International Business MSc

This industry-accredited Masters prepares you to conduct business in a rapidly transforming global landscape. The course is designed to provide students with a wide-ranging learning experience, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Our cutting-edge research underpins teaching, with the intention of developing curious and creative minds, and making a positive impact in an ever-changing world. You will be able to consider the latest critical thinking including but not limited to 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 means of servicing foreign markets, address controversial issues in international business, formulate your own international and strategic business plans and appreciate the factors that drive industry and firm performance in the global economy. In addition, you will also explore how the rise of emerging economies affects businesses and their international strategies.

The course has a wide representation of staff and students from all over the world. We have links with a wide variety of international organisations, collaborative networks, and global alliances. Students may have the opportunity to apply to study an additional semester abroad in a leading university in Europe or Asia. Students may also have the opportunity to pursue an international study tour as part of the curriculum, based on a competitive application process.

Our strong corporate links 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.

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 international strategy.

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.

Our research identifies the latest critical understanding and trends in the fast-changing global landscape, giving you access to cutting-edge knowledge as it unfolds.

We are proud to have been placed 1st in the UK and 8th in the world in the International Business category of the Financial Times Masters in Management rankings 2019.

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.

The course is also accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), who named this “a world-leading programme”. AMBA accreditation recognises the high quality levels of teaching at Leeds in line with their independent standards.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read International Business MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

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.

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).

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.

Apply

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.

Admissions policy

Leeds University Business School Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy

Fees

• UK: £15,250 (total)
• International: £28,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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

We award a range of scholarships to UK, EU and international students. Scholarships are available to candidates who can demonstrate an excellent academic record and show excellent professional and personal skills.

Read more about scholarships awarded by the Business School.

Read more about scholarships available across the University of Leeds.

Career opportunities for international business graduates are vast. Multinational organisations particularly favour employees who have the ability to work confidently across, and within, 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.

They contribute to an interactive Professional Skills module, helping you develop the transferable skills that will greatly enhance your employability. They also develop and manage relationships with international employers and alumni, to provide you with tailored support for your career.

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.

Read more about our careers and professional development support.

The University Careers Centre will also provide help and advice, even after you graduate.

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).