MSc – International Business & Finance

Module Introduction

This module develops advanced understanding of international business strategy within the context of global markets, geopolitical change, and economic integration. Students will critically evaluate how multinational enterprises analyse international environments, formulate cross-border strategies, and manage global operations. The module integrates strategic management theory with international trade, market entry, and global competitive dynamics. It is aligned with UK FHEQ Level 7 expectations and RSBT academic regulations, requiring critical judgement, strategic insight, and applied professional analysis.

Module Aims

• Develop advanced understanding of international business strategy and global competitive environments.
• Enable learners to analyse global markets, industries, and institutional contexts.
• Build competence in evaluating market entry strategies and international growth options.
• Enhance critical awareness of geopolitics, regulation, and cross-cultural factors in global business.
• Prepare learners to design and justify strategic recommendations for multinational organisations.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate theories and frameworks of international business and global strategy.
• Analyse global market environments, industries, and institutional contexts using appropriate tools.
• Assess and justify internationalisation and market entry strategies for organisations. 2 4. Evaluate the impact of geopolitical, regulatory, and cultural factors on international business decisions.
• Communicate strategic analysis and recommendations using appropriate academic and professional conventions.

Indicative Content

• Globalisation, deglobalisation, and regionalisation trends
• Theories of the multinational enterprise and internationalisation
• Global industry and competitive analysis
• Institutional environments and comparative business systems
• Market entry modes: exporting, licensing, joint ventures, FDI, alliances
• Global strategy, localisation, and transnational strategies
• Geopolitics, trade policy, and regulatory environments
• Cross-cultural management and global leadership
• Global value chains and international operations
• Strategic risk and uncertainty in international markets

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Delivery will include lectures, case studies, seminars, and guided reading. Students will undertake substantial independent study, including analysis of multinational firms and global industries. As a 30-credit module, the workload and depth of analysis are proportionately higher than 15-credit modules, with emphasis on critical evaluation, strategic judgement, and applied international business analysis.

Assessment Strategy

CW1: Global environment and industry analysis for a selected multinational enterprise or sector. CW2 (60%): Individual Report (3,500–4,000 words) critically evaluating an organisation’s international strategy and proposing strategic options for global expansion or repositioning, with Harvard referencing.

Recommended Reading

• Hill, C., Hult, T., Wickramasekera, R. & Liesch, P. (2020). International Business. McGraw-Hill.
• Peng, M. (2022). Global Strategy. Cengage.
• Cavusgil, S. et al. (2020). International Business: The New Realities. Pearson.
• UNCTAD and WTO (latest). World Investment and Trade Reports.

Module Introduction

This module develops advanced knowledge of corporate finance and financial analysis in an international business context. Students will critically evaluate financial statements, investment appraisal techniques, capital structure decisions, and financial performance management. The module integrates theory with applied financial decision-making to support strategic business choices. It is aligned with UK FHEQ Level 7 expectations and RSBT academic regulations, requiring analytical rigour, critical judgement, and professional application.

Module Aims

• Develop advanced understanding of corporate finance principles and financial analysis techniques.
• Enable learners to interpret and analyse financial statements for decision-making.
• Build competence in investment appraisal, financing, and capital structure decisions.
• Enhance skills in evaluating financial performance and value creation.
• Prepare learners to apply financial analysis to strategic business and investment decisions.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate corporate finance theories and their application in business decision- making.
• Analyse and interpret financial statements using appropriate tools and techniques.
• Apply investment appraisal methods to assess capital investment decisions.
• Assess financing options and capital structure choices in different business contexts.
• Communicate financial analysis and recommendations using appropriate academic and professional conventions.

Indicative Content

• Financial statements analysis and interpretation
• Time value of money and discounted cash flow techniques
• Investment appraisal: NPV, IRR, payback, and sensitivity analysis
• Cost of capital and capital structure
• Sources of finance and financial markets
• Dividend policy and shareholder value
• Working capital management
• Financial performance measurement and ratios
• Risk, return, and portfolio considerations
• Ethical and governance issues in corporate finance

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Delivery will include lectures, workshops, case studies, and practical financial analysis exercises. Students will undertake substantial independent study, including analysis of corporate financial reports and investment cases. As a 30-credit module, the workload and depth of analysis are proportionately higher than 15-credit modules, with emphasis on applied financial analysis and strategic financial decision-making.

Assessment Strategy

CW1: Financial analysis exercise based on published company accounts. CW2 (60%): Individual Report (3,500–4,000 words) critically evaluating the financial performance and investment or financing decisions of a selected organisation, using appropriate financial tools and Harvard referencing.

Recommended Reading

• Brealey, R., Myers, S. & Allen, F. (2020). Principles of Corporate Finance. McGraw-Hill.
• Ross, S., Westerfield, R. & Jordan, B. (2019). Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. McGraw-Hill.
• Penman, S. (2013). Financial Statement Analysis and Security Valuation. McGraw-Hill.
• ICAEW and CFA Institute resources on financial analysis and valuation.

Module Introduction

This module develops advanced understanding of international trade, financial risk, and governance frameworks in a global business environment. Students will critically evaluate trade systems, financial risks, regulatory regimes, and governance mechanisms affecting international business and finance. The module integrates trade theory, risk management, and financial governance with real-world policy and corporate practice. It is aligned with UK FHEQ Level 7 expectations and RSBT academic regulations, requiring analytical rigour, critical judgement, and applied professional insight.

Module Aims

• Develop advanced understanding of international trade systems and financial governance frameworks.
• Enable learners to analyse financial, political, and operational risks in global business.
• Build competence in applying risk management and compliance approaches in international contexts.
• Enhance critical awareness of regulation, ethics, and corporate governance in global finance.
• Prepare learners to evaluate and design risk-aware strategies for international trade and finance.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate international trade systems, agreements, and regulatory environments.
• Analyse financial, political, and operational risks affecting international business and finance.
• Apply appropriate risk management and governance frameworks to global business scenarios.
• Assess ethical, regulatory, and compliance challenges in international trade and finance. 2 5. Communicate risk, governance, and trade analyses using appropriate academic and professional conventions.

Indicative Content

• International trade theories and global trading systems
• Trade policy, WTO, and regional trade agreements
• Financial risk: market, credit, liquidity, and operational risk
• Country risk, political risk, and geopolitical risk
• Risk management tools and hedging strategies
• Corporate governance and financial regulation
• Compliance, ethics, and anti-money laundering frameworks
• Trade finance instruments and payment systems
• Financial crises, systemic risk, and regulatory reform
• Integrating risk and governance into international strategy

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Delivery will include lectures, seminars, case studies, and applied risk analysis exercises. Students will undertake substantial independent study, including analysis of trade regimes, financial risks, and governance cases. As a 30-credit module, the workload and depth of analysis are proportionately higher than 15-credit modules, with emphasis on critical evaluation, applied risk analysis, and governance-focused decision-making.

Assessment Strategy

CW1: Risk and governance analysis of an international trade or financial case. CW2 (60%): Individual Report (3,500–4,000 words) critically evaluating trade, risk, and governance challenges facing an organisation or sector, and proposing risk management and governance recommendations, with Harvard referencing.

Recommended Reading

• Krugman, P., Obstfeld, M. & Melitz, M. (2018). International Economics. Pearson.
• Hull, J. (2022). Risk Management and Financial Institutions. Wiley.
• OECD and BIS reports on financial governance and regulation.
• WTO (latest). World Trade Report.

Module Introduction

This module develops advanced understanding of financial technology (FinTech), investment strategies, and innovation in global financial markets. Students will critically evaluate digital financial platforms, data-driven investment approaches, and emerging financial innovations such as blockchain, digital assets, and platform-based financial services. The module integrates finance, technology, and strategic innovation perspectives. It is aligned with UK FHEQ Level 7 expectations and RSBT academic regulations, requiring analytical rigour, critical judgement, and professional application.

Module Aims

• Develop advanced understanding of FinTech and digital transformation in financial services.
• Enable learners to evaluate investment strategies in technology-driven financial markets.
• Build competence in analysing financial innovation, platforms, and data-driven finance.
• Enhance critical awareness of regulation, risk, and ethics in FinTech and digital finance.
• Prepare learners to assess and design innovation-led financial strategies in global contexts.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate FinTech innovations and their impact on financial markets and institutions.
• Analyse investment strategies using digital platforms, data, and financial technologies.
• Assess risks, regulatory challenges, and ethical issues associated with financial innovation. 2 4. Apply appropriate frameworks to evaluate financial technology business models and strategies.
• Communicate investment and innovation analyses using appropriate academic and professional conventions.

Indicative Content

• Overview of FinTech and digital transformation in finance
• Digital payments, platforms, and financial ecosystems
• Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and digital assets
• Robo-advisory, algorithmic trading, and data-driven investment
• FinTech business models and platform strategies
• Venture capital, fintech investment, and innovation finance
• Regulation, compliance, and regtech
• Cybersecurity, data privacy, and technology risk
• Financial inclusion and emerging market innovation
• Future trends in global financial innovation

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Delivery will include lectures, seminars, case studies, and applied analysis of digital finance platforms and investment tools. Students will undertake substantial independent study, including evaluation of fintech firms, investment cases, and innovation strategies. As a 30- credit module, the workload and depth of analysis are proportionately higher than 15- credit modules, with emphasis on applied financial technology analysis, investment evaluation, and strategic judgement.

Assessment Strategy

CW1: FinTech ecosystem and investment opportunity analysis. CW2 (60%): Individual Report (3,500–4,000 words) critically evaluating a FinTech innovation or digital investment strategy, including market analysis, business model, risk, regulatory considerations, and strategic recommendations, with Harvard referencing.

Recommended Reading

• Arner, D., Barberis, J. & Buckley, R. (2017). FinTech, RegTech, and the Reconceptualization of Financial Regulation.
• Gomber, P. et al. (2018). On the FinTech Revolution: Interpreting the Forces of Innovation.
• Brealey, R., Myers, S. & Allen, F. (2020). Principles of Corporate Finance. McGraw-Hill.
• World Economic Forum (latest). The Future of Financial Services.

Module Introduction

This module is the capstone of the MSc International Business & Finance programme and represents a substantial, independent piece of work at Level 7. Students will undertake either a research-focused dissertation or an applied industry project addressing a complex issue in international business, finance, or financial innovation. The project requires critical engagement with literature, appropriate methodology, ethical compliance, and professional-quality reporting. As a 60-credit module, it demands a high level of autonomy, depth of analysis, and originality, aligned with UK FHEQ Level 7 expectations and RSBT academic regulations.

Module Aims

• Enable students to design and execute an independent research or applied project in international business or finance.
• Develop advanced skills in problem formulation, research design, and project management.
• Strengthen critical engagement with academic literature and professional practice.
• Ensure ethical, responsible, and evidence-based research and analysis.
• Produce a substantial, coherent, and professionally presented dissertation or project report.

Assessment Strategy

Single major submission: Dissertation / Project Report (12,000–15,000 words, excluding references and appendices), demonstrating independent work, critical analysis, methodological rigour, and professional presentation. The submission may be accompanied by artefacts (e.g., financial models, datasets, policy briefs, or implementation plans) where appropriate.