Program Overview

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International Business (5 years), MBus

Introduction

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 the trajectory to add value to employers immediately on graduating.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MBus
• Duration: 60 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: N125

The University of Aberdeen draws on both ancient heritage and globally-recognised excellence in research and teaching to challenge students academically and to connect them with the world of practice. There is an option to study a modern language throughout the programme.

The programmes provide a broadly-based education in International Business through a five 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. Study abroad and internship options are integrated with flexible language learning to accommodate individual study needs, skills and aspirations. MBus students take year 4 abroad (Professional Practice placement either abroad or in the UK as agreed with the Business School through medium of chosen language or English if no language options taken.)

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

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
  • Select 60 credits from one of the following specialisms:
    • 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:
      • Finance 1: Finance, Risk and Investment (FI1004)
      • Economics for Business and Society (EC1006)
      • Understanding Property (PO1504)
      • The Global Economy (EC1506)
      • Plus further credits from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.

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
  • Select one of the specialisms below:
    • Accountancy
      • Management Accountancy 2 (AC2031)
      • Financial Accounting 2 (AC2530)
      • Finance 2: Business Finance (FI2004)
      • Understanding Statistics (PO2508)
    • Economics
      • Intermediate Microeconomics (EC2003)
      • Intermediate Macroeconomics (EC2503)
      • Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
    • Finance
      • Finance 2: Business Finance (FI2004)
      • Financial Markets and Regulation (FI2501)
      • Understanding Statistics (PO2508)
      • Plus 45 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits
    • Real Estate
      • Land and Property Economics (PO2009)
      • Principles of Property Valuation (PO2509)
      • Land and Property Law (PO2010)
      • Understanding Statistics (PO2508)
      • Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses
  • Being an International Manager i (IN3001)
  • Being an International Manager II (IN3501)
• Optional Courses
  • Plus one of the following specialisms:
    • Accountancy
      • Financial Accounting 3 (AC3049)
      • Management Acounting 3 (AC3054)
      • Audit Practice (AC3560)
      • Taxation (AC3561)
      • Plus 30 credit points from level 3 courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
    • Economics
      • 60 credits from EC courses of choice
      • Plus 30 credit points from level 3 courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
    • Finance
      • Corporate Financial Theory (FI3009)
      • Applied Corporate Finance (FI3008)
      • Plus 30 credit points from level 3 courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
    • Real Estate
      • Applied Valuation (PO3006)
      • Real Estate Development and International Investment (PO3513)
      • Plus 30 credit points from level 3 courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits
    • 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.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses
  • Professional Practice placement either abroad or in the UK as agreed with the Business School.

Year 5

• Compulsory Courses
  • Contemporary Issues in International Business i (IN4001)
  • Contemporary Issues in International Business II (IN4501)
• Optional Courses
  • Plus one of the following specialisms:
    • Accountancy
      • Accounting and Sustainability (AC4034)
      • Audit Theory and Evolution (AC4035)
      • Dissertation in Accountancy (AC4528)
      • Plus 15 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 level 3 or 4 courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
    • Finance
      • Dissertation in Finance (FI4501)
      • Plus 30 credit points from level 3 or 4 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)
      • Plus 30 level 3 or 4 credits from AC, EC, FI, MS and PO courses of choice.
      • Plus 30 credit points from level 3 or 4 courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Lectures
• Professional Placements
• 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 each 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
• 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.

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
• Aberdeen Global Scholarship
• Funding Database

Related Undergraduate Degrees

• MA International Business
• MA International Business with French
• MA International Business with Gaelic
• MA International Business with German
• MA International Business with Mandarin
• MA International Business with Spanish