MSc International Business with Placement Year

MSc International Business is an innovative flagship programme with flexible entry points and pathways. The programme is designed to help you build a strong understanding of the way organisations operate globally, and help develop specialist skills that enable you to work effectively across national borders.

The programme offers 3 award routes that you can choose to study:

1. One-year full-time MSc International Business (September & January entry)
2. Two-year MSc International Business (Sandwich) (September entry only) 
3. Two-year MSc International Business with Advanced Research (September & January entry)

The two-year MSc International Business (Sandwich) programme offers you the opportunity to work on a placement as part of your degree as well as your academic studies.

The ‘sandwich’ degree is also known as ‘placement’ degree, and refers to a placement /internship ‘sandwiched’ between your first year’s study and your second year’s research project.

As a student on the 2-year sandwich programme, you will have the opportunity to work on a full-time placement (normally 40 weeks) and gain experience in your chosen career sector.

This follows your first year’s study when you will have the opportunity to explore international business in a number of areas, including economics, finance, strategy, marketing, management, human resource, and supply chain management. There will also be the opportunity to conduct an independent major research project in your area of interest.

Throughout the programme, you will gain a unique combination of skills sought after by employers all over the world. These include communication, numeracy, team-working, cross-cultural awareness, reflective learning and the ability to critically analyse complex business challenges to reach considered creative solutions.

You will also build a strong network with your peers and colleagues at workplace – some will become your close friends, and a few may even become your future business partners.

In short, the placement is an excellent way to apply the knowledge and skills you learn on your programme as well as increase your employment prospects following graduation.

There are no required fees for the sandwich route. Instead you are expected to be paid by your placement/internship employer.

An honours degree (at least 2:2 or equivalent) in any discipline, a degree equivalent professional qualification or appropriate work experience.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency. The following qualifications and grades will be considered:
- GCSE English language grade A-C
- IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in any band)
Other English language tests are accepted.

Every aspect of this Master’s is designed to give you an international experience. You’ll benefit from our academic team’s international expertise and connections, as well as the School’s excellent global business links. You’ll also study alongside postgraduate students from all over the world, gaining direct experience of other cultures and creating a worldwide network of friends and contacts.

The University of Hertfordshire also regularly hosts visiting professors from international universities and speakers from leading companies, who each bring their own perspectives on the challenges facing the business world today.

What job can I get?

Our MSc International Business graduates find jobs all over the globe. They gain employment in multinational corporations, SMEs, non-profitable organisations, family businesses and as entrepreneurs. They work in a variety of sectors such as marketing, HR, operations and supply chain, finance, and in diverse industries, including fashion, education, hospitality, pharmaceutical and engineering.

Most importantly, through this programme, you will have developed your skills, understanding and confidence. You will graduate as a more mature professional, better able to see opportunities, more sensitive to cultural differences, more resilient to cope with stress and change, and capable of operating in a fast-moving global environment.

Work placement

The two-year MSc International Business (Sandwich) offers you the opportunity to work on a placement/internship relevant to your programme of study as part of the ‘sandwich’ degree.

Please note you must pass all of your first semester modules at first attempt in order to be eligible for the placement. If you fail to meet the academic requirement, you may still continue onto your second year studies by transferring onto our two-year MSc International Business with Advanced Research.