International Business and Development MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

The MSc International Business & Development at Sussex is perfect if you want to understand how businesses operate globally while making a positive impact on developing economies. You’ll explore the intersection of business, policy, and sustainable development, learning how multinational companies and governments shape the world around us.

Curriculum Structure

Autumn (Core Foundations): Your first term sets the stage with Business Activity & Sustainable Development, International Business, and Introduction to Social Development. These modules give you a clear understanding of how businesses interact with social and economic development, and how sustainability fits into real-world business decisions.

Spring (Advanced Theory & Methods): In the spring, you’ll move into Industrial and Innovation Policy, Political Economy of International Business & Development, and Research Methods (International Management). Here, you dig deeper into how innovation, policy, and institutions influence business strategies, and gain strong research skills to tackle complex international management challenges.

Spring / Summer (Capstone): The final phase is all about applying what you’ve learned in a Dissertation or Consultancy Project. You’ll take on a real-world business or development challenge, designing solutions that combine theory with practical insights.

Optional Modules: You also get to explore topics that spark your interest, like Energy and Development, Fair Trade, Ethical Business & New Moral Economies, Social Entrepreneurship, and The Business Context in Emerging Economies.

Focus Areas

Sustainable business strategies, global development, innovation and industrial policy, political economy, international business practices

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate able to analyse how multinational enterprises operate in different countries, design business strategies that support sustainable development goals, and conduct real-world research or consultancy projects to solve global challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Sussex Business School is internationally accredited by EQUIS and AMBA, ensuring your degree meets the highest global standards.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

Ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies by QS World University Rankings by Subject
Top in the UK for annual research income according to the Chartered Association of Business Schools
Ranked among the top 100 globally for Economics and Business by US News & World Report

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Sussex, learning goes far beyond lectures and textbooks — you’ll gain hands-on experience that prepares you for real-world challenges in international business and development. From the very start, you’ll have opportunities to work on live projects, develop practical skills, and use professional tools, all while being guided by expert faculty and connected to world-leading research centres. Whether it’s through consultancy projects, research collaborations, or access to advanced facilities, you’ll graduate with both the knowledge and the confidence to make an impact.

Here’s how you’ll put your learning into practice:

Consultancy Project / Dissertation: Spend a full term tackling a real business or development challenge, either through a traditional dissertation or a consultancy-style project with real organisations like NGOs, social enterprises, or multinationals.
Paid Project Opportunities: Work on real-life business problems with UK employers, creating solutions and presenting your findings — a fantastic way to build professional experience and a portfolio.
Access to Cutting-Edge Research: Learn alongside world-leading researchers at Sussex Business School and the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), drawing on expertise in international business and development.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Study in the Jubilee Building with the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab, behavioural labs, seminar and computer rooms, and flexible collaborative spaces for simulations and group work.
Library & Research Resources: Tap into over 800,000 books and e-books, 40,000 online journals, and specialist collections in development studies to support your research and projects.
Career & Consultancy Support: Receive personalised guidance through Sussex’s Careers and Entrepreneurship team, including help with internships, consultancy projects, mentoring, and industry insight visits.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with an MSc in International Business & Development from Sussex opens the door to exciting, impactful careers around the world. Many alumni step into roles such as sustainable development consultant, business strategy manager in a multinational, policy advisor at an international development agency, or operations lead at a social enterprise. Thanks to the hands-on consultancy project and Sussex’s strong industry connections, you’ll already have practical experience and professional networks that give you a head start.

Here’s how Sussex helps you turn your degree into a career:

Personalised Career Support: Meet one-on-one with a Faculty Careers Consultant to fine-tune your CV, practice interviews, and get advice on next steps, plus access mentoring from experienced professionals through the Business School’s Mentor Scheme.
Work Experience & Paid Projects: Many students complete real-life projects or paid placements during their studies — 91% of Sussex postgraduates have work experience before graduating, giving you a strong edge in the job market.
Employer Engagement & Industry Connections: Sussex partners with global organisations and brings in guest speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities to connect you directly with employers.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value: The Business School’s EQUIS and AMBA accreditation is recognised internationally, giving your degree credibility and boosting your employability worldwide.
Graduation Outcomes: By the time you finish, you’ll have both practical skills and a solid understanding of international business and development, ready to take on strategic or leadership roles in a variety of sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, Sussex provides a smooth path into a PhD in Development Studies or International Business, for example through SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit). This is ideal if you’re interested in cutting-edge research in economic policy, innovation, or sustainable development, and want to make a long-term impact in the field.