Explore the world with us: International Opportunities for Masters students

At Durham University Business School, we believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our international opportunities empower students to broaden their horizons, immerse themselves in new cultures and gain invaluable global perspectives. Whether through International Study Tour Module, Dissertation Abroad or Summer Schools. our students can develop the skills, confidence, and adaptability needed to thrive in a globalised world. These experiences provide an opportunity to not only enrich personal growth but also enhance professional development, setting our graduates apart in today’s competitive job market.

International Study Tour 

Exclusively available to students on our Masters in Management and Masters in Finance programmes, the International Study Tour is a unique, optional partially self-funded module designed to enrich your academic and cultural experience through real-world international exposure.

This five-day immersive tour takes you to some of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Previous destinations have included Athens, Brussels, Barcelona and Stockholm, where you'll visit a series of global businesses and engage directly with industry leaders. Through these visits, you'll explore international business practices, innovation strategies and the nuances of operating in diverse cultural and economic environments.

The International Study Tour offers an exceptional opportunity to apply your learning in a global context, expand your professional network, and develop the cross-cultural skills essential for today’s business world. It’s an unforgettable experience that adds depth to your studies and can give you a competitive edge in the global marketplace putting theory into practice.

Dissertation Abroad 

The Dissertation Abroad programme offers students an opportunity to take their research beyond borders and immerse themselves in a new academic and cultural environment. As part of this initiative, you’ll spend a period of your dissertation project at one of our esteemed European partner institutions, gaining access to unique resources, additional mentorship, and a fresh international perspective on your topic.

This experience allows you to expand your global network, enhance your cross-cultural communication skills, and develop a deeper understanding of international academic and business practices. Participating in this programme provides a taste of student life abroad, enriching both your personal and professional growth.

Whether you’re aiming to deepen your research, strengthen your global outlook, or simply explore new academic settings, the Dissertation Abroad programme is an exceptional way to add international depth to your Masters experience.

Summer School

Masters students from all Business School programmes are offered the opportunity to study Summer School courses at one of our esteemed partner institutions across Europe, immersing themselves in new cultures while studying additional courses in various subjects.

Whether you're looking to broaden your academic perspective, build your professional network, or simply experience learning in a new and vibrant setting, our Summer Schools offer a transformative educational journey in some of our European partner institutions.

Exploring European Finance: A Transformative Study Trip to Brussels 

 Between March 18th and 22nd 2024, I travelled to Brussels, Belgium, as part of an International Study Tour module with Durham Business School. This journey offered a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the world of European finance, visiting key financial institutions and gaining insights into sustainability practices, economic policies, new technology implementation and so much more.  

Developing my understanding of how financial institutions have integrated themselves within Brussels’ infrastructure and the Belgian economy, combined with my desire to travel, was a major factor in joining this module and it certainly did not disappoint. The prospect of interacting with industry leaders and observing financial operations in a different context was compelling. 

Each day consisted of visits to different institutions, complimented by teachings from lecturers at Solvay Brussels School  - Economics and Management and esteemed individuals within the finance industry, as well as excursions to the European Parliament and European Commission. Prior to the trip we worked in groups to deliver a project for each company, guided in academic workshops by our module leader. 

The week began with a lecture from Professor Bernard Nicolay, who outlined the purpose of the study tour, before we departed to AG Insurance. Here, we delved into the company's sustainability initiatives, highlighting the intersection of finance, insurance and environmental responsibility. Chief Investment Officer, Wim Vermier, enlightened us about the intricate sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing the company’s impact, and most interestingly surrounding ‘ethical’ investments. In the evening we were provided a fantastic welcome dinner, which gave the group an opportunity to network and socialise. 

Tuesday began with a masterclass surrounding data science within the finance industry, a topic I am personally very interested in. The lecture was provided by Professor Patrice Latinne, a Partner at EY specialising in Data & AI. The lecture introduced the history of data science and AI within the industry, but most interestingly delved into the future capabilities and possibilities of this fascinating branch of technology. Our afternoon visit was to Molengeek, an interesting non-profit aimed at helping young programmers develop their talents and progress their ideas into reality.  

Wednesday morning’s company visit was Euronext, who provide the market infrastructure for seven nations in Europe, and the company to which my group and I would present. We were honoured to have the opportunity to deliver our presentation to the CEO of Euronext Brussels, Benoit van den Hove. We learned about the responsibilities of Euronext within Belgium and across Europe, including the history of financial markets and how they have progressed to where they are today. Another highlight was our visit to Euroclear, a market infrastructure company specializing in securities settlement and asset servicing. They provided a unique panel discussion with heads of various departments which my peers and I particularly enjoyed. Learning about legacy technology and its impact on data centres worldwide was particularly fascinating.  

At the National Bank of Belgium, we explored the role of national banks in economic stability and policy-making. The concept of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) was a new and intriguing topic for me. Our visits to the European Parliament and European Commission provided a deeper understanding of the European Union's legislative processes and their impact on financial institutions.  

I wish to express my gratitude to Kumushoy Abduraimova, Daniela D’Alù, Natalie McNeil, Pauline Dowson-Pounder and Jamie Weston for their efforts towards making this trip as insightful and rewarding as it was. I would wholeheartedly recommend this module to any finance masters student next year wishing to expand their horizons. The trip not only broadened my understanding of the financial sector but also provided a comprehensive overview of Brussels, a city buzzing with economic and political activity, which I am proud to speak about during interviews for prospective employers.

Harry Finch, MSc Finance (Finance and Investment)