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MSc International Business with Placement Year

Why choose Herts?

  • Work-Related Learning: You have a placement option to gain work experience during the programme. Previous students have worked for organisations such as Bosch, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, and Canada Life.
  • Industry connections: Hertfordshire Business School is very well connected and hosts regular business networking events with large organisations such as BT, Tesco, and Ocado.
  • Employment prospects: Our graduates work as Business Developers, Senior Managers, and Commercial Operation Managers in organisations including Royal Mail, Network Rail, and BT.

About the course

MSc International Business is an innovative flagship programme with flexible entry points and pathways. The programme is designed to help you build a strong understanding of the way organisations operate globally, and help develop specialist skills that enable you to work effectively across national borders.

The programme offers three award routes that you can choose to study:

The two-year MSc International Business Placement Year programme offers you the opportunity to work on a placement as part of your degree as well as your academic studies.

As a student on the two-year placement year programme, you will have the opportunity to work on a full-time placement (normally 40 weeks) and gain experience in your chosen career sector.

This follows your first year’s study when you will have the opportunity to explore international business in a number of areas, including economics, finance, strategy, marketing, management, human resource, and supply chain management. There will also be the opportunity to conduct an independent major research project in your area of interest.

Throughout the programme, you will gain a unique combination of skills sought after by employers all over the world. These include communication, numeracy, team-working, cross-cultural awareness, reflective learning and the ability to critically analyse complex business challenges to reach considered creative solutions.

You will also build a strong network with your peers and colleagues at workplace – some will become your close friends, and a few may even become your future business partners.

In short, the placement is an excellent way to apply the knowledge and skills you learn on your programme as well as increase your employment prospects following graduation.

There are no required fees for the placement year route. Instead you are expected to be paid by your placement/internship employer.

Why choose this course?

Our Postgraduate studies are sector leading amongst over 100 Higher Education Institutions in the UK as evidenced by our extraordinary achievement:

  • 6th in Business and Management in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024)
  • 1st for Skills Development, 2nd for Support, Resources, Community and Assessment (Advance HE, 2023)

Research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience. The two-year ‘placement’ programme is an excellent choice for you to enhance your qualification and experience by spending two semesters on an internship. It also offers you the opportunity to:

  • strive for sound academic performance, while proactively exploring career possibilities and making valuable contacts alongside your studies
  • apply your knowledge and skills to manage complex business challenges at your workplace and in a real business world setting
  • gain valuable experience and place yourself at a favourable position to pursue your chosen career path upon graduation
  • obtain a two-year study visa and enjoy a wider experience of study and work in the UK (for international students).

What will I study?

In the first two semesters, you will study eight subjects led by experts in the field which include economics, finance, strategy, marketing, human resources and supply chain management. You will be taught through a varied programme of teaching and learning that includes small group discussions, practical workshops, web-based learning, case study analysis and lectures. Sessions will be delivered by subject specialists as well as practitioners and consultants to provide a diverse perspective on the topics covered.

You will be assessed individually or in teams through a variety of assessment methods including written reports of various lengths, presentations, in-class tests and practical assignments. You will also be required to complete a longer research project for the research component of your programme.

In addition to this, you will also be enrolled on the module ‘Preparation for the Workplace’ and be expected to attend the workshops and pass the associated assignments which are designed to prepare you for securing your placement.

Once you have secured a work placement/ internship you will normally work for 40 weeks from the beginning of the third semester through to the end of the second semester of the next academic year.

While you are on placement, you will be visited by a member of the employability team and you will also be required to complete the placement related assessment as specified in the ‘Professional Work Placement’ module. This will enable you to graduate with the award title MSc International Business with Placement Year.

You will be expected to return to your academic studies in the last semester of your second year (Semester C) in order to complete your independent major research project, the research component of your programme, supported by a supervisor.

  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    The Global Economy15 CreditsCompulsory
    International Business Strategy15 CreditsCompulsory
    International Supply Chain Management15 CreditsCompulsory
    Global e-Business15 CreditsOptional
    Marketing Across Cultures15 CreditsCompulsory
    International and Comparative HRM15 CreditsCompulsory
    Preparation for the Workplace0 CreditsCompulsory
    Work Placement Portfolio0 CreditsCompulsory
    Leadership and Management in International Business15 CreditsOptional
    Business Research Methods15 CreditsCompulsory
    Accounting and Finance for International Business15 CreditsCompulsory
    Professional Work Placement60 CreditsCompulsory
    MSc IB Industry Research Project60 CreditsCompulsory
  • Key staff

    Farjana Mostofa
    Deputy Programme Leader (Placement Year)
    Find out more about Farjana Mostofa

    Dr Priyanka Roy
    Programme Leader
    Find out more about Dr Priyanka Roy

    Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc International Business Download
    Programme specifications
    MSc International Business Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    Mandatory

    Applications open to international and EU students

    Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.