International Business with Placement, MA

2 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Greenwich

Program Overview

The MA International Business with Placement at the University of Greenwich gives you the chance to understand how global companies operate while gaining real work experience through a full-year placement. It’s a great fit if you want to build an international career, strengthen your business expertise, and graduate with both a master’s degree and solid industry experience.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
Your first year builds the foundation for understanding how global organisations function. You’ll explore essential areas like Financial and Management Accounting, Global Strategy: Analysis and Practice, and International Business Finance, giving you the tools to understand strategic decision-making and financial planning in multinational settings.
You’ll also dive into modules such as Managing Across Cultures, Global Business and Sustainability, and International Entrepreneurship, where you learn how culture shapes leadership, how businesses adapt to global sustainability challenges, and what it takes to launch ventures internationally.
Throughout the year, you’ll also start shaping your International Business Project and complete Placement Preparation sessions—designed to boost your confidence and help you secure the right placement for Year 2.

Year 2
Your second year is all about applying what you’ve learned in a real business environment. During the Professional Placement, you’ll work full-time for 40–46 weeks, gaining hands-on experience, building a network, and developing professional skills that make you stand out in the global job market.
Alongside your placement, you’ll continue developing your International Business Project, allowing you to connect academic learning with real-world challenges and insights from your workplace.

Focus areas: global strategy, international finance, cross-cultural management, sustainability, entrepreneurship, professional work experience, applied business research

Learning outcomes: You’ll finish the course able to analyse international markets, manage teams across cultures, make informed strategic decisions, and bring both academic insight and workplace experience to a global business role.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Delivered by the University’s Business, Operations and Strategy department, the course is designed to reflect the skills and practical experience employers look for in today’s international business professionals.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Greenwich holds a Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), highlighting the University’s strong student experience and excellent graduate outcomes. Many students go on to work with global companies including Accenture, CNN, ABN AMRO, Kerry Group, Hertz and more.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This programme is designed so you don’t just learn about international business in theory — you actually get to experience it in real-world settings. From interactive simulations to group projects, and a full-year professional placement, you’ll develop the skills employers are looking for while building your confidence and professional network. You’ll also have access to the University’s excellent facilities, including libraries, digital resources, and support services, all aimed at helping you succeed both academically and professionally. Here’s what you can expect in practice:

Full-time Professional Placement (Year 2): Spend 40–46 weeks working in a real company, gaining hands-on experience and applying your learning in sectors like retail, finance, media, or e-commerce.
International Business Simulation: Practice making business decisions in a realistic simulated environment, testing strategies and seeing the results of your choices.
Project-Based Learning: Work on the International Business Project, tackling real business challenges, often in teams, linking theory with practical problem-solving.
Libraries and Digital Resources: Access Stockwell Street Library and a wide range of online materials for research, assignments, and project work.
Career Support: Benefit from CV workshops, interview coaching, placement fairs, and networking events to help you secure your placement and future career opportunities. Extra-Curricular Opportunities: Join student societies, engage with enterprise and entrepreneurship initiatives, and participate in real-world business challenges to expand your experience beyond the classroom.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme leave ready to take on exciting roles in the global business world — whether as an international business analyst, a management trainee in a multinational company, a strategy and operations associate, or in consulting and trade. With both advanced knowledge and hands-on work experience, you’ll be well-prepared to step confidently into leadership-track positions or dynamic roles across industries. Beyond your first job, this degree provides a strong foundation for long-term career growth in international business, strategy, and management.

Here’s how the University helps you succeed:

Career support & placement services: The Employability Service guides you with CVs, cover letters, job applications, interview prep, placement fairs, and networking events — support continues for up to two years after graduation.
Proven graduate outcomes & employer connections: Alumni have gone on to work for companies like ABN AMRO, Accenture, CNN, Hertz, and Kerry Group — showing that employers value the skills you’ll gain on this programme.
Paid professional placement: The full-year placement gives 40–46 weeks of hands-on experience, helping you build your network, gain practical skills, and graduate with a strong, job-ready resume.
Long-term value of the degree: Employers increasingly look for graduates with both academic knowledge and real-world experience. This MA positions you to stand out and move quickly into managerial or strategy-focused roles.
Versatile career paths: Graduates can enter finance, media, e-commerce, international trade, public sector roles, or SMEs — giving you flexibility to follow the path that suits you best.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this MA, you could continue your studies with specialised master’s degrees or doctoral research in fields like international trade, global strategy, finance, or business analytics. With the strong academic foundation, international exposure, and practical experience you gain here, advancing into research, management consultancy, or executive-level programmes becomes a natural next step.