Application deadline
Thursday 7 August 2025
Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.
“There is an opportunity to meet new people from all over the world, with incredible backgrounds and professional experiences. The programme has given me the best of both worlds with core modules focused on international business and optional modules in marketing. There are so many events going on in the postgraduate community, and in the town, you are really spoiled for choice.”
- Ile-de-France, France
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in a management or business-related subject from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. Applicants with business experience are welcome, and work experience may be taken into account in the evaluation of applications.
- If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
- personal statement explaining why you have chosen the programme, why this subject is important to you and why you have applied to study at the University of St Andrews in particular (500 words)
- one original signed academic reference
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Course details
The Masters in International Business is a one-year taught programme run by the University of St Andrews Business School.
Highlights
- The programme offers an in-depth analysis and appreciation of changes in the global business and organisational environment and introduces new approaches to management thinking.
- The course enables students to embark on a career within a multi-national or global organisation with a firm grounding in the principles of strategic management.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in the Masters Extra (MX) programme, which includes guest lectures from eminent academics and business executives, specific sessions to enhance career development opportunities and a range of corporate visits.
Modules
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. Typically, each module consists of three to five contact hours per week including lectures, seminars and tutorials. Assessment is either entirely by coursework or through a combination of coursework (50%) and a two-hour end-of-semester examination (50%).
- Contemporary Global Issues in Management: focuses on how various global trends impact upon economies, organisations and the practice of management, business and marketing within the context of responsible enterprise.
- Global Business Strategy: develops a wide-ranging, critical understanding of the strategic issues involved within global organisations and the increasingly complex operating environment in which they are situated. This module draws on elements of the international political economy, financial aspects and strategic planning in the context of the international business environment.
- International Business and Emerging Markets: examines the rising economic powers and their emergence as key players in global politics and the economy. This module will enhance understanding of emerging markets and National Innovation Systems (NIS) in newly industrialised countries, and also examine emerging markets in various regions across the globe. The module will use a range of theoretical lenses – both established and newly developed – to explore how emerging market firms internationalise, catch up, and compete with established Western Multinationals. The module covers innovation and family firms from emerging markets and looks at innovative ways to alleviate poverty, focusing on how profitability can be achieved in an ethical and sustainable manner, benefiting both businesses and their stakeholders.
- Masterclasses in International Business: invited guest speakers with significant experience in international business explore a range of topics, such as business collaboration and open innovation; the impact of international terrorism on business; doing business in emerging markets; and slavery in the modern-day business environment in interactive ‘masterclass’ sessions in order to develop an understanding of the topics through the lens of the practitioner and promote dialogue and debate among IB students on the issues arising from these sessions.
- Managing People in Global Contexts: focuses on meeting the challenges of managing human resources in international contexts, including examining the impact of cultural values and institutional “embeddedness” as well as a range of other issues related to the effective management of people by multinational organisations. Provides the tools and knowledge to communicate HR issues effectively, and evaluate and formulate solutions relating to the management of workforces on an international level.
Students choose two optional modules, taking one in each semester. For the latest optional module information, see the module catalogue.
Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered:
- Behavioural Finance
- Entrepreneurship and Business Development
- Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity
- Financial Systems
- International Financial Management
- International Marketing
- Leadership in Organisations
- Managing People in Global Markets
- Marketing and Society
- Managing Non-Governmental Organisations
- Risk Management
- Scenario Thinking and Strategy
Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University's position on curriculum development).
Students attend lectures throughout Semesters 1 and 2 to prepare them for conducting the research portion of the dissertation. The dissertation is normally on a specific area of international business, however, at the University of St Andrews Business School, you will have the freedom to develop a topic of your own, which is of interest to you and will contribute towards your career development or further study goals.
Supervisors are assigned based on a research proposal submitted in the second semester. Students will then research and write a 15,000-word dissertation over the summer to be submitted on a date specified in August.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for their Masters degree (MLitt), there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a postgraduate diploma (PGDip). By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of a MLitt.
Teaching
Teaching is delivered through a mixture of core and optional modules using a range of delivery methods including lectures, small group tutorials, workshops and seminars.
The average lecture size is 50 students, however, in some cases there will be seminars of 15 to 18 students or larger lectures with approximately 100 students, which would normally be augmented by small group tutorials made up of International Business students.
Over the summer months, students undertake a research project culminating in a written dissertation of 15,000 words.
You will attend a weekly series of lectures and workshops focusing on research methods and other topics to provide support and help prepare you for the dissertation.
Assessment comprises a combination of coursework and examinations.
Events
Events and guest lectures begin in Orientation Week and run throughout the year, providing students and staff with opportunities to socialise, and to engage with visiting scholars, professionals and practitioners.
The Management Society, a student-led organisation, hosts a broad range of activities, both subject-related and social. The University also has a number of other student societies relating to the management discipline.
The Masters Extra (MX) is a programme of events focusing on careers and personal and professional development, designed specifically for taught masters students in the University of St Andrews Business School. The series of talks, workshops, networking opportunities and activities includes guest lectures from entrepreneurs, experienced managers and leading researchers.
Fees
Home
£14,850
Overseas
£29,990
Application fee
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
The Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship is for women pursuing a business or business-related degree.
15% Recent Graduate Discount
If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.
After your degree
Careers
Alumni from the Masters in International Business, and from other Masters programmes in the University of St Andrews Business School, have secured employment in the fields of general management, management consultancy, marketing and brand management, accountancy, investment analysis, fund administration and other aspects of the financial services industry.
Graduates from the Masters in International Business have taken up roles in a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sector including:
- Accenture
- Amazon
- Credit Suisse Group
- IBM
- LEGO
- Oracle
- PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting
- Procter and Gamble
- Volkswagen Group
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
Many Management graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.
The ESRC Scottish Graduate School of Social Science offers fully funded awards for PhD students in the School of Management.
The University of St Andrews Business School often offers PhD studentships comprising a stipend at RCUK level and a fee waiver at home and EU level.
Postgraduate researchContact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2200
- pgmgmt@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- Department of Management (Business School)
The Gateway
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9RJ