With the world connected as never before, exciting career opportunities are emerging for dynamic, confident professionals with a thorough grasp of international business and an understanding of how HRM can be harnessed as a driving force for growth.

A course to match your career aspirations

Leading employers worldwide increasingly expect their staff – experienced professionals and new recruits alike – to have a specialist degree such as an MSc.

This MSc International Business and HRM course is highly suitable if you want to develop an international business career in HRM or to work closely with talent management and training specialists in global organisations. In particular it is ideal if you have:

• studied Business, including HRM, and are looking to develop more specialist HRM skills
• studied HRM but want to sharpen your international business focus
• have work experience of HRM in international business and would like to gain a focused postgraduate degree.

Strategic knowledge for today’s business world

Our MSc International Business and HRM course brings together disciplines such as economics, international business and strategy, international employment law, leadership and talent management.

You’ll gain a thorough understanding of business analysis and strategy in a global context. At the same time, you’ll hone your expertise in evaluating HRM decisions and operations in international organisations. Drawing on real-world case studies, you’ll also develop impressive skills in applied research.

High-profile partnerships

Throughout the course you will meet industry experts from our thriving network of professional and business leaders. We collaborate directly with prestigious names such as Lloyds Bank Corporate, London; the Bank of England Midlands Office; HSBC Nottingham;Eversheds; Price Waterhouse Cooper; PKF Cooper Parry; Smiths of Derby; GI Insight, Leicester; and Kitchencraft. Many contribute to our MSc programme with thought-provoking guest lectures.

Leading figures from the HRM profession will share their knowledge with you. You’ll be invited to masterclasses and guest lectures delivered by influential thinkers such as our Visiting Professors in HRM, Dr Linda Holbeche and Professor Lynette Harris.

We work closely with the CIPD at both national and local levels. They hold panel events at the University where you can make new contacts in a professional forum. You’ll hear first-hand what happens at the sharp end of the HR business across many different organisational cultures. You can also extend your contacts through networking at Institute of Directors workshops, company taster days and events held by the University’s own Network of Entrepreneurs.

Professional mentoring for career success

As you chart your career direction, you’ll have the opportunity to receive mentoring from key business figures. Our mentors range from international trade advisors and banking specialists to senior HR managers from our partner companies – all are happy to share their experiences and insights with you.

Career development planning is an integral part of this course. Every student benefits from the support and advice of a personal tutor who is part of the programme team. You’ll also have access to our first class professional career service even after you’ve graduated.

Broaden your skills – and your horizons

We’re committed to delivering a stimulating learning experience which will help you build an impressive portfolio of transferable skills.

You will gain vital experience in using the Bloomberg database, an outstanding global business resource providing financial and company information, economic data and market analysis. Harnessed by companies worldwide, it is used extensively in our teaching and for student research and assessments. As part of your studies, you can gain the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate.

You are encouraged to take part in competitions such as the IBM University Business Challenge. You can also contribute to specialist projects in the region: recent examples include an economic impact study of the Buxton Festival and the Derby Low Carbon Initiative. You could even publish your research in the College of Business monthly Economic Bulletin which is circulated throughout the region and in our academic journal, Critical Perspectives on Business Management.

Pursue your specialist interests

The culmination of the MSc International Business and HRM is your Independent Study where you select a theme which reflects your career ambitions and your interests in international HRM. This is your chance to gain in-depth research and critical thinking skills which will serve you well in your future career.

The range of topics covered is vast. Among recent examples, our students have investigated knowledge transfer in the South African hospitality sector; employee commitment in a Vietnamese technology firm; and an international comparison of trust in management.

An extra award for your CV

You can work towards a special award which recognises your leadership abilities and enhanced consultancy skills. As part of the Futures Award in Leadership in International Business, you will undertake extra-curricular activities which strengthen your development as a business and HRM professional, including business consultancy work, volunteering, fundraising activities and networking opportunities.

Our Futures Award participants have had the chance to hear from regional industry leaders such as Mel Morris, Chairman of Derby County FC and an initial investor in King Digital Entertainment, the company behind the computer game sensation Candy Crush

How you will learn

Throughout the MSc International Business and HRM course you’ll encounter a diverse range of teaching and learning methods which provide a motivating study experience. At each level we provide support to help you develop your academic and applied skills and to promote your personal development.

You’ll be inspired by a mix of lectures, group work, discussions, workshops, case studies, practical data analysis and personal networking. We offer specific guidance on study texts and online study materials.

How you'll be assessed

We use a wide range of coursework assessment methods, many designed to enhance your transferable skills. Formats include computer-based tests, research reports, practical activities, presentations, essays and case study analysis.

Some modules are also assessed with an examination.

Who you'll meet

You will be taught by an enthusiastic team who are experienced in all aspects of international business and whose research will enrich your learning. They are supported by industry experts, including our Visiting Professors in HRM, Dr Linda Holbeche and Professor Lynette Harris, and our Visiting Professor of Banking, Professor Trevor Williams who is Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank PLC.

Our teaching team includes:

Melanie Powell - Melanie is Programme Leader for both this course and our MSc International Business and Finance. She is widely published, joint author of a leading European Economics textbook and accredited at a high level with the Higher Education Academy. Her research focuses on applied economics, behavioural economics and financial market behaviour. As a teacher, she is committed to giving students a new way of looking at the world which nurtures their confidence, decision-making skills and a lifelong fascination with economics. She is the co-author of the College of Business monthly Economic Bulletin.

Dr Eugene Michaels - Eugene leads our suite of MSc International Business programmes. He is accredited with the Higher Education Academy and his focus is on encouraging students to apply economic reasoning and critical thinking. His academic interests are centred on behavioural economics and their implications for personal financial wellbeing (particularly pensions) and the application of behavioural insights to macroeconomic and business policymaking. He is the co-author of the College of Business monthly Economic Bulletin.

Dr Nicola Lynch - An applied economist who researches on public policy issues, Nicola leads a number of postgraduate modules and acts as a personal tutor for our MSc students. She is dedicated to providing a learning environment where students can develop academically and personally.

Sheena Bevitt - Sheena is Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management. Her research areas include career transitioning, especially from middle to senior level roles. Sheena is a Chartered Member of the CIPD.

Sue Jennings - Sue is a Senior Lecturer in Law whose research interests centre on the strategic operation of employment law in the workplace.