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MSc International Business

Grow your global impact by exploring how commerce crosses continents at an AACSB-accredited business school ranked among the top 10% worldwide.

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Time investment: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Location: Online

Cost: £11,520

Language: English

About this degree

Be the strategist global companies need

Tariffs, trade deals, and supply chain shocks feel more relevant than ever. In a world reshaped by rapid global change and economic uncertainty, businesses need leaders who can think fast and strategically across borders and markets.

Take your career in international business around the world with Brunel University of London, a truly global university that brings diverse perspectives into every part of this online MSc.

With students from over 150 countries and a business school ranked among the world’s best, you’ll learn to lead across borders with expertise in global strategy, international trade, cross-cultural management, and more.

Learn the business of going global, from every angle

On this degree, you’ll gain the must-haves for any skilled international business professional, from analysing complex global markets to navigating international finance and investment.

Whether you’re interested in how global organisations support diverse workforces or the role of social media in driving global innovation, the optional modules you choose will help you stand out in a competitive job market.

Each module balances the theoretical with the practical, so you not only know the what but the how behind international business.

Open doors worldwide at an accredited business school

Completing your MSc online can open doors, but doing it through a university ranked among the top 25% in the UK gives your qualifications serious credibility.

As a postgraduate at Brunel’s AACSB and AMBA-accredited Business School, you’ll join a diverse network of professionals and learn from expert faculty who combine cutting-edge research with real-world insight.

You’ll walk away equipped with the skills and reputation employers look for, helping you get noticed in an increasingly competitive and interconnected business landscape.

Where you’ll be studying

Study at Brunel University of London

Brunel University of London combines academic excellence with real-world relevance.

Designed for ambitious professionals, Brunel’s online programmes offer research-led teaching and global perspectives that prepare you to lead, adapt, and make a lasting impact.

With the flexibility to learn around your life and support from expert tutors, you’ll gain the skills, confidence, and credentials to move your career forward, wherever you are in the world.

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Learning outcomes

Master global business analysis

Confidently evaluate global business concepts, strategies, and challenges from both theoretical and practical perspectives at national and international levels.

Champion ethical practices

Critically integrate ethical principles and socially responsible approaches into modern global business decision-making.

Leverage strategic tools

Apply advanced theories, models, and digital technologies to drive sustainable and effective global business decisions.

Drive diversity and inclusion

Create innovative, strategic solutions that promote diversity and inclusion within dynamic international business environments.

Lead impactful business research

Design and deliver original research projects that generate valuable insights for global business leaders.

Advance your professional skills

Cultivate strong analytical, interpersonal, and technical competencies to accelerate inclusive career growth in the international business arena.

Additional information

You’ll need a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in any subject, whether it’s related to business or not. No work experience is required to apply.

To join this programme, you’ll need to show proof of English language proficiency. This can take the form of any of the following approved qualifications:

IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)

This programme is delivered by the Brunel Business School, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

It’s also a recipient of the Small Business Charter (SBC) and a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME).

This means you’ll be learning at an institution that meets high international standards and is recognised globally for its commitment to quality teaching, impactful research, and student success.

All of your learning will be delivered online, making it possible to progress while keeping your 9-to-5 and personal commitments.

You’ll complete 6 compulsory modules and 2 optional modules, each worth 15 credits, plus a 60-credit dissertation.

Brunel takes a student-centred approach to its curriculum. Your coursework will balance both theory and application, with modules delivered through pre-recorded lectures and tutorials, workshops, practical assignments, and more.

At the end of each online module, you’ll be assessed in potentially one or more of the following ways:

Coursework
Essays
Projects
Group assignments

A big portion of your learning will also be in the form of a research dissertation. This research-oriented task is completed individually and will allow you to explore a topic of your choice in more depth. You might want to develop a project with an industry partner or dig deeper into something more theoretical in the realm of international business strategy..

Regardless, this project will give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned and build valuable skills in research, critical thinking, and independent study.

Expect to write approximately 12,000 words.

Learning online doesn’t mean learning alone. As a Brunel University of London student, you’ll be supported by a dedicated team who’ll guide you from enrolment to graduation.

You’ll have access to one-to-one wellbeing services, mental health and counselling support, disability and dyslexia resources, and career development tools, all delivered online.

You can also use Brunel’s Student Centre for help with admin tasks or immigration support if you’re studying from outside the UK.

Everything is designed to keep you connected, supported, and confident throughout your learning journey.

Many of Brunel’s 16,000 business graduates have gone on to work for multinational corporations, NGOs, and organisations like the UN, shaping international business and policy worldwide.

From navigating complex international markets to driving cross-border business growth, this degree opens doors to global opportunities. Upon graduation, take your career to new heights in roles such as:

Business Analyst
Business Development Manager
Corporate Investment Banker
Logistics Manager

You’ll apply through Brunel’s online application process, which FutureLearn can help direct you to. When you’re ready, you’ll need to provide your academic transcripts, a personal statement, and proof of English language proficiency (if applicable) as part of your application.

The total tuition fee for the Online MSc Management is £11,520. A reduced fee of £6,000 is available to applicants from India and South East Asia.

Brunel’s commitment to accessible online education goes beyond its flexible study options. They also offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including:

Vice Chancellor’s Postgraduate International Excellence Award 2025/26: Get £6,000 off your tuition if you’re a self-funded international student with a 2:1 or above undergraduate degree. No application required, but the offer is only available for September 2025 and January 2026 intakes.
Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship: If you’re a UK-based learner with a First Class honours degree from a UK or EU University, you may be eligible for a 15% discount. No application required.
Early payment discount: Pay your fees at or before your scheduled registration date, and you could receive up to a 2% discount. No application required.
Brunel graduate discount: If you’re a Brunel alumnus, you’re qualified for a 15% fee discount. No application required.

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Modules

What makes a marketing strategy succeed across borders? This module explores the core principles of international marketing, from understanding cross-cultural consumer behaviour to adapting the marketing mix in response to global forces. You'll develop the skills to evaluate market entry options and craft strategies that work in diverse international sectors.

Tens of thousands of large multinational companies (LMCs) navigate complex global markets every day. This module uncovers the strategic frameworks and organisational structures that enable these giants to expand, coordinate operations, and outpace competition on the world stage.

Designed to address the complexities of managing across borders, this module introduces international management theories and practices, many you can apply in real time. You’ll gain the skills needed to navigate cultural differences and make informed decisions within multinational organisations.

Globalisation has reshaped the way businesses grow, invest, and compete. This module investigates how firms respond to shifting global trends, enabling you to critically assess the strategies behind international expansion and investment in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

What drives international trade? And what holds it back? This module introduces you to the economic rationale behind overseas trade, examining the pros and cons of free trade, common trade barriers, and the role of regional agreements in shaping global commerce.

Effective management depends on the ability to interpret and apply research. This module balances qualitative and quantitative approaches, enabling you to critically assess research findings and tackle complex business challenges.

More and more, the global workforce is becoming transnational, bringing unique challenges and opportunities for managing people across borders. This module explores how HR strategies adapt across regions like the EU, USA, Japan, and Southeast Asia, helping you understand the impact of international forces on workforce management.

Managing diversity effectively is key to inclusive, ethical workplaces. You’ll learn how global organisations design and evaluate diversity initiatives that promote fairness and performance.

Navigating ethical dilemmas and governance is vital for responsible leadership in global business. This module explores sustainability, corporate governance, and their influence on multinational decision-making.

Innovation often springs from how organisations manage knowledge and harness social networks. On this module, you’ll investigate how Web 2.0 tools foster collaboration and drive change in the knowledge economy.

Buzzwords like employee satisfaction and workplace culture dominate today’s business conversations. But what really drives them? This module dives into leadership theories and behavioural models, equipping you to critically assess how different management approaches influence organisational performance and workforce motivation.