Overview

Business today operates across borders, cultures and markets.

The international business environment is being shaped by:

emerging economies and global market expansion
technological innovation and digital transformation
labour mobility and demographic change
sophisticated logistics and global supply chains
changing consumer expectations and business models.

As a result, employers need professionals who can identify opportunities, navigate global challenges and lead effectively in an interconnected world.

Our MSc International Business Management prepares you to succeed in this dynamic environment. You'll develop a global perspective on how organisations operate. At the same time, you'll build practical skills in international business management, cross-cultural working and strategic decision-making.

Explore global strategy, sustainability, international marketing, trade and organisational management. You'll also examine how organisations respond to economic, technological and social change across different markets.

Real-world application is embedded throughout the course. Contemporary case studies and current business challenges bring learning to life. You'll explore recent business cases from large multinationals, small firms and social enterprises. Teaching is informed by academics with international industry, consultancy and research expertise. Guest speakers bring additional perspectives from the world of business and help connect your studies to professional practice. You may also have the opportunity to work with external organisations on your dissertation, developing solutions to real business challenges.

You'll join a diverse international community where different perspectives are valued, and ethical business practice is embedded throughout the course. As the University for the Common Good, ethical practice sits at the heart of our approach. Teaching is underpinned by the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This will help you develop as a responsible and forward-thinking business leader.

Whether you're looking to advance your career, change direction or move into an international role, this course will prepare you to make an impact in organisations around the world.

Why study International Business Management at GCU?

Gain a global perspective on how organisations operate across different markets, cultures and business environments.
Study in Glasgow, a city that is home to multinational organisations, innovative businesses and a highly skilled workforce.
Benefit from links with multinational corporations, industry guest lectures and contemporary case studies that bring international business challenges to life.
Learn from academics with international industry experience, consultancy expertise, professional certifications and active research interests.
Develop the knowledge and values to lead responsibly, with teaching underpinned by the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

What you will study

Modules

Ethics Sustainability & Governance

Contemporary Issues in International Business

Global Strategy and Sustainability

Financial Management for Global Decision Makers

International Operations Management

International Marketing Management

Postgraduate Research Methods

Developing Leadership for the Common Good

Masters Research Project

Professional Practice

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Careers

The course prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities across the private, public and third sectors, as well as research and academia.

Alumni of this course work in roles such as:

Project Supervisor
Director of Operations
Finance Officer
Community Development Officer.

They have gone on to build careers in Scotland and around the world.

Recent employers include:

Maxxcoin Investment
Cornerstone
Sense Scotland
Ireland Fellows Programme
Ekta Engineers
K2 Partnering Solutions
Four Seasons
Avanade Italy.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	16 months	Jan 28	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	1 year	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	16 months	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Minimum academic requirement

UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in any subject area.

English language requirement

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 5.5.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Teaching methods

We combine academic theory with practical application through a range of teaching methods. Learning takes place through:

lectures
seminars
masterclasses
guest speaker sessions
independent study.

Contemporary case studies and current business challenges help bring international business concepts to life. You'll explore examples from multinational corporations, small firms and social enterprises, while developing practical skills in analysis, problem-solving and decision-making.

Assessment methods

Assessments focus on the importance of individual and collaborative work. They are designed to develop academic and professional skills including:

research
analytical skills
communication
cultural awareness and sensitivity
creative and critical thinking
problem solving.

These attributes prepare you to operate in the global business community. They build confidence and demonstrate the integrity and responsibility valued by employers.

Guest lectures, professional engagement and networking events

We combine academic expertise with exposure to professional practice. You'll learn through masterclasses and sessions delivered by industry professionals, alongside opportunities to engage with guest speakers.

Live industry case studies are embedded throughout the course to deepen applied learning. You may also have the opportunity to work with external organisations on your dissertation, developing solutions to real business challenges.

You'll be invited to on-campus employer events that showcase opportunities with local, national and international organisations.

Research-led teaching

Research excellence informs teaching across the course. Two-thirds of research impact for business and management studies at GCU was rated as outstanding or very considerable in REF 2021.

This high-quality research is embedded throughout the curriculum, ensuring your learning reflects current thinking and developments in business and management.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.