International Sustainable Business

Course Outline
The MSc International Sustainable Business is a new innovative programme, offered by the College of Business & Law at UCC. This unique programme will equip business and non-business graduates with in-depth, practical knowledge of global business disciplines, combining managerial and strategic skills to influence and lead sustainable global businesses. We envisage that graduates of our International Sustainable Business programme will be future drivers of positive change.

As a student of this programme, you will learn the tools, knowledge and frameworks to carefully reflect on, and better manage, the tensions between profit, people and planet for decision making within international businesses. You will do this through your choice of focussed pathway either Sustainable International Management and Strategy or Sustainable Business.

In this programme you will assess business cases within complex and multidimensional global business markets and environments learning how to help businesses develop strategic responses across a range of activities and markets.

Our modules are designed to equip you with the skills to be a positive force within business and society to contribute to a resilient and inclusive future for all and to align business strategies with ethical responsibilities, including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We achieve this by examining, formulating, and shaping global business solutions for a sustainable future.

The MSc programme is designed in the context of UCC’s Connected Curriculum. Opportunities for leadership, industry engagement, and professional development are integrated within the curriculum. This is an excellent opportunity for those of you who want to complement your degree with business skills, broadening your skillset in a way that adds value to global organisations, and who are interested in developing innovative strategies and business models that answer our global sustainability challenges.

Modules
Students take 90 credits as follows:
Part I (60 credits)
• BU6012 Business Professional Skills (5 credits)
• BU6013 Responsible Leadership for a Global World (5 credits)
• BU6014 Global Markets and Trade (5 credits)
• MG6415 Ethics and Sustainability (5 credits)
• FE6305 Contemporary Socio-Economic and Environmental Issues (5 credits)
• EC6621 Strategy for Global Business (5 credits)
• BU6015 Research Methods Module (5 credits)
• BU6016 Quantitative Research Methods (5 credits)

Elective Modules
Choose 20 credits from either the Responsible International Management and Strategy pathway or the Sustainable Business pathway:

Responsible International Management and Strategy Pathway (20 credits)
• MG6834 International Business and Strategy (5 credits)
• MG6833 International Market Entry Strategies (5 credits)
• MG6337 International Human Resources Management (5 credits)
• MG6407 International Marketing and Practice (5 credits)

Sustainable Business Pathway (20 credits)
• EC6077 Ecological Economics and Sustainability Policies (5 credits)
• EC6078 Business Practices for a Circular Economies (5 credits)
• EC6079 Green Investment Strategies (5 credits)
• EC6080 Environmental Regulation and Compliance Management (5 credits)

Part II (30 credits)
• BU6017 International Sustainable Business Report (ISBR) (30 credits)

Applicants must normally have a Second Class Honours Grade 1 (GPA 3.25 out of 4.0) in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any discipline or equivalent.

Applicants who achieve a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) but meet all other requirements will be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) on a case-by-case basis.

Closing Date
Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.

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

Start Date 9 September 2024

Skills and Careers Information
MSc International Sustainable Business embraces the importance of sustainability, responsibility, and an ethical approach to international business.

The skills developed on the MSc course include:
• Leadership, organisational, interpersonal, team-working and strategic decision-making skills
• Competencies in sustainable business practices
• Working to deadlines producing analyses, reports, and presentations to professional standards
• Ability to interpret and analyse data
• Application of frameworks and concepts to the global business world
• Research project design, implementation and management

Examples of jobs our graduates are expected to gain employment in include Global Business Strategists, Business Consultants, Sustainability Managers, CSR managers, ESG Analysts, Regulators, and Policymakers.