Program Overview

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Please note that for 2023 entry, this course is now closed for applications. International business and entrepreneurial expansion is a desirable business strategy as it opens more avenues for revenue, but careful consideration must be paid to differences in how countries and cultural nuance impact business decisions. Our MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship explores the theoretical and practical aspects of starting, growing and developing businesses across international borders. You examine different types of international business activity and the theories and innovative approaches to new business creation in different cultural and economic contexts. You do not need to have previously studied business to apply for this course. You explore topics including:

• international expansion models
• applying economic theory to business management
• international trade theories and practices
• international business environments
• economic, sociological, psychological and managerial theories of entrepreneurship
• how to develop an international business plan

This course develops your practical business skills and theoretical knowledge, so you’re best prepared to launch your own venture, or apply entrepreneurship in an existing company. This course is delivered by Essex Business School at our Southend Campus . Students and staff come to us from all over the world, creating a classroom experience rich in diversity and working together to build a global understanding. Essex is also a place with entrepreneurial spirit; we have more start-up businesses than any other county in the UK. Together this entrepreneurial spirit and global community make for the perfect place to study entrepreneurship and international business. Your course benefits from current research by the Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship group and focuses on answering the question: “How can organisations and entrepreneurs increase their benefits to society and minimise their environmental impact?” A Masters from Essex Business School can give you a solid foundation on which to build your career in international business and entrepreneurship. Why we're great.

• More than half of our students and staff join us from overseas – we’re an international business community.
• Essex Startups, our own team of in house startup experts, can help you turn your business idea into a reality.
• You can choose to complete an international business plan for your own start-up instead of a dissertation.

Our expert staff

Based in Southend-on-Sea, members of the Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group have well-established reputations for research in:

• entrepreneurship and innovation, with a special focus on under-represented groups
• global sustainable supply chains
• international business, particularly with reference to emerging markets
• research and development management
• data analytics
• corporate social responsibility activities

During your course, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from Professor Mehmet Demirbag , Professor of International Business and Deputy Dean of Essex Business School. Professor Demirbag investigates multinational firms from emerging markets, exploring their internationalisation strategies, their R&D activities and mergers and acquisitions. Mehmet also has extensive experience in policy development having been the principal advisor for the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Trade. Academic members of staff from our Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group are supported in their research activities by our flourishing Centre for Research on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Management and Internationalisation (REIMI) . The Centre is well known for international business research on emerging-market multinational enterprises (MNEs); technology management; novel research in migrant entrepreneurship and firm internationalisation.

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Specialist facilities

MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship is taught at our Southend Campus , just 40 minutes from London and in the heart of the Thames Gateway - one of the Government’s priority areas for economic growth, it is a fitting location for entrepreneurial study. Essex has the highest number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, meaning you are ideally located for networking, launching a business or gaining inspiration for both your studies and future career. Choose our Southend Campus, and you’ll have access to a superb learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities , including:

• our award-winning The Forum building, with an extensive public and academic library and café
• 24-hour learning hub, with group-study spaces, PC access and places for quiet study
• Essex Business School Student Services team to support your time at EBS
• masters study suite for EBS postgraduate students
• modern lecture theatres and seminar rooms
• careers support, events and initiatives
• studyskills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
• our cosy SU Lounge, with pool tables and large-screen TV for socialising and relaxation

Southend-on-Sea combines the charms of a traditional seaside resort with the attractions of a vibrant, modern town and our campus sits right at the centre. With seven miles of coastline, a thriving arts and cultural scene and a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife all on your doorstep, it’s the perfect place to live and study. Our town centre location has excellent transport links and London Southend Airport is just five minutes away by train, offering fights to over 50 destinations across Europe.

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Your future

A Masters degree in International Business and Entrepreneurship will ensure you have a clear grasp of international business practices and how innovative approaches to new business creation can be applied across international borders - opening the door to global opportunities. We seek to create the organisational leaders of the future. Our curriculum aims to prepare you for a career as an entrepreneur, an owner-manager, a policy maker in support services, or entrepreneurial management in organisations with a specific interest in international business. Core modules such as International Business and Strategy, Global Supply Chain and Operations Management and Theories and Practice of Entrepreneurship will equip you with an advanced understanding of international business practices and the range of economic, sociological, psychological and managerial theories of enterprise creation and development. Many of our graduates go on to set up their own businesses or consult on business practice straight after graduation as Essex Business School prepares you for the world of work from day one. Recent graduate destinations include consultancies and financial institutions such as:

• KPMG
• EY
• SAP
• Morgan Stanley

Read our graduate profiles to see the types of organisations our alumni work for. Our Student Support team work closely with the University’s Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground. “Essex gave me the opportunity to meet different people and expand my awareness of the different cultures that exist in the world. Although my time was short there which just one year, I really learned a lot you know. I would give anything to have the fond memories I had when I was in Essex because it was such a profound experience that 1 year of my time was not enough. I am glad that I went to Essex, there were a lot of challenges, mistakes I made, toes I stepped on but all in all, it was an amazing experience I had.” “I am now a Mental Health Counsellor. I never thought I would actually do my present job. At first, I wanted to be a graphic designer in the 3D and animation industry and although I love graphic design I feel I find more happiness and joy in my present career. I studied Entrepreneurship in Essex, so It was very relevant in my current career.” Charles Omofuma Ituah, MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship (2014)