MA International Business

Year 1

Your studies will provide an introduction to business and its global environment.

You will have the opportunity to undertake a number of optional courses from within the Business School and other schools within the University (subject to availability and timetabling constraints).

Year 2

You will broaden your knowledge of essential business subjects and international business.

You may also choose other courses or continue with your studies in other subject areas from other schools (subject to availability and timetabling constraints).

Year 3

As you progress to Honours level, you will spend your third year abroad at a partner university or business school.

You will complete and pass a full year of assessed subjects which align with what you would have studied in Edinburgh. You will also take an equivalent compulsory course in strategic management at the partner university.

You will start the preparation for your dissertation (in Year 4) by submitting your dissertation research proposal and you will be allocated a Dissertation Adviser.

Applying to study abroad is a competitive process. In order to be offered a place, you will need a strong academic performance in Year 1 with a minimum first year average of 60%.

Year 4

Your Management Honours Dissertation is central to Year 4. You will choose at least three more specialist Honours courses in key areas of international business or one or two Honours courses in other subject areas.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2023/24)

Our facilities

The Business School is located in a dedicated Business School building in George Square, in the middle of the central campus.

All business teaching takes place across the central campus. However, you may be required (based on your course selection) to travel to the King’s Buildings if you are studying courses in science and engineering.

You will have access to:

• specialist business resources in the central Main Library (books, journals, databases)
• dedicated student experience and student development support

For specialist business analytics, business research and finance related courses, we have dedicated teaching labs (and associated software and databases). We also have our own Business School Cafe.

Study abroad

Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the global business dimension, and the cultures and languages of the individual markets we deal with.

To be inspired, read stories by Edinburgh students about their experiences abroad:

Student experiences abroad

You will spend Year 3 studying abroad at a partner university, completing and passing a full year's diet of examinable subjects (equivalent to 120 credits), the majority of which will be in international business.

Partner universities

A wide range of international experiences are available, including studying abroad at one of our partner universities and business schools in:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Canada
• China
• Japan
• Europe
• USA

Business School partner universities (subject to change)

The benefits of studying abroad

Living and studying abroad will give you the opportunity to try new things such as:

• learning a language
• taking on new challenges
• enhancing your academic perspective
• visiting new places
• meeting new people

Your self-confidence will improve and you will develop valuable skills for the future, all of which are highly valued by employers.

You will need a strong academic performance in Year 1 (minimum first-year average 60%) to be offered a place at one of our partner universities/business schools.

How will I learn?

We embrace a variety of different teaching methods including:

• lectures
• computer laboratories (you will learn software packages, data interpretation and analysis)
• workshops (you will work with a tutor on practical problem-based learning)
• tutorials (you will engage with tutors in discussion and analysis, and where you might undertake peer-group projects and presentations)
• one-to-one meetings with course lecturers/tutors/student advisers
• independent learning throughout your studies (in particular for your Honours dissertation research)

You will be taught by:

• experienced subject-specific lecturers
• industry professionals
• research-led academics
• internationally renowned guest speakers

We have a number of leading academics who have designed and developed courses specific to their research, particularly at Years 3 and 4.

Support for learning

We offer a motivating and encouraging environment where you can grow and develop as an independent learner.

You will be guided and supported throughout your studies by our dedicated student experience team who offer enhanced course and programme advice and guidance, wellbeing, professional and academic and study skills development.

We also have an excellent peer support service who can help you develop your study skills. The university offers a ‘one-stop shop’ - EdHelp - where you can get help and advice on everything from finance to counselling, accommodation, and accessing IT and library resources.

EdHelp

How will I be assessed?

Courses are assessed by a diverse and innovative range of methods and often take the form of formative work, which provides you with ongoing feedback, as well as summative assessment, on which your final course grade is achieved.

Some of these assessment methods are:

• blogs (written and/or video)
• business plan and/or feasibility analysis
• case study analysis
• computer-based timed assignments
• consultancy reports
• reflective diaries/journals
• essays
• exams - these might be closed book, multiple choice, oral (group or individual), short questions, seen case study/unseen exam question, open book, timed submission, and so on
• pitches
• portfolios (paper and/or online)
• posters
• presentations (face-to-face/video; group and individual)
• projects (group and individual)
• technical workshops
• workbooks
• the dissertation

Many of your assessments will involve industry engagement, real case examples, and practical solutions to contemporary business problems.

A very small number of courses are assessed using only a single, written examination or coursework assignment. Most courses employ two or more different forms of assessment, and a growing number combine both individual and group-based activities to develop both subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills.

International Business graduates are highly valued by employers across the world and graduates of our programmes are highly sought after by a wide range of employers.

Our graduates secure employment in a diverse range of fields, the most popular being:

• accountancy
• management
• consulting
• finance
• marketing
• human resources

During your time as a student in the Business School and following graduation, the Careers Service will help you fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

Careers Service

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: A*AA.
• IB: 39 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: Mathematics at B and English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: Mathematics at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

(Revised 29 August 2023 to remove PTE Academic Online)

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA International Business

Additional costs

As studying abroad in Year 3 is a compulsory part of your degree programme, your costs will vary depending on the country/partner university. Additional costs may include:

• insurance
• visa requirements
• accommodation
• internet access
• travel

In Year 4 you will undertake a dissertation as a compulsory assessment component. Depending on the field of study you choose, there may be costs associated with:

• undertaking surveys
• travel
• conducting interviews

Details of student living costs

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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