MA
International Business and English
Become an effective business communicator
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Our course will build your critical awareness of current issues in business research and practice. It provides a solid understanding of a range of key international business and organisational contexts such as economics, marketing, and management alongside opportunities to develop your use of English as an international business language and appreciation of cultural influences underpinning business communication.
Please note that native English speaking applicants are not eligible to apply for this degree.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Develop your ability to use English effectively as an international business language in a variety of contexts
- Learn to design and deliver high-quality analyses based on the best of current business thinking
- Visit our International Office to get all the support you need while living in a new country
What opportunities might it lead to?
This degree will allow you to gain an attractive collection of expertise and competences suitable to an international business career. Specifically, it will prepare you for working in an international environment where communication in English is desirable or essential.
My classmates are from a variety of backgrounds and cultures so I can learn from their experiences as well as their languages and cultures.
Chi-Hang Lau, business and management student 2013
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Entry
A good honours degree in a business, management or a related subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in all individual components, or equivalent.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £6,000
International full-time students: £11,000
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8200 - Department
- Portsmouth Business School
Structure & Teaching
We have designed the curriculum to enhance your employability upon graduation. It addresses two important and related needs, key skills in the areas of finance, economics, marketing and strategic management, including the tools to understand contemporary problems in commercial and public sector environments.
Here are the units you will study:
Principles of Economic and Quantitative Analysis: this unit provides those new to studying economics with the principles of economic theory before progressing to cover key mathematic and statistical concepts. It concludes with an introduction to econometric modelling techniques. On completing this unit you will be able to develop solutions to business problems using conceptual and statistical techniques. Topics covered include:
- markets and theory of the firm
- macroeconomic policy
- statistical analysis
- introduction to econometric modelling techniques
Economics in Business: international trade and finance are central issues to business communities. This unit introduces key theories of trade and finance, and demonstrates their relevance to global economic issues. Upon completion, you will appreciate arguments relating to efficiency in international markets and the operation of various international institutional arrangements for government and business. Topics covered include:
- growth and development
- balance of payments and exchange rate determination
- economic integration
- the international monetary system
International Business Communication: this unit deals with communication issues in an international business setting. You will gain awareness of the how culture influences language skills and communicative appropriacy. It will also enhance effective skills in written and spoken business English. Topics covered include:
- models of national culture and models of communication
- national culture and corporate culture
- negotiating across cultures
- presenting across cultures
Strategic Management and Global Marketing: this unit gives you an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and critical thinking in key areas of global marketing and strategic management. It explores the nature of strategic decision making and change management, as well as critically reviews approaches to strategic management, and addresses paradoxes in differing national and international contexts. Topics covered include:
- researching international markets
- international product development and global markets
- the basis of competitive advantage
- managing strategic change processes
- organisation development and systems intervention
Research Methods: Students on all economics postgraduate programmes complete a scheme of independent research. We offer comprehensive training via lectures and workshops throughout the year to develop skills commensurate with standards of good research practice. On completing this programme you will be ideally placed to develop your own research projects and work within professional research teams.
Dissertation: Your dissertation engages you in economic research using the skills and judgement you have developed during your course. You will start your research training when you join us and we will help you right from the development of a working proposal through to concentrating on your project after completing your taught units. You will be guided by a member of the department through formal meetings and via our use of social media.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops that emphasise the acquisition of skills and developing confidence in communicating your ideas. A variety of teaching methods are employed, which range from formal lectures and tutorials to student presentations, in-class exercises and computer-based sessions. This variety is an important element in optimising the learning process and your experience.
How are you assessed?
The majority of your assessment will be coursework-based; however some units are assessed via time-constrained examinations. Your studies conclude with a written research project on a topic of your choice.
Facilities & Features
Flexible Learning
Benefit from web, email or phone access to many of our facilities and services
Support
Tutors are available to support your studies via online tutorials, email and telephone conferencing
International Office
The International Office provides extensive support during your studies
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including thousands of online ejournals
Flexible Learning
You will benefit from web, email or phone access to many of our facilities and services. Our student website, LookUP, will be your one-stop shop for all news, information and links to other services, and 24/7 online access to the University Library’s vast electronic book, journal and database collections will help you find the right resources for your research.
Support
We aim to provide you with as much support as possible. There are tutors available to support your studies via online tutorials, email and telephone conferencing. You will also be assigned a personal tutor who will offer support and guidance throughout your studies.
International Office
We are a very cosmopolitan community with more than 4,000 international and EU students from over 100 different countries. The role of the International Office is to provide you with extensive support to make your time here as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, enabling you to focus on your studies.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Upon completion of the course, many employment opportunities will be open to you in organisations all over the world. The degree is very suitable for entry to the public or state sector. Career opportunities include commercial, industrial and public sector managers, as well as many other jobs with responsibility for decision-making. In particular, we will help you become more skillful in using English in a business environment.
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.