Introduction
Our MSc in Global Business Communication at the University of Aberdeen provides in-depth communications skills and knowledge across business, law, health care, politics, media and energy industries. You will learn to communicate effectively and pragmatically in situations reliant on an understanding of human behaviour, relationships, tactics, and politics to uncover powerful solutions to challenges in communication and interpretation.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc, PgCert or PgDip
- Duration
- 4 months, 9 months, 12 months, 21 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The language we use and the way we interpret others is fundamental to how a company or any other professional organisation performs or prospers. These communications are vital to the way we conduct business, co-exist with colleagues and clients - and they reflect how we operate as human beings and how we interact with the wider world. The professional world is a human business. People interact constantly and misinterpretation can happen. Yet, when we get these communications right and they become a tremendous asset to any professional organisation or individual.
The MSc Global Business Communication is a dynamic and engaging programme as it combines a multidisciplinary approach to allow you to acquire skills and knowledge in organisational negotiation, leadership and rapport management. You examine interaction in a range of professional institutions and business organisations. The programme is designed to equip you with higher level skills in interpreting and analysing communication and interaction in professional situations to allow you to progress a career in Communications.
You will study intercultural communication, organisational behaviour and institutional communication. These are covered in the courses which make up this programme. The MSc in Global Business Communication is led by an expert team of lecturers from across the university.
Communication and language are essential in all organisations and is considered in a range of professional environments including business, healthcare, law and the energy industry. Courses focus on current communication issues within professional institutions and organisations.
Available Programmes of Study
- MSc
-
Global Business Communication
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen MoreMSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £23,800 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year UK £11,100 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year Semester 1
Those starting the degree in January should be advised that they will complete the dissertation over the summer and finish the programme with the Semester 3 selection of courses. Taught courses do not run in the summer. Students wishing to do their dissertation at the end of the programme should consider starting their study from September.
Candidates must undertake the following curriculum:Compulsory Courses
- Intercultural Communication (LN5510)
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15 Credit Points
In this course a range of theories for exploring cultural norms and practices will be explored. Cultural Dimension Theory, Cross Cultural Pragmatics and Language socialization will be considered core areas of study. Other areas of relevance that will be covered and discussed include: Social Identity Theory and Language, English as a Lingua Franca the effects of Globalisation on language policy and communication, Intercultural Communication in Specific Professional Contexts, Intercultural Communication in Health Care ”The case of migrant patients and native speaker Doctors/health care staff, Intercultural Communication in Business Meetings” overcoming cultural barriers and negotiating meaning.
- Marketing Communications (BU5573)
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15 Credit Points
Through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, debates and in-course assessment, this course encourages students to critically reflect upon: Social theory and its relevance to marketing communications; Concepts and contemporary thought within the practice of marketing communication; expressive practice.
- Institutional Discourse (LN5518)
-
30 Credit Points
This course will identify various audiences, appropriate content and ways of communicating within organisations and institutions, with particular focus on the energy industry, law and law enforcement, emergency services and healthcare. It will identify various purposes, types and modes of communication within organisations and institutions and consider communication plans as part of organisational and institutional strategic plans.
- Critical Skills: Research and Dissemination (PD55C1)
-
This course will equip you with core research and dissemination skills. Centred on an interdisciplinary approach to research, the course will allow you to engage with peers from various research backgrounds to contribute, discuss and share in an interactive academic community. The course will detail key research techniques and communicative modes for successful dissemination. Communication skills specific to engaging with industry stakeholders will also be covered as part of this course in order to boost employability.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Dissertation in Professional Communication (LN5905)
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60 Credit Points
This course requires students to prepare a 12,000 word dissertation. By the end of the course students will have learned how to understand, synthesize and present data in an intelligent and intelligible fashion. Through guidance and supervision they will develop their academic writing skills in order to write and present an extended dissertation on a topic relevant to the course.
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Marketing Management (BU5039)
-
15 Credit Points
The course will apply theoretical and practical content to explore the key concepts of Marketing in Management to provide students with an understanding of, coordinating and controlling marketing activities. A key theme running throughout the course is the importance of creating customer value. The aim is to provide you with an understanding of the role of marketing and relevant critical strategies in establishing, developing and maintaining customer value.
- Communication Theory and Analysis (LN5019)
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30 Credit Points
This course introduces the theoretical frameworks used in analysing communication, enabling students to investigate social interaction, power relations, and the ways in which language is used in a variety of contexts. It provides a grounding in the precise analysis of language use, which will enable students to go on to investigate communication in a range of professional contexts during the MLitt programme.
- Negotiation and Cross - Cultural Management (BU5072)
-
15 Credit Points
Business cannot be conducted without some form of communication between the participants involved. This course examines a wide variety of different types of interpersonal communication in different types of business contexts and, by so doing, provides students with a detailed and practical overview of this vitally important subject area.
- Critical Skills: Reading and Engagement (PD50C2)
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This course will equip you with the essential skills required to engage with your postgraduate studies. Through a series of lectures, interactive seminars and authentic materials, you will build on your critical thinking skills with fellow PGT students from across the school. Critical Reading, essay writing and presentation skills will be offered as part of this course, providing students with skills fundamental to PGT and workplace contexts.
- PgDip
-
Global Business Communication
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationPgDip 9 months or 21 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January More - PgCert
-
Global Business Communication
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationPgCert 4 months or 9 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January More
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 SFC Postgraduate tuition fee scholarship may be available for those classified as Home/EU fee status students for this programme. Visit the scholarship page for more information.
The James Carnegie maintenance scholarship for postgraduate students is available with this degree.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
The variety of assessment in the programme ensures that students apply theory to practice and become expert communicators and team players. The courses undertaken in the programme provide students with solid professional skill set in communication analysis, management and intercultural communication. The programme consists of 180 credit points taken over the duration of one year. Courses are assessed through essays, presentations, group and project work.
Why Study Global Business Communication?
- At the University of Aberdeen, we have created a unique MSc in Global Business Communication because it takes an innovative approach in examining communication and interaction dynamics in the professional world by helping you understand, interpret, and analyse communications across a variety of professional contexts, including intercultural communications at a global level.
- Centred on Linguistics, this programme features both language analysis and discourse analysis - together with research, methodology techniques that help uncover the true meaning in data.
- The programme draws upon the Business School and School of Language and Literature, so it provides a unique perspective to give a fuller picture rather than one aspect or the other. The MSc in Global Business Communication gives you key skills in all organisational communication across sectors nationally and internationally to enable you to travel globally in your career.
- The breadth of skills provided by the subject allows you to work in internal and external facing positions within an organisation of any size or type.
- We are located in Aberdeen, a city with strong links to FTSE 100 multinational business, healthcare and Europe's energy capital, which we are able to draw upon to deliver this programme.
- You will have the opportunity to work with the industry in a variety of ways such as industry weeks with the Business School, industry projects and building your own networks and teamwork skills.
- There will be a series of guest speaker talks during the year and you can explore further internship possibilities with our links to a variety of organisations throughout the UK.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
The standard entrance requirement is a good second class degree, normally at a 2.1 or above in any discipline.
The English Language requirement for all College of Arts and Social Sciences is an IELTS of 6.5 with 6.0 for writing and reading, or an equivalent score on an internationally recognised English test with above-average competence in English language.
The degree is designed for students from a range of undergraduate degree backgrounds including language, linguistics, communication, business studies, law or legal studies. Students can take this programme as a diploma, a stand-alone one-year or two-year part-time Master’s degree, or as a first step towards a PhD (subject to admission to a further degree programme either at Aberdeen or elsewhere).
Please enter your country to view country-specific 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.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- 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. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipsCareers
Communications are vital to the internal and external operation of a successful organisation or business and understanding how we give and receive information can lead to careers in marketing and communications, PR, HR, and Media Relations.
Career Opportunities
- Human Resources
- Junior Lecturer
- Media Communications
- Public Relations
- Teacher
Our Experts
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.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX