MSc International Business

Programme structure

The MSc International Business course combines core and optional modules across the three terms of your one-year course, covering both key business areas and specialist international business areas. You'll then have the opportunity to choose between the Dissertation or Business in Practice route to complete your MSc year.

Our modules

In your three terms at WBS you will study eight core modules, and one or two optional elective modules, based on your choice of the Business in Practice or Dissertation route.

How you'll be assessed

You'll be assessed by a mixture of individual and group assignments, and examination.

International Business

The module aims to develop a critical awareness of the issues, problems, concepts, and skills associated with the development of international business strategy and operations.

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Strategy Analysis and Practice

This module will provide you with a foundation for, and a critical assessment of, theoretical and empirical approaches to strategy.

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Quantitative Methods for Business

The module will equip you with an understanding of descriptive/inferential statistics and data presentation and enable you to apply the major tools needed for MSc level study and for the use of data analysis in the workplace.

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Marketing in an International Environment

Gain a strong conceptual grounding in the core principles of marketing, as needs to be applied by managers in international contexts.

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Foundations of Financial & Management Accounting

Gain a comprehensive introduction to financial reporting and management accounting. The unit adopts a user perspective, rather than a specialist accountant perspective.

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Fundamentals of Economic Behaviour

Get an introduction to fundamental economic concepts.

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International Business Strategy

Develop an understanding of the key strategic challenges facing internationally-focussed businesses and analyse how companies design, implement and manage international strategies.

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Work and Human Resources in a Global Context

Understand key contextual features, such as models of capitalism and supranational governance, alongside the prominent role of multinational enterprises as transnational employment relations actors.

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These are indicative optional modules which may vary year-on-year.
Behavioural Economics

You'll be introduced to the ways in which economists and psychologists have used behavioural theories and experimental methods to provide extensions to, or alternatives to, the conventional economic wisdom covered in the  Fundamentals of Economic Behaviour module.

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Digital Marketing Technology & Management

Gain an overview of how today's firms use digital marketing practices to achieve their business objectives, giving theoretical and practical subject knowledge and understanding.

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Business, International Finance & Economics

This module will provide real world examples and case studies to illustrate how economic thinking helps businesses make the most of new opportunities, while managing the risks associated with expansion into new markets and regions.

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Business Analytics for Managers

This module introduces you to the theory and practice of conducting business analytics projects.

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Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing

This module aims to develop an understanding of entrepreneurs and the firms they create and manage.

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Research Methodology

If you select the dissertation route, Research Methodology becomes a compulsory module for you and it gives you the academic skills to confidently approach your dissertation topic.

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Business in Practice

The Business in Practice module offers an alternative to the traditional Dissertation route.

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Dissertation

If you select the Dissertation route you will work with an allocated academic supervisor and research a topic relating to international business.

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Research Methodology

If you select the dissertation route, Research Methodology becomes a compulsory module for you and it gives you the academic skills to confidently approach your dissertation topic.

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Our online platform

Our unique online learning platform my.wbs will act as the hub for your learning experience, hosting all of your teaching materials, key information from your CareersPlus and Programme Teams, and our online classroom: wbsLive.

Your learning experience

Your course will be taught through an exciting mix of face-to-face and online learning, utilising the format most suitable to the content, and in a way that helps you balance your workload and make the most of opportunities for extra-curricular activities.

Teaching and assessment will vary to fit the subject being studied. Our faculty have designed your learning experience to fit the subject being studied, with a variety of teaching and assessment styles. 

Your teaching will take the form of lectures and webinars, supported, where relevant, by guest speakers from industry to balance theory and practice. 

Your learning will be assessed by a mix of exams, group work, project work, and tests. Group and project work will enable you to collaborate and gain new perspectives from your international cohort, preparing you for working in teams within a global work environment. 

Choice of Dissertation or Business in Practice route

Dissertation route

If you are considering further academic study (PhD) and you would like the opportunity to research a topic relating to international business, the 6,000 word dissertation will enable you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained. You will be supervised and supported throughout and will usually submit your dissertation in early September. 

In total you will study eight core modules and one optional module, and complete a dissertation and a Research Methodology module. 

Business in Practice route

If you would like to develop further applied skills and specialist knowledge to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with our applied Business in Practice module. You will develop deep functional and industry expertise with practical insights from our faculty and industry experts.

In total you will study eight core modules, two optional modules and also complete the compulsory Business in Practice capstone module.

Foreign Language Study

One of the great benefits of this course is that it offers optional free foreign language study in the evenings across all three terms. This is an opportunity to develop the basics of a new language. There is a choice of six different languages, all at beginner-level (please note we are not able to offer classes at intermediate/advanced level).