Development and International Business MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

The MSc Development and International Business at Queen Mary University of London gives you a powerful blend of development insights and international business strategy, helping you understand how global economies, institutions, and companies shape real-world outcomes. It’s perfect for students who want to work on global challenges while gaining the business-savvy skills needed to influence policy, markets, and organisational change.

Curriculum Structure

First Term

You’ll start by building a strong foundation in global development thinking. In Re-theorising Development Futures, you explore different ideas of what “development” really means and how businesses, governments, and institutions shape it. Alongside this, World Economy and Development helps you examine how global markets operate — from trade and finance to labour and migration flows — and Research Design and Methods trains you to conduct high-quality academic and professional research.

Mid-Programme (Optional Modules)

Next, you get the flexibility to shape your degree around your own interests. You can choose from modules like Economics of Development, International Business Strategy, Global Governance and International Organisations, Global Supply Chain Management, Migration & Mobilities, and Social and Political Marketing. These modules let you explore development from business, policy, economic, or social perspectives — whichever direction excites you most.

Final Term (Dissertation)

You’ll finish the year with a substantial dissertation, where you take full ownership of a topic that matters to you. Whether you’re interested in multinational firms, global inequality, migration, sustainability, or governance, you’ll work closely with an expert academic to produce real, meaningful research.

Focus Areas

International development, global political economy, migration and mobility, multinational business strategy, governance, global supply chains, socio-political marketing.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates learn to think critically about global economic systems, understand the role of multinational businesses in shaping development, master practical research skills, and design thoughtful solutions to complex global challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is jointly delivered by QMUL’s School of Geography and School of Business and Management, giving you an interdisciplinary mix of development studies and international business — valued by employers across sectors.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

As a Russell Group university, Queen Mary is respected for high-impact research and strong employability outcomes. Its global reputation, combined with the interdisciplinary strength of this MSc, prepares you for roles across development agencies, NGOs, international organisations, consultancy, CSR, and global firms.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What makes this MSc stand out is how hands-on it is. You won’t just sit in lectures — you’ll actively debate ideas, work through real-world case studies, and learn how global development and international business challenges play out on the ground. From research training to role-play activities and access to world-class facilities, the programme is built to help you develop practical skills you can use straight away in your career.

Here’s how you’ll get real, applied experience throughout the year:

A major research dissertation where you design and carry out your own study, using real data and working closely with an academic supervisor.
Interactive seminars and role-play tasks in core modules like Re-theorising Development Futures and World Economy and Development, giving you space to discuss, present, and collaborate with classmates.
Connections to active research centres such as the Centre for Labour & Global Production and the Centre for the Study of Migration, giving you direct exposure to current global debates and expert networks.
Access to specialist labs and postgraduate workspaces through the School of Geography, including research labs and dedicated computing facilities.
Dedicated internship and career support from the School of Business and Management, including help finding placements, attending employer workshops, mock assessment centres, and more.
Use of specialist software, computing labs, and business databases that support your coursework and dissertation research.
24/7 library access, including the Mile End Library and the University of London’s Senate House Library — both excellent for development, business, and social science research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc Development and International Business at Queen Mary step into careers where they can genuinely make an impact — whether that’s shaping policy, advising global companies, or supporting development projects around the world. Many go on to roles such as Development Consultant, Policy or Research Analyst, Sustainability or CSR Manager, or International Business Strategist, depending on the path they’re excited about. This degree gives you the combination of analytical, research, and practical skills that employers in these sectors actively look for.

And Queen Mary does a lot to help you get there:

Dedicated Careers Support: You’ll have access to the School of Business and Management’s Careers & Employability team, offering one-to-one guidance, mentoring, employer events, CV support, and practical skills workshops to help you feel confident about your next steps.
Strong Graduate Outcomes: According to Queen Mary’s latest Graduate Outcomes data, around 85% of graduates from the School are in work or further study within 15 months, and 62% are in highly skilled roles — a strong sign of the value of a QMUL degree.
Competitive Postgraduate Salaries: Business and Management postgraduates achieve an average starting salary of about £30,000, giving you a solid launchpad for your career.
Real Consultancy Experience: Through the university’s popular QConsult programme, you can work directly with London-based charities, businesses, and public-sector organisations on real consultancy projects — a huge boost to your CV and confidence.
A Degree with Lasting Value: Because Queen Mary is part of the Russell Group, your qualification carries long-term academic and professional credibility that employers trust.
Where Graduates Go: Students from Geography and Business pathways have moved into government agencies, international NGOs, research institutes, environmental consultancies, and development organisations — showing just how flexible and globally relevant this MSc is.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re interested in continuing your studies, this MSc sets you up strongly for a PhD in areas like Development Studies, International Business, Political Economy, or related social sciences. You could also branch into more specialised postgraduate training — such as public policy, sustainability, or global governance — depending on where you want your expertise to grow.