International Business - MBA

Overview
Innovative Masters Degree Course designed to prepare graduates for a career in international business management.

The MBA in International Business Management programme provides an excellent route to an internationally recognised qualification, thoroughly preparing graduates for the world of international business.

Upon successful completion of the taught modules, participants integrate their postgraduate business education with managerial competencies through a practice based dissertation project with a credit volume of 30 ECTS.

Why Study Business at Griffith College?
Our MBA programme in International Business is available on a full and part-time basis and prepares graduates by providing an educational experience which is strongly vocational, academically rigorous and intellectually challenging.
• Students will develop the skills and knowledge to specialise in key business industries within International Business and learn how to align business goals across a global business.
• Explore the latest business trends, management practices and techniques.
• Prepare yourself for the changing business environment.
• Learn how to align business goals across a global business.
• Access to an extensive business network through lecturers, guest speakers and alumni

Course Highlights
• International diversity
• Practical industry links
• Competitive pricing
• Flexible study modes
• Student-focused teaching groups
• Accreditation of Prior Learning Experience (APL/APEL).

Core Modules
Managerial Finance
The module provides the learner with a well-rounded financial understanding of the role and goals of financial accounting, management accounting and financial management. The module also aims to provide learners with the analytical tools necessary for determining the financial implications of business activities and decisions in an entrepreneurial context.

International Strategy
This module introduces and develops the concepts, perspectives, and tools associated with the discipline of strategy formulation and development within the complexities of undertaking business in different industrial and market contexts, countries and cultures. As well as providing the learner with a core body of knowledge of strategy, the module aims to go beyond the prescriptive “toolbox” approach to strategy making and develop and instil in the learner an appreciation of the complexities, subtleties and behavioural factors that fundamentally shape what businesses do and why.

Research Methods
Research Methods introduces the learner to the purpose and role of research in business and the different qualitative and quantitative traditions and approaches practiced in research. These research abilities are central to improving business decision making through solid research and data collection. The majority of learners on the PGDip will progress to MSc or MBA programmes and this module ensures they are well prepared for the dissertation by the development and production of a solid, well informed research proposal that provides them with a sound basis for carrying out independent research under supervision.

Strategic Human Resource Management
This module is concerned with the nature and scope of human resource management and the strategic application of human resources activities and techniques. It examines Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) from a management science perspective, enabling learners to know and improve how they contribute to the strategic process of management of human resources. It aims to provide knowledge to understand the external environments and internal capabilities, resources and processes that underpin SHRM.

Global Marketing
This module provides learners with a solid underpinning of the theories, frameworks, and models of international marketing combined with a strong sense of global awareness and cultural sensitivity essential for today’s business world. It gives them the skills to discriminate between markets and enable them to select those that present the greatest opportunities. It also provides learners with the knowhow for developing appropriate marketing plans and programmes and to determine whether a global, local or global approach to marketing is best.

Leadership and Management Development
This module examines the role played by leadership and management in organisations (commercial, public and voluntary) and in determining organisational culture. There are contested and competing views (both in theory and in practice) about management and leadership: what they are and about how leadership affects management. The main purpose of the module is to encourage learners to critically examine leadership and management models. Learners gain knowledge and understanding of new models, which allows consideration in how they might modify their own current or future leadership and management behaviours. It recognises the importance of continuous development in leadership and management roles.

Responsible Business Management
This module increases learners’ awareness of societal expectations that businesses act in a socially responsible way and enables them to consider business solutions to social problems. The learner is equipped with a greater understanding of the concept of corporate governance and the principles underpinning corporate governance codes and examines the need for corporate governance in developed capital markets. Learners will have a deep understanding of the effect of law on the structure, role, and functioning of business including its substantive role, its social and political role, and its global regulatory role. The learner will develop the ability to apply legal and ethical reasoning skills in order to make responsible business decisions.

Entrepreneurial Innovation
This module introduces and improves learner’s knowledge and understanding on the interrelationships of entrepreneurship, technology and business innovation. Within this module, aspects of managing a start-up or a mature enterprise as well as change and innovation are covered. The module draws on material from the resource-based view of organisations and strategic and innovation management more generally, to produce a multi- layered, professional and practical, approach to business creation, corporate development and management of technological and business innovation.

Managerial Economics
This module focuses on the subject of economics, with a strong emphasis on key macroeconomic and microeconomic principles, global trade, supply markets, competition and regulation. It seeks to develop a broad knowledge base and an in-depth understanding of the interconnectivity of economies and the impact this has in global trade and international business. The module increases the learners’ understanding of global and regional economies, of the economic cycle and of the interconnectedness and inherent tension in global trade and global business. It also focuses on key business-level issues that are relevant to business development, including understanding market competition. The inclusion of behavioural economics provides an opportunity to explore a relatively new area of the economic discipline, which has a direct, practical impact on business development and commercial success.

Elective Modules
Digital Business
The module offers an understanding of digital skills within the workplace of a contemporary business environment. The module is aimed at individuals that want to acquire or improve their knowledge on how to plan and implement effective digital campaigns using digital assets at management level for accountable results. Centred on digital marketing and strategy, combined with trends that are shaping modern Ebusiness, it explores how digital marketing fits in with the overall business strategy at a practical level.

Regional Analysis
The learner will analyse Asian markets from the perspective of investing firms. This will include assessment of the risks and benefits from such investment and the appropriate entry strategies for the market. The learner will investigate how to adapt and expand current business strategy for success, taking into account the intricacies of alternative approaches to internationalisation. This module explores the role of national and regional environments in Asian business. The learner will explore how macro-characteristics such as factor endowments, institutions, politics, and culture affect country- and firm-level economic outcomes in Asia.

Strategic Procurement and Supply Management
The aim of this module is to develop learners’ understanding of leading edge thinking in the area of strategic procurement and to guide on procurement strategies that bring together methods and tools used by global purchasers across different industries. Learners will be able, at the end of this module, to adapt the strategic procurement perspective of procurement thus adding increased value to organisations in which they will operate.

Global Marketing Methods and Mindsets
This module builds learners’ understanding of the four dominant Marketing methods and mind-sets currently in evidence among marketing professionals. Learners develop an understanding of the methodologies used during the eras of Product, Consumer, Brand and Concept Marketing. The learner will understand the different mind-sets that are brought to the marketing challenge. They will understand how those mind-sets translate into practical methodology and get a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.

Dissertation
MBA Dissertation
This module aims to provide an opportunity for learners to apply business management skills and knowledge to a professional level research project and to make a significant contribution to the chosen field of enquiry. The MBA dissertation allows the learner to research and analyse a business problem, or issue, relating to their work place and come to reasoned conclusions and recommendations. The process will help develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a highly specialised subject area, a critical understanding of research and the ability to apply this research to their daily management in practice. A key outcome of this research will be to enhance the learners understanding of their chosen work-related topic and their capacity for lifelong critical engagement with evidence to inform the development of their professional practice.

Entry Requirements
• Primary honours degree in a business related discipline or a postgraduate related qualification and/or experiential learning.

• Three years of managerial experience.

• Non-business graduates with substantial work experience may apply but will be subject to interview.

• If English is not your native language you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard, i.e a minimum of 6.5 IELTS Score or equivalent.

Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

For further information please contact a member of the Admissions Team.

How to Apply
You can submit an online application here Apply Online

Once we receive your application a member of our Admissions Team will be in contact with you to outline the documents required to process your application.

For direct entry on to the MBA Programme you are required to complete a Competency Report as part of your application.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Intake Dates:
We run two intakes for this course, commencing as follows:
Autumn: September*
Spring: February*

*subject to sufficient numbers.

Academic Progression
On completion of the Level 9 MBA in International Business, students may progress onto a range of Level 10 Doctoral programmes on the National Qualifications Framework. The Postgraduate QQI validation means that your qualification is recognised not only in Ireland and Europe but throughout the world.

Career Progression
Through the MBA in International Business, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong foundation of communication and presentation skills, and covered a diverse range of topics. There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:

International Accountant
Customs Compliance Specialist
International Economist
Management Analyst
International Banking
Business Development Executive
International Marketing Director
International Sales Assistant
Business Analyst
Product Manager