International Trade, Strategy and Operations (MSc) (2022 Entry)
About this taught graduate course
Course overview
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, strategy or operations who wish to specialise further in these areas and students from a wide range of other disciplines who wish to pursue a career in the international field.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
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.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following:
- Band A
- IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
Additional requirements
Candidates with professional experience should include their CV with their application.
Core modules
- 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
- Business Strategy and Strategic Management
- Supply Chain Management
Read the module descriptions for this course on WMG's website.
Teaching
This course has two components – a taught component accounting for two thirds of your time and effort, and a research component (dissertation) accounting for one-third.
For the taught component, we blend synchronous and asynchronous lectures and seminars, with syndicate exercises, simulations, and case studies. Each module is delivered intensively over one full week or two half weeks, and classes are deliberately kept small to encourage interaction. Larger scale lectures are delivered for some modules and 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.
Class sizes
Overall this course can accommodate up to170 students, with several modules being delivered in smaller classes of 25-30.
Typical contact hours
Our courses are modular in structure, with modules generally being taught in intensive one-week blocks from Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 6.00pm. Some modules will be taught over two half weeks or more, and occasionally you may be required to attend weekend sessions.
In addition to the taught component, you will have online pre-module preparation, and a substantial Post Module Assignment (PMA) following each module.
Each module accounts for 150 hours of learning time, divided between pre-work, in-module time, and post module assessment.
Assessment
At the end of each module, you will be given a Post Module Assignment (PMA) based on the learning objectives of that module. This is a piece of assessed written work which should take around 100 hours to complete. Most modules also have some in-module assessed work.
For the research component, each student undertakes a major individual project, which will develop your research and analytical skills and enable you to specialise. This project accounts for 33% of your overall credits and is submitted in the form of a dissertation at the end of the year.
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 page.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.
Your career
Graduates from WMG have gone on to work for a variety of employers including:
- Airbus
- Amazon
- AstraZeneca
- Barclays
- Bloomberg
- EY
- GSK
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Siemens
The International Trade programme will prepare you to take on a senior role within a company that trades internationally. The breadth of the programme enables students to gain a clear overview of all the elements of international trade whilst giving the opportunity to also focus or specialise on a particular aspect of interest to the individual.
The programme opens up a range of career options including transportation and logistics; customs and the legal aspects of international business; business development, relationship management and negotiation; implementation of strategy.
Helping you find the right career
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
- WMG Future Fest
- Options in Engineering sector event
- Careers for experienced hires
- Careers in Cyber Security
- Careers in healthcare
- Careers in project management
WMG at Warwick
Having forged strong links with global companies through 42 years of collaborative research and development, we really understand the global market you’ll be operating in, and have designed our programmes to match.
Find out more about us on our website
Our courses
- Cyber Security Engineering (MSc)
- Cyber Security Management (MSc)
- e-Business Management (MSc)
- Engineering Business Management (MSc)
- Healthcare Operational Management (MSc)
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSc)
- Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (MSc)
- International Trade, Strategy and Operations (MSc)
- Management for Business Excellence (MSc)
- Programme and Project Management (MSc)
- Service Management and Design (MSc)
- Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (MSc)
- Supply Chain and Logistics Management (MSc)
- Sustainable Automotive Electrification (MSc)
Our Postgraduate Research degrees
- Business Transformation (MSc by Research)
- Engineering (MPhil/PhD)
- Engineering Doctorate (EngD)
- MSc by Research (WMG) (MSc)
Visiting WMG
There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. WMG also organises events for prospective students including a weekly Live Chat so you can connect directly with the department to speak with staff and students from WMG. For more about university wide open days and tours, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
WMG funding opportunities
WMG will be awarding over £1million in scholarships and bursaries to students commencing study on our full-time MSc programmes
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
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