International Business MSc

This industry-accredited Masters prepares you to conduct business in a rapidly transforming global landscape.

You will consider the latest emerging issues in international business, such as the rise of emerging market multinationals, challenges to global innovation management and trade-offs in nurturing commercially sustainable international businesses.

You will be able to identify the motivations and methods for firms to enter and operate in foreign markets, address controversial issues in international business and formulate your own international and strategic business plans. Furthermore, you will be able to appreciate the factors that drive performance in the global economy, and explore how the rise of emerging economies affects businesses and their international strategies.

As a student on this course, you will join a diverse community of staff and students from all over the world, and benefit from links with a variety of organisations, networks and alliances, allowing you to gain global experiences. You’ll enjoy a wide-ranging learning experience, both inside and outside of the classroom, with the opportunity to apply to our ‘Masters Beyond Borders’ scheme to spend a semester abroad at a partner university in Europe or Asia.

Course Highlights

• This course is informed by our leading research expertise and specialist knowledge in international business, providing you with the latest thinking and developments in our fast-changing global landscape.

• Benefit from research taking place at the world’s leading research centre for international business, the Centre for International Business at the University of Leeds (CIBUL). Here, we unite leading global experts and work alongside major private companies and public sector bodies.

• Gain valuable, real-world insight from guest speakers from all over the world. Recent speakers have included, key executives from: Versace, Piaggio, Mercado Libre, and TWE.

• Make connections with alumni of the MSc International Business course, hear about their experiences and how the MSc International Business impacted their careers.

• In your final semester, you have the opportunity to work on a company-based project for your dissertation. This gives you hands-on, applied experience working with real-world business challenges.

Find out more about studying your Masters at Leeds University Business School

Accreditation

MSc International Business is accredited by the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT), the professional membership body representing and supporting the interests of everyone involved in importing, exporting and international trade. Students are able to gain student membership of the IOE&IT during the course, providing access to a database of networking and job opportunities.

The course starts with an intensive two-week induction to introduce you to the methods of teaching, course content, academic best-practices and showcasing the relationship between the course and your career aspirations. In addition, the induction also provides you with an opportunity to familiarise and deepen your interaction with peers from your cohort, who come to Leeds from different parts of the world.

From there, you will build your knowledge and perspectives of international business and improve your confidence in using analytical skills including qualitative and quantitative methods. You will also develop depth of understanding across issues related to global economic coordination and governance as well as reflect upon some of the central debates in international business, such as those around intellectual property, labour issues and sustainability.

You will explore topics such as strategic management and entering foreign markets, and at the same time, you will build research skills and learn about the different methodologies used in international business research.

Throughout the year you will undertake compulsory modules which develop your professional skills for the workplace and prepare you for the challenges of managing organisations and individuals across different cultural contexts. You will also select optional modules on topics that suit your interests or career plans, for example, Global Business Immersion, Foreign Market Entry Strategy and European Business.

By the end of the course, you will submit an independent research project. You can either research a topic in-depth and submit a dissertation, or gain practical experience through a consultancy-style project working with an external organisation.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read International Business MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs.

This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject. You should have an interest in the subject, although you don’t need any prior experience or qualifications in this area.

International qualifications

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Business Management and Enterprise (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Business Management and Enterprise (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadline:

We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.

If you do not receive an offer in a particular round, you will either be notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or we will carry your application forward to be considered in the next round.

Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.

Apply

Documents and information you need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
• Two academic references
• A personal statement
• An up-to-date CV
• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• A letter of sponsorship, if you need one.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

• UK: £16,500 (total)
• International: £30,500 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Optional Institute of Export (IOE) student membership. See IOE website for details.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

We’re offering 50 Business School Excellence Scholarships to UK and International students starting one of our Masters courses in 2023. These scholarships offer a 50% fee reduction and will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.

You do not have to submit a separate application for our Excellence Scholarships - you will be automatically considered when your course application is reviewed.

International Excellence Scholarships (International applicants)

Masters Excellence Scholarships (UK applicants)

Read more about Masters Funding and Scholarships

Career opportunities for international business graduates are vast. Multinational organisations particularly favour employees who can work confidently across a range of different markets.

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to diverse careers in top firms worldwide, including as business analysts, country managers, product managers, trading executives, buyers, business development managers and roles in financial services. Others have sought to internationalise their own family business.

The MSc International Business also offers an excellent grounding for a research degree.

Careers support

As part of this course, our dedicated Professional Development Tutor will provide tailored academic and careers support to help you achieve your career ambitions. You'll undertake an interactive Professional Skills module, helping you develop the transferable skills that will greatly enhance your employability.

You can expect expert advice and guidance on your career choices, help in identifying and applying for jobs, support to boost your employability, as well as one-to-one coaching on developing the professional skills you will need to start a successful career, and how to evidence these to prospective employers.

You’ll also benefit from the University’s award-winning Careers Centre, where you can access range of support to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions, even after you graduate.

Read more about our careers and professional development support

Students who have formally started their study on the course may have the exclusive opportunity to apply for our extended programme, MSc International Business (Study Abroad).

You’ll have the chance to study for an extra semester outside of the UK as part of our Masters Beyond Borders scheme. If you’re accepted on to the scheme, you will study at one of our highly-rated partner business schools, located across the world. More information about the scheme will be provided after the course induction. Application criteria and briefings are released towards the end of the first semester.

Places are limited and highly sought after. Students accepted onto the scheme will graduate with the degree title MSc International Business (Study Abroad).