Global Business MSc

About the course

Programme structure

This one year programme spans three trimesters:

In the first trimester (October to January) you will study five subjects either at Hertfordshire or at one of the partner institutions:

• Global Strategic Analysis
• International Finance
• International Human Resource Management
• Global Marketing Strategies
• and International Law

In the second trimester (February to May), if you have taken the first trimester at Hertfordshire, you can choose a partner institution to undertake your second trimester and specialise in:

• International Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Bremen, Germany)
• Transitional Economies & Emerging Markets (Moscow, Russia)
• International Business Development & Consulting (Paris, France)
• International Finance and Investments (Wilmington, USA)
• International Marketing (Valencia, Spain)

If you have studied at a partner institution in the first trimester you can take the second trimester at Hertfordshire where the specialisation is in Human Resource Management.

You will complete your studies with a dissertation in the third trimester (June to September), taken normally at the institution in which you followed the specialisation.

Note: The degree will be taught wholly in English at all of the IBSA partners.

The International Human Resource Management specialism

The International Human Resource Management specialism is in the second trimester and consists of four modules:

• Organisational Behaviour, Theory and Practice
• Comparative Employment Relations
• Cross Cultural Management
• Strategic Human Resource Management

Module aims

Organisational Behaviour Theory and Practice

The aims of the module are to:

• study a range of theoretical perspectives on organisations
• consider the organisational context of behaviour with reference to both the main and alternative perspectives
• consider the roles of the actors both within and outside the organisation
• consider the role of relationships between the actors within the organisational context

Comparative Employment Relations

The module aims to enable students to critically explore employment relations from an international perspective, analysing the complex employment relations policies, strategies and practices that organisations pursue in the context of globalisation.

Managing Across Cultures

The module enables students to:

• comprehend global and national contexts for the conduct of international business
• gain insight into the strategies of multinational corporations
• formulate policies and practices for the management of people across international boundaries and in multinational corporations

Strategic Human Resource Management

The aims of this module are to:

• advance their understanding of the changing context of management
• develop a range of intellectual, social and practical skills required to undertake managerial work in this context 

You will also get the opportunity to attend a number of HR talks and research seminars given by a variety of speakers.

Input is also given on research methodology and the dissertation/thesis requirements are introduced.

A dissertation/thesis on an HR-related topic is undertaken in the third trimester.

Aims of the programme

The programme aims to develop the distinctive competences required for you to operate as managers in a global business environment.

These competences include a sound knowledge of finance, marketing and human resource management. In addition a range of communication, IT and problem-solving skills are also developed.

It is equally important, however, that you should develop the cultural sensitivities that will enable you to operate in different countries and in multicultural and multinational environments.

It is intrinsic to the philosophy of the programme that such sensitivities can only be fully acquired and developed through the experience of living and working in cultural settings other than that of your country of origin, hence the insistence on this programme that half of the study should be in an overseas partner institution. In addition, consideration of cross-cultural issues and different ethical viewpoints are built into the programme.

At the end of the programme you will be a different person; more mature and better able to cope with stress and change, more sensitive towards cultural differences, more capable of operating in a fast moving, multinational environment. You will have a unique combination of skills that employers will value.

In addition, you will have a network of contacts across the world, some of whom will become your close friends, a few of whom may even be your future business partners.

Why choose this course?

This one year programme offers you the opportunity to gain two Master's degrees within the international business field, validated by two universities - the University of Hertfordshire in the UK and one of our partners in the International Business School Alliance (IBSA) in Europe or the USA.

You will develop the business skills and cultural awareness required for success as a manager in a multinational environment, and have the opportunity to build a global network of business contacts.

When applying to study at the University of Hertfordshire, please specify which one of the following specialisms you wish to study in your personal statement. If you are undecided, you may inform us during your induction in September. However, as the number of places on each specialism is limited, delaying your decision may mean that we will be unable to offer you your first choice.

• Hochschule Bremen, Germany: International Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MBA)
• Institute of Business Studies, Moscow, Russia: Transitional Economies & Emerging Markets (MSc)
• Novancia Business School Paris, France: International Business Development & Consulting (MSc)
• University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA: International Finance and Investments (MBA)
• University of Valencia, Spain: International Marketing (International MBA)

Study routes

• Full Time, 1 Years
• Full Time,

Locations

Teaching methods

We offer a variety of teaching methods that include traditional lectures, facilitated seminars, practical workshops, web-based learning and case studies. We also deliver sessions with visiting academics, practitioners and consultants to give a varied perspective of the topics covered, as well as a number of external visits.

You will be assessed through examinations, coursework, presentations, reports and research projects

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Comparative Employment Relations B

• Dissertation: International Business

• Global Marketing Strategies

• Global Strategic Analysis

• Human Resource Management in the Global Environment

• International Business Law

  This module will consider the law relating to international business organisations and transactions and will consider the nature of such agreements in national and international law, key aspects of international sales transactions, jurisdiction issues and dispute resolution.

• International Finance

• International Finance (MSc Global Business)

  This module aims to set financial reporting and financial management within an international context to allow students to explore the financial issues specific to multi-national corporations. It will examine the theory associated with these issues and the techniques employed by multi-national corporations in their financial management.

• Managing Across Cultures

• Organisational Behaviour: Theory and Practice B

  The module begins by charting the epistemological and ontological foundations of the study of organisations, and then goes on to examine the development of organisational practice and organisational theory over time. The focus of the module then switches to examine a range of organisational issues such as: organisational structure; groups; control; conflict; motivation and personality; leadership and decision-making; technology and job design; culture and change. The role of actors and the relationships that occur between actors within the organisational context is an overarching theme, drawing on both the student's own experience and the theoretical perspectives introduced earlier.

• Postgraduate Research Methodology (BCA)

• Strategic Human Resource Management B

• The Effective Manager B

Optional

• Managing Across Cultures

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £11,845 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply