MSc Management and International Business - (Birmingham City University)

Overview

Want to study a Master’s in business management in Birmingham? Our MSc Management and International Business degree is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Our Management and International Business course teaches you the fundamental skills and attributes you need to become a successful international manager. You’ll become adept at strategic and tactical business decisions, understanding international cultural differences, and managing and motivating staff in businesses on an international scale.

You will experience working in internationally diverse student team-based projects collaborating to deliver effective and professional reports and presentations as part of module assessments reflecting the professional practice of international management. Throughout the course, the course team will give you the support you need to realise your potential and we look forward to working with you to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills for the career of your choice.

What's covered in the course?

Initially, in the first stage, you will examine the key challenges faced by global businesses to fully appreciate the complexity and dynamics of leadership and management practice. This will see you broaden your skills in organisation, communication and working with others, particularly within an increasingly diverse cultural context.

During the second stage of your course, you will begin to explore the complexity of international operations management integrated with corporate social responsibility, sustainability and the role of innovation. You’ll be taught international strategy while also developing your research skills in preparation for your major project.

The final core Major Project module is tailored to your career aspirations. The module provides three project options;

• A work-based study route enabling you to relate the project to a current employer;
• A ‘consultancy project’ option where you find a client who has an international business problem that you feel you can solve;
• A traditional dissertation involving an in-depth exploration of both the theory and practice of international business using primary research.

Whatever route you choose, it will give you the opportunity to identify a topic and industry of your choice related to your specialist area of International Business tailoring your degree to enhance your employability for your final chosen career destination. Previous projects have involved International marketing strategy, global supply chain management in the food sector and sustainability issues in the sourcing of cotton.

Why Choose Us?

• You will develop fundamental skills in business management while having the opportunity to gain enhanced and specialist expertise to help you enter the complex and challenging field of international business operations.
• On graduating you will receive an industry recognised professional qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
• You will work alongside a diverse range of international students giving a real experience of what it is like to work and collaborate with your peers from a range of diverse cultures from Europe, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam and North America.
• You will have the opportunity to visit a leading service or manufacturing company to gain insight into the complexity of real-world global operations, such as Jaguar Land Rover.
• You will be supported by Business English language diagnostics and tutor support to help improve you in the international language of business.
• You’ll be taught by highly qualified module tutors with significant professional practice experience of a range of management and international business roles.

Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst

Course in Depth

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 120 credits):

• Managerial Finance - 20 credits
• The Integrated Business - 20 credits
• Leadership Development - 20 credits
• International Strategic Management - 20 credits
• Major Project - 40 credits
• International Operations Strategy and Innovations - 20 credits
• Cross-Cultural Management - 20 credits

In order to complete this course, a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following indicative list of optional modules.

• Research Project Management - 20 credits
• Research Practice - 20 credits

All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Course Structure

The course runs for 12 months (full-time, September or January start), or 15 months (full time, September start) and is split into three stages, each lasting at least 10 weeks (with Stage One taking place over two terms on the 15-month pathway only). Assessment is of a practical nature, including assignments, reports, presentations and examinations.

Each module consists of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, online interactive activities and assessments. Typically each module is taught on a weekly basis during term time, consisting of three hours per module per week split into one, two or three-hour sessions. A total of 9 contact hours per week is typical over a 10 week period for Stage 1 and Stage 2. Stage 3 will consist of three hours of contact time per week, supplemented with project supervision meetings as and when required for the Major Project.

Each 20-credit module is designed to require 200 hours of study, of which 30 hours or more will be via direct contact with module tutors. The remaining time will consist of independent learning, which will be structured with guidance from the module tutor to incorporate activities such as online learning, reading and group or team-based work.

Emphasis will be placed on the group as a resource for learning. There will be a group discussion of practical management situations and problems, making use of case studies, problem situations and scenarios and, where relevant, the participants' own experiences.

Assessment of the programme is designed to be an integral part of your learning process, enhancing and demonstrating your knowledge and practice. Formative feedback will be provided to you through a combination of self-reflection, peer group and tutor feedback. Summative assessments will provide a measure of the extent to you have achieved the learning outcomes of the modules.

Assessment within the modules will take various forms, including coursework assignments, reports, controlled assessment, examinations and the dissertation or project. You may be required to defend the dissertation or project through a viva, drawing on the skills developed in the programme.

All of our Management pathways have professional accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), as well as ensuring the courses are relevant and cutting edge, it means you will receive a CMI QCF Level 7 Certificate in addition to the Master’s degree upon graduating.

You will be provided with CMI membership for the duration of the course, benefitting from full access to Management Direct, CMI’s market-leading online support tool for managers and leaders. You’ll also be eligible for the CMI’s mentoring scheme and have the opportunity to attend events, helping you network and create industry links.

Entry Requirements

We require one of the following:

Essential Requirements

Essential - Entry on to Stage One (12 months)

• An honours degree of a British University or equivalent institution (minimum 2:2)
• An equivalent graduate-level qualification from an overseas university or equivalent institution (minimum 2:2)
• A pre-masters programme approved by Birmingham City University
• A pre-masters programme with a minimum of 55% average

Essential - Entry on to Stage One (15 Month)

• A maximum of a pass (Third) degree from a British university or equivalent institution or an equivalent graduate-level qualification from an overseas university or equivalent institution.

Essential - Entry on to Stage Two

• A Postgraduate Certificate (Level 7 or equivalent, a minimum value of 60 credits) in a business subject aligned with the chosen pathway (international business, finance, marketing or entrepreneurship)
• Candidates will be required to submit an extended application to evidence how their Postgraduate Certificate meets the programme learning outcomes at the equivalent stage

Essential - Entry on to Stage Three

• A Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7 or equivalent, a minimum value of 120 credits)* in a business subject aligned with the chosen pathway (international business, finance or marketing).
• Candidates will be required to submit an extended application to evidence how their Postgraduate Diploma meets the programme learning outcomes at the equivalent stage.
• Candidates will be required to have passed a research methods module (Level 7 or equivalent, a minimum value of 20 credits)* and will be required to submit an original Dissertation Proposal that has been passed by the Programme Team prior to admission approval.

*Other qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Additional information for EU/International students

Essential

Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome.

In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table.

English language requirements 2020/21

• IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands. If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information.