Business - International Business

Conversion Course

Are you looking to pivot your career or expand your expertise? This programme provides the perfect opportunity to transfer your skills to a different sector with no need to have a background in the subject area.



Overview

Prepare you with the knowledge and professional skills to lead and manage business towards a world of opportunities. The MSc International Business aims to allow students to acquire mastery of both the macro and micro contexts of international business, and is designed to enable students to acquire, develop, and integrate international business theory, and develop the skills to then apply this in terms of international business practice. The Masters dissertation provides the opportunity to conceive, design and implement satisfactorily a substantial research project within the broad subject area of international business.



The course is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis at the Magee campus, and as such it attracts a variety of students with different educational needs: business studies graduates wishing to pursue a career in international business, mature students wishing to improve career options and develop expertise, and business practitioners wishing to acquire the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to enable them to compete in a rapidly developing and constantly evolving global business environment. In recent years the course has also attracted growing numbers of EU and international students keen to pursue careers in this field.



About

This programme will enable students to acquire a knowledge and understanding of the political, social and cultural aspects of different trade blocs, particularly the European Union, Asia and the USA.



This programme is designed to provide a coherent academic progression for students who will explore the overall environment in which international business takes place. Core management techniques are analysed from varying perspectives to understand their application on an international scale.



The unique selling point of this programme is the richness that evident from the diverse student base which progresses through this programme of study. Sharing experiences from varied cultural, economic and employment backgrounds is invaluable.

F/T Programme

Year One

Semester 1

BMG705 Global Business in Context (15 credits*)

BMG704 International Finance (15*)

MKT744 Global Marketing and Sales Development (15*)

BMG814 The Digital landscape (15*)



Semester 2

BMG935 International HRM (15*)

BMG936 International Entrepreneurship (15*)

BMG872 Global Strategy Development and Implementation (15*)

BMG871 International Business Research Skills (15*)



Semester 3

BMG847 Dissertation 60 credits or

BMG858 International Business Project 60 credits



P/T Programme

Year One

Semester 1

BMG705 Global Business in Context (15 credits*)

BMG704 International Finance (15*)



Semester 2

BMG935 International HRM (15*)

BMG936 International Entrepreneurship (15*)



Year Two

Semester 1

MKT744 Global Marketing and Sales Development (15*)

BMG814 The Digital landscape (15*)



Semester 2

BMG871 International Business Research Skills (15*)

BMG872 Global Strategy Development and Implementation (15*)



Semester 3

BMG847 Dissertation 60 credits or

BMG858 International Business Project 60 credits

Applicants must:

(a) have gained



(i) a second class honours degree or better from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body or from an institution or another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard, or



an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;



and,



(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent); the minimum English language requirements for non-native English speakers, are IELTS 6.0 (with no contributing band at less than 5.5).



or, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b):



(c) in exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Attendance

All modules are delivered in a six-week block format.



The part-time MSc is completed in 2-3 years. Full-time participants can also exit with a PgCert after successful completion of one semester (four modules) or alternatively exit with a PgDip after successful completion of two semesters (eight modules).

Start Date: September 2025 & January 2026.

Career options

Student and employer needs are reflected in the development of this programme and evidenced in the career destinations and further development of our graduates. The nature of the provision is such that it equips individuals for employment in a wide range of international roles within the public and private sectors and a significant number of graduates are successful in gaining promotion in their chosen fields or alter their career paths following completion of their programme of study.



A sample of graduate employers includes:



Marriott Hotel Group

PWC

KPMG (Germany)

Deloitte

Laterooms.com

Halfords

Smile Communications

The European Space Agency

NI Civil Service

O Neill's International Sports Ltd

First Derivatives PLC



A number of graduates from these programmes have also undertaken their doctoral studies, both within Ulster University and beyond.