International business and management students in breakroom

International Business and Management MSc

Prepare to work in business in the UK or abroad with a MSc degree.

Key information

See full entry requirements

Study mode and duration

  • 14 months full-time (January start)
  • 1 year full-time (September start)
  • 2 years part-time (September start)
Start date

Showing content for section Overview

Overview

If you're keen to develop your business and management skills with a focus on international business, our MSc International Business and Management degree course is for you.

On this course you'll get a deeper understanding of business and management topics in an international context. You'll learn about key themes including corporate strategy, financial management, international business and global sustainability.

You'll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of international business and management issues, and be qualified for a career in organisations in any corner of the world.

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

Course highlights

  • Learn from experienced lecturers, guest speakers and experts from the international business world
  • Compare business and management practices from around the globe and explore global case studies
  • Practically apply your new skills in our specialist facilities including Bloomberg Suite and IT labs
  • Access our Library's vast selection of electronic resources, from anywhere, 24/7
  • Build and develop your prior knowledge and experience, critical thinking and research skills

Go on to get a Master of Business Administration International

When you complete this MSc International Business and Management course you'll be able to earn a further Master's degree from Edith Cowan University in Australia in just 1 year instead of 2. This further qualification can be done in-person in Australia, or online. 

Gaining this second, international award from another prestigious university will give you a real edge in international business. 

Business and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Read more about our business and management research

The course expanded my insights into global markets and the fundamentals of business management.

The curriculum was meticulously crafted to position graduates for successful careers in the global job market.

Sakshi Deol, MSc International Business and Management graduate, 2020

Accreditation

AACSB Logo

Contact Information

Student Recruitment Centre

+44 (0) 23 9284 2991

Contact Student Recruitment Centre

Modules

What you'll study

All modules are core.

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Critically evaluate current strategic management theory and practice, through the theoretical and practical exploration of concepts and practical implementation of models and tools related to strategy

  • Critically analyse and evaluate complex and dynamic organisational challenges, and contextual and competitive pressures affecting organisations in a local and global context

  • Critically evaluate the value of ethical and sustainable strategic management (in financial, HRM, environmental, and social terms) and of the responsible business agenda, towards the achievement of sustainable competitive advantage

  • Critically evaluate change management and corporate turnaround in organisations, and evaluate diverse perspectives regarding the complexity of issues involved in different national and international business contexts

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When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Evaluate the purpose of a company's annual report, and its relationship with financial reporting and regulatory framework in the UK and internationally

  • Analyse and critically interpret company information having developed an understanding of the limitations of such information

  • Utilise management accounting tools and techniques to solve management control/performance measurement problems within organisational contexts

  • Evaluate sources, uses and management of finance

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When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Appraise a variety of data sources in the area of global sustainability and assess their reliability

  • Criticize and critique the relevant academic literature concerning business sustainability practices and defend a viewpoint derived therein

  • Construct a case study of a business and formulate an understanding of the sustainability issues it faces

  • Appraise current secondary data with regard to global sustainability issues and evaluate their impacts upon the business world

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When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Evaluate key economic theories and principles

  • Formulate business decisions by application of economic theory

  • Synthesise and communicate arguments effectively based on economic theory

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When you complete this module successfully you'll be able to: 

  • Critically analyse the various roles of HR professionals within an organisation

  • Critically evaluate contemporary HR practices employed by organisations

  • Reflect on your own practice and/or that of others to improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency

Explore this module

The learning outcomes for this module will be confirmed soon. 

Explore this module

 

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Understand and critically evaluate the key concepts of marketing

  • Demonstrate the ability to apply marketing concepts in an international context

  • Identify and critically appraise appropriate academic concepts and business information to evaluate the choices facing a company in entering an international market and apply that to their market entry or growth strategy and communications mix

  • Demonstrate the ability to identify and critically evaluate academic or business evidence, applying that to the choices facing companies in a globalised and connected world, with particular reference to the ideas of standardisation/adaptation in the context of marketing

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When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Analyse and interpret company information, from annual reports and other relevant sources, in order to analyse business problems and apply appropriate decision making, planning and control techniques

  • Critically evaluate the major principles of operations management

  • Apply the principles of operations management in a national and international strategic context

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When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Apply theory critically to analyse professional experience

  • Develop skills necessary to succeed in a multicultural and complex management environment

  • Critically evaluate cross-cultural and ethical management

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When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out research
  • Undertake and present research proposal in a clear and consistent format at Masters level, whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to: 

  • Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out research

  • Undertake and present research in a clear and consistent format at Masters level whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations

  • Analyse and critically review aspects of international business management

Explore this module

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Modules such as financial management and corporate strategy have been instrumental in establishing a solid foundation in financial principles and utilising diverse strategies essential for effective project reviews.

Uyioghosa Okundigie, Finance Analyst at News UK, MSc International Business and Management graduate

Careers and opportunities

Careers this Master’s prepares you for

When you complete this Master's in international business and management you'll have an internationally recognised qualification and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to operate successfully in business, either overseas or in the UK.

Graduates of this course have gone onto roles internationally and in the UK, such as:

  • Financial Analyst
  • Project and Commercialisation Manager
  • Restaurateur
  • Quality Assurance Manager
  • Business Development Executive
  • Business Analyst

Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.

Career planning

During your course you'll have expert careers advice from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Student Placements and Employability Centre. You can access support from our Careers and Employability Centre for up to 5 years after you graduate.

Female student standing at careers and employability help desk

Career support

You'll benefit from:
  • Networking events
  • Regular emails from the Career Ready Programme sharing job opportunities, application tips and events
  • Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
  • Workshops to enhance your employability skills
  • Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
  • 1-to-1 appointments 
  • CV and cover letter advice
  • Interview preparation and practice
  • Support starting your own business

Learn more about your career support

How you'll spend your time

We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.

We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.

Course structure

This Master's degree will take:

  • 14 months full-time (January start)
  • 1 year full-time (September start) 
  • 3 years part-time (September or January start)

If you study full-time starting in January, you can expect:

  • to complete 30 hours of independent study per week, over 48 weeks
  • to focus on your research project in the last 3 months of the course

Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.

You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • lectures
  • seminars

Assessment

You'll be assessed through:

  • coursework
  • reports
  • portfolios
  • written exams

Term dates

September start

The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.

January start

Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.

January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.

See key dates

Facilities

Bloomberg suite

Access data from the world's global financial markets and gain experience using industry standard software.

Students in the bloomberg suite facility
Discover our Bloomberg Suite

Business Simulation Suite

Experience the boardroom in our replica business suite.

Business Simulation Suite
Discover our Business Simulation Suite

Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) room

Our technology enhanced active learning space promotes social learning.

12/05/2021.University of Portsmouth - B Roll - Day One..All Rights Reserved - Helen Yates- T: +44 (0)7790805960.Local copyright law applies to all print & online usage. Fees charged will comply with standard space rates and usage for that country, region or state.
Discover our TEAL learning space

Supporting you

Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.

The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.

You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.

They can help with:

  • academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
  • reflective writing skills
  • critical thinking skills
  • delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques

If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • academic writing
  • note taking
  • time management
  • critical thinking
  • presentation skills
  • referencing
  • working in groups
  • revision, memory and exam techniques

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

Graduation Class of 2021

Joining us as an international student

You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.

Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in. 

Information for international students

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees (September 2024 / January 2025 start)

  • Full time: £12,000 per year

(including Transition Scholarship)

  • Full-time: £12,000 per year

  • Full time: £17,900

Scholarships for International Students

If you're joining us as an international student, you might be eligible to apply for a scholarship depending on which course you're studying, where you're from and your academic achievement to date. 

Check your eligibility

University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount

Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.

You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Funding your studies

Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.

If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.

International student scholarships are available across the University. 

International students can apply for our January 2024 Faculty scholarship

Loans, scholarships and bursaries

Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.

Female Master's student
Explore funding

Funding for international students

Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.

international business students
Discover your options

Fees and funding for Master's courses

Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.

Postgrad students on campus
Explore funding

Additional costs

These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:

  • Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
  • Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
  • General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
  • Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Entry requirements

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

September 2024 / January 2025 start

  • A second-class honours degree or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.

Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.

Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, view the equivalent entry requirements we accept for your country

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.

You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:

  • you have a UK degree
  • you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
  • you are a national of a majority English speaking country

Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

How to apply

Ready to apply?

Start this course in September 2024

Apply now (1 year full-time)

Apply now (2 years part-time)

Start this course in January 2025

Apply now (14 months full-time)

I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate

If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2023, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:

  • a shorter application form to complete
  • access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
  • a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses 

Learn more about fast track

After you apply

Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.

You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.

Learn more about how we assess your application.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.