Program Overview

MSc International Business and Strategy: Global Challenges

Overview

This programme is rooted in two academic domains, International Business and Strategy. It will suit graduates from any discipline who wish to specialise and critically engage in these subjects. You will learn to unpack world challenges in new ways, creating an understanding of the complexities of internationalisation, current strategic thinking and sustainability challenges in business and society.

The programme will equip you with a competitive advantage in the graduate jobs market by giving you the tools to deal with the new 'mega-forces' of globalisation driven by technological advancement, climate change, global health crises and geopolitical events.

This MSc draws on cutting-edge research by leading academics who will guide you to explore the Global Challenges facing international businesses and society, such as global warming, increasing migration flows, food insecurity, poverty, and greater competition for increasingly scarce resources. You will gain the contextual, historical, and political perspectives of experts in these areas to enable them to think critically and solve problems practically in the workplace.

This programme will help you to:

• become an expert in strategic management with the ability to respond to global challenges,
• prepare for a career in international and multinational companies, NGOs and SMEs with an international outlook,
• develop (socially) entrepreneurial mindsets to start up your own business.

This programme is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), the largest professional body for environmental practitioners in the UK and worldwide. Our students are entitled to enjoy free student membership for the duration of the programme. Graduates from this programme will benefit from studying at a top 10 UK university (QS World University Rankings 2025). A large percentage of our Business and Management research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021), reflecting its impact on shaping policy and practice.

Sustainability is a priority for Bristol, which was the first UK city to attain European Green Capital status in 2015. The University of Bristol was the first in the UK to declare a Climate Emergency and has sustainability at the core of its strategy.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

You will study five core units, one elective unit, and the International Business and Strategy Dissertation. The first three units cover core theories and key issues in International Business and Strategy, preparing you for advanced units and the research dissertation.

Core units:

• International Business Perspectives in a Turbulent World will focus on core international business concepts and global economic issues.
• Global Strategy will introduce strategic management concepts and challenges for multinationals.
• Global Challenges will focus on the 'wicked problems' facing society that contemporary organisations need to navigate.
• Entrepreneurship and Society will provide the opportunity to develop problem-solving skills for global challenges and explores entrepreneurship for sustainable social impact, fostering entrepreneurial mindsets.
• Research Skills for International Business and Strategy will provide a comprehensive understanding of theoretical and practical research in International Business and Strategy.

Elective unit, studying the impact of sustainability on a domain of your choosing. Choose one from the below:

• Sustainability in Global Value Chains
• Sustainability Management in Practice

The final unit, the International Business and Strategy Dissertation, offers two options: conducting an individual research project on a chosen topic, or participating in a group-based applied grand challenges project with an external partner organisation.

Entry Requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

We will also consider your application if your grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if you have at least one of the following:

• evidence of significant (minimum 12 months) relevant paid work experience in a management or supervisory role.
• a postgraduate qualification. If this is the case, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £18,000 per year
• Overseas: full-time £33,000 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Alumni Discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and Scholarships

The Business School is offering a range of scholarships for master’s students starting in 2025.

Scholarships for International Students

• Think Big Scholarships: 200 scholarships available
  • 100 scholarships at £13,000 each
  • 100 scholarships at £6,500 each
• Career Accelerator Scholarships: 200 scholarships at £3,000 each

Scholarships for Home (UK) Students

• Business School Advance Scholarship: £10,000 each

Career Prospects

Graduates from this programme can pursue an exciting range of career opportunities in international business, strategy and sustainability.

The programme will teach you to respond to a fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, supporting your ambitions to attain strategic positions in business development, strategic management, consultancy, international business development, and sustainability at a senior level.

This programme will give you an understanding of the complexities of international business operations to prepare you for a variety of roles in government, policy design, multinational corporations in all sectors, NGOs and fast-growing 'go global' businesses that are seeking to rapidly internationalise.

Our postgraduate students are given opportunities to engage with industry, increase their professional networks and develop their professional skills and experience whilst they are studying. Find out more about our Professional Liaison Network.