International Management and Leadership - MSc

Structure and exit awards

You can opt to study for the full MSc (185 credits), a PgDip (120 credits) or a PgCert (60 credits). Please note that all students will initially enrol in the full MSc. 

You can also register as an associate student to complete a single module for CPD. On completion of a single module, you may wish to complete further modules and progress your studies toward a named award. Contact Marc Robertson for further information on single module study.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching comprises a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, field trips and projects. The 'capstone' module for the course is either a 'live' project for a client, the development of a business start-up proposal, or a master's level dissertation. Each of these options is intended to draw together elements of the taught course. The dissertation or project will be facilitated, monitored and assessed by tutors within QMU and, where appropriate, by staff within the organisation in which it is undertaken.

Assessment will take a variety of forms, including essays, reports, group and individual presentations. In our assessment methods, we focus on enabling you to demonstrate practical skills alongside theory, making you particularly attractive to potential employers.

Teaching hours and attendance

If you are studying full-time, teaching normally takes place over two or three midweek days, comprising both classroom-based and industry learning. You will also be required to carry out independent learning to support your formal teaching. Your specific timetable will depend on whether you are studying full-time, part-time, or an individual module. Learning time varies across modules. Timetables are normally available approximately one month before you commence your studies.

Class sizes

There are normally around 20-30 students. Sometimes, you may have lectures with additional students on other courses who are studying the same modules.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

You will study the following modules:

• Contemporary Issues in Business and Society (15 credits): This module aims to enable you to reach a well-grounded understanding of the theory and practice of international management and relate it to events taking place at a global and national level. Utilising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a discursive element within the module, the ways in which businesses can positively contribute to achieving these will be critically evaluated. This module also explores what it is to be a master's student so that all students enrolled onto the course can access this higher level of postgraduate education in an effective manner.
• Finance for Management (15 credits): This module develops your critical understanding of essential management accounting and finance topics within a business environment, enabling you to develop a high-level understanding of how financial information helps to make informed and accurate management decisions. This module is CIMA accredited.
• International Marketing (15 credits): This enables you to investigate, analyse and evaluate the role and scope of marketing activities within an international perspective and context; and investigate, critically analyse and assess a focused international marketing opportunity.
• Data Analytics for Management Decision- Making (15 credits): This module explores the sources of data, how that data is collected, processed, and presented, and then continues the data lifecycle by considering how this is used within informed decision-making processes within contemporary enterprises. With so much data noise, how can a business be certain that the data they are using is reliable and valid? How can they then link that to a primary function within management and leadership when making decisions?
• Leadership in an International Context (15 credits): This module provides you with an in-depth understanding of leadership theory, an opportunity to explore how these theories apply to our experiences of leadership in different contexts, and space to unpack how these experiences are shaped by culture at an organisational, regional, and international level. Delivered in three parts, the module will: compare differing concepts of leadership both traditional and contemporary; consider the role of culture in shaping these concepts and expectations of leaders; and consider the ethics of leadership in the application of power and influence at an organisational level.
• Strategic Management (15 credits): concerns itself with assessing what’s important, determining how to get there, and avoiding the potential pitfalls. By focusing on long-term sustainable success, strategic management enables practitioners to avoid the noise of the day-to-day. The module incorporates strategic concepts, tools and techniques that organisations can employ to assess their environment and resources and make strategic decisions towards long-term success. This is a mandatory module for all Queen Margaret Business School MSc courses. Much of the knowledge and skills developed in this module are transferrable and useful in a broad range of management functions.
• Research Methods: Problems and Solutions (20 credits): Research has an important role within academic studies but is also a core skill for managers and leaders within contemporary enterprises. This module is designed to develop both theoretical research knowledge, and practical insights into the purpose, nature, execution, and value of research approaches and how these can be effectively utilised in the solving of problems in the context of academic knowledge creation or organisational professional practice.
• Strategic Human Resource Management (15 credits): This module enables students to explain and critique the core theories of strategic human resource management (SHRM), to develop a critical awareness and understanding of the employment relationship and reflect critically on the realities of contemporary human resource management and to develop analytical and professional skills which can be applied to leading change and managing work and people in their workplace.

Progressing to an MSc?

If studying for an MSc, you will also complete one of the following Capstone module options: 

• 12,000-word dissertation (60 credits): To enable you to develop, plan and critically evaluate a piece of research in the relevant degree subject-related area, written up in the form of a dissertation. This offers the opportunity to conduct a substantial academic research project around a research topic of your choice.
• Business Consultancy in Practice (60 credits): This is a hands-on practical project where you will work with a business on a live project, determine the project parameters, manage the project, and deliver a consultancy report recommending actions the company can implement. The module aims to develop excellent project and client management skills alongside high-level writing skills that include excellent reflective abilities.
• The Business Incubation Plan (60 credits): The aim of this module is to critically evaluate a range of nascent, micro and family businesses and to develop, through inception, investigation and planning, a new start-up business or social enterprise of your own design. You will work with mentors, QMU’s Startup Studio and the on-campus Business Gateway to take your business from idea to reality.

This course is designed to allow both undergraduates with a business degree, and those with a non-business degree, to progress in their chosen careers by building the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to forge ahead in that new career.

Previous graduates have entered into positions such as:

• Brand Ambassador (White and Mackay, Glasgow)
• Growth Executive (Skyscanner, Edinburgh)
• Supply Chain Analyst (Tesco, London)
• ICT/Project Graduate Scheme (Kerry Foods, Ireland)
• Growth Strategy Manager (Ripplematch Recruitment, New York)
• Event Production Management (Tapaus Group, Helsinki)
• Wealth Analyst (Barclays, London)
• Training Relationship Manager (King Abdullah Fund for Development, Jordan).

If you opt to complete the Business Incubation Plan module, you will work with mentors, QMU’s Startup Studio (and associated 'Bright Red Triangle' package of enterprise support) to develop a new start-up business or social enterprise of your own choice. 

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a UK honours degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in an appropriate discipline. We also welcome applicants with an ordinary degree who can show a period of relevant post-graduation work experience in a managerial role.

International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.5 with no individual component score less than 6.0.

Other information

Fees for this course are calibrated to cover all transport and activities for field trips and practical classes. View our Fees and Charges page.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Applying for this course

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page.

Application deadline

Home: End of August for September 2027 start and end of December for January 2028 start.

International: End of June for September 2027 start and end of November for January 2028 start.

Please note applications may close sooner should the course become full.

Contact Marc Robertson (Programme Leader) or contact Admissions 

We would be delighted to arrange a visit to the University where we can tell you even more about the courses and facilities.

More information on our forthcoming open events

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2027/28 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).
• The information on this page is correct at the time of posting (October 2026) but is subject to change. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please keep an eye on this page for updates.