Preparing you with knowledge and professional skills to lead and manage international business.
The MSc International Business aims to allow students to acquire mastery of both the macro and micro contexts of international business, and is designed to enable students to acquire, develop, and integrate international business theory, with a particular focus on leading and nurturing talent in international business through professional practice. The Masters dissertation provides the opportunity to conceive, design and implement satisfactorily a substantial research project within the broad subject area of international business.
The course is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis at the Magee campus, and as such it attracts a variety of students with different educational needs: business studies graduates wishing to pursue a career in international business, mature students wishing to improve career options and develop expertise, and business practitioners wishing to acquire the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to enable them to compete in a rapidly developing and constantly evolving global business environment. In recent years the course has also attracted growing numbers of EU and international students keen to pursue careers in this field.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
This programme will enable students to acquire a knowledge and understanding of the political, social and cultural aspects of different trade blocs, particularly the European Union, Asia and the USA. Students on the HRM pathway take a closer look into the complexities of talent management and leadership within the changing international business landscape ranging from managing global companies to export growth companies.
This programme is designed to provide a coherent academic progression for students who will explore the overall environment in which international business takes place. Core management techniques are analysed from varying perspectives to understand their application on an international scale.
The unique selling point of this programme is the richness that evident from the diverse student base which progresses through this programme of study. Sharing experiences from varied cultural, economic and employment backgrounds is invaluable.
The course is structures as follows:
YEAR ONE
Semester 1
BMG705 Global Business in Context (15 credits*)
BMG704 International Finance (15*)
Semester 2
BMG935 International HRM (15*)
BMG936 International Entrepreneurship (15*)
YEAR TWO
Semester 1
BMG744 International Marketing (15*)
BMG881 Managing and Leading People in International Organisations (15*)
Semester 2
BMG871 Research Skills for International Business (15*)
BMG872 Global Strategy Development and Implementation (15*)
Semester 3
BMG847 Dissertation 60 credits
or
BMG858 Applied Research Project 60 credits
Students are expected to login regularly & weekly each semester to participate in online discussions and collaborate with their peers and tutors. There is no requirement to attend live classes. There are no formal/fixed patterns of "attendance" as this is a fully online programme. Modules are delivered over six week blocks.
FT: MSc completed within 1 calendar year
PT: MSc completed within 2 calendar years (September/January start) or three academic years.
Participants can also exit with a PgCert after successful completion four modules or alternatively exit with a PgDip after successful completion eight modules.
Assessment will be 100% coursework assessed.
This Masters in International Business with Data Analytics, offers various methods of teaching and learning to address the needs of industry and the economy in today's fast-changing world. All teaching is delivered online and with course based assessments.
Studying and interacting with students and academic staff in an international setting, creates a network of contacts and links to local knowledge on an international stage. This masters degree offers directed tutor and peer learning, providing guidance and support throughout the entire programme, in addition to technical assistance.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
and
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent); the minimum English language requirements for non-native English speakers, are IELTS 6.0 (with no contributing band at less than 5.5).
or, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b):
(c) in exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Studies pursued and examinations passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by Ulster University or by another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that:
They shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level. If students are exiting with the PgDip or PgCert, they need to have registered as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final 50% of the credit value of the award at the highest level. exemption is not permitted from the International Management or International Business Environment modules, as these are core modules within the programme. Nor will the Dissertation module be exempted, due to the need to complete at least 50% of the credit value at the MSc level.
In this section
Student and employer needs are reflected in the development of this programme and evidenced in the career destinations and further development of our graduates. The nature of the provision is such that it equips individuals for employment in a wide range of international roles within the public and private sectors and a significant number of graduates are successful in gaining promotion in their chosen fields or alter their career paths following completion of their programme of study.
A sample of graduate employers includes:
A number of graduates from these programmes have also undertaken their doctoral studies, both within Ulster University and beyond.
Accredited by the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE) for the purposes of exemptions from some professional examinations
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI/GB Cost | International Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | £186.65 | £440 |
| 10 | £373.30 | £880 |
| 15 | £559.95 | £1,320 |
| 20 | £746.60 | £1,760 |
| 30 | £1,119.90 | £2,640 |
| 60 | £2,239.80 | £5,280 |
| 120 | £4,479.60 | £10,560 |
| 180 | £6,719.40 | £15,840 |
NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
Bradley & McLaughlin Perpetual Globe - Highest overall average, annually.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Graduate of MSc International Business: Ursula Henderson
Multi Property Director of Human Resources, for Marriott International (which has 3500 hotels in 65+ countries)
Why this programme of study?
I wanted career advancement and knew I needed a different perspective. I looked at many courses and this one ticked all the boxes - flexible, working remotely, challenging and covered both international businesses and international human resources. Working for Marriott International across three continents in some very diverse environments, I needed to develop my strategic outlook and hoped to obtain an even better understanding of how changes in one country can affect business in another. I wanted to be able to make better business decisions and believed that this masters offered the appropriate level of education to build upon my achievements and further enhance my career.
I wanted the security of a quality-assured qualification from a renowned university but also wanted to be comfortable that the distance learning delivery mode would offer similar content to a classroom-based course. Both of these requirements were fulfilled in this MSc International Business programme.
Diverse student base and ongoing support
I found the online discussions boards where I could contact others students and tutors, to ask questions and read their comments, immensely supportive, interesting and inclusive. The diverse range of people on the programme was definitely positive.
Career Benefits since Graduation
I have already utilised this qualification in my job, as the company is expanding in the UK and Europe, with a significant on recruitment and diversity policies. This programme has helped me to devise suitable strategies to develop talent moving into international management positions and to work with individual hotels to ensure international transfers are seamless. Additionally, it has also raised my profile within the company and enabled me to take on additional projects
Overall experience with the Ulster Business School
It has been very good. I have enjoyed working with the lecturers, some were more challenging than others and occasionally it was difficult to see why we needed to complete some tasks, such as a group assignment, when we were all working in different time zones, but ultimately I would recommend the Ulster University.
