International Business (MSc) (2024 Entry)
Learn more about our International Business taught Master's degree.
MSc International Business focuses on detailed insight into contemporary challenges faced across global economies. Warwick Business School, ranked 6th most targeted University by top employers (The Graduate Market in 2022 Report), will help you develop your career by gaining knowledge of relevant theories and their practical applications.
Course overview
If you are a graduate looking to develop a career in international business, this course will give you the skills and knowledge needed to do business in a global context. You will develop an appreciation of the special requirements for successfully conducting business across national boundaries along with knowledge of relevant theories and their practical application to business cases.
There is a choice of Dissertation, or Business in Practice route. If you are considering further academic study (PhD) and you would like the opportunity to research a topic relating to international business, the dissertation enables you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained.
If you would like to develop further applied skills to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with one additional optional module and our applied Business in Practice module.
Skills from this degree
- Gain the specialist skills needed to do business in a global context
- Become an expert in your own areas of interest with our range of optional modules
- Showcase your learnings in practice with the applied Business in Practice module
- Develop your industry acumen by accessing our CareersPlus service with specialist careers coaches.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
At least a 2:1 degree at Undergraduate level or equivalent. We consider applicants from all undergraduate backgrounds for this MSc.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band B
- IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Core modules
International Business
The module aims to develop a critical awareness of the issues, problems, concepts, and skills associated with the development of international business strategy and operations.
Strategy Analysis and Practice
This module will provide you with a foundation for, and a critical assessment of, theoretical and empirical approaches to strategy.
Quantitative Methods for Business
The module will equip you with an understanding of descriptive/inferential statistics and data presentation and enable you to apply the major tools needed for MSc level study and for the use of data analysis in the workplace.
Marketing in an International Environment
Gain a strong conceptual grounding in the core principles of marketing, as needs to be applied by managers in international contexts.
Foundations of Financial & Management Accounting
Gain a comprehensive introduction to financial reporting and management accounting. The unit adopts a user perspective, rather than a specialist accountant perspective.
Fundamentals of Economic Behaviour
Get an introduction to fundamental economic concepts.
International Business Strategy
Develop an understanding of the key strategic challenges facing internationally-focussed businesses and analyse how companies design, implement and manage international strategies.
Work and Human Resources in a Global Context
Understand key contextual features, such as models of capitalism and supranational governance, alongside the prominent role of multinational enterprises as transnational employment relations actors.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
Behavioural Economics
You'll be introduced to the ways in which economists and psychologists have used behavioural theories and experimental methods to provide extensions to, or alternatives to, the conventional economic wisdom covered in the Fundamentals of Economic Behaviour module.
Digital Marketing Technology & Management
Gain an overview of how today's firms use digital marketing practices to achieve their business objectives, giving theoretical and practical subject knowledge and understanding.
Business, International Finance & Economics
This module will provide real world examples and case studies to illustrate how economic thinking helps businesses make the most of new opportunities, while managing the risks associated with expansion into new markets and regions.
Business Analytics for Managers
This module introduces you to the theory and practice of conducting business analytics projects.
Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing
This module aims to develop an understanding of entrepreneurs and the firms they create and manage.
Teaching
To complete your degree, you will have the option to choose between the Dissertation or Business in Practice route:
Dissertation route
If you are considering further academic study (PhD) and you would like the opportunity to research a topic relating to international business, the 6,000-word dissertation enables you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained. You will be supervised and supported throughout and will usually submit your dissertation in early September. The Research Methodology module will help prepare you for the dissertation.
In total, you will study eight core modules and one optional, and complete the Research Methodology module and a dissertation.
Business in Practice route
If you would like to develop further applied skills and specialist knowledge to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with two additional optional modules and our applied Business in Practice module. You will develop deep functional and industry expertise with practical insights from our faculty and our CareersPlus and Corporate Relations team.
In total, you will study eight core modules, two optional modules and also complete the compulsory Business in Practice capstone module.
Class sizes
The typical class size for this course is around 85 students.
Typical contact hours
Students on this MSc will typically receive between 27 and 30 contact hours per module.
Assessment
Assessment on the course will be comprised of a mix of exams, individual and group work, and tests.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, core and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your core modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.
There may be events taking place in the evenings. Classes may run up to 7pm and other events, such as careers presentations may take place later or on weekends. Occasionally, classes and exams may be held on weekends. We will notify you in advance if this is the case.
This is a full-time course, so there are no holidays as such. However, the two weeks covering Christmas and New Year are guaranteed to be free from lectures. There may also be weeks free over the Easter period (check with your programme team). Resit exams may take place outside of standard teaching periods.
Your career
We have our own dedicated careers team at Warwick Business School called WBS CareersPlus. You will have access to one-to-one career guidance appointments, CV checks and tailored mock interviews.
Personalised support
The WBS CareersPlus team will support you and help you to understand yourself and your strengths. They can help you to identify possible career paths, and to set and achieve your career ambitions. This helps to boost your employability and helps you prepare for your career.
You can take advantage of personalised careers coaching and advice. Our one to one careers appointments can help you if you have a question about writing applications, wish to explore your career options, or need to prepare for interviews and assessment centres.
Warwick Business School
If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?
Find out more about us on our website.
The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.
MSc Finance
- 4th in the UK and 16th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2023
- 6th in the UK and 19th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024
MSc Management
- 1st in the UK and 18th in the world - Economist/WhichMBA - 2021 Masters in Management biennial ranking
- 2nd in the UK and 28th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023
- 3rd in the UK and 18th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024
MSc Marketing & Strategy
- 2nd in the UK and 9th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024
MSc Business Analytics
- 2nd in the UK and 14th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024
Our Postgraduate Taught courses
MSc courses
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- Business Analytics (MSc)
- Business and Finance (MSc)
- Business with Marketing (MSc)
- Business with Operations Management (MSc)
- Finance (MSc)
- Finance and Economics (MSc)
- Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation (MSc)
- International Business (MSc)
- Management (MSc)
- Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MSc)
- Marketing and Strategy (MSc)
- Mathematical Finance (MSc)
MBA
Executive Diplomas
- Advanced Management (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Behavioural Science (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Digital Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Marketing Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Strategic Leadership & Change (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Strategy & Innovation (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
Our Postgraduate Research courses
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Fee Status Guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee status
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
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.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
How to apply
The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.
Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.
How to apply for a postgraduate taught course
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Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.Postgraduate Fairs
Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.
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Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.
Warwick Talk and Tours
A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.