University of St Andrews

MSc in International Business

The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your program.

The modules in this program have varying methods of delivery and assessment. Typically, each module consists of three to five contact hours per week including lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Assessment is either entirely by coursework or through a combination of coursework (50%) and a two-hour end-of-semester examination (50%).

Compulsory

• Contemporary Global Issues in Management: focuses on how various global trends impact economies, organizations, and the practice of management, business, and marketing within the context of responsible enterprise
• Global Business Strategy: develops a wide-ranging, critical understanding of the strategic issues involved within global organizations and the increasingly complex operating environment in which they are situated. This module draws on elements of the international political economy, financial aspects, and strategic planning in the context of the international business environment
• International Business and Emerging Markets (new for 2024-2025): examines the rising economic powers and their emergence as key players in global politics and the economy. This module will enhance understanding of emerging markets and National Innovation Systems (NIS) in newly industrialized countries and also examine emerging markets in various regions across the globe. The module will use a range of theoretical lenses – both established and newly developed – to explore how emerging market firms internationalize, catch up, and compete with established Western Multinationals. The module covers innovation and family firms from emerging markets and looks at innovative ways to alleviate poverty, focusing on how profitability can be achieved ethically and sustainably, benefiting both businesses and their stakeholders
• Masterclasses in International Business: guest speakers with significant experience in international business explore a range of topics, such as business collaboration and open innovation; the impact of international terrorism on business; doing business in emerging markets; and slavery in the modern-day business environment in interactive ‘masterclass’ sessions to develop an understanding of the topics through the lens of the practitioner and promote dialogue and debate among IB students on the issues arising from these sessions.

Optional

Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

• Behavioural Finance
• Entrepreneurship and Business Development
• Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity
• Financial Systems
• International Financial Management
• International Marketing
• Leadership in Organisations
• Managing People in Global Markets
• Marketing and Society
• Managing Non-Governmental Organisations
• Risk Management
• Scenario Thinking and Strategy.

Dissertation

Students attend lectures throughout Semesters 1 and 2 to prepare them for conducting the research portion of the dissertation. The dissertation is normally on a specific area of international business; however, at the School of Management, you will have the freedom to develop a topic of your own, which is of interest to you and will contribute towards career development or further study goals.

Supervisors are assigned based on a research proposal submitted in the second semester. Students will then research and write a 15,000-word dissertation over the summer to be submitted on a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for their Master's degree (MLitt), there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

Teaching

Teaching format

Teaching is delivered through a mixture of core and optional modules using a range of delivery methods including lectures, small group tutorials, workshops, and seminars.

The average lecture size is 50 students, however, in some cases, there will be seminars of 15 to 18 students or larger lectures with approximately 100 students, which would normally be augmented by small group tutorials made up of International Business students.

Over the summer months, students undertake a research project culminating in a written dissertation of 15,000 words.

You will attend a weekly series of lectures and workshops focusing on research methods and other topics to provide support and help prepare you for the dissertation.

Assessment

Assessment comprises a combination of coursework and examinations.

Alumni from the Masters in International Business and more generally from other Masters programs in the School of Management have secured employment in the fields of general management, management consultancy, marketing and brand management, accountancy, investment analysis, fund administration, and other aspects of the financial services industry.

Graduates from the Masters in International Business have taken up roles in a wide variety of organizations in the public and private sectors including:

• Accenture
• Amazon
• Credit Suisse Group
• Google
• IBM
• LEGO
• Oracle
• PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting
• Procter and Gamble
• Volkswagen Group.

Further study

Many Management graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programs at St Andrews or elsewhere.