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Students sit in the Lumsden Suite break out area at Edinburgh Business School

MSc International Business Management

Key information

Edinburgh Business School's MSc International Business Management takes business theory and applies it to defined, practical settings. It builds a vital understanding of the modern business world and allows you to shape your learning to your ambitions.

Level
Postgraduate Taught
Delivery type
Full Time, Part Time
Degree qualification
MSc
Mode of delivery
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Location
Edinburgh
Start date
September, January
Next intake
January 2026

MSc International Business Management is a conversion degree led by academics from Edinburgh Business School. It introduces the study of business and management to graduates and professionals from non-management backgrounds who are looking to enhance or redirect their careers.

 

This programme provides you with a strong understanding of the modern business landscape, applying key theories in practical, real-world contexts. You’ll learn essential international business management knowledge that prepares you for professional and managerial roles across private, public, and third-sector organisations.

 

Throughout your studies, you’ll explore a range of theories and models used to analyse challenges in international business. You’ll critically evaluate the roles of business management within the international context, including how policies, programmes, strategies, and resources are developed, selected, and implemented. You’ll apply your problem-solving skills to real international business scenarios, generating strategic options and solutions for resolving arising problems. The programme equips you with the knowledge and confidence to apply your learning directly to professional practice.

Alongside subject expertise, you’ll develop valuable transferable skills to support your long-term career progression. These include effective teamwork and independent working, strong written and verbal communication, digital literacy, and the ability to interpret a wide range of numerical and graphical data.

You’ll also have the opportunity to tailor your degree by selecting two optional courses - from measuring and managing performance, financial analysis, managing diversity in business, or project management - allowing you to shape your learning around your interests. Your dissertation will enable you to explore a chosen topic in depth through an independent research project at the forefront of contemporary business knowledge. The range of skills you develop will support lifelong learning and personal growth.

In just one year, you’ll be introduced to fundamental business principles and gain versatile management skills. Combined with specialist learning in key areas, the programme helps you develop modern managerial capabilities that complement your existing experience and support a career transition or progression into leadership roles.

The programme is highly practice-oriented. In the final part of this degree, you'll get a chance to work on a company consultancy project which allows you to understand business issues and apply concepts learnt during the programme. This invaluable skillset will make you highly sought after upon graduation.

Your student experience

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics whose work covers four key areas:  

  • Employment, Work and the Professions  
  • Logistics and Sustainability  
  • Networks and Enterprise Excellence  
  • Social and Economic Data Analysis  

Their expertise ensures that teaching is grounded in current research and real-world business challenges, helping you develop knowledge that is both relevant and future-focused.

Go Global

With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.

Inter-Campus Transfer

Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for further information.

Course content

September Intake - Edinburgh

Year 1

Mandatory September

  • Competitive Strategy
  • International Business Context
  • HR Strategy and Practice

Optional September

  • Finance and Financial Reporting
  • Measuring and Managing Performance

Mandatory January

  • Research Philosophy and Practice
  • Business Economics
  • International Marketing

Optional January

  • Managing Diversity in Business
  • Project Management

Mandatory May

  • Dissertation

January Intake - Edinburgh

Year 1

Mandatory January

  • Research Philosophy and Practice
  • Business Economics
  • International Marketing

Optional January

  • Managing Diversity in Business
  • Project Management

Optional September

  • Measuring and Managing Performance
  • Finance and Financial Reporting

Mandatory September

  • Competitive Strategy
  • HR Strategy and Practice
  • International Business Context

Mandatory Second January

  • Dissertation

Disclaimer

The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.

Student testimonials

Anirudh's story

Graduate, International Business Management MSc

The MSc taught me basics as well as some advanced theories, methods, and management concepts, which has given me great confidence to apply the learned skill set in global work environments and how I can contribute to the company's growth .

Pankaj's story

Graduate, International Business Management MSc

The support system at the university is commendable. Even before arriving in the UK, current students are readily available to answer all queries and provide assistance on various aspects, making the transition smoother.

Wojciech's story

Graduate, International Business Management MSc

My degree provided a strong foundation in market analysis and change management, which proved invaluable. The academic support from my supervisors was outstanding, guiding me through the project.
See more

Heriot-Watt stood out as the perfect choice; the program’s robust academic framework, combined with industry collaboration, promised a comprehensive learning experience. The two-year format, with its industry placement component, was especially appealing because it allowed me to gain hands-on experience while I applied the theoretical knowledge I was developing in class.

Akshay Rajeev

MSc International Business Management graduate

See more

Fees and funding

intake tuition fees
StatusFull TimePart Time
UK£12,344£6,172
International£24,176£12,088
  • Tuition fees are subject to revision each year. For students starting in September 2026 or later, refer to the table below.
/ intake tuition fees
StatusFull TimePart Time
UK£12,744£6,372
International£24,952£12,476
  • Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
  • International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).

Scholarships and bursaries

Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

View details

Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

Year 1

A minimum of honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in any academic subject provided that it includes evidence of essay writing and use of critical thinking.

We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum.

If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.

Why Heriot-Watt

We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.

We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.

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