Global Business Communication, MSc, PgCert or PgDip

Program Overview

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The University of Aberdeen's MSc in Global Business Communication equips students with advanced communication and negotiation skills for various professional contexts. Combining insights from linguistics, business, law, and healthcare, the program emphasizes practical application and analysis, preparing graduates for leadership roles in diverse sectors. Graduates are well-positioned for careers in communication, marketing, human resources, and international business, among others.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Outline:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Assessment:

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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)

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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

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Teaching:

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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

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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.

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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.

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Careers:

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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

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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.

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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.

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