International Business Management MSc

30 credits

This module will enable you to understand and prepare management information to support sound business decision-making in the allocation of resources, control of costs and maximisation of profits in productive enterprises.

The module has two main components:

1. Operations and Supply Chain Management

You will examine the key elements of manufacturing and services, including capacity, quality and scheduling, and how processes manage them. You will study the fundamentals of supply chain management, addressing contemporary issues such as sustainable supply chains, supply chain risk management, global (out)sourcing and the impact of emerging digital technologies.

2. Financial Resources Management

You will study the planning, organising, raising, and monitoring of the funds and assets that keep a business operating. You will learn how to calculate the costs associated with the production of products and the provision of services, and determine their price. You will explore budgeting approaches and how budgets are produced, as well as techniques used in evaluating the role of financial institutions and the economic environment in financial business decision making.

15 credits

The success of an organisation depends on its ability to make fast, widely supported and high-quality decisions on a frequent basis. This module introduces you to a range of processes by which organisations assimilate and process information, as well as interpret and make decisions within their environments.

These decisions tend to involve imitating competitors or differentiating themselves from them. Contemporary strategic decisions tend to involve learning, flexibility and adaptation rather than rigid, mechanistic processes of their planning era.

You will discover conceptual and analytical approaches and models to which help us to understand: a) the internal assets and capabilities of, as well as the political dynamics within an organisation, b) its relationships with suppliers, customers, regulatory bodies and other institutions, c) all of the above in the context of globalisation and international competition.

You will then consider the issues involved in understanding and designing strategic options, including those related to managing risk, managing expectations for accountability and ethical business behaviours, and financial and accounting factors.

30 credits

This module is designed to help you understand how people and teams operate within modern global organisations and to acquire the practical employability skills you will need to contribute effectively to them.

Throughout the module, you will develop capabilities that give you the confidence to work in diverse and inclusive teams, as well as the skills to work effectively in a digital world.

15 credits

This module will equip you with the knowledge and understanding of the international business environment. It is designed for those who would like to work in the international business arena.

The module equips you with the tools needed to assess changes in business environments across the world and to configure organisations to adapt to these changing environments.

30 credits

This module will introduce you to the methodologies and tools used in conducting research in consultancy projects.

You will develop the practical skills that consultants use to gather and analyse information on a specific topic and turn information into actionable insights through analysis and interpretation. You will discover the exciting world of business intelligence and big data science, with a particular focus on its use to inform decision making.

As part of the module, you will investigate a business problem using appropriate theory and research methods, providing sound, evidence-based, managerial recommendations in the form of a research proposal.

30 credits

This module will equip you with the knowledge, understanding, skills and practical experience to conduct a consultancy project to solve a real business problem and make recommendations for clients.

You will work in groups while being supported by a series of lectures, seminars and workshops. You will produce a group presentation for the client, presenting your findings and recommendations, as well as submitting a professional consultancy report.

You will be encouraged to critically reflect and evaluate your learning, performance, development and experience, producing a personal development log.

15 credits

Participatory approaches have become increasingly widespread in recent years, and they recognise the publics and other stakeholders' right to be involved in environmental decision making, but also expects them to take on a variety of responsibilities.

This module explores the diversity of participatory approaches, from global policy to local action. You will examine the benefits and challenges of participatory approaches involving a range of stakeholders in a number of contexts, and consider those who may be excluded and questions of social justice.

You will explore the complexities of implementing these policies and methods through case studies which focus on key issues and the challenges of balancing a range of competing needs.

15 credits

In this module, you’ll transform your understanding of AGILE tools and techniques into the practical skills businesses need to drive strategic change. You’ll explore how AGILE approaches thrive in specific organisational and cultural environments, and critically examine the different ‘flavours’ of AGILE before focusing on the method best suited for delivering strategic projects in any context. 

You’ll develop a clear understanding of the roles and collaborative dynamics between Scrum Masters, Product Managers, AGILE Delivery Leads, and cross-functional teams, and learn to apply product-led growth principles to guide prioritisation, experimentation, and scalable solution design. 

You’ll gain hands-on experience in iterative delivery, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, continuous improvement, and creating actionable product roadmaps that align with strategy and stakeholder needs, using the latest AGILEPM framework to ensure industry relevance.

15 credits

This module will develop your knowledge of marketing within an international context. You will explore the various challenges and opportunities faced by a firm when marketing its products and services beyond its domestic borders.

Some of the topics explored in this module include:

• Marketing environments
• Cultural diversity
• Research in an international context
• Emerging markets
• International market selection
• Market entry strategies
• International marking mix decisions.

You will also analyse the impact of the internet and new technology trends such as artificial intelligence on various facets of international marketing.

15 credits

The module introduces you to the concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation from an international perspective.

You will develop a deep understanding of the role and relevance of enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation as critical features of economic and social development for all nations and types of organisation, public and private.

You will explore new venture and small business management realities, highlighting the difference in management between new/small and large established organisations. You will gain entrepreneurial management skills and the ability to cope with ambiguity, uncertainty, and complexity.

120 credits

The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement that follows completion of the first 180 credits of taught modules and project or dissertation. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject specific skills in their chosen subject.

It is the responsibility of individual students to locate and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this will normally involve one placement which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the module leader prior to commencement to ensure its suitability.