International Business Management

Overview

The MSc International Business Management provides you with a vital understanding of the modern business world, applying business theory to defined, practical settings. You’ll gain key international business management knowledge to allow you to proceed to professional and managerial careers in private, public and third-sector business.

Through the master’s programme, you’ll develop an understanding of a range of theories and models used to support and understand a range of issues and problems within international business management. You’ll critically evaluate the roles of business management within the international context, including how policies, programmes, strategies, and resources are developed, selected, and implemented. You’ll apply problem-solving skills to various international business management scenarios to generate strategic options for resolving arising problems. The MSc will provide you with the skills to apply your knowledge and understanding to professional practice and solve business management problems.

Beyond subject knowledge and skills, you’ll gain key transferrable skills which will aid you throughout your professional career. You’ll be able to work effectively in teams and on your own, identify areas for continued professional development, communicate effectively by written and verbal means, apply ICT resources for maximising impact, and evaluate a wide range of graphical and numerical data. This invaluable skillset will make you highly sought after upon graduation.

You’ll have the opportunity to specialise and choose two optional courses – from measuring and managing performance, financial analysis, managing diversity in business, and project management – to customise your learning and develop your specific interest. Your international business management dissertation will allow you to build on your interests, by completing an original research project at the forefront of knowledge. The knowledge base, subject and transferable skills you gain will prepare you for lifelong learning and personal development.

MSc International Business Management is a conversion degree programme led by academics from Edinburgh Business School. It introduces the study of business and management to graduates and professionals from non-management backgrounds who wish to enhance their careers. 

You’ll be introduced to vital business knowledge and be provided an opportunity to develop versatile management skills in just one year of study. Coupled with specialist learning in key areas of business, you’ll develop modern management skills to complement existing knowledge and prepare you for a career shift or management role.

Our Expertise

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics whose work covers four key areas:

Your learning environment

The MSc International Business Management programme is taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with the teaching staff, academics, and your peers. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.

Outside of the classroom, you can join Heriot-Watt’s Business Society which holds regular social events and provides networking opportunities and insights into relevant career prospects.

Customise your learning

You’ll have the opportunity to focus on the areas of International Business Management that interest you the most. You can customise your degree to match your specific interests or career pathway by selecting a specialist course.

In semester three, you’ll ‘deep dive’ into your chosen area of International Business Management in your dissertation. You will demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by developing new insight from the analysis of valuable primary research.

You can choose whether to study the programme full-time, part-time or by course and have the opportunity to begin your studies in either September or January. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. If you decide to study part-time, you register for two courses per semester and progress to the dissertation at the end of your second year.

You may have the opportunity to Go Global on our Inter-Campus Transfer. Opportunities for postgraduate study abroad are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if you are interested in studying at our Dubai campus or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer, you should contact the Go Global Team.

Industry

We work closely with the industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of the industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.