MSc International Business Management

Course Overview

Are you looking for a clear understanding of global business, from both a theoretical and practical perspective? This change in direction business course is open to applicants from any background, and will give you the edge with transnational organisations, in recruitment and with opportunities for promotion.

There’s a focus on the global business environment, an emphasis on managing international organisations, and special attention to the cultural challenges of extending operations across multiple countries. The course culminates in either a master’s dissertation or if you prefer, a consultancy project where you’ll tackle an issue faced by a real client.

The Masters course attracts students from around the world, creating a global perspective within the classroom. You’ll be developed as a leader and manager while expanding upon your research skills.

Our graduates typically go into graduate positions with multinational companies or smaller businesses with operations and supply chains in several countries. Some graduates have gone on to work in their family business. The course could also lead you to a postgraduate research degree such as an MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate.

If you decide to start up your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university.

This International Business Management course is covered by the prestigious AACSB accreditation for Newcastle Business School, which was ‘Business School of the Year’ at The Times Higher Education Awards 2015.

Your Career

Overall the course aims to develop you as a leader and manager, with a clear understanding of the theory and practice of global business, and how to overcome the challenges faced by managers of international businesses.

As part of this, the course includes two modules that are focused on developing global management competencies and international human resource management. Topics during these modules include emotional intelligence, cultural awareness and the ability to work in diverse groups and teams, as well as project management and decision making.

A further module, ‘Academic and Professional Development’, has a specific focus on self-development. It includes formal sessions with our Careers and Employment Service which offers a range of workshops, one-to-one advice, and networking opportunities.

To further enhance your employability, we offer the opportunity to undertake a master’s consultancy project as an alternative to the traditional dissertation. You’ll work in a small group, typically no more than five people, and tackle a live project from a host organisation under the mentorship of a member of our academic team. The project can be an excellent vehicle for you to relate theory to practice while developing transferable skills.

Our graduates typically go into graduate positions with multinational companies or smaller businesses with operations and supply chains in several countries. Some graduates have gone on to work in their family business.

If you decide to start up your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university.

The course could also lead you to a postgraduate research degree such as an MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have the transferable skills that employers expect from a master’s graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.