The MSc International Business & Economic Development will provide you with all the practical skills and knowledge to develop your management career in international business or economic development in advanced or rapidly growing economies. Alongside academic staff, you will have access to senior economic development professionals through programme workshops. By the end, you will be equipped to think and act more strategically through your enhanced understanding and analysis of the key issues of economic development.

Programme overview

• MSc: 12 months full-time;

For the MSc you will take seven core courses, three optional courses and submit a dissertation. The courses will combine lectures, seminars, workshops, case analyses and project work.

Core courses

• International strategic management
• Business finance
• Global business environment
• Managing across cultures & comparative management
• Economic development in practice
• Strategic approaches to delivering economic development 
• Research methods and dissertation training.

Optional courses

• Developing competitive places in global, national and regional contexts
• Developing key sectors to deliver economic development
• Skills, human resource development and economic development
• Business development and its contribution to economic development
• Partnership and collaborative working for economic development.

Career prospects

There is a high demand for managers who can act on their own initiative, take personal responsibility, show leadership potential, and adapt to changing circumstances. These are qualities you should develop by the end of this programme.

You will be well placed to gain management roles or economic development positions at the international, national, regional or local level. As a graduate of this programme, you will be able to make a significant contribution to both the business world and policymaking.

Academic entry requirements

You should have at least a 2:1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent (eg, a GPA of 3.0 or above) in business and management, economics or a relevant social science degree with 20% coverage of business and management and/or economics. Those who do not have such a background who would like to pursue further studies in Management are advised to apply for MSc Management.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0, with writing at 6.5
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 115; minimum Listening: 28; Reading: 29; Writing: 30; Speaking:26

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MSc