International Business Economics – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Course length

Full-time: 12 months
Part-time: 2 years

The MSc is based on the completion of the following compulsory modules:

Principles of International Business Economics - introduces the key principles and concepts of economics by examining the theories that underpin the subject. You will explore the topics of consumer behaviour, firm behaviour, pricing strategies under different market structures, the role of the government and the external parameters of the business environment in an international context.

Business Strategy - introduces you to the major concepts of business strategy and the analytical tools used to develop strategy in complex business environments. You will develop an understanding of how financial statements can be used to evaluate organisational and strategic performance, and how a range of stakeholders' interests impact on the development of business strategy.

Principles of Financial Accounting and Statistics - gives you the opportunity to develop core competencies in accounting and basic statistics and their integration in business decision making. This module seeks to develop an understanding of financial and quantitative information relevant to middle or senior managers which will enhance your effectiveness for operating in an international organisation. The module is primarily concerned with the analysis and interpretation of quantitative and financial information, not its production. The content of this module is used as a foundation for further study in other modules, including Research Methods.

Managing Business Operations - explores the complex and interconnecting relationships between functional areas and the real world of business. You will learn how business operations and resources can be most effectively and efficiently managed in order to achieve competitive advantage, and how every organisation has to manage its operational activities so as to add value by transforming inputs into saleable or usable output products and services.

International Trade and Globalisation - allows you to explore and examine theoretical and empirical frameworks. This will enable you to enhance your awareness of international trading relationships and trends in trading patterns. It will also help you appreciate what globalisation means for different types of businesses and how globalisation is regarded by different economic agents.

Personal Development and Leadership - addresses your individual learning needs and priorities, and explores the organisational and individual consequences of individual and collective actions and behaviours. Your personal effectiveness and capacity to recognise, adapt and apply relevant theory to the managerial context, and to personally learn from experience, will be improved by engaging in self-reflection and critical self-evaluation exercises.

Research Methods and the Dissertation - are a key component of a master's degree. They give you the opportunity to explore an area of interest, and students are encouraged to choose topics that will be valuable in their future careers. Undertaking effective management research, and being reflective on the process, is often a requirement of senior management as well as being a requirement at master's level. On this module you will be allocated a supervisor who will work with you, providing guidance and advice throughout the process.

As well as these compulsory modules a range of optional modules is available. The choice is made in consultation with the Programme Director and in accordance with the rules laid down for the award.

Elective modules

Developing Economies of Asia, Africa and Latin America - provides a critical understanding of the importance of the developing and transitional economies within the contemporary global business environment.

Regional Studies: Western and Eastern Europe - considers various aspects of the European Union and its operations, including relations with other countries and some of the implications for business. The debate about enlargement will be examined as will relationships between EU and non-EU countries with reference to trade and business opportunities.

Regional Studies: Pacific Rim - examines historic and recent developments in this region and the implications for management practice and business development. This area includes the countries that are members of APEC and ASEAN. It also involves the broader role played by China in the region.