International Business Management MSc

Course Content

• Course Details

  The course is relevant to those with or without a business degree, although a minimum of a 2:2 classification is required and will prepare you for managerial roles across this emerging global economy.

  The course will build upon your existing capabilities from your first discipline and will develop your conceptual and theoretical understanding of business and management issues, problems and opportunities.

  As well as developing your research and reflection skills at postgraduate level, you will be able to link theory and practice throughout each module which include a variety of study methods such as case studies, business simulations, the completion of an applied research project related to real ‘live’ business issues and in some cases by means of a work based learning component.

  Dynamics of Strategy (STRM083)

  The module helps students develop a broad knowledge and understanding of strategy development in organisations, the external context in which they operate and how they are managed to pursue strategic goals, helping students to develop intellectual and professional breadth by making integrative links across the various functional areas of organisations whilst taking into account the social, environmental and ethical elements required of leaders today.

  Global Marketing Strategy (MKTM018)

  Operating across several non-domestic markets produces a complex set of issues. Marketing programmes must, in these situations, adapt to the needs and preferences of customers that have different levels of purchasing power as well as different climates, languages and cultures. Moreover, patterns of competition and methods of doing business differ between nations and sometimes within different regions of the same nation. We will explore the marketing challenges faced by organisations attempting to develop and grow in international markets. We also analyse the means by which corporate marketing strategies can be deployed in the search for sustainable competitive advantage.

  Managing Finance and Information (FINM037)

  All managers are faced with issues associated with interrogating and communicating management information. This may be in requesting or controlling resources or in providing, controlling or interpreting budgetary and other financial data. The trend in recent years has been for devolution of such responsibilities to the line manager. The concepts, conventions and terminology of the disciplines are often challenging for managers, who might be lacking in experience to handle such responsibilities confidently and competently.

  International Logistics and Supply Chain (BSOM034)

  Businesses recognise that Supply Chains are sources of competitive advantage; in the same way that we might consider competition between brands. Improved performance in Logistics and Supply Chain management leads to lower operating costs, shorter lead times and better value for customers.  Developments in the last two decades have seen huge investments into technologies, infrastructure, staff and processes which neccesitates further practitioner education. This module is designed to focus on the many different elements that make up a holistic view of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

  Managing Across Cultures (HRMM061)

  Due to the increase in organisations operating globally, this module has both a theoretical and practical focus. The module explores different business cultures from across the world and considers their impact on individuals when working in environments that are not native them. There is a strong emphasis on developing personal adaptability in cross cultural work environments which is a strong requirement for leading and managing other people internationally.

  Business Strategy Simulation (STRM086)

  This module is based on a Blue Ocean business strategy simulation game which develops key strategic and business management skills. An innovative, fun and highly effective practical way to learn, it provides the opportunity to manage a business and apply business strategy concepts, in a way that brings together and highlights the integrative nature of the programme and business management.

  Dissertation and Research Methods (STRM028)

  This module specifies the independent research and related research methods skills. The specification is general to reflect the different types of research project which you may choose to undertake – conceptual, applied or work-related – and also to reflect the contrasting research paradigms to be followed.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

  • Stage 1
    • International Logistics and Supply Chain (20 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM034

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to focus on the different elements that make up a holistic view of Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Supply Chains are sources of competitive advantage. The module evaluates the reasons by which improved performance in Logistics and Supply Chain management leads to lower operating costs, shorter lead times and better value for customers.
    • Managing Finance and Information (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM037

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to critically assess information systems to ensure their effectiveness in facilitating management decisions and to provide conceptual and analytical frameworks to enable them to; interrogate management processes and systems; scrutinise management information; and communicate it competently to other managers or stakeholders within the organisation.
    • Managing Across Cultures (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRMM061

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable learners to understand business cultures around the world, evaluating the impact that different cultural contexts have on individuals working in non-native cultures. Learners will reflect upon these issues to improve own professional effectiveness in management and leadership in international contexts.
    • Global Marketing Strategy (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKTM018

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to critically examine the marketing challenges and opportunities faced by firms as they develop and grow in international markets. A variety of analytical frameworks are examined and applied to a range of businesses and strategic global marketing plans developed.
    • Dissertation and Research Methods (60 Credits)
      Module code: STRM028

      Status: Compulsory
      This module specifies the independent research and related research methods skills training programme offered across Northampton Business School and its constituent fields at taught postgraduate level (level 7). The specification is inevitably a general one to reflect the different types of research project which students may choose to undertake - conceptual, applied or work-related - and also to reflect the contrasting research paradigms that may be followed.
    • Dynamics of Strategy (20 Credits)
      Module code: STRM083

      Status: Compulsory
      Evidence suggests organisations spend inordinate amount of time and energy towards formulating strategy yet most strategy failures are due to lack of focus on strategy implementation factors. In order to understand this dichotomy managers must be able to make sense, evaluate, synthesise and structure complex situations in a systematic and useful ways.This module explores the strategic management process and how strategic analysis and formulation contribute to the organisations performance. The module is integrative in nature and provides practical relevant ideas and conceptual frameworks that facilitate strategy design and implementation. The module deals with the craft of strategy, that is, how to identify and choose a superior competitive position, how to analyse complex strategic situation and how to create the organisational context to make the chosen strategy work. The methodology allows participants to reflect on their own assumptions and experience so as to develop their own conceptual frameworks.
    • Business Strategy Simulation (20 Credits)
      Module code: STRM086

      Status: Compulsory
      This module is based on a business strategy simulation game which develops key strategic and business management skills. An innovative, fun and highly effective practical way to learn, it provides the opportunity to manage a business and apply business strategy concepts.

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• Entry Requirements

  Candidates will normally hold a first or second class honours degree or equivalent.

  No work experience is required for admission onto the course.

  For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  English Language Requirements

  If English is not your first language, you must meet the following English language requirements:

  IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skills.

  Equivalent qualifications are considered, for further information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our English Language Requirements page.

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• Fees and Funding

  22/23 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK: £7,650
  • International: £15,000

  To see what Scholarships and funding may be available to you, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships page.

  21/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK: £7,470
  • International: £14,000

  To see what Scholarships and funding may be available to you, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships page.

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• Postgraduate Discount Schemes

  Whether you are an international, home or EU student, we offer generous tuition fee discounts for postgraduate study.

  Our International Scholarships page has details of the International Graduate Scholarship offering up to 50% for alumni of the University and the International Scholarship offering up to 30% for new students.

  The Graduate Discount Scheme page has information about the 20% discount for Home and EU graduates.

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• FAQs

  Do I require a formal management qualification?

  Experience or qualifications in management are neither expected nor required. If you have experience as a manager, you may wish to consider our MBA programme.

  How I will be assessed?

  The course has a mixture of assessment involving essays, research papers, case studies, portfolios, oral presentations, examinations and a final dissertation.

  What is the schedule for this course?

  For this course you can expect taught study to be a combination of sessions, seminars and workshops and usually 12 hours per week, we recommend that you spend approximately 20 hours per week in self-directed study time. You will attend sessions, seminars and workshops throughout two taught semesters (14 weeks each). Work on the dissertation normally commences in the second semester and is submitted at the 12 month point.

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Careers and Employability

MSc International Business Management aims to develop the managers of the future by providing a level of education to those seeking a generalist, broadly based management qualification. This programme is particularly relevant to those without a business background (either academic or employment) who have not previously committed to a specific/specialist career path.

The specialist pathways are designed to provide more focused routes for those who have more clearly defined career aspirations while still seeking to develop knowledge and skills in a broad range of business and management disciplines.