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Start dates
Degree type

MSc

Course length

1 year full-time

Location

Durham City

Programme code

N2P609

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Course details

Our MSc Management (International Business) course recognises the international nature of modern-day commerce and develops the skills you need to successfully negotiate the realities of business management in a global context.

You will develop an in-depth understanding of this ever-growing area of contemporary business through core and optional modules and will complete a practical business project or a research-based dissertation.

The core modules consider global business, global marketing, strategy, organisational behaviour, business economics and accounting, and strategic marketing management. The range of optional modules offers the flexibility to tailor the course to your interests and aspirations, including studies in new venture creation, financial management and employee relations.

Fittingly, this one-year full-time course offers a significant international element to your learning. You will have the opportunity to participate in international study tours and summer schools with our overseas academic and business partners and also complete your dissertation abroad.

On campus, you will be able to take part in events and activities that will enhance your business knowledge and experience.

In addition to presentations by guest speakers with huge international business management experience, you will be able to take part in the University’s annual Blueprint Startup Challenge.

We are proud of the Business School’s reputation for academic excellence. We are accredited by all three major business accreditation bodies, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System.

We are equally proud of the School’s vibrant, supportive and stimulating learning environment experience, created by academic staff who are experts in their field and passionate about sharing their knowledge.

World class Business Education

  • 5th (UK) - Financial Times: Masters in Management 2023
  • 8th (UK) 38th (Europe) =51st (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Management 2024

Course structure

Core modules:

Global Business explores the theories and practice of business management in the existing global environment. You will examine the drivers behind globalisation, the global expansion of the corporation and management in organisations that operate across borders. 

Global Marketing provides you with the skills to select and evaluate the theories behind management decisions on carrying out global marketing. The module looks at the considerations for deciding which markets to enter and how, and designing and implementing an appropriate marketing programme.

Strategy sets out to explain the reasons for business success or failure by studying its corporate plan of action in relation to both the external commercial environment and internally, the match-up between the plan and its resources and capabilities.

Organisational Behaviour considers key issues relating to the behaviour of individuals in an organisation and covers topics such as personal and mental ability, the management of attitudes and work motivation, decision-making, corporate and social responsibility, and addressing justice and equality within organisations.

Business Economics and Accounting develops your skills in applying economic analysis in business decision-making and planning. The module provides you with an understanding of key economic aspects of the business environment and the impact of changes at national and international level. You will also gain an understanding of accounting information, its forms, purpose and the needs of its users.

Strategic Marketing Management offers an in-depth introduction to strategic management, marketing planning and professional marketing practice. You will explore how to successfully develop a professional strategic marketing plan.

Research Methods and Dissertation (International study route and business project routes available) gives you the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation into an issue relevant to your degree. You will gain an understanding of the key principles of research design and methodology in business and management and develop your skills in conducting and communicating research at an advanced level. The module will also give you the opportunity to undertake research abroad at a partner university. You can choose to undertake a business project in place of the traditional dissertation format, working with a host organisation or carry out an issue-led investigation across a range of organisations on a specific management issue.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

  • Arts, Heritage and Tourism Marketing 
  • Financial Management
  • Innovation and Technology Management
  • New Venture Creation
  • Consulting
  • Corporate Governance
  • East Asian Business and Management
  • Employee Relations
  • Employee Reward Strategy
  • Ethical Leadership
  • Financial Planning and Control
  • Global Sport Business
  • International Study Tour
  • Society and Sustainability
  • The Science of Leadership
  • Competitive Strategies and Organisational Fitness
  • Human Resource Development
  • Retail Marketing Management
  • Designing and Marketing Services
  • Social Marketing
  • A language module such as those offered by the University’s Centre for Foreign Language Study

Careers and employability

The contemporary content of this course means you are well-placed to gain a rewarding and stimulating career that requires an understanding of international business and the global nature of modern commerce.

Among the 36,000 Business School alumni in 140 countries around the world, graduates from this particular course have secured roles in a range of professional positions such as analysts, programme managers and auditors but also in marketing and journalism.

The academic reputation we have around the world and the passion and commitment of our teaching staff will help foster those transferable skills that will make you highly sought after by employers including the ability to make decisions, solve problems and work as part of a team.

Your personal skills such as confidence, leadership, the ability to communicate and sensitivity within a workplace environment will also be boosted in the supportive learning environment that is created in the School. 

Learning

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions. Lectures provide the base knowledge on key course subjects and from time to time are delivered by guest speakers who share with you their experiences in the business world.

Seminars take a small-group format, providing the physical and mental space to engage in debate and discussion as a follow-up to the lecture topics, and practical sessions take place in medium-sized groups, when you will practise working with computer software using the topics explored in lectures and seminars.

You will be expected to carry out significant independent study outside the timetabled contact hours to prepare for seminars, to follow up on lectures and for assessments.

Teaching staff are available to provide support on a one-to-one basis through weekly consultation hours, and you will also have individual guidance meetings with your dissertation supervisor.

Assessment

Assessment is thorough across all the subjects and is designed to ensure you have a good knowledge and understanding of the course content. The majority of modules are assessed through written assignments and examinations. You will also complete a dissertation or business project which makes up one-third of your mark.

Entry requirements

Application deadlines

Please note: The application process will open 1st October for entry the following academic year. Our application deadline dates for this programme are:

  • Applications from individuals resident in Mainland China must be received by 23:59hrs on 27 February 2024

There is a high demand for places on these programmes. To maximise your chances of being offered one of these places, we recommend that you submit your application to the University as early as possible.

Should you miss the deadlines specified above, then it may be possible for the University to add your application to a waiting list, which may be consulted in the event that following review and processing of all applications received prior to the deadlines, vacant places remain available on the programme.

The University is under no obligation to make any offer of a place on the programme to any applicant, nor is the University obligated to fill all spaces available on the programme.

Consideration of any application received by the University after expiry of the deadlines specified herein, shall be made at the sole discretion of the University.

Masters in Management programmes are intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in business or management is necessary. For example, in the past we have had graduates from a diverse range of degrees such as Music, Anthropology, Medicine and Geography. Business and Management undergraduate students may find some content overlaps with their first degree.

What do I need first?

The equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree. Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

NB Chinese Applicants: Applications will be accepted from students who have graduated from a prestigious university in China. Entry requirements may vary depending upon the reputation of the university you have graduated from and the academic programme you have applied for. As a guide, applicants are expected to have achieved an overall average of 85%.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete an online application form.

Please note you can only apply for one Masters Management programme.

>>Fill out the online application form

To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.

  • Official transcript of marks
  • Copy of degree certificate (if available)
  • Copy of English test results (if available).

You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.

Note:

Only files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.The maximum file size is 5MB.

Application fee

Once we receive your online application form, you’ll get an automatic email within 48 hours asking you to pay the £60 application fee* which is required to progress your application.

You’ll need to follow the link in the email to the webpage where you can confirm your details and make the payment using a debit or credit card. This is a secure website operated by Secpay, which will send you an automatic receipt of payment.

Once we receive confirmation that your application fee has been paid, we’ll be able to progress your application. If you do not pay the application fee your application will be automatically withdrawn.

*Please note you will only be able to make a payment for one programme in each suite i.e. one MSc Finance programme, one MSc Management programme, one MSc Economics programme.

College membership

If you’re applying for a full-time programme you’ll need to become a member of one of our Colleges as well as being accepted by a department. Here’s more information about how the college system works. Once you accept your programme offer, the College Postgraduate Office will get in touch with you to arrange accommodation. Please note that demand for college accommodation usually exceeds availability, so please try to arrange it as soon as possible.

Admissions process

Here are the steps in the admissions process:

  1. We will let you know when we’ve received your application.
  2. Once we’ve received all of your supporting documents, we will email you to let you know our decision.
  3. If the decision is to make you an offer of a place on the programme we will let you know by email. Please note we do not issue hard copy offer letters as these are not required to obtain a student visa.
  4. If you have requested university accommodation on your application form, the college will contact you direct. They will send you an accommodation application form, which you should complete and return directly to the college.
  5. You should confirm acceptance of your offer as soon as possible. In order to secure your place, you are required to pay a deposit within six weeks of the date of your original offer (check your offer documents for details of payment methods).
  6. International students requiring a student visa will receive a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Studies) via email once all offer conditions are met, acceptance and deposit have been received and you are within five months of the start date of your programme. 

Please note: You must let us know your own personal email address when applying. Please do not use a university-linked email which may stop working once you complete your bachelor degree.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities. 

Find Out More

Career opportunities

Business School

Our postgraduate programmes with a focus on employability fully equip you with the skills and industry insight to embark on a successful and rewarding business career.

The knowledge and understanding you develop reflect the Department’s values of sustainability, wellbeing and equality of opportunity across the globe.

You gain a combination of analytical and practical skills that employers value, such as independent thinking and problem-solving, and are able to enhance your people skills that are essential in business and much sought after by employers.

Management and Marketing

Our postgraduate programmes with a focus on employability fully equip you with the skills and industry insight to embark on a successful and rewarding business career.

The knowledge and understanding you develop reflect the Department’s values of sustainability, wellbeing and equality of opportunity across the globe.

You gain a combination of analytical and practical skills that employers value, such as independent thinking and problem-solving, and are able to enhance your people skills that are essential in business and much sought after by employers.

Department information

Business School

The School is one of the UK’s longest established business schools and one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major bodies – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

We consistently rank highly in independent league tables for both the quality and reputation of our Department, with teaching delivered by a world-class academic community that includes experienced business professionals and researchers who work across a wide variety of business disciplines.

We recruit students from around the world onto our postgraduate programmes. Our students take part in live business projects, internships and placements as part of their studies, enabling them to apply their knowledge to practical challenges in the most forward thinking companies. We have an active alumni network of more than 36,000 graduates in over 140 countries.

Research Excellence Framework

Read more about our results in the recent REF 2021. 

Management and Marketing

Our Business, Management and Marketing programmes are delivered by the Department of Management and Marketing, one of four departments at Durham University Business School (alongside the Department of Accounting, Department of Economics and Department of Finance).

The School is one of the UK’s longest established business schools and one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major bodies – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

We consistently rank highly in independent league tables for both the quality and reputation of our Department, with teaching delivered by a world-class academic community that includes experienced business professionals and researchers who work across a wide variety of business disciplines.

We recruit students from around the world onto our postgraduate programmes. Our students take part in live business projects, internships and placements as part of their studies, enabling them to apply their knowledge to practical challenges in the most forward thinking companies. We have an active alumni network of more than 36,000 graduates in over 140 countries.

Facilities

You’ll be taught across the university campus by world leading academics from the Business School. You’ll have access to the Business Schools modern, spacious meeting rooms and study areas.

The university campus is within walking distance of the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status. Resources include up-to-date financial information and online databases. In addition, you’ll have access to Durham University’s prestigious libraries and archives.

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Our Events

Join one of our virtual events, webinars, open events or recruitment fairs.

Durham Business School Postgraduate Events
  • Date: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
  • Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Find out more
Self-Guided Tours
  • Date: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
  • Time: 09:00 - 16:00
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