International Business Management with Year Abroad

Business Management at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School was ranked 3rd in Scotland and top 10 in the UK in the Guardian University League Tables 2018. It also achieved the 7th highest level of student satisfaction in the UK in the National Student Survey 2018.

This degree puts specialist business theory through a real-world filter. It develops the knowledge and interpersonal skills you will need to thrive in the positions, organisations and industries of the future. On this degree, you will spend Year 3 studying abroad at a partner Business School or University in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, Italy, or France.

All partners offer management courses in English and students follow a course similar to that of Level 3 of the MA (Hons) Business Management.

Teaching is informed by the industry experience and research of our respected faculty who bring their subjects to life with a dynamic mix of lectures, tutorials, interactive workshops and case study-informed learning.

In Year 1 you will study a common suite of mandatory courses to provide you with a solid, universal understanding of the key principles and practices of modern business. Maintaining a consistent programme of study across all seven International Business Management pathways in Year 1 means it is easy for students to switch their specialism as they move into Year 2.

Year 2 introduces functional areas of business and management such as Marketing, Operations Management and Human Resource Management.

Both Year 3, which is spent studying abroad, and Year 4, offer greater choice to allow you to tailor your degree to your career aspirations.

You will develop important transferable skills such as: critical thinking, problem solving, communication and team working, as well as creativity, confidence and research abilities – these skills will help you succeed in your career and personal life.

The Edinburgh Business School approach

An industry-focus is built into every course on this degree to ensure that your studies reflect current thinking and practices of successful organisations and their leaders.

For example, the presentation series Edinburgh Business School Presents gives you the chance to attend regular guest lectures from CEOs and Directors of national and multinational organisations who share their vast experience across key areas of business.

The Professional Development Track

The Professional Development Track (PDT) is our suite of practice-focussed courses that run through this degree and prepare you to add real value to your employer as soon as you graduate. On our PDT courses, you will learn how to analyse, report, present and consult in a professional way, and learn about the real-world contexts in which global business operates.

These courses have been designed in response to the needs of practitioners and employers who told us what they are looking for in graduating students. By building-in the requirements of industry, the PDT allows graduates to hit the ground running with the attributes, skillsets and practical knowledge that future employers value.

Go Global

In addition to spending Year 3 Abroad, this degree allows you to take part in Heriot-Watt University’s unique Go Global project. This means our students can spend one semester, or up to two full academic years, studying at our campuses in Dubai and Malaysia. The chance to travel, study and gain experience in three different countries with different business cultures will help you stand out as a global citizen and give you an edge in the recruitment market following graduation.

Indeed, students who have taken part in inter-campus transfers have told us how it has helped build their confidence, broaden their horizons and given them new perspectives. Employers have also told us that students with such a rich range of learning, working and life experiences stand out as candidates.