Strategy and International Business

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The MSc in Strategy and International Business provides a rigorous and comprehensive coverage of strategy and international business issues in both developed and developing countries and in private and public sectors.

The strategy component of the degree aims to give students the knowledge and skills required to analyse companies strategic situations and to solve complex strategic problems. The international business component of the degree aims to develop the knowledge and skills required for assessing and developing internationalisation strategies and operations as well as skills entailed in international and cross-cultural management.

International exchange opportunities
In addition to your Aston degree, you will have the opportunity to participate in our international study exchange programme. Studying with one of our partner institutions, the programme will further enhance your international experience and communication skills, preparing you for a career in the international business environment.

Why choose this course?
* Provides a rigorous and comprehensive coverage of strategy and international business issues
* Opportunity to complete a consultancy based dissertation
* Participate in our international study exchange programme
* Highly ranked International Business Programme in the FT Masters in Management
* Excellent employment opportunities, Aston Business School is ranked in the top 10 in world for careers (FT Masters in Management 2013)

Core Modules
* International Business Strategy
* International Business
* Strategic Management
* Advanced Topics in Strategy
* MSCDISS Business Research Methods

Optional Modules (Choose four optional modules from the list that follows, subject to pre-requisites:*):
**Business Finance must be followed by International Finance in the following term.
***Marketing Management must be followed by International Marketing Management in the following term
****Management Consultancy as Practice is compulsory for students undertaking client/consultancy based dissertations

* Business Finance**
* Marketing Management***
* International Finance**
* Strategy, Change and Leadership
* International Marketing Management***
* Strategic Business Sustainability
* Advanced Topics in International Business
* Management of Innovation
* People & World Organisations
* Economic Environment of Business
* Entrepreneurial Strategies
* Intellectual Property Strategy & Management
* Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Emerging Economies
* Global Ethics & Human Rights Responsibilities in Business
* Management Consultancy as Practice****
* Strategic Global Outsourcing and Offshoring

The programme then concludes with a dissertation project.

Career opportunities
The unique combination of strategy and international business in this programme provides a solid foundation for a career in international management, or as a consultant in either the private or public sector.

It would also provide an excellent foundation for a doctoral degree in either strategy or international business.

Students are expected to gain employment in the following areas:

* Management positions in the private and public sector, UK and internationally
* Consulting companies, UK and internationally
* Government bodies, as part of the Government Economic Services (e.g. Treasury, Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Regulatory bodies, etc.)
* Pursue a PhD degree in Strategy or International Business

Aston Business School has a network of Career Champions - MSc alumni who are working in a range of sectors globally or running their own business.

To make an application onto one of the MSc Programmes we require one of the following: * A good UK honours degree (minimum lower second class) * Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University. Please see here for country specific information.As well as: * Two professional references - at least one must be from an academic referee * A completed application form.Please note If we have not received sufficient evidence of analytical and quantitative skills within your application we may request a minimum GMAT score of 550 to support your application.For International Students: * An official academic transcript with an official English translation, of your university grades to date * International students who have not completed their full degree in a native English speaking country will also need to satisfy our English language requirements with one of the following: * IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum score of 6.5 in writing and speaking and 6.0 in listening and reading. * TOEFL (Internet based test) score of 93 overall, with a minimum score of 18 in reading, 26 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking * PEARSON ACADEMIC score of 63 overall with a minimum of 57 in reading and listening, 63 in writing and speaking.*Scores for these tests are valid for 2 years from the date of the exam and must be no more than 2 years old at the point of enrolment. If you have studied your full degree in a native English speaking country this must have been completed no more than 2 years before the start of your chosen MSc programme, otherwise we will ask for one of the above English tests.Please note we may request applicants to take part in a webcam interview for assessment purposes. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test: 93 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

The Aston Business School MSc Scholarship deadline has now past, we are no longer accepting applications for this round of scholarships. The School is committed to supporting talented individuals wishing to further their studies at Aston and may make further scholarships available. Please visit this page for further scholarship announcements.

Aston is proud to support the brightest and the best students. We offer over 100 scholarships ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 for the most talented Business School postgraduate students.

"By investing in your future today, we aim to help you achieve your potential and become the most enterprising global leaders of tomorrow."
Professor George Feiger, Executive Dean of Aston Business School

Scholarships are awarded towards the cost of tuition fees and range from £1,000 to £5,000 with a few scholarships of up to 50% of fees available for the very best students.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for a scholarship award, applicants will need to:

* Be a self-funded student
* Have been offered a place on one of our MSc programmes
* Submit a personal statement (details below) for consideration by a panel of senior University staff

Scholarship Application Forms

Please make your application for a scholarship on the relevant form for your chosen degree.

Application

After receiving the offer of a place, and before the deadline of 31 May 2014, students wishing to apply for a scholarship should submit a personal statement, which should:

* Be between 500-700 words
* Cover factors such as their reasons for the choice of course and its relevance to their future career goals as well as details of relevant work experience, extra-curricular activities and achievements
* Provide examples of how they have made an active contribution to business and society
* Demonstrate leadership qualities as well as the ability to work successfully as part of a team to achieve outcomes

Please send your completed application form to absscholarships@aston.ac.uk before 31 May 2014 together with a copy of your academic transcript. Applications sent to other email addresses will not be considered.

Criteria

In assessing an eligible student for the receipt of an Aston Business School scholarship, we will take into consideration:

* Academic merit based on previous qualifications
* Ambition and the potential to make a significant contribution to business and to society after graduation
* Leadership potential
* Demonstrable qualities which show the desire and potential to become a successful ambassador for the School during and after their studies

Successful applicants

Students in receipt of an Aston Business School scholarship, as the brightest and best of our students, will go on to become advocates for the School. We expect that they will work hard to achieve their potential in their academic qualification, their extra-curricular activities and their future career aspirations.

We will also expect recipients to undertake ambassadorial duties including, but not limited to:

* Meeting potential students at Open Day sessions
* Taking part in webinars and live chat sessions with potential applicants
* Providing testimonials and video content for the website and promotional materials

Scholarship applications must be made after the receipt of an offer from Aston Business School so we would encourage all interested candidates to apply as early as possible.

Aston Alumni Bursaries

In addition to the Aston Business School Scholarships, we will award a bursary of 20% of the full fee for all those who completed their first degree at Aston University. The bursary will be reflected in your fees which will be shown in the offer e-mail.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a stamp of quality and prestige for a business school and its programmes. Aston University is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation.