International Business is accredited by the Institute of Export (IOE), the professional membership body representing and supporting the interests of everyone involved in importing, exporting and international trade. Students are able to gain student membership of the IOE during the course, providing access to a database of networking and job opportunities.
Course content
The course starts with an intensive two-week induction to introduce you to the methods of teaching, course content, academic best-practices and showcasing the relationship between the course and your career aspirations. In addition, the induction also provides you with an opportunity to familiarise and deepen your interaction with peers from your cohort, who come to Leeds from different parts of the world.
From there, you will build your knowledge and perspectives of international business and improve your confidence in using analytical skills including qualitative and quantitative methods. You will also develop depth of understanding across issues related to global economic coordination and governance as well as reflect upon some of the central debates in international business, such as those around intellectual property, labour issues and sustainability.
You will explore topics such as strategic management and entering foreign markets. At the same time, you will build research skills and learn about the different methodologies used to research international business.
Throughout the year you will undertake compulsory modules which develop your professional skills for the workplace and prepare you for the challenges of managing organisations and individuals across different cultural contexts. You will also select optional modules on topics that suit your interests or career plans, for example, Global Business Immersion, Foreign Market Entry Strategy and European Business.
By the end of the course, you will submit an independent research project. You can either research a topic in-depth and submit a dissertation, or gain practical experience through a consultancy-style project working with an external organisation.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Globalization of Innovation 15 credits
- International Strategic Management 15 credits
- Debates and Controversies in International Business 10 credits
- Cross Cultural Management 10 credits
- International Business Theory 15 credits
- Quantitative Methods for International Business 15 credits
- Professional Skills for International Business 10 credits
- Dissertation for International Business 45 credits
- International Trade Environment 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- International Business Finance 15 credits
- Global Economic Coordination and Governance 15 credits
- Foreign Market Entry Strategy 15 credits
- European Business 15 credits
- Chinese Business 15 credits
- Global Business Immersion 15 credits
- Global Leadership 15 credits
- Management of Global Value Chains and Multinational Enterprises 15 credits
Learning and teaching
Many of our academics are experts in their fields, and their up-to-date research informs teaching on the course. We use a range of teaching methods so you can benefit from their expertise including lectures, workshops, seminars, simulations and tutorials. Company case studies, projects and business plan competitions provide an opportunity to put your learning into practice.
Independent study is also vital for this course allowing you to prepare for taught classes and sharpen your own research and critical skills.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too.
They include formal exams, business reports, group projects, simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs. Optional modules may also use other assessment methods, depending on what you choose.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject. You should have an interest in the subject, although you don’t need any prior experience or qualifications in this area.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Business Management and Enterprise (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Business Management and Enterprise (10 weeks).
We are now offering online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. To find out more, read Online Academic English pre-sessional (10 weeks) and Online Academic English pre-sessional (6 weeks).
Read about differences between our online and on-campus summer pre-sessionals.
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadline:
We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.
If you do not receive an offer in a particular round, you will either be notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or we will carry your application forward to be considered in the next round.
Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.
Documents and information you need
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
- Two academic references
- A personal statement
- An up-to-date CV
- Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
- A letter of sponsorship, if you need one.
* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Fees
- UK: £15,250 (total)
- International: £29,250 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
Optional Institute of Export (IOE) student membership. See IOE website for details.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
Leeds University Business School is offering more than 50 half fee Excellence Scholarships to UK and international students starting one of our Masters courses in 2022. These scholarships will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.
Read more about scholarships awarded by the Business School.
Read more about scholarships available across the University of Leeds.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities for international business graduates are vast. Multinational organisations particularly favour employees who can work confidently across a range of different markets.
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to diverse careers in top firms worldwide, including as business analysts, country managers, product managers, trading executives, buyers, business development managers and roles in financial services. Others have sought to internationalise their own family business.
The MSc International Business also offers an excellent grounding for academic studies at PhD level.
Careers support
Throughout the course you will be supported by a dedicated Professional Development Tutor. They work in partnership with our academics to help you translate theory into practice and develop your interpersonal and professional business skills. You'll undertake an interactive Professional Skills module, helping you develop the transferable skills that will greatly enhance your employability.
You can expect support to produce your own professional development plan, guidance on career choices, assistance in identifying and applying for jobs, coaching on interpersonal skills and exposure to international business practitioners.
Our strong corporate links with employers and alumni provide opportunities for practical development, including work-based research and consultancy projects in the UK and overseas. You will gain hands-on, analytical and problem-solving skills relevant to a wide range of careers.
Read more about our careers and professional development support.
The University Careers Centre will also provide help and advice, even after you graduate.
Study abroad and work placements
Students who have formally started their study on the course may have the exclusive opportunity to apply for our extended programme, MSc International Business (Study Abroad).
This allows successful students to study for an extra semester outside of the UK as part of our Masters Beyond Borders scheme. Students who are accepted on to the scheme will study at one of our highly-rated partner business schools, located across the world. More information about the scheme will be provided towards the end of your first semester.
Places are limited and highly sought after. Students accepted onto the scheme will graduate with the degree title MSc International Business (Study Abroad).