(Full time) 2019 start
International Business MSc
Overview
This industry-accredited Masters prepares you to conduct business in a global context.
Our cutting-edge research will feed into your learning, allowing you to consider the latest critical thinking and emerging issues in international business, such as the rise of emerging market multinationals and global innovation.
You’ll identify the motives 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 performance in the global economy. In addition, you’ll explore how the rise of emerging economies affects businesses and their international strategies.
Our strong corporate links provide opportunities for practical development, including work-based research and consultancy projects in the UK and overseas. You’ll 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 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 4th in the world and 1st in the UK in the International Business category of the Financial Times Masters in Management rankings 2018.
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.
Course content
The course starts with an intensive two-week induction to introduce you to the methods of teaching, course content and relationship between the course and your career aspirations.
From there, you’ll build your knowledge of international business theory and improve your confidence using quantitative methods. You’ll gain a good grounding of global economic coordination and governance and think about important debates in international business, such as those around intellectual property, labour issues and sustainability.
You’ll explore topics such as strategic management and entering foreign markets. At the same time, you’ll build research skills and learn about the different methodologies used to research international business.
Throughout the year you’ll take core 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’ll also select optional modules on topics that suit your interests or career plans, from business ethics to intellectual capital.
By the end of the course, you’ll submit an independent 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
You’ll study 9 compulsory modules including your dissertation.
- Globalisation 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
- Research Methods for International Business 15 credits
- Dissertation 45 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You’ll also take two optional modules, normally one in each of the two teaching semesters.
- Global Economics Coordination and Governance 15 credits
- Foreign Market Entry Strategy 15 credits
- Managing and Exploiting Intellectual Capital 15 credits
- The Emerging Markets 15 credits
- European Business 15 credits
- Chinese Business 15 credits
- Global Perspectives on Enterprise 15 credits
- China and India in the Global Context 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.
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 also 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 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 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.
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/EU: £15,000 (total)
- International: £27,000 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
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.
There are several scholarships available for this course that you may be eligible to apply for, including:
- Masters in International Business International Excellence Scholarship
- Masters in International Business UK/EU Excellence Scholarship
- Dean's Excellence Scholarship (UK/EU and International)
- Leeds Alumni Bursary and Excellence Scholarship
Career opportunities
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.