Global Business Communication

Program Overview

---

Global Business Communication, MSc, PgCert or PgDip

Introduction

Our MSc in Global Business Communication at the University of Aberdeen provides in-depth communications skills and knowledge across business, law, healthcare, politics, media, and energy industries. You will learn to communicate effectively and pragmatically in situations reliant on an understanding of human behavior, relationships, tactics, and politics to uncover powerful solutions to challenges in communication and interpretation.

Study Information

Study Options

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MSc, PgCert or PgDip
• Duration: 4 months, 9 months, 12 months, 21 months or 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
• Start Month: September or January
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

Programme Fees

Fee Information

Fee Category	Cost
EU / International students	£23,000
UK	£11,100

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses

• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
• Critical Skills: Reading and Engagement (PD50C2)
• Critical Skills: Research and Dissemination (PD55C1)
• Marketing Management (BU5039)
• Communication Theory and Analysis (LN5019)
• Negotiation and Cross - Cultural Management (BU5072)

Semester 2

Compulsory Courses

• BU5573 Marketing Communications (15 credit points)
• Intercultural Communication (LN5510)
• Institutional Discourse (LN5518)

Semester 3

Compulsory Courses

• LN5905 Dissertation in Professional Communication (60 credit points)

Available Programmes of Study

• MSc
• PgDip
• PgCert

MSc

Global Business Communication

Qualification	Duration	Learning Mode	Study Mode	Start Month	Location
MSc	12 months or 24 months	On Campus Learning	Full Time or Part Time	September	Aberdeen
MSc	12 months or 24 months	On Campus Learning	Full Time or Part Time	January	Aberdeen

Programme Fees

Fee Information

Fee Category	Cost
EU / International students	£23,000
UK	£11,100

PgDip

Global Business Communication

Qualification	Duration	Learning Mode	Study Mode	Start Month	Location
PgDip	9 months or 21 months	On Campus Learning	Full Time or Part Time	January	Aberdeen

PgCert

Global Business Communication

Qualification	Duration	Learning Mode	Study Mode	Start Month	Location
PgCert	4 months or 9 months	On Campus Learning	Full Time or Part Time	January	Aberdeen

Funding Opportunities

• The SFC Postgraduate tuition fee scholarship may be available for those classified as Home/EU fee status students for this programme.

Scholarships

• All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

Related Programmes

• Film, Visual Culture and Arts Management
• Marketing

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Seminars
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• The variety of assessment in the programme ensures that students apply theory to practice and become expert communicators and team players.
• The courses undertaken in the programme provide students with solid professional skill set in communication analysis, management and intercultural communication.
• The programme consists of 180 credit points taken over the duration of one year.
• Courses are assessed through essays, presentations, group and project work.

Why Study Global Business Communication?

• At the University of Aberdeen, we have created a unique MSc in Global Business Communication because it takes an innovative approach in examining communication and interaction dynamics in the professional world by helping you understand, interpret, and analyse communications across a variety of professional contexts, including intercultural communications at a global level.
• Centred on Linguistics, this programme features both language analysis and discourse analysis - together with research, methodology techniques that help uncover the true meaning in data.
• The programme draws upon the Business School and School of Language and Literature, so it provides a unique perspective to give a fuller picture rather than one aspect or the other.
• The MSc in Global Business Communication gives you key skills in all organisational communication across sectors nationally and internationally to enable you to travel globally in your career.
• The breadth of skills provided by the subject allows you to work in internal and external facing positions within an organisation of any size or type.
• We are located in Aberdeen, a city with strong links to FTSE 100 multinational business, healthcare and Europe's energy capital, which we are able to draw upon to deliver this programme.
• You will have the opportunity to work with the industry in a variety of ways such as industry weeks with the Business School, industry projects and building your own networks and teamwork skills.
• There will be a series of guest speaker talks during the year and you can explore further internship possibilities with our links to a variety of organisations throughout the UK.

Careers

• Communications are vital to the internal and external operation of a successful organisation or business and understanding how we give and receive information can lead to careers in marketing and communications, PR, HR, and Media Relations.

Career Opportunities

• Human Resources
• Junior Lecturer
• Media Communications
• Public Relations
• Teacher

Our Experts

• You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• The standard entrance requirement is a good second class degree, normally at a 2:2 or above in any discipline.

English Language Requirements

• The English Language requirement for all College of Arts and Social Sciences is an IELTS of 6.5 with 6.0 for writing and reading, or an equivalent score on an internationally recognised English test with above-average competence in English language.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

• Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

---

Overview:

The University of Aberdeen's MSc in Global Business Communication provides students with in-depth knowledge and skills in effective communication and negotiation within various professional contexts. It focuses on the crucial role of communication in business, law, healthcare, politics, media, and energy industries. Students learn to understand and effectively interpret human interaction, power dynamics, and language nuances, and apply these skills to address communication challenges and develop powerful solutions.

---

Objectives:

• Equip students with strong communication and analysis skills for interpreting interactions in professional environments.
• Understand the link between communication and organizational performance and prosperity.
• Develop effective negotiation and leadership skills for diverse organizational settings.
• Explore intercultural communication dynamics through the lens of cultural norms and practices.
• Analyze communication and power dynamics in real-world professional institutions and organizations.
• Prepare students for successful careers in communications by focusing on key communication issues in professional environments.

---

Program Description:

The MSc in Global Business Communication is a dynamic program that utilizes a multidisciplinary approach. Combining insights from linguistics, business, law, and healthcare, students delve into organizational negotiation, leadership, and rapport management, equipping them for leadership positions in various professional sectors. The program emphasizes practical application and analysis of communication in professional contexts, enabling students to hone their skills and apply them to real-world challenges.

---

Outline:

---

Program Content:

• Intercultural Communication: Explores cultural norms, practices, and theories relevant to managing communication in diverse global environments.
• Organizational Communication: Investigates communication strategies and best practices within organizations and institutions, focusing on various industries like energy, law, healthcare, and emergency services.
• Communication Theory and Analysis: Introduces analytical frameworks for communication analysis, enabling students to investigate social interactions, power dynamics, and language use in diverse contexts.
• Marketing Management: Applies theoretical and practical content to explore key marketing concepts and develop students' understanding of planning, coordinating, and controlling marketing activities in a globalized market.
• Negotiation and Cross-Cultural Management: Explores different types of interpersonal communication in business contexts and equips students with effective communication and negotiation skills.

---

Structure:

• Stage 1: Consists of four compulsory courses focused on foundational concepts, including "Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen", "Communication Theory and Analysis", "Negotiation and Cross-Cultural Management", and "The Leadership Challenge".
• Stage 2: Explores more specialized topics with three compulsory courses: "Intercultural Communication", "Institutional Discourse", and "Marketing Management".
• Stage 3: Emphasizes research and application with a capstone "Dissertation in Professional Communication" course, worth 60 credits.

---

Course Schedule:

The program is offered in two formats:

• Full-time: Completion within one year (12 months).
• Communication Theory and Analysis: Provides frameworks for analyzing communication, enabling students to investigate social interaction, power dynamics, and language use in diverse contexts.
• Negotiation and Cross-Cultural Management: Examines various types of interpersonal communication in business contexts and equips students with effective communication and negotiation skills.
• The Leadership Challenge: Provides students with the opportunity to explore and develop their own leadership behavior, building self-awareness and critical leadership skills.
• Intercultural Communication: Explores cultural norms, practices, and theories relevant to managing communication in diverse global environments.
• Institutional Discourse: Investigates communication strategies and best practices within organizations and institutions, focusing on various industries like energy, law, healthcare, and emergency services.
• Marketing Management: Applies theoretical and practical content to explore key marketing concepts and develop students' understanding of planning, coordinating, and controlling marketing activities in a globalized market.
• Dissertation in Professional Communication: Culminates the program with a 12,000-word dissertation, demonstrating students' research skills, analytical abilities, and ability to synthesize and present data.

---

Assessment:

---

Assessment Methods:

• Individual assignments and essays
• Individual and group presentations
• In-course assessments and exams
• Reflective exercises and group discussions
• Dissertation in Professional Communication (Stage 3)

---

Assessment Criteria:

• Analysis and critical thinking skills
• Effective written and oral communication
• Application of theoretical concepts to practical situations
• Creativity and originality in project work
• In-depth research and critical evaluation in the dissertation
• Engagement in class discussions and overall participation

---

Teaching:

---

Teaching Methods:

• Interactive lectures and seminars
• Case study analysis and individual projects
• Group discussions and peer collaboration
• Guest lectures from industry professionals
• Individual supervision and research guidance
• Experiential learning opportunities through internships and industry collaborations

---

Faculty:

The program is delivered by experienced faculty members from diverse academic backgrounds, including linguistics, communication studies, business, and law. Many faculty members hold industry experience, bringing real-world insights into the classroom.

---

Unique Approaches:

The program combines multidisciplinary perspectives from linguistics, communication, business, and law, offering a holistic understanding of communication in professional contexts. Additionally, the program prioritizes practical application through real-world case studies, projects, and collaborative learning activities.

---

Careers:

---

Career Opportunities:

• Communication and Marketing Manager
• Public Relations Specialist
• Human Resources Manager
• Corporate Trainer and Development Specialist
• International Business Consultant
• Policy Analyst and Public Affairs Specialist
• Research and Communication specialist

---

Career Outcomes:

Graduates are well-positioned to pursue diverse career paths in various sectors, including business, government, non-profit organizations, and international institutions. They acquire valuable skills in communication, negotiation, and leadership, making them highly sought-after professionals.

---

Other:

• The program welcomes students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds, including language, linguistics, communication, business studies, law, or legal studies.
• Students can opt to complete the program as a one-year standalone Master's degree, a two-year part-time Master's degree, or as a pathway to further postgraduate studies.
• The program highlights the importance of communication skills in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, equipping students to become effective communicators in diverse professional environments.

---

EU / International students: £23,800 UK: £11,100