International Business PgDip / MSc

Modules

• International business environment (core)
  On this module you'll study the nature and operation of the global economy and its impact on international business. You'll be taught the three main aspects of international economics that affect businesses with operations outside their own country – namely, global trade, global investment and global finance. While the course presumes some previous knowledge of economics, relevant economic theories and concepts will be explained during the course. Although the course does involve examining a variety of theoretical models, the use of mathematics is minimal and basic.
• International management (core)
  This module brings together knowledge and understanding of the issues of management in international firms. You'll be encouraged to develop critical thinking by undertaking seminars, essays and exams. This module will help you to analyse the strategies, policies and decision making of international firms in the changing international business environment.
• Analytical techniques for International business (core)
  This module covers a solid understanding of quantitative (mainly statistical and mathematical modelling) skills and techniques that will enable you to analyse and summarise business and financial data, where statistical/quantitative methods have been used.

• Global information systems for strategic advantage (core)
  On this module you'll gain a deeper understanding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) environments around the world. This is taught by looking at national infrastructures and regulatory regimes, global IT applications, global IS development strategies, global supply chains, offshore outsourcing, global management support systems and global IS/IT strategies.
• Research methods (core)
  This module focuses on the various approaches, methods and techniques of research within the context of international business. You'll develop much of the skills and knowledge required to complete a Master's dissertation.

On this course students have the option of tailoring the programme to meet their areas of interest by choosing two optional modules to complete the taught component of the programme

• Managing international resources (project management)
  On this module you'll develop knowledge of regulatory risk, political risk and managerial economics that will enable you to analyse the management of resources in various industries. You'll also be introduced to other economic phenomena and resource management. You'll be encouraged to develop techniques to automate and assist the process of resource allocation to projects while evaluating the risk and discussing the insurance of resource assets.
• Service sector consultation
  On this module you'll be introduced to the international service management consultation industry. You will critically examine the consultation needs for organisations within the international business sector by exploring the role of consultants of policy change at governmental and corporate levels. The module focuses on four broad and interrelated conceptual issues.
• Sustainable development and global citizenship
  Sustainability is an issue that is global in reach and impacts governments, corporations, NGOs and individuals. The module provides a practical introduction for students working in public, private or not-for-profit sectors on how they can manage their global responsibilities through developing suitable policies and strategies and implementing actions that allow individuals and organisations to meet the challenges of sustainability and global citizenship effectively.
• Global operations and logistics
  This module provides an in depth understanding of how global operations impact businesses. In today's global market, it is not uncommon for a company to develop a new product in the USA, manufacturer it in Asia, and sell it in Europe. The role of manufacturing as a key element of a firm's competitive strategy has been recognised around the world. Wage-rate differentials, expanding foreign markets, the free movement of capital, and improved transportation are reducing the barriers between countries forcing them take on a global dimension.
• International marketing
  Understanding international marketing concepts and developing international marketing skills is essential for the success of organisations operating in increasingly global markets. On this module you will build upon your understanding of the fundamentals of marketing and will provide an overview of international marketing issues, integrating theory and practice across a wide range of international business contexts.
• Marketing communication
  This module addresses the emergence of marketing communications as a result of growing competition combined with the significant shift in marketing philosophy from transaction to relationship marketing. On this module you'll be equipped with the techniques, models and tools required to develop, deliver and evaluate appropriate and creative campaigns.
• Managing across cultures
  This module brings together knowledge, understanding, and critical analysis of the issues relating to cross cultural management. It also requires sensitivity and open-mindedness to accept and value other, familiar or unfamiliar cultures and their diversity.
• E-Commerce
  95% of businesses in Europe depend to some degree on the internet, according to a recent survey by the European Commission. Hence, Businesses need to understand E-Business if it is to survive in today's fast-developing and economically-challenging world. This module aims to formulate a comprehensive understanding of E-Business and its aspects from strategy to Supply Chain Management to E-Commerce.

• International finance and decision making
  The module will develop your knowledge concerning the maximisation of value in investment, finance and risk management, and will help you to understand the implications of taxation in financial decision making.
• Research methods
  This module focuses on the approaches, methods, and techniques of research within relevant disciplines from the world of international business. On this module you will develop the skills and knowledge required to complete a Master's level research focused dissertation. The module will introduce you to various dissertation topics and strategies that could be employed when completing your dissertation.

• Asset fund management
  This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the theory and practice of institutional fund management, particularly as it relates to the UK. The coverage will include portfolio creation and management, asset allocation and stock selection, and portfolio performance measurement, including the use of benchmarks and their relationship with performance targets and portfolio risk. Consideration will also be given to the major types of investment institutions, including their investment aims, time horizons, tax position and regulation.
• Portfolio theory and investment analysis
  This module is concerned with the characteristics and analysis of individual securities, as well as with the theory and practice of optimally combining securities into portfolio selections. This module intends to develop a critical appreciation of both the theory and practical techniques relating to the analysis of financial investment and the management of investment portfolios. In particular, the theoretical learning includes nature of stock markets, effificent market hypothesis (EMH), mean-variance portfolio theory, capital asset pricing model(CAPM), multi-index model and equity valuation. This module also involves applied financial quantitative techniques such as regression analysis, techniques to calculate portfolio efficient frontier, empirical tests of CAPM as well as other relevant portfolio optimization choice techniques such as Value-at-Risk(VaR) analysis.
• Bank governance and regulation
  This unit will provide students with opportunities to learn, investigate and critically analyse a range of issues relating to the theoretical and practical issues of Regulation and supervision, from the perspective of the banks, different country's authorities, and the international regulatory organisations. It will also allow students to understand the responsibilities of shareholders and management within financial institutions.
• International banking and bank performance
  This elective module is directed towards students in the second semester of Masters courses who are looking for a critical understanding of the activities of international banks. At the same time the module covers elements of the theory of financial intermediation and the recent trends in the evolution of financial institutions. The module provides an overview of the crucial operations in international banking and different methods of assessing bank performance.

• Dissertation
  This module will provide you with an opportunity to independently conceive, plan and execute an appropriate piece of research based on firm academic foundation. The dissertation is required to address an issue that is relevant and important to the field of study being undertaken.