Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Mile End
- Fees
- Home: £15,250
Overseas: £33,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
On this programme, you will learn about the economics of globalisation and the resulting challenges to international business strategy and management. You'll have the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of how and why the world's economies differ, and you'll learn to review global trade and investment policies.
The course material aims to teach students to:
- Identify issues in international contexts, and apply creative problem-solving and decision-making techniques to solve business problems.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of business solutions.
- Effectively work in cross-cultural teams.
- Develop an advanced understanding of the economy and the management of organisations in changing external contexts.
Structure
- Six compulsory modules.
- Two taught elective modules.
- Compulsory 10,000-word dissertation.
Compulsory/Core modules
The module provides a relatively non-technical overview of the use of statistical methods in business research. There is an emphasis on practical work and interpretation, and there will be extensive use of Stata, a statistics/econometrics package. The course covers the basic elements of: descriptive statistics, probability, sampling, inference, and multivariate regression analysis.
This module is concerned with economic interactions among nations and addresses some of the major issues affecting the world economy today. The first part of the module covers such topics as: main theories of international trade, economies of scale, national competitiveness issues, and trade policy. It addresses such issues as the effects of trade on income distribution, the debate about import substitution and protectionism, and approaches to trade policy. The second part covers topics in international macroeconomics and finance.
This is a core course which is compulsory for students in the MSc in International Business ; it is an optional course to other Masters programmes in SBM. It aims to introduce students to central debates about the relationship between global economic integration (globalisation) and economic development, highlighting the role played by multinational enterprises. Students are introduced to central themes and theories of international integration and its impacts, and to core ideas of why there are multinationals, and what their economic impacts are. Location and distance, and the costs therein are strong themes throughout the module, as they play central role in structuring both the actions of multinationals and larger patterns of economic activity.
International macroeconomics and finance is a new area of open economy macroeconomics. This module: 1. Offers an overview of international monetary economics and finance. 2. Explain how monetary policy and fiscal policy interact to gather the dynamics of sovereign external debt and their financing. 3. Stress the importance of coordinated macroeconomic and financial policies. 4. The theory and the insights provided by this module relate to current policy issues.
Managerial Economics applies microeconomics to problems confronting decision-making within firms, and covers how to tie and apply economic thinking to current events and policy debates that are relevant to businesses. The topics concern key aspects of the functioning of markets, including the role of prices, interdependence and elasticities, as well as market failures, the impact of non-competitive market structures, focusing on the case of oligopoly, pricing decisions, including quantity discounts and different types of market segmentation.
The dissertation forms an important part of the assessment of the MSc International Business Programme, carrying a weighting of four modules (60 credits), i.e., one third of the entire Programme. The dissertation requires a demonstration of ability to carry out an original investigation into an area of interest. As such, the process should reflect skills of formulating research questions, synthesising and analysing data, drawing insights and conclusions, and written communication.
The module provides a non-technical overview of quantitative methodologies frequently used in finance and international business research. The module is data driven and covers the basics of: Hypotheses testing, OLS and Logistic Regression Analysis, Instrumental Variables, Time Series Analysis, Panel Data Models and Differences-in Differences. The module also teaches how to apply these methods using STATA (a leading econometrics software).
This 0-credit module covers Mathematics and Statistics topics which are useful for the different quantitative modules and MSc dissertations. The Mathematics topics include: linear and non linear equations, differentiation, growth and discounting and logarithms. The Statistics topics include: descriptive statistics, probabilities and distributions.
Elective modules
This course introduces contemporary theories and the empirical literature of the economics of developing countries with specific reference to public policy delivery. The course will address the problems with public policy delivery in developing countries and what solutions and strategies have been identified in the literature. The course will deal with debates such as centralised and decentralised delivery methods, political economy issues of corruption and state capture, and the role of incentives among politicians and bureaucrats in service delivery.
The module aims to introduce students to concepts and practices related to managing in a globally volatile, complex, dynamic environment within which organisations, national and international institutions and individuals interact. The elective is designed to be an advanced global strategic management course presenting material that is highly contemporary. This course provides balanced global strategic insights along with proven practical business frameworks and prepares you to respond quickly to today's challenging global environment.
The structure and dynamics of various complex networks (e.g. World Wide Web, online social, intra/interorganisational, im/export trade networks) are examined. A unified theoretical framework to analyse sociologically relevant phenomena exhibiting complex dynamic network structures (e.g. information diffusion, cultural fads, financial crises, and viral marketing) is the aim. Innovation, to uncover the structural foundations of knowledge creation, transfer, sharing, and diffusion in various empirical domains is emphasised from an interdisciplinary perspective by combining current research on complex networks with contributions from relevant organisational and sociological research.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations, as well as your individual dissertation.
Dissertation
The final dissertation is your chance to conduct in-depth and independent research. This can be a practice-oriented project of your choice, on a company or an industry you choose.
—"Studying International Business at Queen Mary has been one of the best and most fulfilling academic experiences of my life. I have gained intensive knowledge of subjects including statistics, economics, management and even marketing. The excellent and qualified professors not only focused on the academic aspects, but also ensured we gained practical and field-related exposure. The School offered a variety of socials and networking opportunities throughout the year."
Muhammad Ibraheem Javed, International Business MSc, 2022
Teaching
Our interdisciplinary approach ensures a fully rounded business education, and includes lectures led by experienced academics and interaction with Queen Mary’s independent Virtual Learning Environment, QMplus.
You will gain invaluable insight from guest speakers, and develop communication skills through interactive seminars, presentations and lively group discussions with your peers.
You will take an active role in your own learning by reading designated material, producing written assignments and completing projects.
We invest in both your educational and personal development, and you will be assigned an Academic Advisor to support you throughout your time at Queen Mary.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- ThinkPod interactive collaboration space with presentation, recording and video conferencing facilities.
- Free subscriptions to publications such as Bloomberg and Financial Times.
- Access to the Graduate Centre, offering purpose-built study spaces and a postgraduate rooftop common room.
- 24-hour library on campus.
Campus
Teaching is based at Queen Mary’s Mile End campus, one of the largest self-contained residential campuses in the capital. Our location in the heart of London’s East End offers a rich cultural environment.
We have invested £105m in new facilities over the past five years to offer our students an exceptional learning environment. Recent developments include the £39m Graduate Centre, providing 7,700 square metres of learning and teaching space.
The campus is 15 minutes from Central London by tube, where you will have access to many of the University of London’s facilities, including the Senate House library.
About the School
School of Business and Management
The School of Business and Management has a reputation as a socially engaged management school, with an innovative, multidisciplinary, mindful and responsible approach. We invite our students to ask incisive questions, to challenge their assumptions, and to search for solutions to real-world challenges.
We ensure students experience innovative and engaging educational pathways, alongside supportive staff and excellent research facilities.
The School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which ensures that the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success are met.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the School of Business and Management dramatically moved up the Times Higher Education rankings. Among 108 UK business schools, the School now ranks:
- 22nd for overall research quality (up from 39th in REF2014)
- 28th for research outputs (up from 34th)
- 12th for research impact (up from 24th)
- 21st for research environment (up from 59th)
Queen Mary is also part of the Russell Group - a body of leading UK universities dedicated to research and teaching excellence.
Career paths
This course's combination of academic study and practical training will prepare you for leadership roles or further postgraduate study. The majority of graduates of this programme work in international financial institutions, banks, businesses, or have entered a PhD programme.
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £15,250
- Overseas: £33,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in any subject, provided the degree contains satisfactory study of Mathematics and Statistics. Subjects likely to contain sufficient quantitative elements include Accounting, Mathematics, Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics and Finance.
Students from less quantitatively oriented degrees, such as Management and Politics, are welcome if they have focused on the more quantitative elements of those degrees.
Other routes
Candidates that do not currently meet the set entry requirements may also have the option to study the Graduate Diploma in Finance and Economics. Meeting the required grades on completion of this programme will provide a pathway to study MSc International Business.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught in the School of Business and Management falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.