course page main image

International MBA - MBA

Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry. Switch to 2025/26 Entry

Want to study an MBA in Birmingham? Our International MBA will give you a global view of international management. The international business environment is rapidly changing, and a different market reality is emerging. As a student of today and manager of the future, you need to adapt and adopt flexible patterns of thinking and behaviour to succeed as global manager of tomorrow....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

Want to study an MBA in Birmingham? Our International MBA will give you a global view of international management.

The international business environment is rapidly changing, and a different market reality is emerging. As a student of today and manager of the future, you need to adapt and adopt flexible patterns of thinking and behaviour to succeed as global manager of tomorrow.

The International Masters in Business Administration (IMBA) has been designed with this in mind, as it explores in detail the nature and implications of the changes in the business environment and provides you with the skills and mindset that will allow you to operate effectively within such an unstable and unpredictable environment. You’ll also be taught to successfully lead the organisations of the future, regardless of sector or country.

Professional Placement option

For our International MBA degree, you will have the opportunity to take the Professional Placement version of the course, which is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course.

This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability and transferable skills. The placement experience will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.

You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study, with support from our Careers+ team as well as advice and guidance from your School.

Please note that placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.

Learn more about the Professional Placement route.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

The course is designed to meet the needs of contemporary international businesses and blends academic excellence and professional skills, equipping you with marketable skills to operate and excel at strategic level across different sectors and in different countries. The course has a strong emphasis on employability and enhancing employability skills and will help you develop general communication and inter-personal skills.

You will emerge from our International MBA with well-developed powers of analysis, clear perspectives on strategy and strategic thinking, creative problem solving, an entrepreneurial mindset and highly effective communication and research skills - all of which are demanded by employers around the world.

Should you wish to start your own business, you will have the opportunity to explore and test your ideas in a supportive environment. The course has been designed to provide graduates with expertise in strategy, marketing, leadership, finance, global human resource management, international business, entrepreneurship, operations and project management, and research skills.

You become part of the international community while on the course, as you will study with students from different parts of the globe. Through our links with industry, the learning experience takes you from the classroom to the factory floor, through sponsored study/field trips to companies in the region, and with our organised internship course, you have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while you study.

Entry Options

The following entry options are available for this course:

  • 12 Months - This is the standard entry option for September, for both home and international students.
  • 15 Months - This is the standard entry option for January, for both home and international students.
  • 18 Months (Pre-Masters Only) – This entry option is available for students holding third class and ordinary degrees or equivalent qualifications. You are also required to undertake a Pre-Masters which is taken either through Birmingham City University International College or as part of the MBA course.
  • 21 Months (Professional Practice) – This entry option combines the standard January intake course with a 5 month professional placement for an additional fee. 

Why Choose Us?

  • You could have the chance to gain invaluable practical work experience through an ‘In-company’ internship project, an up to 12-week project based in a company anywhere in the world.
  • You have opportunities to go on field trips to world renowned companies as part of your learning experience. Read about some of the trips our students have been on.
  • You will learn from highly experienced lecturers who have industry experience and are specialists in their fields.
  • We will help you with your future employability by offering essential training in key areas such as CV writing, presentation skills, interview technique and other essential skills demanded by employers.
  • You will develop a global perspective of management as you study and share experiences with students from different parts of the world.
  • Following graduation, you will have the opportunity to apply for STEAMhouse Business Incubator membership.

Find out more

OPEN DAY

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Event: 24 November 2024

Book now

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

Essential Requirements

While work experience would be an added advantage, no prior work experience is required to be eligible for entry into the MBA International programme.

You will need to satisfy the general admissions requirements of the programme, which are as follows:

One of the following:

A minimum 2.2 Honours degree from a British university or equivalent overseas institution in any subject. Third Class Honours or Ordinary degrees may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

A professional qualification at graduate level in an appropriate field of study. 

A pre-masters programme approved by Birmingham City University.

In recognition that you may already have a relevant professional qualification, Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) may be accepted for entry on to the course. Exemptions to individual modules and / or stages may also be given on a case by case basis. In some cases, students may be admitted into the next level such as Postgraduate Diploma.

Other qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis.

If you are a mature student but do not fulfil the standard entry requirements outlined above, your application will also be considered.

Additional information for EU/International students
Essential

Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept.

In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table.

English language requirements 2020/21
IELTS

6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands

If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information.

Other accepted qualifications Visit our English language page
References

Applicants should provide one academic reference in support of their application to the Master of Business Administration International course and may be subject to interview.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MBA

Starting: Jan 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 15 Months
  • £14,175 in 2024/25
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Pre-Masters only)
  • £14,175 in 2024/25
  • Full Time
  • 21 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £15,595 in 2024/25

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MBA

Starting: Jan 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 15 Months
  • £19,020 in 2024/25
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Pre-Masters only)
  • £19,020 in 2024/25
  • Full Time
  • 21 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £20,925 in 2024/25

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

Free Adobe Creative Cloud licence 

Students studying on this course can request a free licence to install the entire suite of applications on up to two personal devices. 

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Field trips (optional) 

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost. Trips are heavily subsidised, however you would be expected to cover your own entertainment costs etc.  

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Entry Options

The following entry options are available for this course:

  • 12 Months (16 months with internship) - This is the standard entry option for September, for both home and international students.
  • 15 Months - This is the standard entry option for January, for both home and international students.
  • 18 Months (Pre-Masters Only) – This entry option is available for students holding third class and ordinary degrees or equivalent qualifications. You are also required to undertake a Pre-Masters which is taken either through Birmingham City University International College or as part of the MBA course. If you choose to do the Pre-Masters as part of the MBA course, this will take place during Semester 1 (September - January) before you join the January intake.
  • 21 Months (Professional Practice) – This entry option combines the standard January intake course with a 5 month professional placement for an additional fee. 

Personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.

Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.

Course in Depth

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

Professional Placement Year

In order to complete the International Master of Business Administration with Professional Placement a student must successfully complete at 60 credits.

Download course specification

Download now

 Student stories

Tina Swani

Even while she was studying a Diploma in Management Studies and an MBA at Birmingham City Business School, Tina Swani knew that she wanted to work in an environment where people matter and where she could apply the principles of business. She is now the CEO of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice which, since its launch in 1979, has cared for tens of thousands of people with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.

Caitlyn Manley - Profile Picture Student

Caitlyn Manley

The International Master of Business Administration course at Birmingham City University gave me a far-reaching view of how the business world works in a variety of settings. The comprehensive modules give students wide-ranging breadth across numerous functions.

Our on-site visits to several companies gave students hands-on experience in real-world situations. Working in teams with students from a variety of international backgrounds gave me an extremely valuable understanding about the benefits of working on teams comprised of members with varying circumstances and experiences. The International MBA course at BCU gave me a new perspective on the business world that I have been able to successfully utilize in my professional endeavours since completing the course.

Employability

MBA Employability 350x263 - Business men and women sat around a tableEnhance your managerial career

Unlike undergraduate degrees, which are designed to get students into industry, our International MBA is aimed at both existing industry professionals looking to climb further up the career ladder and aspiring managers with little or no experience.

Companies around the world are now looking for a different kind of manager. They need people with different skillsets that can look at situations and opportunities in unique ways. Our International MBA will give you the tools to stand out from the rest.

Upon completion, you will be able to effect positive change, both in your own professional practice, and within your organisation. On a personal level, you’ll be able to utilise new skills and methods to improve your efficiency, your critical engagement, and your ability to instigate change.

Successful improvements in your personal professional practice will then benefit your organisation. The MBA degree alone can open doors, but the possibilities opened to you by utilising your skills to improve your organisation are even more impressive.

Already a managing director, in charge of your own company? The MBA degree can still benefit you internally and externally. The knowledge and skills you will pick up over the course of your degree can allow you to become an industry leader, growing your company’s reputation through innovation. The accompanying benefits of this could help cement your company’s industry position for years to come.

If you want to learn more about how the International MBA degree from Birmingham City Business School could help improve your career prospects, contact Tom Domboka

International

Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!

Our Business programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.

We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.

International Services

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Facilities & Staff

Curzon facilities eatery
Curzon facilities staircase
Curzon facilities student hub

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.

The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.

The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.

The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.

The Curzon Building also features:

  • An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
  • Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
  • A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
  • Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
  • Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point

Our staff

Dr Juanling Huang

Course Director of the International MBA, Senior Lecturer

Dr Juanling Huang has industrial experience in logistics and international freight forwarding companies in the UK, Hong Kong and China. Her research areas include implementation of strategy, innovation and change; implementation of ERP systems in SMEs; and customer relationship management in HEIs and business communities.

More about Juanling

Dr Md Ashikul Khan

Program Director MSc Management Suite (January Cohort)

Prior to joining Birmingham City University (BCU) Ashik worked as a research assistant for Engineering Analysis Simulation and Tribology (EAST) research group (2017-2018) at ARU and as a technician in proactive control, quality, and evaluation protocol design for manufacturing SMEs and HEIs collaboration towards a common PhD path for the European...

More about Ashikul