Overview

Course overview

Develop the ability to think and work across boundaries and borders - vital skills for today's globalised economy.

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Contact details

School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School
Contact name
Master's Admissions Office
Telephone
+44 (0)161 306 1339
Email
Website
https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/msc-international-business-and-management/
School/Faculty overview
Alliance Manchester Business School was established in 1965 as one of the UK's first two business schools. Today, we are the UK's largest campus-based business and management school, and 'Original Thinking Applied' is at the heart of everything we do. Find out more .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a First or Upper Second class honours degree (2:1, with 60% average) from a UK university or the overseas equivalent.

When assessing your academic record, we take into account your grade average, position in class and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

English language

For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our  language requirements .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements see  entry requirements for your country .

Fees and funding

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £18,400
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £33,100

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

Refund Policy

Due to the competition for places and limited availability, our courses require a deposit of £1000 to cover non-recoverable costs and secure your place. The deposit will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.

The deposit is non-refundable, except in the following situations:

  • you fail to meet the conditions of your offer (see below for further information); and/or
  • you are refused a visa or entry clearance to enter the UK (proof must be submitted)

If an offer has been made specifying an English Language condition which you do not meet, the Admissions Team will require the official certificate of an English Language test taken after the date of offer as evidence that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions for a refund to be approved. The English Language test certificate provided with your application documents will not be accepted as proof that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions as such a certificate will predate the offer.

If an offer has been made specifying an academic condition, the Admissions Team will require the official university documentation showing that you have not met this academic condition from the institution at which you have studied, as evidence for a refund to be approved.

The Admissions Team reserves the right to refuse to refund of any deposit that does not meet with the requirements outlined above.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Scholarships will be available for 2026 entry, information will be updated on our scholarships page.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online >>

Staged Admissions Deadlines

NOTE: There is a non-refundable application fee of £60. You should be prompted to pay this within the application portal before you can submit your application. We cannot consider applications until you have paid the application fee.

Applying to multiple programmes

Staged admissions

We operate a staged admissions process for this course, see more information on how to apply and our deadlines.

Advice to applicants

Your statement of purpose should cover the areas outlined below: 
  • Tell us why you are interested in the MSc International Business and Management course at Alliance MBS and how the course will impact on your future
  • Describe whatmakes you an outstanding applicant and describe your potential to contribute to all aspects of the course.

How your application is considered

We can only process applications with the following documents:

  • valid English language qualification
  • first and second year transcript (scanned copies are accepted at the time of application)
  • statement of purpose (this is included as part of your application form, you do not need to email your statement of purpose directly to the Admissions Team)

Deferrals

To defer your offer to the following year, you must contact your admission officer to get a copy of the deferral form.  You can only defer your offer for one year.

Course details

Course description

Through our MSc in International Business and Management, students will:
  • Develop the ability to think and work across boundaries and borders - vital skills for a globalised economy, but equally important for understanding and navigating the current challenges for global business. 
  • Acquire valuable research and critical thinking skills to prepare for flexible strategy development and decision making under increasing complexity.
  • Focus on current issues in an interconnected world, including company visits and interaction with those working in industry.
  • Work with renowned researchers in the fields of international management, multinational strategy, corporate social responsibility, inclusive value chains, technology transfer and sustainable development.
  • Apply for an international exchange to broaden your horizons and enhance your employability in the global job market. 
  • Prepare for a career in the public or private sector, including careers in multinational enterprises or small and medium-sized enterprises. 

Special features

There is an opportunity to apply to spend an exchange semester at one of Alliance Manchester Business School's partner institutions abroad.

Coursework and assessment

The course units feature a variety of assessment methods testing different skills and types of knowledge, with a combination of examinations, individual essays, and group exercises and presentations.

A key component of the programme is the research dissertation of 8,000 words.

Course unit details

During the course you will be taking 180 credits in all. There are eight taught modules during semester one and two, totalling 120 credits and consisting of both compulsory and optional taught units which can be viewed in the list below. There may also be an opportunity to study overseas during the second semester on an international exchange . Over the summer period, you will carry out your Research Dissertation, worth 60 credits. Examples of recent MSc International Business and Management dissertation project topics include: 
  • Chinese immigrant entrepreneurship in the Italian region of Prato
  • European football clubs’ international CSR engagements
  • The effect of cross-border mergers and acquisitions on innovation behaviour in target firms
  • The effect of formal and informal institutional pressures on climate change performance of
  • MNEs
  • The effect of national culture on sharing economy participation
  • The impact of Brexit on the tourism industry

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
BMAN70301 15 Mandatory
BMAN73421 15 Mandatory
BMAN73561 15 Mandatory
BMAN74121 15 Mandatory
BMAN62012 15 Optional
BMAN64002 15 Optional
BMAN71552 15 Optional
BMAN73172 15 Optional
BMAN73432 15 Optional
BMAN73592 15 Optional
BMAN73642 15 Optional
BMAN73982 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 12 course units

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

The range of career opportunities available is wide, and recent graduates have gained employment in management consultancy, international banking, in the commodities markets and with multinational companies and universities.

Recent recruiters

Adidas Group, B2B International Ltd, Bloomberg, BUPA, Cummins Inc, Deloitte, Diageo Germany, Duecourse, Deutsche, Hewlett Packard Ltd, Huawei Technologies, KPMG, Mercedes Benz, NHS, Reckitt Benckiser, Shell, Sony, Tech Mahindra (Americas) Inc and Tesco plc.

Read more about graduate career destinations >>

Read about our Postgraduate Careers Service >>

Read the latest information on visa changes and opportunities in the UK for international students >>

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.