International Business Economics MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
group of students around a table smiling and chatting

Equip yourself with the practical experience, skills and knowledge necessary to apply advanced economics principles and quantitative methods to support decision making within government, private enterprise or the third sector.

Year of entry

2024-25

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Up to 2 years full-time (with professional experience)

Course code

FBLT044

Start date

September 2024


Course overview

This course will provide you with the chance to examine in depth critical issues in international business economics, together with the complexities and challenges of contemporary global markets.

You’ll have opportunities to:

  • Focus on practical economic analysis, policy formulation and market efficiency in a real-world context.
  • Get up-to-speed on the challenges modern businesses face through a range of learning environments.
  • Develop quantitative skills to evaluate outcomes of economic policies and interventions and make evidence-based decisions. 
Hand selecting a user icon in a coloured circle.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 UK Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2024

Why you should study this course

  • In-demand skills: This course will give you the opportunity to understand and apply advanced economics theories and quantitative skills to global, national, and firm-level decision-making. These skills are highly in demand in various industries, including consulting, banking, multinational corporations and in government.
  • Career Opportunities: Completing this course opens you up to a range of opportunities. You could work as an economist, financial analyst, consultant, or manager in global firms, international organisations, and government agencies. In addition, you can apply for a ‘professional experience’ opportunity2, designed to develop your skills and knowledge further to maximise your employability prospects (see modules for more information).
  • Global Perspective: The course prepares you for a global perspective in an international business environment. You will study how economic, political, and cultural variables affect international trade and investment. You also learn cross-cultural communication skills for working with people from different backgrounds.
  • Specialisations: This course offers international trade, development economics, and global finance. You will face real-life scenarios that reflect modern economic changes, learn how to apply managerial economics techniques to solve real economic problems and investigate the linkages between economic theory, management practice, international business, and finance. These specialisations enable you to tailor your courses to your interests and job aspirations, making you more employable.
  • Accreditation: The Chartered Management Institute accredits1 this course, which includes a module that allows you to earn a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Chartered Management Institute

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

You will undertake a professional development module as part of this course, which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2024-25 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.

Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is frequently reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.


Logo of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)

Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)

You will undertake an Economics Module that has a close syllabus match to CII’s (530) Economics and business unit and the assessment is of an equivalent standard. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Recognition of Prior Learning.

Coventry University’s accreditation with CII is currently valid until the date of 31 August 2025 and is frequently reviewed and monitored by the CII through their quality systems.


Memberships

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development, a global membership organisation dedicated to management development, covering over 900 members across 91 countries.

Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers, and supports its members in maintaining world-class standards of teaching and research.


What you'll study

The course is built around the study of economics both micro and macro, because economics plays a critical role in business and strategic management within developed and emerging markets. It provides a framework for decision-marking, risk management, and identifying competitive advantages, which are essentials for long-term success.

Example topics to be explored are:

  • The effects of changes in the international economic environment on the growth and prosperity of specific nations.
  • The recommendation and justification for the price of a new product launch.
  • Corporate and international finance, which introduces pricing, investment and financing, together with relevant legislation and regulation.

 

Modules

  • This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the international macroeconomic environment businesses encounter. The module examines the economic processes of globalisation and the economic basis for trade and protectionism. The module also explores the macroeconomic objectives of governments and how the pursuit of these objectives may impact the international business environment.

    Compulsory

  • This module guides you on how to apply advanced economics principles and mathematics to the decision-making process within firms. The combination of the module content and your continuous application of it allows you to achieve the learning outcomes of knowledge and application of the concepts in an international setting while maintaining a critical and, analytical approach.

    Compulsory

  • The module examines and critiques key corporate finance issues, including financial management, risk and return, corporate financing and asset pricing, capital structure and payout policy. The module will take an international perspective and explore both theoretical models and empirical evidence.

    Compulsory

  • This module discusses quantitative techniques commonly used by financial analysts, economists, accountants, and individual investors. The goal is to provide students with a basic understanding of econometric methods used in quantitative data analysis. The module focuses on statistical techniques such as estimation, hypothesis testing and modelling using economic and financial data.

    Compulsory

  • This module concentrates on identifying and evaluating the various business and economic sources of growth in the major emerging market economies, as well as to gain insights into their evolving trading and investment patterns. The module also provides an in-depth, critical analysis of major contemporary issues relevant to studying international business economics.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the European economic environment for business following the development and consolidation of the single internal market within the European Union (EU). Specific topics include the key EU policies supporting the scope for business expansion in the enlarged EU, an analysis of the specific issues in developing a pan European business strategy, and how to manage the influence of cultural diversity in Europe.

    Compulsory

  • The module’s goal is to provide you with a framework for examining key issues in corporate governance. These include underlying corporate governance theory and associated reporting and regulation goes with it, the role of monitors, and issues of independence and ethics. It also improves your ability to critically appraise relevant academic literature and current issues, as well as integrate and synthesise topics in order to participate in current debates and suggest potential insights for development.

    Compulsory

  • The module enables you to evaluate the characteristics and organisation of international financial markets as well as their potential applications and associated risks and returns.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people in a strategic and entrepreneurial manner. You will explore for example, the influence and impact of leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, as well as the principles of entrepreneurial practice. You will learn about various contexts in which entrepreneurship can flourish and the characteristics of entrepreneurial leadership within different types of organisational scenarios.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you will carry out a substantive piece of individual research into a business or financial management issue. You will be expected to draw upon the knowledge acquired, and the intellectual, technical and analytical skills developed during the course.

    Compulsory

Professional experience

The professional experience opportunity2 enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability. 

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, for which 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.

Professional experience5 may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depending on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year.

 

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

The MSc International Business Economics investigates real-world applications and is set within a truly global context due to the international nature of economic events, case studies, examples and research that illustrate emerging issues facing a range of firms, investors, financial markets and economies.

The course teaching and learning strategy seeks to adopt an active learning and inclusive framework. It promotes a variety of teaching methods to help ensure every student has the opportunity to participate in learning experiences that align with their strengths, but also stretch and challenge them in safe learning spaces.

A few examples of active learning strategies employed across the course include:  

  • Interactive lectures
  • Case-based seminars
  • Study groups and workshops
  • Simulations

Additionally, more traditional learning strategies are purposefully employed to complement the above approaches, which include peer learning, peer review, inquiry-led activities, group discussions, presentations, debate and research tasks, with opportunities provided for students to receive further feedback on your written assignments.

The MSc International Business course embodies transformative learning through the following: 

  • Research Inspired Teaching: Most of the course team are research active staff and are always keen to integrate research findings and active inquiries in both content and delivery, through pertinent journal articles, reviews, cases and modern methodologies and investigative techniques. 
  • Embedded Employability: The course modules enable students to develop transferable skills which are directly relevant to the workplace. Skills of communication, leadership, and consultancy are learned during group interactions and teamwork, as well as the various formats in which students are assessed on the course.
  • Creativity and Enterprise: Students are expected to demonstrate originality and self-direction in their application of relevant knowledge to unfamiliar and complex situations in their assignment tasks. Creativity can be further enhanced if students engage in individual research projects in the Project module as this is designed to facilitate enquiry-based learning, whilst the internship option within the Project module provides students with the ability to work directly on employer projects and develop skills as entrepreneurs.
  • Intercultural and International Engagement: This is embedded throughout the course as the content itself is of an inherently global nature. The economic landscape is inevitably driven by international, cultural and political shifts and these are reflected within the case-studies, controversial economic and financial events, authentic scenarios and scholarly research to name a few.
  • Innovation and Digital Literacy: This is infused throughout the course as students have exposure to specialist software such as Bloomberg, Datastream and FAME as part of their learning experiences. Students are taught econometric software including Microsoft Excel and Gretl, but are also encouraged to use numerous online resources for additional reading and research purposes.
  • Community Contribution and Responsibility: This is captured through links with professional bodies which introduce students to elements of professional standards and conduct. Corporate governance is a central and critical theme within contemporary economics and finance with implications for a range of stakeholders, which is studied in-depth in the Accountability, Governance and Ethics module. The role of ethical decision-making and its interaction with wider society is integrated into wider aspects of the course.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.


Teaching contact hours

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 14 contact hours per week in the taught semesters. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake at least 12 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual Assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Coventry University provide the global opportunities students need to become truly global graduates, enhancing students’ employability on a global scale.

These global opportunities are often through international field trip, studying or working abroad, collaborative online international learning, global summer and winter school programmes and a choice of language classes from our world languages unit.

You may have the opportunity to study with international students which can provide an opportunity for cross-cultural interactions which supports the development of intercultural awareness.

The project module on this course provides a consultancy option, and the course also provides a professional experience option, and both can be completed oversees.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Applicants should hold an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as business, finance, accounting or economics. Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director. For information regarding specific requirements, please fill in our request information form.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with us

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country-specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page. For information regarding specific requirements, please fill in our request information form.

Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

Applicants should hold an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as business, finance, accounting or economics. Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.
  • If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
  • For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Chat with us


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £15,400 | £19,400 (with prof. experience)   Request fee information
EU £15,400 | £19,400 (with prof. experience) per year with EU support bursary**
£20,050 | £24,050 (with prof. experience) per year without EU support bursary**
Not available
International £20,050 | £24,050 (with prof. experience)   Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU support bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.


Facilities

We have a range of facilities4 available to support you in putting the theories you are taught, into practice such as:

A student using a computer at a desk wearing glasses next to a tutor pointing at the screen

The Trading Floor

The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility that allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring contemporary dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, the facility can add a dynamic practical element to your course.

 

People at the Talent team fair on the balcony and on the ground floor

Talent Team

Employability is at the forefront of all our economics courses. You will have access to our dedicated employability service, the Talent Team, from the first day of your course, to graduation and beyond.

 

 

A female student sat at a desk holding a pen and looking at a laptop.

sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is housed in our Lanchester Library, and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments, the ideal place to help you navigate any issues you might have while studying an accounting and finance degree.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course:

You will have knowledge of:

  • The concepts and theories in economics and international trade, and their application to real-world situations.
  • Financing arrangements, strategies and governance structures of business, voluntary and governmental organisations.
  • Mathematical and econometric techniques for economic analysis.
  • The complex operation and function of markets in different regulatory settings.
  • The contemporary and controversial issues in economics and business in emerging markets.

You should be able to:

  • Use diagnostic and decision-making skills in dealing with economic and international business problems.
  • Select and apply modelling and quantitative techniques in economic policy and international business contexts.
  • Search for relevant data and information sources, manage gathered data and use it to systematically and creatively comprehend, analyse and synthesise complex issues.
  • Demonstrate self-direction and originality in approaching, tackling and finding solutions to economic and analytical problems, and identifying relevant data and information patterns.
  • Critically assess and evaluate the conceptual and theoretical frameworks in economics and international business, as well as challenge their assumptions.
  • Exercise judgement in the selection of different theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches to analyse issues and problems in real-world economic contexts. 
  • Find, extract, manipulate, analyse and interpret economic data from various sources and develop reasoned conclusions.
  • Critically assess, compare and contrast the economic environment and policy outcomes in national and international contexts.

This course aims to produce highly employable graduates: through the specialist knowledge, technical, analytical and transferrable skills you should have been able to develop during the course, coupled with the opportunity to align your final semester project to match specific career aspirations, you should be well informed to face the challenges of managers working in international financial and business markets, in the 21st century.

Completion of this course opens you up to the possibility of working as an economist, analyst or consultant for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as the World Bank or International Monetary Fund (IMF), private companies or public sector organisations. Typical roles include becoming a financial analyst, bond trader, policy analyst, bank examiner, research analyst, actuary or market research consultant.

Alternatively, if you wish to pursue research at PhD level, it can provide an excellent stepping stone into a research career.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career. 

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work at the Bank of Botswana, the Bank of China, and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Bangladesh.  


How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2023/2024 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2024/25 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.