Explore our International Trade, Strategy and Operations taught Master's degree.

P-H1S8

MSc

1 year full-time

2 October 2023

WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group)

University of Warwick

Modern business trades across international boundaries, so a thorough knowledge and understanding of the management and operational requirements to trade successfully in international markets is essential to success. International Trade, Strategy and Operations MSc delivers just that. Learn to manage and lead change within international businesses while studying amongst leading experts in the multidisciplinary WMG department.

This course is accredited by the Institute of Export and International Trade.

Accredited by the Institute of Export, this MSc delivers a thorough understanding of the management and operational requirements necessary to trade successfully in international markets. 

The programme is heavily focused on the application of theory into practice and how the skills developed throughout your studies will be used to best advantage in a professional environment. You will learn how international companies operate, and will develop the skills to enable your involvement in the whole process from initial engagement with a new market, right through to the delivery of a product or service. 

Throughout the year, you will learn to identify business opportunities, formulate strategic options, and define business-winning propositions, as well as learning to manage, lead change, and improve operational and supply chain processes.

The International Trade, Strategy and Operations MSc investigates and analyses real-world applications. It is set within a truly global context due to the international nature of case studies and examples which illustrate the issues and challenges facing a range of stakeholders, from businesses at a micro-level, to governmental bodies at a macro-level. Teaching from the course team will be both research and experience led, as many of the course team members are active research participants and/or have experience of engaging with business in a variety of areas on an international scale.

This course will appeal equally to those students with a background in international trade or business and students from a wide range of other disciplines who wish to pursue a career in the field of international trade.

This course has two components – a taught component accounting for two thirds of your time and effort, and a research component accounting for one-third.

For the taught component, we blend synchronous and asynchronous lectures and seminars, with syndicate exercises, simulations, and case studies. Many modules are taught in small classes to facilitate and encourage interaction. Others practice large-scale lectures, which are backed up by seminar and syndicate activities.

Our module leaders have extensive industry experience. Guest speakers from industry also contribute regularly, bringing real-world insight into your learning experience.

In addition to your taught modules, you will undertake a major project as part of your Masters’ degree, which will develop your research and analytical skills and enable you to specialise. This is nominally 600 hours (60 CATS points) of learning, mainly taking place during the Spring and Summer terms. You will be expected to engage regularly with your Project Supervisor or Coach and to provide progress updates and drafts of your work to an agreed schedule.

Overall this course can accommodate up to 170 students, with several modules being delivered in smaller classes of 25-30.

Module delivery patterns vary, but most will be delivered in a short learning block of up to 4 weeks, allowing your focus to be on one module at a time. Each module nominally accounts for 150 hours, which includes scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments.

The Study, Professional and Analytical Skills (SPA) Module also consists of 150 hours of learning and is purposefully designed to meet the complex learning and professional needs of postgraduate students. The module is taught across the year, and is composed of three interlinked yet distinctive learning strands: Study Skills, Professional Skills, and Analytical Skills. SPA is a blended module, which runs asynchronously and synchronously with the student learning journey, providing a programme of carefully designed learning activities, materials, and resources.

Modules are predominantly assessed by way of written Post Module Assignments (PMA), but assessment can also be in other formats. Most modules will also have a degree of In-Module Assessment (IMA), which will vary by module and may take the form of presentations, on-line tests, self-reflection or a range of other methods.

For the research component, you will undertake a major project. Project submission is likely to include both a written and a presentation element, accounting for 33% of your overall academic grade.

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web pageLink opens in a new window.

Your timetable

Core modules will be allocated to students at the end of the first week of term - you will then be able to view your individual module schedule for the rest of the year via the WMG module selection system.

Elective modules will be bookable through the same system later in the term.

Modules will include scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments, and will usually be delivered within a 4 week timeframe. Occasional classes and study skills sessions may be held at weekends or in the evenings.

As a Masters student, you are expected to manage your own time appropriately. On average, you are expected to commit 38-40 hours of study each week, in order to successfully achieve your Master’s degree.

This is a full-time postgraduate course - undergraduate term dates do not apply. Whilst there are no holidays as such, there will be no teaching scheduled when the University is officially closed, during the two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

Candidates with a UK 2:ii (or equivalent) may be accepted upon demonstration of relevant professional experience.

• Band A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0

Candidates with professional experience should include their CV with their application.

Core modules are required modules that all students will complete whilst on this programme. For ITSO, your core modules are:

• International Trade
• Trade Policy
• Global Marketing Strategy
• International Business Development
• Financial Aspects of International Trade
• Transport Techniques and Management
• Study, Professional and Analytical Skills

Optional modules

One elective module should be chosen from the following list, allowing you the flexibility to tailor the course in line with your specific interests:

• Global Business Environment and Markets
• International Business Strategy, Analytics and Management
• Supply Chain Management

Read the module descriptions for this course on WMG's website.Link opens in a new window

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