International Business (MSc / MRes) - 2013/2014 entry

This programme is designed for graduates who wish to develop a thorough understanding of key issues in international business and management, with a particular focus on how firms might internationalise and develop effective international business strategies to address business threats and opportunities in the international market.

The programme combines specialist taught courses with general training in management, business organisation, strategy and research methods. You also complete a dissertation on a topic covered by the programme, supervised by a member of staff undertaking research within that area.

Students completing the programme will develop knowledge, skills, and the competency to be able to analyse critical issues in international business with both qualitative and quantitative methods, and to design and implement international business strategy and policy development. It is particularly relevant if you are, or would like to be, a manager with responsibility for international business and policy affairs in a private or public sector organisation.

• Provides you with a critical, research-based understanding of a broad range of key issues in international business and management.
• Draws on the expertise of Birkbeck's International Business and Strategy Research Group, a leading centre for research, training and policy advice.
• Taught by a team with an international reputation in their respective areas.
• Watch our video: postgraduate management courses at Birkbeck.

MSc students complete eight modules and write a 15,000-word dissertation. MRes students complete six modules and write a 25,000-word dissertation.

All students take the following four modules:

• International Business Strategy
• International Business: Theories and Issues
• Principles of Organization and Management
• Research Methods in Management I.

MSc students also take Business Environment: International and Comparative Perspectives and choose two of the following:

• Comparative Employment Relations 
• European Management
• Globalisation, Forces, Players and Management
• International Business and Economic Development
• International Business Ethics
• International Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
• International Marketing.

Plus one module from around 40 management modules, some taught in collaboration with other departments and universities.

MRes students take the module Qualitative Research Methods or Statistical Methods for Business Research and choose one of the following:

• Business Environment: International and Comparative Perspectives
• Comparative Employment Relations 
• European Management
• Globalization: Forces, Players and Management
• International Business and Economic Development
• International Business Ethics
• International Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
• International Marketing
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Statistical Methods for Business Research.

Birkbeck's Strategy and International Business Research Group supports the programme as a centre for research, training and policy advice on foreign direct investment and knowledge diffusion, globalisation of innovative activities, comparative business systems and management, international human resource management and international business strategy. The research group organises seminars and publishes major books and academic papers in the world’s leading journals within its field of interest.

We engage in significant collaborative research and have excellent contacts with many public and private sector organisations, professional bodies and researchers at other academic institutions.

Academic tutorial support and guidance systems are in place in the Department of Management to ensure students’ academic and personal development. The School also has a dedicated learning coordinator, who supports students in their studies and offers help and advice on a wide range of study skills.

If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Management. A number of MSc and MRes students go on to PhD studies after completing their course.

The programme is suitable for professional careers in any area of international business, or in public organisations where an understanding of various aspects of international business and management is essential. Our students are coming from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences both from the private and public sector, and a significant proportion takes our programme part-time in conjunction with their other professional commitments in order to widen their career options.

In past Graduate Destination Surveys, our graduates told us they were applying their knowledge, skills and expertise by working for multinational companies such as Barclays, UBS, ESAB Holdings, as well as for international embassies based in London. In addition, our graduates were working for a range of consulting companies.

Personal careers advice is available to our students via the University of London Careers Advisory Service.

• As early as possible, but no later than September.