Introduction
Advance your career and earning potential with our MSc in International Business and Finance. The world’s economy is becoming increasingly global and individuals who understand the International context of business and finance are in demand.
This degree is designed for graduates who do not come from a financial background, but would like to enter into the lucrative world of financial management, making themselves more marketable with broad knowledge of the practice of global business and finance.
This programme is studied on campus.
Our MSc International Business and Finance has a distinctive focus on business and the financial world, providing an in-depth understanding of the relationships between general management and finance in an international setting. Students will benefit from our strengths in Business Management and in Finance, which have been taught to postgraduates at the University of Aberdeen Business School for over 20 years. We have long recognised that some students will want to be finance specialists and work in the banking industry for example, while others would prefer a broad general management programme to prepare them for the wider jobs market. That's why we have designed a programme for students who sit between these two distinctive paths and who want to enter general management with an edge in finance.
Students will not need a financial background, but being confident in numeracy will be advantageous. Our programme combines key elements of management with a core foundation in finance and students will be able to not only see how they would operate as managers, but also know that they can be confident in analysing business financial performance and making decisions in a broader context.
The combination of a research-led approach and a practical, professional focus, makes the prospect of studying our MSc International Business and Finance highly appealing for those seeking to develop their knowledge and analytical skills in not only management, but also finance-relevant fields. Our high quality programme develops skills valued by employers, including independent learning and research, analytical skills, group work, presentation skills, project work, computer skills and numeracy.
For someone who is already confident and competent with numbers, this programme will take these strengths and enable you to embed them in a financial context, combining a solid foundation in finance with a broad management understanding.
Key Programme Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September or January
What You'll Study
- Semester 1
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Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
- Marketing Management (BU5039) - 15 Credit Points
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The course will apply theoretical and practical content to explore the key concepts of marketing management to provide students with an understanding of planning, coordinating and controlling marketing activities. It aims to take students understanding beyond what has been labelled as a transaction-based approach to a relationship-based approach. As such the aim is to provide students with an understanding of the role of marketing in establishing, developing and maintaining relationships for mutual gain. This will be achieved through a combination of lectures, seminars, simulations and directed private study.
- Business Economics (BU5021) - 15 Credit Points
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This course focuses on the economics of business allowing students to understand the economics that underlie a whole host of business issues. The course will cover the functioning of markets, consumer behaviour, pricing, production and costing problems, monopoly and the business implications of inflation, economic growth and economic policy.
- Issues in International Management (BU5057) - 15 Credit Points
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The course aims to provide students with an understanding of Issues in International Management as viewed from a number of diverse perspectives eg Coaching; Oil & Gas; Entrepreneurship; Technology; Accountancy & Finance
- Accounting Reporting (BU5070) - 15 Credit Points
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Understanding why financial information is needed, how it has been put together, how it is presented and then used is critical for all managers and for those interested in assessing corporate performance. The course covers the foundations of accounting very briefly, focusing firstly on the financial statements, their meaning and interpretation; secondly on the reporting and use of accounting information within the organisation. The course aims to equip the finance-savvy manager, not turn them into an accountant.
- Semester 2
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Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Internationalisation (BU5579) - 15 Credit Points
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International Business is a wide-ranging subject that includes economic, political, cultural and technological facets. The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the complexities of international business management by examining how the global environment and our understanding of these affect management within an international context.
- International Finance (BU5596) - 15 Credit Points
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The world of international finance is a closed box to many. This course will introduce the players, markets and products in an institutional setting. There will be a careful balance between concepts and numeric skills. Using the trading floor will be a key component of this module.
- The Leadership Challenge (BU5584) - 15 Credit Points
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This course provides an opportunity to explore and develop an understanding of your own leadership behaviour. Through seminars, group activities and discussions we investigate how personality, past experience, current situations and culture shape the way each of us behave in a leadership role. Using this information as a starting point we then explore how different leadership theories and approaches can be used as frameworks for developing a deeper understanding of leadership behaviour. You will also have an opportunity to try out a range of practical tools and techniques to assist you in the development of your own approach to leadership.
- Critical Financial Reporting 2 (BU5580) - 15 Credit Points
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Writing insightful reports that both engage and persuade the reader is a key skill. In a finance setting this is not just about the words but also careful use of well communicated numbers. The aim of this course is for you to produce a 5,000 word report using appropriate communication devise (graphs, tables) to evaluate critically a corporate finance situation of your choosing. The result should demonstrate your research, thinking, presentation and organisational skills.
- Semester 3
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Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Strategic Financial Analysis (BU5946) - 15 Credit Points
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Introduction to accounting: Key accounting concepts Financial reporting Financial statements Financial analysis: A framework for analysis Accounting ratio analysis Common size analysis Stock market ratios Credit ratings Z scores Forecasting: A framework for forecasting Parameter estimation Financial forecasting models Issues in analysis: The links between the stock market and accounting International accounting issues
- Professional Skills for Finance and Data Analysis (BU5975) - 15 Credit Points
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Being a finance-savvy manager requires knowledge, critical thinking and a skill set. The skills set is quantitative, but also includes social skills and communication skills. This module aims to develop all of these areas to equip the student for not only the critical finance project but also the work-world ahead.
- Critical Financial Report 2 (BU5980) - 15 Credit Points
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Writing insightful reports that both engage and persuade the reader is a key skill. In a finance setting this is not just about the words but also careful use of well communicated numbers. The aim of this course is for you to produce a 5,000 word report using appropriate communication devise (graphs, tables) to evaluate critically a corporate finance situation of your choosing. The result should demonstrate your research, thinking, presentation and organisational skills.
- Corporate Governance and Ethics (BU5981) - 15 Credit Points
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Corporate governance and ethics are critical to corporate life. Often interpreted as just about the relationship between shareholders and the management of the company, this module will extend the critical investigation into how companies are governed top consider the impact and accountability to other stakeholders. Ethics in business, including finance, is a key area acknowledged by all professional bodies, but often in bounded ways, only answering the questions that fit within preset bounds.
Course Availability
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Peer Learning
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Why Study International Business and Finance?
· Our Business School is internationally recognised for its excellence in world-leading research impact in Business and Management Studies.
· Does not require a background in business or a finance degree
· Develop core finance knowledge and be able to apply it in real world settings
· Bring together management and finance in a unique way
· In a single year, create a major job-search advantage by kick-starting a new direction in your professional life
· Broad-based business training in international business theory and practice
· The University, Academic staff and study body are truly international
· Develop a well-rounded skillset – gain the tools to succeed in your job search, as well as the communication and professional skills that business recruiters expect
· Strengthen your capacity for geographical and cultural mobility
· Access top-tier global recruiters such as Deloitte, KPMG, PwC and EY - to explore how to stand out at an interview or assessment centre
· Experience world leading facilities - access to our in-house stock exchange provides opportunities to work with a real trading platform and supports in-depth understanding of finance in practice
· Use of advanced tools and quantitative techniques to critically appraise financial opportunities
· Numeracy and an understanding of how to interpret and use financial data
· Project and resource management
· A close understanding of economic fluctuations and other external changes affecting business
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
This programme is open to graduates from any discipline, and does not require business or management study to be completed at undergraduate level.
Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 54; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
International Applicants
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home / EU / RUK Students | £7,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2018/19 Academic Year | |
| International Students | £16,900 |
| Tuition Fees for 2018/19 Academic Year | |
| Home / EU / RUK Students | £8,300 |
| Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year | |
| International Students | £17,900 |
| Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year |
International non-EU Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Our Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
With many years of equipping students for the finance industry, it is clear that a combination of the academic and professional will put you in the best position to get the next job or to build your career. You will have a greater understanding of a company’s finances, funding strategies and governance in a financial setting without being narrowly trained in finance alone. You will have the advantage of having an edge over other general management graduates, as you will be able to understand financial objectives and the need for good financial planning.
Our programme will help to position you at the more quantitative end of a range of professions and will provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to succeed in industries such as; accounting and professional services, investment banking, consultancy, supply chain management, corporate mergers and acquisitions and marketing.
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- Yuan Yuan Zhao , The University of Aberdeen
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
World Class Facilities
Sir Duncan Rice Library
The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.
Find out moreVirtual Learning environment MyAberdeen
This the University’s virtual learning environment. This is where you will find learning materials and resources associated with your courses and where you will be notified of any announcements about your courses or the University.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Business School
University of Aberdeen
Edward Wright Building
Dunbar Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3QY