International Business and the European Union (MSc / MRes) - 2012/2013 entry

This programme is designed for students who want to specialise in the business environment of the European Union within a programme offering general international business content. The compulsory elements provide core training in principles of international business management and research methods, as well as a core (full-year) module in European Management and European Political Economy. We place emphasis on developing the necessary research skills to understand critically and to contribute constructively to research in the field of international business and management in general.

Students completing the programme will have developed knowledge, skills, and competencies to be able to:

• analyse problems in international business, in particular in relation to the business environment of the European Union, both in conceptual and practical terms
• carry out research, in terms of critical appraisal; theory development and the application of theories, concepts and principles and the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods 
• understand the multidisciplinary context in which the knowledge about international business exists.

• Provides a rigorous, research-based understanding of key issues in international business and management. 
• Gain a critical, research-based understanding of a broad range of key issues in international business and management within a specialisation in the business environment of the European Union.
• Watch our video: postgraduate management courses at Birkbeck.

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

MSc students take the following modules:

• European Management
• International Business Strategy
• Principles of Organization and Management
• Research Methods in Management I
• The European Union: Integration, Politics and Policy (double module).

MSc students also choose one option from the following:

• Business Environment: International and Comparative Perspectives (autumn term, Wednesdays)
• Globalization: Forces, Players and Management (spring term, Fridays)
• International Business and Economic Development (spring term, Thursdays)
• International Business Ethics (summer term, Tuesdays, Thursdays)
• International Business: Theories and Issues (autumn term, Thursdays)
• International Marketing (spring term, Tuesdays)

And one free module choices from all postgraduate modules.

MRes students take:

• European Management
• Principles of Organization and Management 
• Research Methods in Management I. 

Choose one module from the following:

• Qualitative Methods (spring term, Wednesdays)
• Statistical Methods for Business (autumn term, Tuesdays).

Choose two modules from any of the following:

• Business Environment: International and Comparative Perspectives (autumn term, Wednesdays)
• Globalization: forces, players and management (spring term, Fridays)
• International Business and Economic Development (spring term, Thursdays)
• International Business Ethics (summer term, Tuesday and Thursdays)
• International Business Strategy (spring term, Mondays)
• International Business: Theories and Issues (autumn term, Thursdays)
• International Marketing (spring term, Tuesdays).

Or the 30-credit module:

• The European Union: Integration, Politics and Policy (30 credits) (autumn and spring terms, Thursdays)

If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Management. 

Progress to a PhD will normally be dependent on gaining at least a merit grade in the Master’s programme.  It will also be dependent on a member of the teaching staff agreeing to act as principal supervisor for your PhD research.

A number of our graduates either get promoted, or go on within their own work organisations, or branch into new careers in a variety of settings, including local and national government, business and industry. The qualification in international business and management provides graduates with general qualifications which are relevant and central in most business contexts in firms, business associations and government agencies. The emphasis on business within the European Union gives the students a specialisation that is highly valued in many contexts.

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