International MBA - MBA
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Want to study an MBA in Birmingham? Our International MBA will give you a global view of international management. The international business environment is rapidly changing, and a different market reality is emerging. As a student of today and manager of the future, you need to adapt and adopt flexible patterns of thinking and behaviour to succeed as global manager of tomorrow....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Award MBA
- Start date January 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Want to study an MBA in Birmingham? Our International MBA will give you a global view of international management.
The international business environment is rapidly changing, and a different market reality is emerging. As a student of today and manager of the future, you need to adapt and adopt flexible patterns of thinking and behaviour to succeed as global manager of tomorrow.
The International Masters in Business Administration (IMBA) has been designed with this in mind, as it explores in detail the nature and implications of the changes in the business environment and provides you with the skills and mindset that will allow you to operate effectively within such an unstable and unpredictable environment. You’ll also be taught to successfully lead the organisations of the future, regardless of sector or country.
Professional Placement option
For our International MBA degree, you will have the opportunity to take the Professional Placement version of the course, which is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course.
This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability and transferable skills. The placement experience will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study, with support from our Careers+ team as well as advice and guidance from your School.
Please note that placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.
Learn more about the Professional Placement route.
What's covered in this course?
The course is designed to meet the needs of contemporary international businesses and blends academic excellence and professional skills, equipping you with marketable skills to operate and excel at strategic level across different sectors and in different countries. The course has a strong emphasis on employability and enhancing employability skills and will help you develop general communication and inter-personal skills.
You will emerge from our International MBA with well-developed powers of analysis, clear perspectives on strategy and strategic thinking, creative problem solving, an entrepreneurial mindset and highly effective communication and research skills - all of which are demanded by employers around the world.
Should you wish to start your own business, you will have the opportunity to explore and test your ideas in a supportive environment. The course has been designed to provide graduates with expertise in strategy, marketing, leadership, finance, global human resource management, international business, entrepreneurship, operations and project management, and research skills.
You become part of the international community while on the course, as you will study with students from different parts of the globe. Through our links with industry, the learning experience takes you from the classroom to the factory floor, through sponsored study/field trips to companies in the region, and with our organised internship course, you have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while you study.
Entry Options
The following entry options are available for this course:
- 12 Months - This is the standard entry option for September, for both home and international students.
- 15 Months - This is the standard entry option for January, for both home and international students.
- 18 Months (Pre-Masters Only) – This entry option is available for students holding third class and ordinary degrees or equivalent qualifications. You are also required to undertake a Pre-Masters which is taken either through Birmingham City University International College or as part of the MBA course.
- 21 Months (Professional Practice) – This entry option combines the standard January intake course with a 5 month professional placement for an additional fee.
Why Choose Us?
- You could have the chance to gain invaluable practical work experience through an ‘In-company’ internship project, an up to 12-week project based in a company anywhere in the world.
- You have opportunities to go on field trips to world renowned companies as part of your learning experience.
- You will learn from highly experienced lecturers who have industry experience and are specialists in their fields.
- We will help you with your future employability by offering essential training in key areas such as CV writing, presentation skills, interview technique and other essential skills demanded by employers.
- You will develop a global perspective of management as you study and share experiences with students from different parts of the world.
- Following graduation, you will have the opportunity to apply for STEAMhouse Business Incubator membership.
Find out more
OPEN DAY
Join us for a virtual Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Event: 5 February 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Essential Requirements
While work experience would be an added advantage, no prior work experience is required to be eligible for entry into the MBA International programme.
You will need to satisfy the general admissions requirements of the programme, which are as follows:
One of the following: | ||
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A minimum 2.2 Honours degree from a British university or equivalent overseas institution in any subject. Third Class Honours or Ordinary degrees may be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
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A professional qualification at graduate level in an appropriate field of study. |
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A pre-masters programme approved by Birmingham City University. |
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In recognition that you may already have a relevant professional qualification, Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) may be accepted for entry on to the course. Exemptions to individual modules and / or stages may also be given on a case by case basis. In some cases, students may be admitted into the next level such as Postgraduate Diploma. |
Other qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis.
If you are a mature student but do not fulfil the standard entry requirements outlined above, your application will also be considered.
Additional information for EU/International students
Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page |
References
Applicants should provide one academic reference in support of their application to the Master of Business Administration International course and may be subject to interview. |
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
International Students
Don't meet our entry requirements? You could apply for courses at our International College.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MBA
Starting: Jan 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 15 Months
- £14,175 in 2024/25
- Full Time
- 18 Months (Pre-Masters only)
- £14,175 in 2024/25
- Full Time
- 21 Months (Professional Placement)
- £15,595 in 2024/25
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MBA
Starting: Jan 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 15 Months
- £19,020 in 2024/25
- Full Time
- 18 Months (Pre-Masters only)
- £19,020 in 2024/25
- Full Time
- 21 Months (Professional Placement)
- £20,925 in 2024/25
Entry Options
The following entry options are available for this course:
- 12 Months (16 months with internship) - This is the standard entry option for September, for both home and international students.
- 15 Months - This is the standard entry option for January, for both home and international students.
- 18 Months (Pre-Masters Only) – This entry option is available for students holding third class and ordinary degrees or equivalent qualifications. You are also required to undertake a Pre-Masters which is taken either through Birmingham City University International College or as part of the MBA course. If you choose to do the Pre-Masters as part of the MBA course, this will take place during Semester 1 (September - January) before you join the January intake.
- 21 Months (Professional Practice) – This entry option combines the standard January intake course with a 5 month professional placement for an additional fee.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Postgraduate funding
Graduate Scholarship
If you are a BCU graduate enrolling onto an eligible Master’s programme for the first time, you could receive a 20% fee reduction via our Graduate Scholarship.
Find out if you’re eligible for a Graduate Scholarship.
Master’s loans
Government-backed loans of up to £12,471 are available to UK, Irish and eligible EU nationals studying postgraduate Master’s courses in any subject area.
Find out more about Master’s loans.
Other funding opportunities
Other funding options include scholarships, loans and bursaries offered by external organisations. These vary from year to year.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
This module will look at people, organisations and culture from a number of perspectives or views, and will require students to apply a number of theories, models and concepts. The module creates the space for students to ‘try out’ a number of concepts, in the relatively safe environment of the University.
The module enables you to develop a thorough understanding of international Marketing theories and concepts. Students will be able to develop and apply global marketing strategies in the complex global environment. In addition, this module explores and evaluates the application of strategic marketing planning, implementation and controlling of international marketing strategies. Understanding the theory and application of international marketing in a diverse cultural context is central to marketing in the era of globalisation and regional integration.
This module aims to develop your understanding of the main financial objective of the firm i.e. wealth maximization and how it is achieved through alignment of financial decisions under constraints from within and outside the organization. The module covers topics such as financial statements analysis, budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, time value money, investment appraisal, working capital management, sources of capital and choice of capital structure. You will be able to understand and apply key concepts and theories in accounting and finance and assess the implications of financial decisions for a business firm.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the intricacies of managing processes and projects in a global environment and how that can shape the competitive strategy of an organisation. The module commences with an examination of modern business drivers of competitive advantages through effective management of business operations and projects. The module is delivered under two connected themes namely operation management and project management. Under the project management theme, topics covered will include Project Planning, Design, Organisation, Leadership and Risk Management and under the operations management theme, topics will include Developing Lean Operations, Managing Operations Strategically, and Quality Improvement Issues, Globalisation and Supply Chains, Operations Performance Measurement, Operational Resources Management and Developing a Focused Operations Strategy. The module will therefore cover strategic level management issues that are congruent with the company’s business and marketing strategies operating in a global environment.
Enterprise creation, development and sustainability are the hallmarks of commercial, social and public organisations large or small. Innovation is the tool of the entrepreneur and at the heart of innovation lies creativity which is an essential part of recognising and exploiting opportunities. Successful ventures are born out of creativity and innovation and the continued survival of organisations is dependent on their ability to be adaptive, creative and innovative by promoting a culture of entrepreneurism (known as intrapreneurism) among its leaders and managers. The module recognises that entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity are no longer the preserve of commercial enterprises but within public enterprises there is a growing clamour to operate or adopt models used by these commercial entities with increased emphasis on innovation and creativities among graduate managers who work in these organisations.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to key strategic issues in management and leadership in a global context. This is done by practitioner analysis of the impact of globalisation on strategic management and leadership today and the relevance of core theories in management and leadership for global businesses. Through a project based learning approach, this module seeks to bridge the gap between theories and the decision making process of solving real, complex business problems in a global setting.
This module has been designed to help you adjust to Masters level of study and prepare you to meet the challenges and expectations at postgraduate level. For international students, the module enables you to familiarise yourself with UK-based approaches to higher learning, especially if you are unfamiliar with British university culture while preparing you for postgraduate study. You will find that the module gives you an opportunity to gain knowledge of a broad range of social, cultural and career related contexts and introduces you to business and academic principles, conventions and practices. The module also enables you to develop your communication skills, which will be central to your personal, academic and professional development. The discussion of learning styles and ways to improve your study skills will be particularly helpful.
The purpose of the Research Project module is to provide a framework for you to undertake a substantial piece of disciplinary-relevant research. It is founded upon Birmingham City Business School’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory and practice.
Professional Placement Year
In order to complete the International Master of Business Administration with Professional Placement a student must successfully complete at 60 credits.
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 20-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Download course specification
Download nowStudent stories
Tina Swani
Even while she was studying a Diploma in Management Studies and an MBA at Birmingham City Business School, Tina Swani knew that she wanted to work in an environment where people matter and where she could apply the principles of business. She is now the CEO of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice which, since its launch in 1979, has cared for tens of thousands of people with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.
My diploma and MBA were instrumental in me getting to the position I’m in now. Many charity CEOs have an MBA or an MSc because the demands of the role require someone with clarity of strategic vision and an ability to work with people.
Caitlyn Manley
The International Master of Business Administration course at Birmingham City University gave me a far-reaching view of how the business world works in a variety of settings. The comprehensive modules give students wide-ranging breadth across numerous functions.
The professors are extremely knowledgeable and motivated to give their students an understanding of their own fields of expertise, and the course material is applicable to a large variety of industries.
Our on-site visits to several companies gave students hands-on experience in real-world situations. Working in teams with students from a variety of international backgrounds gave me an extremely valuable understanding about the benefits of working on teams comprised of members with varying circumstances and experiences. The International MBA course at BCU gave me a new perspective on the business world that I have been able to successfully utilize in my professional endeavours since completing the course.
Employability
Enhance your managerial career
Unlike undergraduate degrees, which are designed to get students into industry, our International MBA is aimed at both existing industry professionals looking to climb further up the career ladder and aspiring managers with little or no experience.
Companies around the world are now looking for a different kind of manager. They need people with different skillsets that can look at situations and opportunities in unique ways. Our International MBA will give you the tools to stand out from the rest.
Upon completion, you will be able to effect positive change, both in your own professional practice, and within your organisation. On a personal level, you’ll be able to utilise new skills and methods to improve your efficiency, your critical engagement, and your ability to instigate change.
Successful improvements in your personal professional practice will then benefit your organisation. The MBA degree alone can open doors, but the possibilities opened to you by utilising your skills to improve your organisation are even more impressive.
Already a managing director, in charge of your own company? The MBA degree can still benefit you internally and externally. The knowledge and skills you will pick up over the course of your degree can allow you to become an industry leader, growing your company’s reputation through innovation. The accompanying benefits of this could help cement your company’s industry position for years to come.
If you want to learn more about how the International MBA degree from Birmingham City Business School could help improve your career prospects, contact Tom Domboka.
Trips and Visits
We offer a range of trips and visits to provide you with course-specific learning, a rich cultural experience, and valuable insights into UK history, as well as an opportunity to apply your learning in real-world contexts.
International
Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!
Our Business programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.
We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.
International ServicesOur international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Dr Juanling Huang
Course Director of the International MBA, Senior Lecturer
Dr Juanling Huang has industrial experience in logistics and international freight forwarding companies in the UK, Hong Kong and China. Her research areas include implementation of strategy, innovation and change; implementation of ERP systems in SMEs; and customer relationship management in HEIs and business communities.
More about JuanlingDr Md Ashikul Khan
Program Director MSc Management Suite (January Cohort)
Prior to joining Birmingham City University (BCU) Ashik worked as a research assistant for Engineering Analysis Simulation and Tribology (EAST) research group (2017-2018) at ARU and as a technician in proactive control, quality, and evaluation protocol design for manufacturing SMEs and HEIs collaboration towards a common PhD path for the European...
More about Ashikul