International Business Management, MSc

International Business Management, MSc

Introduction

The International Business Management MSc enables you to build commercial awareness and gain a deep understanding of the challenges and trends facing global business leaders today. This world’s economy is increasingly global, and demand continues to grow for the leaders of the future who clearly understand the international context of business.

Study Information

Study Options

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
MSc
Duration
12 months or 24 months
Study Mode
Full Time or Part Time
Start Month
September or January
Location of Study
Aberdeen

This programme helps graduates and professionals from any background to develop a global career in business and management. By specialising in international business, you place yourself in a more marketable position because a broad knowledge of business practice around the world is highly relevant, becoming increasingly valuable to employers.

This programme helps you connect with a deeper, more focused set of business skills, with a strong view of how international organisations work. By providing you with an in-depth understanding of global practices across a broad spectrum of business fields, this programme will prepare you for a career in management.

The University of Aberdeen is a leader in teaching and research in the field of business and management and this programme builds on our considerable strengths in these areas. The Department of Business Management is also home to The Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability research centre. The centre was established on a commitment to undertaking inter and trans-disciplinary research in which expertise across disciplines will be integrated together in order to forge new understanding and new ways of addressing critical sustainability and global grand challenges within the context of the African and Asian regions.

Available Programmes of Study

MSc

International Business Management

Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month Location  
MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time January More
MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September More
MSc 24 months On Campus Learning Part Time January More
MSc 24 months On Campus Learning Part Time September Aberdeen More

Programme Fees

Fee information
Fee category Cost
UK £15,700
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year
EU / International students £26,250
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
Self-funded international students commencing eligible postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £8,000 tuition waiver - See full terms and conditions

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Fee Information

Additional Fee Information

  • Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

Funding Opportunities

The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme:

The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen. More Information can be found here.

Scholarships

All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.

To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

How You'll Study

Combining academic rigour with real-life activities designed to develop practical skills, topics cover a range of business fields, from finance and marketing to management and accounting. You will be challenged to explore these fields within an international context to understand how globalisation impacts the business community, locally, nationally and internationally.

Learning Methods

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials

Assessment Methods

You’ll attend a variety of stimulating lectures, seminars and tutorials, with your skills and competency assessed by a mix of presentations, traditional exams, essays and projects.

Why Study International Business Management?

  • Our programme welcomes graduates from any discipline – no prior business degree required.
  • Embrace a comprehensive business education encompassing both international theory and practical application.
  • Our program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, ensuring a rich learning experience that enhances cross-cultural skills and expands your future business network.
  • Ranked 1st Scotland in Student Positivity for Business Studies and Management Studies in the National Student Survey 2024
  • The University of Aberdeen was ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and 15th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
  • Ranked 8th in the UK for Business and Management in the Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Ranked 15th in the UK for Business, Management and Marketing in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 
  • Our unique blend of academic rigour and real-life activities aims to hone practical skills across various business domains, from finance and marketing to management and accounting.
  • Explore these fields within a global context, delving into the impact of globalization on the business landscape at local, national, and international levels. Challenge yourself and thrive in an environment that bridges theory with real-world business scenarios.
  • With 130 nationalities at the University of Aberdeen, students are immersed in an environment that enables international discourse creating truly global exchanges, generating deep insights that spark innovative change.
  • Boost a career in business and management in today’s globalized commercial world through learning with real-life examples and put yourself in a more powerful, marketable position to prospective employers by gaining a more in-depth understanding of global practices across the spectrum of business fields in preparation for a career in global management.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is an undergraduate degree at UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

Document Requirements

You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.

Degree Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
Personal Statement
a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Careers

After graduation, students have career opportunities not limited to the field of business and management. Considering their undergraduate degrees, students also encountered a wide variety of career opportunities. In addition, students can start their own business or pursue a PhD degree after graduation.

Alumni have gone to work in a wide variety of industries like investment banking, consultancy, renewable energy, education training, fast-moving consumer goods, real estate, new media, healthcare, and more. Some alumni have started their own companies like cross-border e-commerce and entertainment. Some are pursuing their PhD degrees in the UK, China, Korea, and Malaysia.

Graduates of the MSc International Business Management have gone on to roles such as:

  • Investment Banking Project Manager
  • Marketing Director
  • Renewable Energy Firm Project Manager
  • Renewable Energy Firm Client Manager
  • Bank Client Manager
  • Australia Branch Sales Representative
  • Beauty Product Development in the FMCG Sector
  • Market Operations for Natural Gas Companies
  • Private Domain Operations and Customer Relationship Management
  • Supply Chain Buyer
  • Executive Assistant to the CEO
  • International Trade Manager
  • Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Position in Wind Power Plant
  • Bank Management Trainee

Industry Links

We extend invitations to industrial professionals to participate in our programme courses, sharing their latest insights and knowledge with our students.

Experience three Professional Development Weeks annually, providing you with valuable opportunities to enhance your skills and career prospects. Additionally, participate in our Careers Fair, where you can interact with potential employers, explore diverse career paths, and make connections that can shape your professional journey.

Accreditation

The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.

This degree holds accreditation from

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Practical and Academic Management Globally

Today's global business climate offers excellent career opportunities for postgraduates
with cross-cultural skills and a sound knowledge of international management

What our Alumni Say

Fang Zhao

Fang Zhao

Fang Zhao

Graduated 2023

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my year as a postgraduate student at the University of Aberdeen. It was an incredibly enriching experience that provided me with valuable theoretical knowledge essential for my current job at a global renewable energy company in London. More importantly, I learned how to learn and enhance my skills, which has been instrumental in my professional growth. This journey has created some of my most cherished memories.

Our Experts

You will be taught by and have access to a number of experts, many of whom are internationally renowned within their respective fields. These will include members of the Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability.

For more details on academic experts and those who will be teaching within your programme discipline please visit the People section of the Business School website.

Programme Leader
Dr Yanghong (Alice) Hu

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Facilities

The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is Scotland’s third oldest and the UK’s fifth oldest University. The university’s ancient campus reflects its long-standing academic tradition, with historic buildings such as King's College, which dates back to the 15th century. This blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities creates a unique atmosphere where students can experience the best of both tradition and innovation.

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Aberdeen City

Aberdeen City

Named Scotland's Safest University City (Unbroken Britain Survey, Provident Financial, 2018) and is in the top 10 in the UK for places to live and work (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2018).

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Affordability

Affordability

Aberdeen has been named the cheapest place for students to rent private accommodation in the UK. In 2024, StuRents reports that the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Business School
University of Aberdeen
MacRobert Building
King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX