Postgraduate Course

MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship

How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: International Business and Entrepreneurship

Start date: January 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Southend Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

International business and entrepreneurial expansion is a desirable business strategy as it opens more avenues for revenue, but careful consideration must be paid to differences in how countries and cultural nuance impact business decisions.

Our MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship explores the theoretical and practical aspects of starting, growing and developing businesses across international borders. You examine different types of international business activity and the theories and innovative approaches to new business creation in different cultural and economic contexts. You do not need to have previously studied business to apply for this course.

You explore topics including:

international expansion models
applying economic theory to business management
international trade theories and practices
international business environments
economic, sociological, psychological and managerial theories of entrepreneurship
how to develop an international business plan

This course develops your practical business skills and theoretical knowledge, so you're best prepared to launch your own venture, or apply entrepreneurship in an existing company.

This course is delivered by Essex Business School at our Southend Campus. Students and staff come to us from all over the world, creating a classroom experience rich in diversity and working together to build a global understanding. Essex is also a place with entrepreneurial spirit; we have more start-up businesses than any other county in the UK. Together this entrepreneurial spirit and global community make for the perfect place to study entrepreneurship and international business.

Your course benefits from current research by the Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship group and focuses on answering the question: “How can organisations and entrepreneurs increase their benefits to society and minimise their environmental impact?” A Masters from Essex Business School can give you a solid foundation on which to build your career in international business and entrepreneurship.

You can study this course starting in either October or January. Please note that the January entry point is only offered on a full-time basis and cannot be studied part-time.

Why we're great.

More than half of our students and staff join us from overseas – we're an international business community.
Essex Startups, our own team of in house startup experts, can help you turn your business idea into a reality.
You can choose to complete an international business plan for your own start-up instead of a dissertation.

Our expert staff

Based in Southend-on-Sea, members of the Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group have well-established reputations for research in:

entrepreneurship and innovation, with a special focus on under-represented groups
global sustainable supply chains
international business, particularly with reference to emerging markets
research and development management
data analytics
corporate social responsibility activities

During your course, you'll have the opportunity to learn from Professor Mehmet Demirbag, Professor of International Business and Deputy Dean of Essex Business School.

Professor Demirbag investigates multinational firms from emerging markets, exploring their internationalisation strategies, their R&D activities and mergers and acquisitions. Mehmet also has extensive experience in policy development having been the principal advisor for the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Academic members of staff from our Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group are supported in their research activities by our flourishing Centre for Research on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Management and Internationalisation (REIMI).

The Centre is well known for international business research on emerging-market multinational enterprises (MNEs); technology management; novel research in migrant entrepreneurship and firm internationalisation.

Specialist facilities

MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship is taught at our Southend Campus, just 40 minutes from London and in the heart of the Thames Gateway - one of the Government's priority areas for economic growth, it is a fitting location for entrepreneurial study.

Essex has the highest number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, meaning you are ideally located for networking, launching a business or gaining inspiration for both your studies and future career.

Choose our Southend Campus, and you'll have access to a superb learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities, including:

our award-winning The Forum building, with an extensive public and academic library and café
24-hour learning hub, with group-study spaces, PC access and places for quiet study
Essex Business School Student Services team to support your time at EBS
masters study suite for EBS postgraduate students
modern lecture theatres and seminar rooms
careers support, events and initiatives
studyskills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
our cosy SU Lounge, with pool tables and large-screen TV for socialising and relaxation

Southend-on-Sea combines the charms of a traditional seaside resort with the attractions of a vibrant, modern town and our campus sits right at the centre. With seven miles of coastline, a thriving arts and cultural scene and a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife all on your doorstep, it's the perfect place to live and study. Our town centre location has excellent transport links and London Southend Airport is just five minutes away by train, offering fights to over 50 destinations across Europe.

Your future

A Masters degree in International Business and Entrepreneurship will ensure you have a clear grasp of international business practices and how innovative approaches to new business creation can be applied across international borders - opening the door to global opportunities.

We seek to create the organisational leaders of the future. Our curriculum aims to prepare you for a career as an entrepreneur, an owner-manager, a policy maker in support services, or entrepreneurial management in organisations with a specific interest in international business. Core modules such as International Business and Strategy, Global Supply Chain and Operations Management and Theories and Practice of Entrepreneurship will equip you with an advanced understanding of international business practices and the range of economic, sociological, psychological and managerial theories of enterprise creation and development.

Many of our graduates go on to set up their own businesses or consult on business practice straight after graduation as Essex Business School prepares you for the world of work from day one. Recent graduate destinations include consultancies and financial institutions such as:

KPMG
EY
SAP
Morgan Stanley

Read our graduate profiles to see the types of organisations our alumni work for.

Our Student Support team work closely with the University's Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

“Essex gave me the opportunity to meet different people and expand my awareness of the different cultures that exist in the world. Although my time was short there which just one year, I learned a lot you know. I would give anything to have the fond memories I had when I was in Essex because it was such a profound experience that 1 year of my time was not enough. I am glad that I went to Essex, there were a lot of challenges, mistakes I made, toes I stepped on but all in all, it was an amazing experience I had.”

“I am now a Mental Health Counsellor. I never thought I would do my present job. At first, I wanted to be a graphic designer in the 3D and animation industry and although I love graphic design I feel I find more happiness and joy in my present career. I studied Entrepreneurship in Essex, so It was very relevant in my current career.”

Charles Omofuma Ituah, MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree or international equivalent, in any discipline.

We will also consider applicants who hold a professional qualification such as a CIM, CIPD or CMI and two years' relevant Professional or Managerial experience.

You may also be considered with a lower class degree, where you have at least three year’s relevant work experience (please provide your CV in your application).

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Please be aware that we are planning changes to our first year to make it more relevant to your chosen course.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption such as in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Theories and Practice of Entrepreneurship

(15 CREDITS)

This module equips you with a critical understanding of a range of economic, sociological, psychological and managerial theories of enterprise creation and development. Live examples, case studies and journal articles show how these theories apply in practice to real business situations. Working in groups and individually, you have the opportunity to suggest strategies for responding to the issues raised in these case studies. Topics include new business creation, innovative growth and the impact of entrepreneurship on economic and social development.

View Theories and Practice of Entrepreneurship on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Creating and Managing the Digital Entrepreneurial Organisation

(15 CREDITS)

This module helps you to identify and understand the main business functions that can support an entrepreneur when determining whether there is sufficient opportunity to launch a new venture. You acquire the critical, transferable and practical skills required to create or manage a new or entrepreneurial organisation. You explore how new businesses are developed and managed, including spin-offs from large firms and social enterprises, and learn how to identify new business opportunities. Topics include: idea generation; the development of business models; networking; marketing; finance; human resource management; customer relationship management and driving growth.

View Creating and Managing the Digital Entrepreneurial Organisation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

International Business and Strategy

(15 CREDITS)

Achieve an advanced understanding of international business and strategy, and the content and processes of different international expansion modes. You examine why firms enter international markets, and explore different forms of international growth by observing current business practice, case study evidence and theory.

View International Business and Strategy on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Research Methods

(15 CREDITS)

Gain the key skills and competencies to carry out management research or prepare a comprehensive business plan, suitable for the completion of a Masters level programme. You address the philosophical issues underlying management research, and discover how to select methods and judge the quality and value of research outcomes.

View Research Methods on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 06: CORE WITH OPTIONS

(0 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 01: CORE WITH OPTIONS

(60 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Managerial Economics

(15 CREDITS)

Managerial Economics applies economic theory to business management, decision making and forward planning. This module explores how economic concepts, such as profit, demand, cost, pricing production, competition and business cycles, can be used to solve business problems.

View Managerial Economics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

The International Business Environment

(15 CREDITS)

Gain an advanced understanding of the external context within which international businesses operate, and the opportunities and challenges this poses to entrepreneurial firms, large and small. You are introduced to key international trade theories and practices, and the application of these to the study of entrepreneurship. You also discuss the external challenges facing international firms, particularly economic, financial, political-legal, technological and cultural challenges.

View The International Business Environment on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

Teaching

We develop your practical business skills to make you more employable:

tailor your degree to your career goals with our wide range of optional modules
our teaching combines group working, applied projects and guest practitioner lectures
our courses focus on practical applications and links with industry
hear from cutting-edge researchers in our open seminar series
research is embedded into our curriculum, so you graduate ready to tackle current entrepreneurial issues

Assessment

Regular assessment is by coursework, presentations, case studies, group work, tests and examinations

Dissertation

You submit a 15,000 word dissertation or an international business plan

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£14,300

International fee

£22,400

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Southend Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing southend@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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