Global Business

Course overview

Study in-person at Aston University London in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Developed to deliver interdisciplinary learning and flexibility, this course enables you to tailor your studies to suit your own requirements and interests.

This programme will provide in-depth insights and understanding of the contemporary business landscape, tailored for both recent graduates and working professionals from local, national, and international backgrounds.

Throughout this course, you will delve into cross-border operations, examine various business functions and their role in international commerce alongside exploring strategic management and economics in an international business context. You will gain versatile skills to pursue diverse career paths and excel in global management roles.

On this programme you will learn to collaborate and flourish through project-based learning with students in other digital technology subject areas. This approach of learning mimics the real-life working world, where your career prospects will be enriched by working alongside people with different skill sets, viewpoints, and approaches.

The location of your learning offers unparalleled opportunities for networking and industry connections, thanks to its prime position in the heart of the capital.

“I always knew I wanted to create a start-up business and Aston University equipped me to become an entrepreneur. I have since founded PALM LIFE, which supplies biodegradable tableware made from naturally fallen leaves."

Adil Delwar

MSc International Business (Birmingham)

Founder and CEO, PALM LIFE®️

Why Global Business at Aston University London?

87th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 87th in the world and 11th in the UK for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2025)

Top 100 in Europe

We've been ranked 17th in the UK and 97th in Europe (Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking 2024)

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Joint 11th in the UK

Aston Business School is ranked joint 11th in the UK (Eduniversal Business School Rankings 2024)

Innovative and flexible content

Flexible choice of innovative content that can be tailored to suit your requirements and career path

One of the world's great cities

Vibrant, multicultural, welcoming. Spend your student years in one the world’s most cosmopolitan and fashionable cities, where the word ‘boredom’ doesn’t exist

Course description

MSc Global Business (London)

Our MSc Global Business course aims to equip you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in a variety of roles and business functions globally. By being based in London you will be part of a vibrant cosmopolitan city and community, renowned for its diverse skills, cultures, beliefs, and wealth of knowledge.

What we will provide
First-class teaching, in the UK's capital city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. You will benefit from applied learning, research-informed teaching and constructive assessment. MSc Global Business will give you the ability to think strategically and deliver successful international business strategies.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

Aston University London is a gateway to a multitude of industry connections and networking opportunities, set against the backdrop of a city known for its international diversity and cultural richness.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a willingness to learn and an ambition and drive to excel. It is important to engage in self-directed learning and take full advantage of the knowledge and resources available throughout your degree.

What skills we teach
Through lectures, collaborative group discussions and applied learning, you will develop key skills sought after by employers, including teamwork, communication and leadership. You will develop critical analysis, strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities applicable across diverse situations. You will gain a knack for applying theory to real-world scenarios, deepening world understanding.

Career prospects
As an Aston University Global Business graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Graduates have been successful in finding employment in roles such as management consultant, research analyst and strategy consultant, working for companies like HSBC and KPMG.

By studying in London you will have prime location to open up numerous employment and career opportunities, thanks to the city's extensive industry connections and vibrant professional network.

How you will learn

At Aston University London, every programme on your chosen pathway will begin with a common landing module to introduce key fundamental concepts required by the rest of the pathway and to introduce you to the learning and teaching style of our innovative London courses.

You will be taught by a combination of academic and industry experts, and supported by our success coaches who will be with you every step of your journey to ensure you have the best possible chance of success in your degree. Our block teaching model means you will be able to plan your time around two days on campus each week, with the opportunity to spend more flexible time working on your individual and group projects. You will study at most two modules at a time, allowing you to focus in-depth on your chosen specialism and continually work on projects.

Group of people in business dress collaborating on project

Interdisciplinary Collaborative Project

Get ready to immerse yourself in a dynamic environment where you’ll build meaningful connections and make a real impact.

Find out more

What you will learn

Our programme blends specialised knowledge with practical skills, covering the fundamentals of international business. Exploring diverse theories and concepts, the course unpacks the dynamics of international trade, examines how companies structure their overseas operations and evaluates the influence of foreign direct investment on host countries.

In the taught stage, you will delve into advanced international business topics. You will analyse various international business strategies and compare business dynamics in developing economies to more economically developed countries. You will also explore factors influencing international business strategies, such as economic, management and policy issues, developing your ability to think strategically and deliver successful international business strategy. The programme also emphasises transferable skills like teamwork, leadership and communication, equipping you for a versatile career in international business.

In the dissertation phase, you will undertake a research project on an international business topic of your choice, showcasing your ability to conduct independent research with a clear consideration of ethics, theory and methods.

You will also benefit greatly from the location of your studies, with around one-third of all international students in the UK residing in London, Aston University London provides a dynamic, multicultural learning environment that enhances both personal and professional growth.

Ben Muriuki Maina International business graduate

Impact on people and finance

Ben chose to study MSc International Business at Aston University because of its reputation as a leading business school in the middle of a vibrant city.

Discover Ben's journey

Course objectives

Meets the needs of local, national and international candidates, enabling them to learn by the exchange of experience as well as formal academic study.
Develops the lifelong learning and personal development skills that equip you to aspire to senior positions and enhance your employability.
Enables you to reflect upon and develop your own position in relation to corporate responsibility, sustainability and ethics.
Develops awareness of skills needed to work effectively in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary teams.
Develops an understanding of the global business environment (including shifting competitive advantages) that influence business decisions and operations.
Develops an ability to assess the effects of major economic, policy, social and technical trends and factors on businesses operating internationally.
Develops the ability to assess the challenges and opportunities involved in the management and operations of multinational enterprises and other enterprises operating in international contexts.
Develops inquiry, applied research and problem-solving skills to enable lifelong learning and professional development.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Module Title	Credits
Innovation in the UK and Global Business Envrionment	15
Strategic Management	15
Marketing Management	15
International Economic Environment	15
Sustainability in International Business	15
AI: Vision and Reality	15
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Project	30
Total	120

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Module Title	Credits
Industry Research with an Entrepreneurial Mindset	15
Independent Industry Project	45
Total	60

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Programme outcomes

On successful completion of both the taught and dissertation stage, you will be able to:

Promote social responsibility, sustainability, accountability and ethical practice in business practice.
Critically evaluate a range of complex situations, which may include finance, accounting, organisational behaviour, strategy, IT security, analytics, artificial intelligence, taking account of the inter-relationships of these topics and their interactions with other areas of business, industry and the external environment.
Demonstrate a range of transferable skills that are necessary for a successful career in business and enhance your employability. These may include: IT and computing skills, presentation and report writing skills, communication and team working (collaboration) skills, self-confidence, reflective practice, problem solving, leadership, decision making skills and ability to assimilate into multicultural and cross-cultural work teams.
Demonstrate the ability to undertake independent research with an applied business focus.
Demonstrate knowledge of the changing global business landscape and developments and innovations in business practice.
Demonstrate understanding and application of core theories in international business.
Demonstrate critical analysis and evaluation towards international business theories.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for assessing and developing international business strategies and operations.
Demonstrate the analytical knowledge and skills required to understand and assess the international business environment.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

One of the following:

2:2 (lower second-class honours) degree or equivalent
Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University (see international students tab below for more information)

You will also need to provide:

A professional reference
- If you are a current student or recent graduate (within the last 2-3 years), we will ask for an academic reference
- If you are currently employed and not a recent graduate, we will ask for a professional reference
An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
A completed application form.

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Our requirements are:

IELTS 6.5 overall, 3 bands with 6.0, and no more than one band with 5.5 or equivalent

How to apply

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications.

Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our team:

Email: contact@london.aston.ac.uk

Call: +44 (0)20 4536 4601

Read our guide to applying

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£12,000

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£23,500

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Fees and funding

Scholarships

At Aston University London we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

To find out if you are eligible for scholarships and discounts, please contact us now.

Assessment

The programme will be assessed through a combination of class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments. Our programmes at Aston University London have no exam assessments.

Career prospects

Being in London will open you to more opportunities for employment and future careers due to its extensive industry connections and vibrant professional network.

The transferable skills that our business programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

Management consultant
Strategy consultant
Recruitment director
Management trainee
General manager
Investment banker
Research analyst
Marketing manager
Sales manager

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as HSBC, IBM, Unilever, Vodafone, Hertz-Bosch. PwC, KPMG, Barclays and Tesco.

Vishnu Mohta International Business graduate

Industry professionals

“The extra specialisation has gone a long way in building my career. The MSc gave me a lot of learning and development opportunities which helped me to explore my options.”

Discover Vishnu's journey

Our graduates achieve amazing things all over the world – whether it’s setting up their own businesses, landing jobs with high profile organisations, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Group of Aston University graduates in graduation attire

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Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

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