Business - International Business

Overview

This programme is designed for the business graduates who want to pursue an international career and develop a global mindset to achieve international or global career success. Are you thinking about working for an international organisation or multinational firm in Ireland or overseas? Perhaps you already do and would like to acquire tools and skills to move your career to the next level. This programme will give you in-depth knowledge of international business and allow you to experience what it is like to work in a multinational organisation. Students in this programme develop the capacity for high-level analysis of firm internationalisation, international trade, investment, strategy and management, and gain an appreciation of the multinational firm, its environment and the activities of the international manager. You will gain exposure to different functional areas of the international business and experience real challenges first-hand.



It will give postgraduate students advanced knowledge of international business, by developing your academic knowledge, analytical and professional skills with the aim of preparing you for work in a variety of international organisational settings.

This is an intensive and fast-paced programme over 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time, in which knowledge areas define the module foci and progression, and skill areas are overlaid across the programme. For details on module overviews, learning outcomes, teaching and learning methods and assessment please visit Course Finder. Modules are delivered over two semesters (September - May) with the Business Research Project/Placement conducted between May and August. Classes take place in blocks of two full days every two weeks, followed by less structured supervision contact over the third (summer) semester. Part-time students attend their sessions over two years, completing the Business Research Project in the second year.

You must hold a Business, Management or Marketing degree, or a Business related (level 8) degree, having achieved a minimum of a 2.2 honours (or equivalent) overall. Alternatively, you may hold a non-Business degree (minimum 2.2 overall) with at least five years’ relevant work experience. International applicants are expected to have the equivalent of an honours degree from an Irish university and meet English language requirements.



Exceptionally, consideration will be given to candidates who do not hold a primary degree, but who do have at least 10 years of relevant work experience, at least three of which are in a management position. These applicants are managed through the Maynooth University Procedure for Non-Standard Entrants and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning.



Minimum English language requirements:

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.



Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

In general, there are two levels of fees payable. EU students from EU countries including Ireland pay a subsidised level of fees for both taught courses and research programmes. Tuition fees for students from outside the EU are not subsidised and are thus somewhat higher than for EU students.

Course Commences: September.

Career Options

Manufacturing or service firms with international activities, export and trade agencies, government institutions, NGOs, international organisations, joint ventures, foreign subsidiaries, travel and tourism, consulting, research, and more.



The MSc International Business will equip you with knowledge about business and management issues from a global perspective. You will leave with insights about how international and multinational firms actually operate and what to expect as a manager or employee in an international firm. Our program will give you the tools needed to make decisions for and within the organisation, understand global strategy and the internationalisation process and give you vital cross-border communication and negotiating skills. This course is for anyone seeking an international focus to their business studies, who wants a competitive international edge to their degree, is considering an internationally-focussed career or is already working in an internationally-oriented organisation. This course is also relevant for those who seek career advancement in the public, inter-governmental and not-for profit sectors, and others who wish to extend their skills in the analysis and interpretation of the global business environment. The skills acquired in an international program of this nature in Ireland can also be flexibly applied in other cultures. We also provide work placement and business research project options, which ae highly valued by employers. All students on this MSc are entitled to free Graduate membership of the IMCA (Institute of Management Consultants & Advisors) for the duration of the programme and for the 12 months following completion.