International Business and HRM

• Deepen your understanding of business and human resource management in an international context
• Gain a highly regarded masters level qualification together with vital employability skills for a successful career in business or HR
• Develop your knowledge of economics, international business, management, employment law and HRM to ease your transition to a high-level role
• Network with international business leaders and influential HR professionals who provide guest lectures, consultancy projects, case studies and professional mentoring
• Learn alongside students from around the world, gaining a greater awareness of cultural diversity and different perspectives on international business
• This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and puts you on the fast track to a qualification which raises your professional standing and improves your career prospects. It fully prepares you to meet the CPD requirements of the HR profession
• You could also study MSc International Business and Finance, MSc International Business and Marketing or MSc International Business.

With the world connected as never before, exciting career opportunities are emerging for dynamic, confident professionals with a thorough grasp of international business and an understanding of how HRM can be harnessed as a driving force for growth.

A course to match your career aspirations

Leading employers worldwide increasingly expect their staff – experienced professionals and new recruits alike – to have a specialist degree such as an MSc.

This MSc International Business and HRM course is highly suitable if you want to develop an international business career in HRM or to work closely with talent management and training specialists in global organisations. In particular it is ideal if you have:

• studied Business, including HRM, and are looking to develop more specialist HRM skills
• studied HRM but want to sharpen your international business focus
• have work experience of HRM in international business and would like to gain a focused postgraduate degree.

Strategic knowledge for today’s business world

Our MSc International Business and HRM course brings together disciplines such as economics, international business and strategy, international employment law, leadership and talent management.

You’ll gain a thorough understanding of business analysis and strategy in a global context. At the same time, you’ll hone your expertise in evaluating HRM decisions and operations in international organisations. Drawing on real-world case studies, you’ll also develop impressive skills in applied research.

High-profile partnerships

Throughout the course you will meet industry experts from our thriving network of professional and business leaders. We collaborate directly with prestigious names such as Lloyds Bank Corporate, London; the Bank of England Midlands Office; HSBC Nottingham;Eversheds; Price Waterhouse Cooper; PKF Cooper Parry; Smiths of Derby; GI Insight, Leicester; and Kitchencraft. Many contribute to our MSc programme with thought-provoking guest lectures. 

Leading figures from the HRM profession will share their knowledge with you. You’ll be invited to masterclasses and guest lectures delivered by influential thinkers such as our Visiting Professors in HRM, Dr Linda Holbeche and Professor Lynette Harris.

We work closely with the CIPD at both national and local levels. They hold panel events at the University where you can make new contacts in a professional forum. You’ll hear first-hand what happens at the sharp end of the HR business across many different organisational cultures. You can also extend your contacts through networking at Institute of Directors workshops, company taster days and events held by the University’s own Network of Entrepreneurs.

Professional mentoring for career success

As you chart your career direction, you’ll have the opportunity to receive mentoring from key business figures. Our mentors range from international trade advisors and banking specialists to senior HR managers from our partner companies – all are happy to share their experiences and insights with you.

Career development planning is an integral part of this course. Every student benefits from the support and advice of a personal tutor who is part of the programme team. You’ll also have access to our first class professional career service even after you’ve graduated. 

Broaden your skills – and your horizons

We’re committed to delivering a stimulating learning experience which will help you build an impressive portfolio of transferable skills.

You are encouraged to take part in competitions such as the IBM University Business Challenge. You can also contribute to specialist projects in the region: recent examples include an economic impact study of the Buxton Festival and the Derby Low Carbon Initiative. You could even publish your research in the College of Business monthly Economic Bulletin which is circulated throughout the region and in our academic journal, Critical Perspectives on Business Management.

Pursue your specialist interests

The culmination of the MSc International Business and HRM is your Independent Study where you select a theme which reflects your career ambitions and your interests in international HRM. This is your chance to gain in-depth research and critical thinking skills which will serve you well in your future career.

The range of topics covered is vast. Among recent examples, our students have investigated knowledge transfer in the South African hospitality sector; employee commitment in a Vietnamese technology firm; and an international comparison of trust in management.

An extra award for your CV

You can work towards a special award which recognises your leadership abilities and enhanced consultancy skills.  As part of the Futures Award in Leadership in International Business, you will undertake extra-curricular activities which strengthen your development as a business and HRM professional, including business consultancy work, volunteering, fundraising activities and networking opportunities.

Our Futures Award participants have had the chance to hear from regional industry leaders such as Mel Morris, Chairman of Derby County FC and an initial investor in King Digital Entertainment, the company behind the computer game sensation Candy Crush.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Throughout the MSc International Business and HRM course you’ll encounter a diverse range of teaching and learning methods which provide a motivating study experience. At each level we provide support to help you develop your academic and applied skills and to promote your personal development.

You’ll be inspired by a mix of lectures, group work, discussions, workshops, case studies, practical data analysis and personal networking. We offer specific guidance on study texts and online study materials.

How you'll be assessed

We use a wide range of coursework assessment methods, many designed to enhance your transferable skills. Formats include computer-based tests, research reports, practical activities, presentations, essays and case study analysis.

Some modules are also assessed with an examination.

This MSc International Business and HRM opens doors to HRM careers in a wide range of international organisations. On completion of the course, you’ll be ideally placed to join management training programmes in major companies worldwide.

Our students have gone on to secure management roles and advanced graduate training positions in high-profile organisations including HSBC Canada, Ernst & Young and Price Waterhouse Cooper. Some have become consultants with specialist companies while others have taken on general management roles or have even set up their own international businesses.

You will be highly suited to HRM roles in any organisation with a global outlook – whatever the size or sector. You could, for instance, harness your specialist knowledge of international law, training and talent management to support a small-scale exporting company. The course also gives you a platform to gain further professional qualifications as you take your career forward. Inspired by the intellectual challenge of the MSc, a growing number of graduates also choose to develop academic careers – moving on to PhD research or teacher training.

Ongoing careers support

Throughout your studies, you will benefit from our personal tutor scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and refine your career ambitions. Our support continues once you’ve completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.

You'll usually need:

• A second class or higher undergraduate degree in a relevant area including: business, economics, management, HRM, or another degree with sufficient relevant business experience.
• If English is not your first language, you will also need IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each skills area
• A desire to develop your theoretical understanding of HRM.

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you'll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.