Grounded in theory and practice, this MSc focuses on developing your understanding of business and management within a global context, offering a deep insight into areas such as strategic management, cultural management issues, ethical and environmental issues and international value chains.
Referring to real-life business examples and hearing direct from practitioners, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategic and tactical challenges of operating internationally when confronted with, for example, mergers and acquisitions or foreign direct investment. We’ll also share our own research, for example, studying the role of Chinese trade union organisations on collective wage consultation and strikes, and the challenges of developing countries’ labour market, income and employment.
We’ll uncover some of the different and often fascinating trade practices that exist across continents and countries, such as the varying age restrictions on child labour, often influenced by historical, cultural and social background. You’ll also be exposed to the unique challenges of identifying, managing and training a global workforce with diverse staff of multiple nationalities and ethnicities, with the chance to take part in a practical mock interview scenario.
Your final project will give you the opportunity to directly transfer your learning to the workplace by researching a current topic, responding to a specific business issue or undertaking a ‘live’ work-based project. One student prepared a business plan for a Staffordshire-based SME which was seeking Chinese investment, investigating international business opportunities on its behalf and assessing challenges including local competition.
On graduation, you’ll be prepared for a career in leadership or management throughout the world. Past graduates pursuing a range of managerial and professional careers from management consultant and business analyst to marketing officer and foreign sales representative.
International business knowledge benefits employers in all types of jobs and industries – from sport and leisure, the arts and entertainment to social work, engineering and the natural sciences. We, therefore, welcome applicants from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines; past students have joined us having studied subjects as diverse as history, sociology, geography and law, as well as business.
What you will learn
Business today is global, which brings both opportunities and challenges that require managers and leaders who have an expanded awareness and understanding of operating businesses internationally. This exciting master’s course aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills and techniques to be able to understand how organisations operate across borders at both a strategic and operational level.
The programme covers core international business subjects such as international business context, international strategic management, international human resources, global operations and supply and accounting.
Depending on availability, you can also choose to study modern language as your optional module, from absolute beginners to advanced level in British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish or Russian. Those for whom English is a second language may also choose Advanced Business English.
Key Facts
- Keele is ranked 3rd in the UK for business by the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES 2019). 91.3% overall student satisfaction with Keele Business School (2019 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey).
- Boost your employability by gaining an international perspective and a broader world view to solve commercial challenges.
- Taught by an international faculty who will share their latest research on topics as diverse as operation management systems in Toyota, entrepreneurship in Chinese SMEs, equality and diversity, and sustainable consumption.
- Our Grand Challenges lecture series invites speakers to provide fresh perspectives on the political, ethical and intellectual problems we face as a world today, while our Lunchtime Lectures centre on leadership in the context of complexity and inclusion.
- Our graduates work in a variety of roles, from junior analysts to senior lending officers and assistant managers, for large multinational corporations and SMEs, including China Central Television and Sportcal (Sports market intelligence).
DURATION: 1-year full-time
SUBJECT AREAS: Business Management
FEES (2021/22 ACADEMIC YEAR): £18,000
SCHOLARSHIPS: £1,000 to £10,000