- International Business Management
MSc — 2025 entry International Business Management
Enhance your awareness of current global management issues to help you enter the dynamic world of international commerce. You'll gain vital skills for today's globalised economy and learn how to manage a multinational business
Why choose
this course?
- As an international business management student you’ll be based in the Surrey Business School and be part of a vibrant community, focused on improving business practice and creating a sustainable and positive change.
- This International Business Management masters course will teach you how to manage a multinational business. You’ll learn how to develop and implement global strategies, and how to make companies of any size truly international. While benefiting from Surrey Business School’s emphasis on enterprise and innovation, you’ll be encouraged and motivated to expand your creative and practical thinking abilities.
- We make sure you have the skills and knowledge that employers look out for, and you’ll have the chance to engage with real, contemporary challenges within modern business throughout your studies.
- The School is renowned for its:
- World-class teaching and research
- Strong focus on entrepreneurship and enterprise
- Vibrant and diverse community
- Excellent career prospects.
Statistics
Fantastic graduate prospects
94% of our Surrey Business School postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
Top 10
Surrey is ranked 9th in the UK for overall satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2023)
Top 75 globally
Surrey is ranked 67th in the THE World University 2023 Business and Economics subject rankings
Accreditation
What you will study
Studying this course will help you to gain a thorough understanding of how successful businesses continue to have an international reach, despite the many challenges posed by the modern world.
Our MSc in International Business Management has been designed to help you gain a thorough understanding of how successful businesses maintain an international reach despite challenges posed by the modern world. You’ll learn how to manage a multinational business, develop and implement global strategies, and adopt the techniques required to control multinational business environments. All key skills that employers will be looking for.
We’ll teach you how to effectively formulate and implement global strategies to succeed in international business. We’ll spark your interest by teaching you about the techniques and knowledge that professional managers need to control multinational business environments. You can also expect to explore areas such as the management of responsibility and ethical considerations.
You’ll experience an inspiring combination of our research findings and case studies from international firms and, in the process, discover why adopting some of the best, forward-thinking management techniques from around the world is crucial to success.
Professional recognition
MSc - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Please note that the modules E-Business Strategy and Business Reporting Techniques are taught from June to July and the International Business Project is undertaken from August to September.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
The world-wide political and economic liberalization and continuous technology improvement in the last three decades have brought unprecedented flows of goods, services, labour and capital across national boundaries. International business today comprises a larger and ever-growing portion of the world’s business and global events and competition affects almost all companies. A company operating internationally will engage in modes of business that are different from those it is accustomed to domestically. International business management is the process of applying management concepts, theories, and techniques in a multinational environment so that firms can become and remain international in scope. Moreover, a comparative view of management and organization in internationally operating firms is provided to understand these processes in detail.
View full module detailsManagement of Human Resources is an introductory module and available to students undertaking a range of MSc programmes at the Surrey Business School. It is intended to provide a firm understanding of the theory and practice of Human Resource management and its strategic role in contemporary organisations. This module covers core functions of HRM and their integration within business strategy as well as contemporary topics concerning management of people. By the end of this module, the students will have gained a foundation knowledge base of HR as a function in organisations and its strategic role in achieving business objectives through people management.
View full module detailsThis module is designed to provide MSc students with a rigorous theoretical framework for analysing and understanding Marketing in national and interantional contexts. Integrating theoretical concepts and models with practical application, students explore the contribution that Marketing can make to successful businesses and multi-national enterprises (MNEs) Theory and case studies from the UK and across the globe are used to analyse environmental conditions, marketing competition, consumer behaviour, marketing strategy, marketing planning, tactics and operations, and the growing influence of technology.
View full module detailsIt is an unfortunate fact that majority of global strategies fail in the stage of implementation. Many inner organisational and outer organisational factors affect the implementation of the global strategy. Thus, it is vital for management students to learn how to implement global strategies effectively. The module focuses on a range of topics such as process of strategy implementation, and influential factors on implementing the global strategy. Strategy-related subjects shape at least half of the contents in this programme.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module provides students with both a theoretical and practical understanding of International Trade, considered from an international political economy (IPE) as well as management perspectives. This is done through the assessment of International Trade from different angles, predominantly from the international trade management view, the international trade operations dimension, the state’s perspective, from the international trade regime perspective (the GATT and WTO) but also from the perspective of the international society, regional cooperation and the perspective of business and industry.
View full module detailsThis is a compulsory module for the MSc International Business Management programme. Being the final element of the programme, it provides an opportunity to conduct study on a real international business situation and reflect on it. Students will identify a topic area of interest that they wish to develop further through their project. This must be relevant to their programme of study. The module is largely based on self-directed study and research, which takes place during the summer. The learning strategy is designed to develop the students’ ability to conduce and report independent research. It builds on the Business Reporting Techniques module, allowing students to gain experience of applying some of the principles and methods learned. Students should build on the outcomes and feedback received in the Business Reporting Techniques module and develop a project – using secondary research – that demonstrates the successful understanding of the module’s aims and outcomes. The students will have opportunity to understand the techniques essential in writing business reports in the taught module “Business Reporting Techniques”. The project is unsupervised, which means you will not be assigned a supervisor. Instead, two support sessions will be conducted by the module leader to assist students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the report.
View full module detailsThe Business Reporting Techniques module enables students to understand a research problem and source, process and conduct appropriate research while preparing a report on the problem. It facilitates independent learning process and provides them with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to articulate findings in a structured reporting format. By covering the fundamentals of reporting techniques and their applications, this module will enable students to work independently for the project module. This module expects students rely on almost everything they learn in the International Business Management Programme.
View full module detailsIn an increasingly globalised business and business environment, it is necessary for management students to learn how to strategies internationally viable global strategies. This module covers a variety of topics such as global strategic analysis, global strategy formulation, and global strategy execution. Strategy-related subjects shape at least half of the contents in this programme.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to the main principles of accounting and finance and demonstrates the importance of these to management decision making
View full module detailsModule description not available.
View full module detailsThe world is increasingly complex and interconnected and there is a need to identify and manage the resulting hazards and risks (WEF, 2011). Business is facing unprecedented risks. The level of uncertainty and tensions resulting from climate change, pandemics, trade wars, geopolitics and just- in-time supply chains require the identification and strategic management of risk. A successful business manages its downside risks and takes advantage of opportunities resulting from upside risks. This module provides students with a fundamental understanding of uncertainty, hazards and risks required to succeed in business. Many of the increasing unanticipated commercial costs of risk are related to incomplete hazard identification (Goh and Chua, 2010). This course will provide you with an understanding of generic and operational risks of business, using research-led insight into the identification of risk, hazards, and uncertainty. The module facilitates learning through a combination of case studies and insight from practitioners and professionals in risk management. The course provides students with the opportunity to produce a Strategic Risk Management Report. Students work in groups to identify, analyse, and propose a risk management strategy for a corporate or public institution. Students will use the knowledge and skills gained from risk professionals and practitioner lectures, literature, frameworks, and real-world examples which are embedded in the module to produce a Strategic Risk Management report. The course equips students of management with key risk management skills to confidently communicate verbally and in written format risk management required for the strategic management of risk.
View full module detailsOptional
This module gives students an opportunity to explore some of the key challenges and opportunities involved in managing people around the world. We examine how cultural and institutional differences across borders shape the development of international HRM strategies and practices and forces that impact people management in multinational organizations. This module enables students to develop appreciation of international human resource management complexities and how human resource management strategy, functions, and practices can contribute to success of international firms.
View full module detailsThis Innovation Management module is a cornerstone in your business education. This module examines the strategic and tactical dimensions of innovation that a future leader considers when managing an organization or team. It combines established and contemporary conceptual frameworks with practical guidance for analyzing the challenges of leading an innovative organization. In this module, students will discuss the strategy, sources, processes, and implementation of innovation. This module particularly provides students with 1) a holistic understanding of the concept of innovation and its relevance to today’s firm competitiveness; 2) the capability to identify the links between the structures and processes which support specific models of innovation; 3) the capability to recognize the opportunities for, and constraints to innovation in specific business contexts and organizational settings; and 4) the capability to develop practical –oriented skills that are crucial to the management of innovation. In brief, students should come away with models and insights to succeed in each innovation management phase. Finally, the module is designed to provide deep theoretical and practical knowledge by applying theory in case studies and other assignments. The course consists of lectures, seminars, group assignments and an individual assignment.
View full module detailsThe module provides an opportunity for students to apply their understanding of key theories and debates in International Political Economy (IPE) to current developments and case studies. Students will be able to discuss and debate the role of the main IPE institutions. Current and future challenges to the status quo of IPE are discussed as well.
View full module detailsThe course is mainly aimed at reviewing modern theories of international finance, with special reference to developing economies. This module starts with micro foundation of macroeconomics, that is, intertemporal optimization. Then it exposes students fundamental topics of international finances such as risk sharing, exchange rate, and currency crises. It also emphasizes the importance of empirical analysis with recent econometric methods.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
The world-wide political and economic liberalization and continuous technology improvement in the last three decades have brought unprecedented flows of goods, services, labour and capital across national boundaries. International business today comprises a larger and ever-growing portion of the world’s business and global events and competition affects almost all companies. A company operating internationally will engage in modes of business that are different from those it is accustomed to domestically. International business management is the process of applying management concepts, theories, and techniques in a multinational environment so that firms can become and remain international in scope. Moreover, a comparative view of management and organization in internationally operating firms is provided to understand these processes in detail.
View full module detailsManagement of Human Resources is an introductory module and available to students undertaking a range of MSc programmes at the Surrey Business School. It is intended to provide a firm understanding of the theory and practice of Human Resource management and its strategic role in contemporary organisations. This module covers core functions of HRM and their integration within business strategy as well as contemporary topics concerning management of people. By the end of this module, the students will have gained a foundation knowledge base of HR as a function in organisations and its strategic role in achieving business objectives through people management.
View full module detailsThis module is designed to provide MSc students with a rigorous theoretical framework for analysing and understanding Marketing in national and interantional contexts. Integrating theoretical concepts and models with practical application, students explore the contribution that Marketing can make to successful businesses and multi-national enterprises (MNEs) Theory and case studies from the UK and across the globe are used to analyse environmental conditions, marketing competition, consumer behaviour, marketing strategy, marketing planning, tactics and operations, and the growing influence of technology.
View full module detailsIt is an unfortunate fact that majority of global strategies fail in the stage of implementation. Many inner organisational and outer organisational factors affect the implementation of the global strategy. Thus, it is vital for management students to learn how to implement global strategies effectively. The module focuses on a range of topics such as process of strategy implementation, and influential factors on implementing the global strategy. Strategy-related subjects shape at least half of the contents in this programme.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module provides students with both a theoretical and practical understanding of International Trade, considered from an international political economy (IPE) as well as management perspectives. This is done through the assessment of International Trade from different angles, predominantly from the international trade management view, the international trade operations dimension, the state’s perspective, from the international trade regime perspective (the GATT and WTO) but also from the perspective of the international society, regional cooperation and the perspective of business and industry.
View full module detailsThis is a compulsory module for the MSc International Business Management programme. Being the final element of the programme, it provides an opportunity to conduct study on a real international business situation and reflect on it. Students will identify a topic area of interest that they wish to develop further through their project. This must be relevant to their programme of study. The module is largely based on self-directed study and research, which takes place during the summer. The learning strategy is designed to develop the students’ ability to conduce and report independent research. It builds on the Business Reporting Techniques module, allowing students to gain experience of applying some of the principles and methods learned. Students should build on the outcomes and feedback received in the Business Reporting Techniques module and develop a project – using secondary research – that demonstrates the successful understanding of the module’s aims and outcomes. The students will have opportunity to understand the techniques essential in writing business reports in the taught module “Business Reporting Techniques”. The project is unsupervised, which means you will not be assigned a supervisor. Instead, two support sessions will be conducted by the module leader to assist students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the report.
View full module detailsThe Business Reporting Techniques module enables students to understand a research problem and source, process and conduct appropriate research while preparing a report on the problem. It facilitates independent learning process and provides them with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to articulate findings in a structured reporting format. By covering the fundamentals of reporting techniques and their applications, this module will enable students to work independently for the project module. This module expects students rely on almost everything they learn in the International Business Management Programme.
View full module detailsIn an increasingly globalised business and business environment, it is necessary for management students to learn how to strategies internationally viable global strategies. This module covers a variety of topics such as global strategic analysis, global strategy formulation, and global strategy execution. Strategy-related subjects shape at least half of the contents in this programme.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to the main principles of accounting and finance and demonstrates the importance of these to management decision making
View full module detailsModule description not available.
View full module detailsThe world is increasingly complex and interconnected and there is a need to identify and manage the resulting hazards and risks (WEF, 2011). Business is facing unprecedented risks. The level of uncertainty and tensions resulting from climate change, pandemics, trade wars, geopolitics and just- in-time supply chains require the identification and strategic management of risk. A successful business manages its downside risks and takes advantage of opportunities resulting from upside risks. This module provides students with a fundamental understanding of uncertainty, hazards and risks required to succeed in business. Many of the increasing unanticipated commercial costs of risk are related to incomplete hazard identification (Goh and Chua, 2010). This course will provide you with an understanding of generic and operational risks of business, using research-led insight into the identification of risk, hazards, and uncertainty. The module facilitates learning through a combination of case studies and insight from practitioners and professionals in risk management. The course provides students with the opportunity to produce a Strategic Risk Management Report. Students work in groups to identify, analyse, and propose a risk management strategy for a corporate or public institution. Students will use the knowledge and skills gained from risk professionals and practitioner lectures, literature, frameworks, and real-world examples which are embedded in the module to produce a Strategic Risk Management report. The course equips students of management with key risk management skills to confidently communicate verbally and in written format risk management required for the strategic management of risk.
View full module detailsOptional
This module gives students an opportunity to explore some of the key challenges and opportunities involved in managing people around the world. We examine how cultural and institutional differences across borders shape the development of international HRM strategies and practices and forces that impact people management in multinational organizations. This module enables students to develop appreciation of international human resource management complexities and how human resource management strategy, functions, and practices can contribute to success of international firms.
View full module detailsThis Innovation Management module is a cornerstone in your business education. This module examines the strategic and tactical dimensions of innovation that a future leader considers when managing an organization or team. It combines established and contemporary conceptual frameworks with practical guidance for analyzing the challenges of leading an innovative organization. In this module, students will discuss the strategy, sources, processes, and implementation of innovation. This module particularly provides students with 1) a holistic understanding of the concept of innovation and its relevance to today’s firm competitiveness; 2) the capability to identify the links between the structures and processes which support specific models of innovation; 3) the capability to recognize the opportunities for, and constraints to innovation in specific business contexts and organizational settings; and 4) the capability to develop practical –oriented skills that are crucial to the management of innovation. In brief, students should come away with models and insights to succeed in each innovation management phase. Finally, the module is designed to provide deep theoretical and practical knowledge by applying theory in case studies and other assignments. The course consists of lectures, seminars, group assignments and an individual assignment.
View full module detailsThe module provides an opportunity for students to apply their understanding of key theories and debates in International Political Economy (IPE) to current developments and case studies. Students will be able to discuss and debate the role of the main IPE institutions. Current and future challenges to the status quo of IPE are discussed as well.
View full module detailsThe course is mainly aimed at reviewing modern theories of international finance, with special reference to developing economies. This module starts with micro foundation of macroeconomics, that is, intertemporal optimization. Then it exposes students fundamental topics of international finances such as risk sharing, exchange rate, and currency crises. It also emphasizes the importance of empirical analysis with recent econometric methods.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from Academic Administration.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
94 per cent of our Surrey Business School postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
A degree in International Business Management MSc leads to a career in many roles, for example:
- Multinational manager
- Regional manager
- Country manager
- HQ-subsidiary co-ordinator
- Strategic business analyst
- Business development manager
- Management consultant in international business
- Supply chain manager.
Jonathan Otty
Student - International Business Management MSc
"Surrey has allowed me to construct a formidable presence in the employment world."
Abdulsalam Aderibigbe
Student - International Business Management MSc
"The University of Surrey is a place where you get to experience more than you can be offered elsewhere."
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall including 6.0 in each category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Pre-Masters
Prepare for postgraduate study and boost your career prospects. This is an intensive programme of academic subjects, study skills and English language preparation designed to help you succeed.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
February 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £15,200
- Overseas
- £25,400
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £15,200
- Overseas
- £24,900
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyPlease note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyAdmissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.