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| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
International Business, MA
Introduction
The MA (four years) and the MBus (five years) in International Business are designed to develop the leaders of the future. They provide students with a broad understanding of International Business and are designed to equip you to be successful, with an exceptional knowledge and understanding of both its operations and its economic, political and social context.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification: MA
- Duration: 48 months
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Start Month: September
- UCAS Code: N120
- Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme
Students will have the opportunity to include the study of a language throughout the programme, whether or not they have any prior knowledge of the language. Periods of study or internships abroad are integral parts of these programmes.
The programmes provide a broadly-based education in International Business through a four-year programme. Students will take part in specialist courses in International Business can specialise in at least one of the following; economics, real estate, accounting, finance and business management. The programmes are designed to develop the international business leaders of the future.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
What You'll Study
This programme is designed to equip you to be successful in International Business, with an exceptional knowledge and understanding of both its operations and its economic, political and social context. It will deliver a learning experience that provides students with confidence and will enable you to add value quickly to employers.
Year 1
- Compulsory Courses:
- Academic Writing for Business (AW1003)
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
- International Context for Business 1 (IN1001)
- International Context for Business 2 (IN1501)
- Optional Courses:
- Accountancy specialism:
- Accounting and Accountability (AC1011)
- Economics for Business and Society (EC1006)
- Accounting Principles (AC1516)
- The Global Economy (EC1506)
- Economics specialism:
- Economics for Business and Society (EC1006)
- The Global Economy (EC1506)
- Plus 30 credits from any AC, FI or PO coded courses of choice
- Finance specialism:
- Finance 1: Finance, Risk and Investment (FI1004)
- Economics for Business and Society (EC1006)
- Accounting and Entrepreneurship (AC1517)
- The Global Economy (EC1506)
- Real Estate specialism:
- Economics for Business and Society (EC1006)
- Finance 1: Finance, Risk and Investment (FI1004)
- The Global Economy (EC1506)
- Understanding Property (PO1504)
- Plus select 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Accountancy specialism:
Year 2
- Compulsory Courses:
- Big Data in Operations and Supply Chain Management (IN2002)
- Big Data in Business and Finance (IN2502)
- Building Skills and Experience for Career Success (PD2002)
- Optional Courses:
- Accountancy:
- Management Accountancy 2 (AC2031)
- Finance 2: Business Finance (FI2004)
- Financial Accounting 2 (AC2530)
- Understanding Statistics (PO2508)
- Economics:
- Intermediate Microeconomics (EC2003)
- Intermediate Macroeconomics (EC2503)
- Finance:
- Finance 2: Business Finance (FI2004)
- Financial Markets and Regulation (FI2501)
- Understanding Statistics (PO2508)
- Real Estate:
- Land and Property Economics (PO2009)
- Principles of Property Valuation (PO2509)
- Land and Property Law (PO2010)
- Understanding Statistics (PO2508)
- Plus select 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Accountancy:
Year 3
- Compulsory Courses:
- Being an International Manager i (IN3001)
- Being an International Manager II (IN3501)
- Optional Courses:
- Accountancy:
- Financial Accounting 3 (AC3049)
- Audit Practice (AC3560)
- Management Accounting 3 (AC3054)
- Taxation (AC3561)
- Economics:
- 60 credits from EC courses of choice
- Finance:
- Corporate Financial Theory (FI3009)
- Applied Corporate Finance (FI3008)
- Real Estate:
- Applied Valuation (PO3006)
- Real Estate Development & International Investment (PO3513)
- General degree (no specialism):
- Research Methods for Business (MS3553)
- 30 level 3 credits from AC, EC, FI, MS and PO courses of choice
- Plus 30 credit points from level 3 courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- Accountancy:
Year 4
- Compulsory Courses:
- Contemporary Issues in International Business i (IN4001)
- Contemporary Issues in International Business II (IN4501)
- Optional Courses:
- Accountancy:
- 30 credits from AC courses of choice
- Dissertation in Accountancy (AC4528)
- Plus 30 credit points from level 3 or 4 courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- Economics:
- 30 credits from EC courses of choice
- Dissertation in Economics (EC4526)
- Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- Finance:
- Dissertation in Finance (FI4501)
- Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- Real Estate:
- Real Estate Dissertation (PO4506)
- Responsible Real Estate Asset Management (PO4009) OR Real Estate Portfolio Investment (PO4510)
- Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- General degree (no specialism):
- Dissertation in International Business (IN4502)
- 30 level 3 or 4 credits from AC, EC, FI, MS and PO courses of choice.
- Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- Accountancy:
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and
- Written examinations at the end of a course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study International Business?
- The University of Aberdeen was ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and 15th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
- 1st Scotland in Student Positivity for Business Studies and Management Studies in the National Student Survey 2024
- You will gain exceptional knowledge and understanding of international business, both its operations and its economic, political and social contexts
- We deliver a learning experience that provides students with confidence and will enable you to add value quickly to employers
- We draw on both our ancient heritage and globally-recognised excellence in teaching and research, to challenge students academically and to connect them with the world of practice
- You will have the option to study a modern language throughout the programme
- Aberdeen is the main European centre for the oil and gas industry, and international accountancy firms, multinational companies and financial services all have offices in the city.
- Professional training facilities, including our virtual trading floor, integrating real activity in financial markets into our students’ courses.
- A Business Management programme which perfectly balances theory and practical work, with strong links to local and global businesses giving you cutting-edge insights in to the subject.
- With a community of over 130 nationalities at the University of Aberdeen, students are immersed in an environment that enables international discourse creating truly global exchanges, generating deep insights that spark innovative change.
Careers
- Management Consultant
- Sales Manager
- International Trader
- Financial Controller
- Business Development Manager
- Marketing Executive
- Business Consultant
- Strategy Analyst
- Cultural Advisor
- International Recruitment Consultant
Accreditation
The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.
The MA International Business and Real Estate pathway provides student with accreditation and world-wide recognition from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) allowing graduates to proceed to the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
This degree holds accreditation from
- EQUIS
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024
Our results speak for themselves with 97.9% of graduates from the University of Aberdeen Business School in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024)
Our Experts
For more details on academic experts and those who will be teaching within your programme discipline please visit the People section of the Business School website.
Programme Leader
- Professor Ignacio Canales
World Class Facilities
The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is Scotland’s third oldest and the UK’s fifth oldest University. The university’s ancient campus reflects its long-standing academic tradition, with historic buildings such as King's College, which dates back to the 15th century. This blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities creates a unique atmosphere where students can experience the best of both tradition and innovation.
Sir Duncan Rice Library
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.
Aberdeen City
Aberdeen City
Named Scotland's Safest University City (Unbroken Britain Survey, Provident Financial, 2018) and is in the top 10 in the UK for places to live and work (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2018).
Affordability
Affordability
Aberdeen has been named the cheapest place for students to rent private accommodation in the UK. In 2024, StuRents reports that the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
- SQA Highers:
- Standard: AABB
- Minimum: BBB
- Adjusted: BB
- A LEVELS:
- Standard: BBB
- Minimum: BBC
- Adjusted: CCC
- International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
- Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
- PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
- Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Fees and Funding
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
- EU / International students: £20,800
- Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
- Home Students: £1,820
Scholarships and Funding
- UK Scholarship: Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding.
- Aberdeen Global Scholarship: The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
Discover Uni
- 100% of students were satisfied overall with their course.
- 91% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
- 96% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.
