International Business MSc/Postgraduate Diploma

www.ib.stir.ac.uk

Management is a key part of the University’s teaching and research portfolio. The University has developed an enviable reputation for delivering world-class business and management programmes and for undertaking internationally recognised research. The programme provides an opportunity for students to learn and to understand the business opportunities of an increasingly interdependent yet diverse business world.

Programme Objectives

The aim of this MSc is to incorporate the new dimensions of international business competencies. It is an innovative, rigorous and challenging programme that will give you a comprehensive grounding in the theoretical and empirical knowledge of international business.

The International Business programme is specifically designed to achieve the following:

• An understanding of the relevance of international trade in today’s business environment.
• An understanding of the challenges and opportunities that result from globalisation.
• A knowledge of the different approaches to managing businesses in the global environment.
• An awareness of the emergence of new trading blocs and the pressures they infl ict on business and managers.
• An awareness of the ethical and environmental issues that have emerged as a result of globalisation and its impact on consumers.

Entrance Requirements

A good Honours degree in any discipline, or equivalent professional qualifications in a relevant subject from a university recognised by the University of Stirling.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5 in each skill) or TOEFL 550/213/79 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

Funding

Support for the Diploma element of the programme is available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for eligible Scottish and EU students on a quota basis. Details are available from: www.saas.org.uk To be eligible for SAAS awards applicants must be normally resident in Scotland or be non-British EU residents.

For further information on possible sources of funding, visit: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance

Modes of Study

Full-time:

MSc: 1 year

Diploma: 9 months

Programme Start Date

September

Programme Director

Jenoah Joseph

Business & Organisation Division

Structure and Content

The programme consists of: two 15-week semesters of taught modules; and a three-month dissertation period.

Autumn semester core modules:

• International Finance: The module will provide an understanding of the key areas of finance within an
  international environment, focusing on topics such as the operation of the foreign exchange market, country risk analysis and the use of the main derivative products in international finance.
• Organisational Behaviour and Analysis: This module introduces the key concepts and theoretical approaches used in understanding social behaviour in organisations and models of organisational analysis.
• International Business: This module aims to provide you with the means to understand and manage changes in the international business environment. It considers macro and microeconomic, political and social issues currently affecting the competitiveness of international business.
• Managing International Organisations: You will be introduced to the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of managing international organisations in a global market economy, including the context of international business, the range of strategic options open to companies and how the differences between societies and national cultures affect the various functional areas of management.
• Research Methods and Dissertation Planning (Part 1): A two-semester module in which you will be introduced to research methods in business and management and be shown these methods can be used in practice – in preparing for your dissertation. The module covers the basics of both qualitative and quantitative research, as well as practical issues of topic selection, data collection and analysis and writing up a dissertation.

Spring semester core modules:

• Strategic Management: The module provides an overall understanding of the needs, contexts and processes involved in strategic management within organisations. You will examine the main underlying approaches to strategic management, from prescriptive approaches and techniques to those which draw on observation and experience of real management issues.
• Europe and the Emerging Markets: This module will focus on current business approaches and strategies within Europe, the Asian emerging markets, and provide a perspective on Africa.
• Research Methods and Dissertation Planning (Part 2): The second half of the module includes the preparation and submission of an individual research proposal that may form the basis of your dissertation topic.

You will also choose two elective modules from: International HRM, New Venture Management, Management Development, Research for Enterprise, Strategic Planning for Information Systems, Marketing Strategy or Enterprise Planning/Operations Management.

Delivery and Assessment

Teaching involves lectures, seminars, workshop-based sessions and presentations. You are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination, including written assignments and presentations.

Successful completion of the taught element of the programme leads to the award of Diploma or allows you to continue for the award of MSc in International Business by completing a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic agreed with the Programme Director. This must be submitted by the end of August.

Timetable

Contact the Division for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the programme have gone on to gain employment in a wide variety of public and private sector organisations in positions in management consultancy, international business, marketing, human resource management and information technology. Some recent graduates have embarked on careers in companies such as Microsoft, British Telecom, IBM, British Airways and KPMG.

Research Opportunities

Staff conduct and publish original, rigorous and significant research work with a direct impact on, and benefit for, society and the economy. A multitude of user communities are served: managers, practitioners and policy-makers, private and public organisations, academics and students. Research output and achievements are disseminated to this wide audience through research articles, applied output, practitioner and academic conference presentations, policy advice and guidance, research monographs, books and media coverage.

An important indicator of the quality of the support environment is the fact that the Management subject area has been awarded 1+3 and +3 recognition by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

For additional information on the Division’s research activity and achievements, visit: www.management.stir.ac.uk/business/

Research Proposal

Research proposals, focusing on topics which fall into the areas of research expertise of current staff in the School, should include the following: executive summary, importance of the proposed research, prior relevant research and literature review, research questions and methodology, any limitations or particular requirements for the research.

There is no specified word limit for Business & Organisation or Stirling Institute for Socio-Management research proposals.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.

If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.