| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-16 | - |
Program Overview
The MA in International Business equips graduates with advanced knowledge and skills in international business practices, leadership, and management. The program covers diverse subject areas, including strategy, finance, marketing, and technology, and emphasizes the interconnectedness of business disciplines. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in international companies and may pursue further studies or employment in various industry sectors.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MA in International Business is designed to prepare graduates with advanced knowledge and in-depth understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with international business practice, leadership and management, the issues and drivers that inform and influence practice, and the fundamental linkages between disciplinary specialisms including strategy, risk, marketing, finance, and technology. This postgraduate program is designed for prospective learners seeking either a full or part-time Masters program in international business. Applicants typically work in or aspire to leadership roles in companies engaged or considering engaging in international business. The program is intentionally designed to accommodate applicants from business disciplines as well as non-cognate disciplines, reflecting the industry's need for their workforce to have diverse knowledge, skills, experience, and expertise, strengthened by the addition of business acumen specific to the international business context. This MA in International Business aims to equip graduates with the ability to remain competitive and employable in an ever-advancing sector. The program consists of eight taught modules totaling 60 ECTS, followed by a 30 ECTS supervised applied business project. Learners who decide to leave the program after completing the taught elements may be entitled to receive the embedded exit award of a Post Graduate Diploma in Arts in International Business. Graduates will be qualified to assume leadership and management roles and/or progress to further studies. Subject areas are diverse and facilitate the acquisition of discipline-specific knowledge, skill, and competence along with the development of transversal skills.
Outline:
This is an award stage program comprising taught modules and a capstone project. While the taught element of the program is defined as a series of modules, the curriculum is closely integrated to facilitate learner's understanding of the interconnected nature of different business elements and disciplines. The taught modules are primarily assessed through continuous assessment, comprising a combination of individual and group assessments. Some assessments are integrated to address the requirements of more than one module. There is one exam within the program as part of the assessment for the International Finance module. The capstone is assessed via a supervised research project.
Modules:
- Global Business Strategy (10 ECTS): This module develops learners' knowledge of the fundamentals of global, business, and corporate strategies and their impact. The nature of resources and their capabilities and the role of institutions, culture, and ethics in value creation and competitive positioning are examined. Learners enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills for evaluating the implications that lie within global strategy.
- The Global Economy (5 ECTS): This module investigates the economic perspective of globalization and develops learners' knowledge and understanding of market structures and economic, business, and innovation cycles. Trends in macroeconomic policy and the interaction of the State and international business are addressed along with the role of technology in the global economy and the significance of an environmental perspective.
- Research Methods and Professionalism (5 ECTS): This module provides the critical and advanced research concepts and skills necessary for students to undertake business-oriented projects within the legal, social, and ethical context of a professional work environment. The module prepares students for the capstone research.
- Cross Cultural Management & Leadership (10 ECTS): This module explores the literature relating to the main concepts, theories, and frameworks relating to Cross Cultural Management and Leadership. It involves the analysis of working in and leading cross-cultural teams. The module also inculcates the learners with the skills for leading teams and groups in the various business functions they work in.
- International Finance (10 ECTS): This module deals with the increased complexity of decisions for financial managers in international companies compared to their domestic counterparts, examining the motives that drive internationalization, modes of internationalization, and its challenges and opportunities. The module analyzes the operation of international corporations, international financial markets, and international financial institutions.
- Risk Management (5 ECTS): Risk Management is a highly integrated and complementary module in the Master of Arts in International Business program, with linkages to Global Economy, Cross Cultural Management, Leadership, Global Business Strategy, and Innovation and Strategic Technology. The module develops learners' ability to critically examine concepts, theories, and methodologies relating to risk management and utilize analytical skills to assess and manage a wide variety of risk types in today's unpredictable and fast-paced business environment.
- Digital Marketing Strategy (10 ECTS): This module develops learners' knowledge and appreciation of the challenges facing businesses operating in the global environment by using digital marketing strategies. Learners gain insights into digital marketing's role and its capabilities to deliver marketing objectives. The module focuses on the impact of new technologies and perspectives on digital marketing strategy.
- Innovation Strategy and Technology (5 ECTS): This module deals with the digital transformation phenomenon currently at the forefront of legacy-based businesses to maintain competitiveness in a crowded international marketplace. It focuses on the emergence of identified disruptive technologies such as machine learning, A.I.-based cognitive systems, cloud storage, and technologies to support data analysis. The module deals with the application of these technologies. Knowledge gained throughout the program will facilitate the student's critical scrutiny of current trends in technology use as well as future possible uses of technology within a commercial sphere.
Assessment:
A combination of formative and summative assessments is employed within the Masters program. Summative assessments are completed during the taught modules and through end-of-module assessments. The program engages an authentic assessment approach to provide learners with an insight into real work tasks, scenarios, and challenges. Opportunities for integrated assessment are maximized to better reflect authentic work-based problems and scenarios. The program uses a combination of continuous assessment, examination, and research project assessment methodologies.
Teaching:
The program is an on-campus program supported by the College's Moodle platform and digital tools. The program is supported by the CCT Industry Network. Industry representatives support the program delivery, providing real-world and real-time business challenges and experiences through guest lecturing, site/virtual visits, and providing real-world case studies and businesses to support student assessment activities, including individual and group assessment.
Careers:
On successful completion of the program, graduates are well placed to progress to further study, including level 10 doctoral studies, subject to the requirements of the institution to which they apply. Research and government publications evidence employment opportunities for business graduates and those with higher-level qualifications. Potential employment opportunities for graduates of the Masters program include a range of leadership and management positions in small, medium, large, and multinational companies across a range of industry sectors.
College of the Rockies
Overview:
College of the Rockies is a public post-secondary institution located in the East Kootenays region of British Columbia, Canada. It offers a wide range of programs and courses, including diplomas, certificates, and degrees. The college is known for its commitment to providing high-quality education and its focus on student success.
Services Offered:
College of the Rockies provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Academic Advising and Career Planning:
Students can receive guidance on program selection, career exploration, and academic planning.Financial Aid and Awards:
The college offers various financial aid options, scholarships, and bursaries to help students fund their education.Counselling Resources:
Students have access to counselling services for personal, academic, and career concerns.Learning Support:
The college provides learning resources, including a library, tutoring services, and writing support.Student Resources:
Students can access resources such as student employment services, Indigenous student services, international student services, and technology support.Student Life and Campus Experience:
College of the Rockies offers a vibrant campus life with various activities and facilities for students. These include:
Drop-in Activities:
The college organizes various drop-in activities for students to engage in.Upcoming Events:
Students can participate in various events organized by the college.Gym and Weight Room:
Students have access to a gym and weight room for fitness and recreation.Equipment Rentals:
The college offers equipment rentals for various activities.Locker Registration:
Students can register for lockers to store their belongings.Student Housing:
The college provides on-campus housing options for students.Campus Store:
Students can purchase textbooks, merchandise, and other supplies at the campus store.Students Association:
The college has a Students Association that represents student interests and organizes events.Key Reasons to Study There:
Wide Range of Programs:
College of the Rockies offers over 60 programs and hundreds of courses, providing students with diverse options to pursue their academic and career goals.Small College Environment:
The college's smaller size allows for personalized attention from faculty and staff, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.Focus on Student Success:
The college is committed to student success and provides various resources and support services to help students achieve their goals.Beautiful Location:
The college is situated in the stunning East Kootenays region, offering students access to outdoor recreation and a vibrant community.Academic Programs:
College of the Rockies offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Trades and Technology:
The college offers programs in various trades, including welding, carpentry, and automotive technology.Business and Management:
Students can pursue programs in business administration, marketing, and accounting.Health and Human Services:
The college offers programs in nursing, social work, and early childhood education.Arts and Sciences:
Students can pursue programs in English, history, and psychology.Entry Requirements:
- Applicants will normally be working in, or aspiring to, leadership or executive roles in companies engaging, or considering engaging, in international business.
- Applicants will require a high level of motivation and interest in the discipline, have a sound knowledge of business operations, along with the ability to think critically and logically. They will demonstrate effective analytical and evaluative skills to inform decision-making, generate ideas and provide reasoning for solutions, as well as interpret data to draw conclusions.
- For admission to the programme applicants should evidence:
- An NFQ level 8 major award in Business or cognate discipline, or
- An NFQ level 8 major award in a non-cognate discipline with a minimum of 3 years employment experience in a business operations or leadership capacity or
- An RPL application from non-graduates evidencing satisfaction of the level 8 award standards for business.
- RPL applications will normally comprise of significant experience, typically not less than 5 years, in a business operations, leadership or management role and or professional qualifications of relevance. The application must include evidence of the ability to produce written summaries, discussions and projects on academic and or applied matters to a level 8 standard.
- For applicants whose first language is not English, English language competency required for entry must be equal to or greater than B2+ in the CEFRL. English language credentials endorsed by other systems (viz. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, Duolingo etc.) will be assessed to ensure they meet this minimum standard.
- Applications on the basis of experiential learning or informal / non-formal learning must evidence an applicant’s potential to succeed through demonstration of ability to pursue the programme at the applicable NFQ level, in the discipline area concerned, and benefit from the programme of study in question. The ability to produce written summaries, discussions and projects on academic and applied matters will be important.
- Evidence may be provided through:
- Prior study and qualifications, including CPD, short courses and professional awards as well as NFQ awards
- Work experience and achievements
- Other experiential learning obtained through volunteering or non-employment experience
- Successful completion of an entry assessment set by the College
- A combination of the above
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- For applicants whose first language is not English, English language competency required for entry must be equal to or greater than B2+ in the CEFRL.
