PMIBUMNT - MSc International Business Management

The MSc International Business Management is aimed at individuals seeking to develop careers in international business and management. It is suitable for students with limited prior business and management experience or international exposure. Throughout the course, the aim is to develop the critical thinking, decision making and interpersonal skills that are required of people considering embarking on a career in international business and management as managers, business owners or entrepreneurs. The program typically includes and is aimed at students from an international background; this a critical factor that will enhance students’ learning experience by drawing from diverse communities that build an inclusive and colourful academic environment.

In line with the university’s strategic priorities, the course will enable students to make sense of the current volatile and uncertain world by applying the tools, techniques and thought processes that are needed to compete globally. This includes complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and people management, particularly in a multi-cultural environment. The importance of understanding and managing digital technology is also a theme throughout the programme. Successful businesses need to navigate effectively through the current and emerging waves of technology disruption and global geo-political tensions whilst changing and innovating in response to competitive and environmental pressures. Our course will excel in bringing the workplace into the classroom with a live business simulation, case studies, research into topical issues and development of consultancy skills plus an innovative assessment diet. In addition, the students will be offered Interpersonal Skills Coaching using Strengthscope an online resource supporting personal growth.

A flagship programme for the Business School, this course is positioned at the intersection of academia and business practice and aims to meet the changing needs of business management education. The strong focus on gaining knowledge for practical use should deliver excellent value for money for every student that studies the programme through improved knowledge, confidence and skills. Key learning resources and activities include:

• competing in student teams in a global business simulation
• access to Strengthscope®
• engagement with consultants, business owners and managers to help bring insights of current practice
• access to the extensive business data and insight provided by Bloomberg, Mintel and Fame

In summary, the international and practical nature of the program aims to develop professionals that will excel in multi-cultural and global business environments with theories (e.g. strategy, marketing, finance), technical skills (e.g. MS Project, Strengthscope) and training (e.g. Consultancy Project) that will enable them to compete in the globalized job market. This means that students will have a strong overview of the international, interconnected business world that we live in and that they will have the confidence and critical ability to explore and exploit business opportunities and to solve problems as managers or entrepreneurs without boundaries.

Please note

If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the School reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the School cancels a module it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative.

The duration only applies to students who are taking the dissertation/consultancy rout. Those who are taking the Workplacement module will have a longer duration as the Workplacement is a 9 - 12 month module.

The aim of the course is to provide students with:

• knowledge of key management theories and practice that they need to develop as business leaders or entrepreneurs
• essential financial analysis, problem solving and decision-making skills to be successful in a management role
• insights into the course of global business growth and development and current cultural differences to enable success in a global business setting
• simulated experience of running a global business as part of a management team
• necessary insights into their own capabilities in order to shape their personal development
• insight into the potential changes in the business environment that they will experience in the coming years so that they can develop strategies for success.

On completion of the programme, students should be able to:

Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

The course will equip students with the skills and attributes that will enable them to compete with success in the complex and challenging international business environment and employment market. It brings together university and School distinctiveness, and - as it is of inherently multidisciplinary - refers to two principal sets of QAA Benchmark Statements:

Graduates will be able to demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of International Business Management while placing that subject within a wider organisational and contextual framework. They will explore and evaluate current issues and implement techniques applicable to research in the subject area. Graduates will have both theoretical and applied perspectives and will be able to apply a range of specialist skills to the organisations (and their context) in which they as specialists may operate.

The University learning outcome that cuts across the entirety of the London Metropolitan University provision is:

On completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible professionals in their discipline (ULO)

Thus, upon graduating with an MSc International Business Management, students will typically:

LO-1: Have the confidence needed to take leadership decisions in challenging situations.

LO-2: Possess extensive communication skills that will help them adopt a global and multicultural perspective in their professional context.

LO-3: Be critically cognisant of the social and environmental impact of their decisions and will remain active citizens of the places they live and work.

LO-4: Demonstrate the application and ability to reflect on creative thinking to practical problems and possess the analytical and organizational skills to translate creative ideas to operational solutions.

LO-5: Have extensive knowledge and understanding of the broad range of areas of International Business Management.

Knowledge and Understanding

LO-6: Appraise external and internal influences on the strategy and operations of business organisations with an emphasis on international contexts

LO7 :Evaluate business and managerial performance based on evidence from the forefront of interdisciplinary management research and practice internationally

LO8: Evaluate the ethical and cultural dimensions of management to inform the development and management of successful and sustainable businesses

LO9: Critically evaluate a range of complex situations and draw appropriate conclusions in a range of international business settings

LO10: Synthesise insights, information and data from a range of sources to critically evaluate business management research, consultancy and practice

Professional Skills and Attitudes

LO11: Contribute effectively to team performance and take leadership where appropriate

LO12: Perform managerial research in order to solve problems and make informed decisions.

LO13: Communicate effectively business information, insight and solutions to stakeholders.

LO14: Demonstrate reflective practice, self-motivation and engagement in independent learning.

Master's Degrees in Business and Management – June 2015

The course adopts the four assessment strategy principles of the School that are developed in the spirit of ESJ. These are:

i) The School is committed to ensuring that each student should not have more than 2 assessment points per 20 credit modules.

ii) We provide balanced forms of assessment, both in terms of its overall volume (measured in terms of assessment points and output required) and the types used.

iii) At PGT level, group activities are part of the learning and teaching strategies but assessment should be at the level of the individual. Thus, assessment should focus on individual reflections and learning from participating in a group activity.

iv) Flexibility/choice in assessment methods will be introduced wherever possible (subject to PSRB requirements and QAA subject benchmarks) in order to facilitate different learning studies and support personalization

The assessment diet includes formative and summative assessments and takes a variety of formats including individual presentations, group presentations with individual reflection or peer-evaluations and case study analysis, business report writing, reflective writing, academic writing and a final consultancy project/report portfolio. The aim with all assessments is to encourage learning and engagement, as well as to enable students to demonstrate their learning and improvement. For example, engagement with the business simulation and the associated role-playing will be improved through a link to the assessment, since experience shows that whilst the simulation is an engaging way for students to learn, participation and learning is increased if there is a feed into the summative assessment.

Reflective learning and personal development start with the first module ‘Leading and Developing People’ which includes the use of Strengthscope (or equivalent) and creation of a PDP. Students will reflect on the business simulation as part of the summative assessment. Finally, the portfolio summative assessment in Term 3 will include a reflection on the students learning and their progress with the PDP.

Students will receive timely feedback on both formative and summative assessments following the university guidelines. In some instances, students will engage in peer-to-peer feedback to help them understand the standards required and how to achieve them.

20 credit modules have two assessment points, one around the mid-point of the teaching cycle allowing feed-back and feed-forward in support of the next submission, which after the final session of the workshop series.

For their final 60-credit capstone module, the students will have three options to choose from before they finish their degree: a) Dissertation, b) Work Placement and c) Consultancy Project. Whereas the dissertation is a classic academic piece of work, the Work Placement module gives students the opportunity to do a full 1-year placement and the Consultancy Project is a work experience module where students solve problems for real corporate clients.

This PG course offers students the ability to complete a work placement component as part of the alternative 60 Credit alternative core modules within the award. The Workplacement module (MN7W01) is one of the alternative core modules. The placement will last nine months, starting within two months of the successful completion of semester two in summer. It will be credit-bearing (60 credits) and will be offered as an alternative to the ‘Dissertation’ and ‘Business Consultancy Project’ with the same credits. There will be a series of work readiness and career preparation workshops/ seminars to ensure students are engaging critically with their experiences. For students unable to undertake the work placement after starting the programme, they will be required to complete a Dissertation or Business Consultancy Project, bearing equivalent credit, and complete their course within one year, however, this will be strongly discouraged due to the complex Tier 4 visa arrangement requirements, if applicable.

International students studying on a Student Visa will be required to submit weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken for the work placement. The timesheets will need to be signed by the student’s line manager to meet Visa regulations.

Those who are taking the 60 credit Work Placement option will be contacted early in their course to receive support in securing a graduate placement in good time. It is a student's responsibility to apply for opportunities and to engage with the University and/or partner organisations to assist them. The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module and Work-Based Learning Teams and all placement roles must meet the Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Accredited Work Placements.

Please note that the choice of MN7W01 alternative core module will have the effect of extending the course length by one more year. The student needs to have secured a one-year work placement within 6 months of start of teaching i.e., if their course starts in September/October the deadline for securing the placement will be 31 March of the following year; if their course starts in February/March the deadline for securing the placement will be 31 August of the same year. If a student has difficulty securing a placement within the deadlines above they will switch to alternatives bearing equivalent credit as stated on the first paragraph.

MSc International Business Management

For the PG Cert any 60 credits will need to be attained

For the PG Dip 120 all 20 credit modules need to be attained

From the MSc award, all 180 credits need to be attained.

*Please note the duration only applies to students who are taking the dissertation/consultancy rout. Those who are taking the Workplacement module will have a longer duration as the Workplacement is a 9 - 12 month module.

There are no course specific regulations.

The course conforms with the Regulations of the University Postgraduate Scheme and there are no additional regulations.

Reflective learning is encouraged and facilitated throughout the course and is specifically assessed in three modules:

• International Business Strategy with Simulation – students will reflect on their contribution to the management team of their simulation company with a presentation
• Leading and Developing People – students will have access to an online service to assess their strengths. At the end of the module, they will complete a reflective report and create a PDP
• Students will reflect on their Dissertation/Consultancy Project research/Work-placement and will look back at the entire programme.

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)

Characteristics Statement Master’s Degree September 2015

In addition to your masters degree you will gain the highly sought after and widely recognised CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.

Graduates of this Masters’ programmes including international students from emerging markets are likely to work in a wide spectrum of settings ranging from smaller entrepreneurial pursuits to large global organisations. They are likely to engage with global companies in a competitive, partnering or “intra-preneurial” mode as businesses expand internationally in pursuit of growth, create global supply chains or use offshoring models of approved suppliers and partners. Others will seek to enhance their position within their existing companies and there will be those who will use the knowledge acquired whilst employed and studying to develop their family business.

To achieve the above, the course will offer students employability-related opportunities such as training in the use of specialized software (e.g. Stengthscope, MS Project), the participation in a competitive Simulation Game, as well as practical tools from real businesspeople via in-class invited talks and seminars on topic such as strategy, marketing etc. Above all, the capstone Consultancy Project module aims to help students work on real projects for real companies with an emphasis on practical application of theory and problem solving. The course is also closely linked to the university’s Career and Employability services that help students improve their CV, their cover letter and their job-seeking process, including the identification of volunteering job opportunities. Regular events are organized by the university and course-specific training events can be organized depending on student demands.

Upon completing this course, students will be able to make a significant contribution within any business environment, at an individual level and as a member of a team. This would typically be in the sales, account management, operations management, planning, quality, risk, consultancy and other related management areas. The programme, with its variants, aimed at developing professionals who might engage in the following professional classifications:

Standard Occupation Codes

1132: Marketing & Sales Directors

1133: Purchasing Managers & Directors

1135: Manager, services management

1139: Functional Managers & Directors N.E.C.

1150: Financial Institution Managers & Directors

1161: Managers & Directors In Transport & Distribution

1162: Managers & Directors In Storage & Warehousing

1259: Managers & Proprietors In Other Services N.E.C.

3539: Business & Related Associate Professionals N.E.C.

7130: Sales Supervisors

7220: Customer Service Managers & Supervisors

On completion of this course you'll be able to make a significant contribution within any business environment, at an individual level or as a member of a team. This would typically be in the finance, strategic planning, quality, risk and related management areas.

You will be required to have:

• A minimum of a lower second class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject discipline