Programme Specifications

The aims of the MSc International Business Management programme are in line with section 1.8 of the QAA 2023 statement for master’s courses in Business and Management. The aims of the programme are:

The advanced study of international business with a specific emphasis on the marketing function, and the changing external context in which businesses operate and market their products and services.

The advanced study of organizations and their management and leadership. The development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in marketing for international, national and local markets. The development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in finance and human resource management.

Preparation for and/or development of a career in business and management, or marketing, by developing skills at a professional or equivalent level, or as preparation for research or further study in the area.

Development and enhancement of a range of general transferable skills and attributes.

Development of lifelong learning skills, including engendering an enthusiasm for business and for learning more generally as part of continuing personal and professional development.

A1 Customers and stakeholders – customer expectations, service and orientation

A2 Marketing and sales – approaches for segmentation, targeting, positioning, generating sales, and the need for innovation in product and service design

A3 International marketing – apply different marketing tools and strategies in the context of technologically sophisticated and knowledge-intensive international markets and critically evaluate the business’s strategic marketing decisions in these markets.

A4 Finance – the sources, uses and management of finance, uses of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications

A5 People – strategic and operational HRM; meeting future organisational requirements; people development; leadership and emotional intelligence; HR systems

A6 External environment – understanding of the economic, cultural, political and legal environment in which businesses operate internationally, including the impact of government policy, the role of international agencies, and compliance with commercial law

A7 Information systems, communication and business intelligence –information systems and their impact on organisations; digital and other communications tools; transforming data into useful information to support business decision-making

A8 Pervasive Issues – these include sustainability, globalization, corporate social responsibility, diversity, business innovation, creativity, enterprise development, knowledge management and risk management.

Learning outcomes A1-A8 are acquired through lectures, seminars, case studies, individual tasks, group work and directed independent study. The development of the research projects during Part Two provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A8.

Lectures and seminarsintroduce the required theoriesand understanding to facilitate exploration of the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of business related issues while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach. The use of seminars and case studies allows students to develop their own ideas, and to express, and ultimately, justify and defend them, against competing claims. Part of the aim is to encourage the student to take increasing responsibility for his or her own learning.

Directed independent study and reading, along with individual tasks, facilitate further exploration of the relevant areas.

Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library and journal materials relating to individual modules of the programme.

Part Two of the programme requires a student to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical evaluation of specific issues. It also requires the student to demonstrate a range of relevant research skills.

The learning outcomes are assessed informally and formally by various means. Oral presentations and the associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings and develop presentation skills. Learning outcomes are assessed formally via unseen written examinations, coursework assignments, projects, and in some instances through assessed presentations.

B1 Problem-solving and critical analysis: collecting relevant information relating to a current situation, analysing facts and circumstances to determine the cause of a problem, identifying and evaluating possible solutions; decision-making and selecting appropriate, sustainable solutions; being able to think critically and be creative; managing the creative processes in self and others; organising thoughts, analysing, synthesising and critically appraising; the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately; the ability to implement and review decisions.

B2 Research: the ability to conduct research and enquiry into finance and financial market issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, synthesis and reporting; analysing and evaluating a range of data, sources of information and appropriate methodologies, which includes the need for strong digital literacy, and to use that research for evidence-based, responsible and ethical decision-making; an ability to evaluate the rigour and validity of published research in business and management and assess its relevance to new situations.

B3 Commercial acumen: based on an awareness of the key drivers for business success, causes of failure and the importance of providing customer satisfaction and building customer loyalty in sustainable ways.

B4 Awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the relevant field of the business academic discipline, specialism within it or similar area of professional practice

C1 To operate effectively in a variety of team roles; a performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and use individuals’ contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development, and management.

C2 Leadership and managing change: take on leadership roles and carry them out responsibly and effectively. This includes having the capacity to recognise the need for change, the ability and proactivity to initiate change, as well as managing change.

C3 People management: team building, resilience and well-being, leadership, and motivating others; selecting the appropriate leadership style for different situations; nurturing equality, diversity and inclusion; performance management; setting objectives, coaching and mentoring.

C4 Numeracy: the use of quantitative skills to manipulate data, evaluate, estimate, and model finance and business problems, functions and phenomena.

D1 Effective business communication: verbal and/or non-verbal communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media (for example, digital media) and technology, including the preparation of reports.

D2 Interpersonal skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and inclusivity in different situations.

D3 The ability to work collaboratively and inclusively with both internal and external stakeholders with professional integrity