)
Business at UEA
Find out more about studying Business at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc International Business and Innovation with a Placement Year
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- January 2027
Course options
Other Start Dates
Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Other Start Dates
Top 20
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Our MSc International Business and Innovation with a Placement Year is a forward-looking programme designed for ambitious individuals aspiring to lead and innovate in today’s fast-evolving global business landscape. By uniquely blending international business fundamentals with cutting-edge innovation practices, the course equips you with the strategic insight and technological fluency to navigate complex international environments, drive growth, and develop transformative solutions.
You'll explore key areas such as global business management, innovation management, global logistics, digital business, and responsible business. The course also offers specialised pathways in Artificial Intelligence and corporate governance, aligning with the emerging skills increasingly sought by employers worldwide.
Emphasising both theory and practical application, the course prepares you to become an innovative leader, effective manager, and collaborative team player, capable of responding to challenges such as shifting geopolitical landscapes, digital and supply chain disruptions, and evolving consumer expectations.
Your second year will be spent on a placement, gaining invaluable real-world skills and experience. With a strong focus on innovative thinking, you'll build critical problem-solving and leadership capabilities that enable you to drive innovation across industries and borders and manage diverse, cross-cultural teams. The course provides the tools and insights needed to make a meaningful impact through innovation in multinational corporations, born-global startups, or global non-governmental organisations.
)
Placement Year
The industry work placement is a compulsory part of the programme and takes place in your second year. During the first semester of year two, you'll continue the structured employability programme while securing your placement.
Placements will typically be with a UK organisation for eight to ten months. You'll receive tailored support from the University and our award-winning placement partner, helping you maximise your chances of securing a paid placement.
You'll receive comprehensive support throughout your studies to help you secure an industry placement in a relevant sector. While finding a placement is ultimately your responsibility, you'll be supported every step of the way by your academic team and our specialist placement partner.
If you're unable to secure an industry placement, or don't meet the academic requirements for the placement route, you'll complete three employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations through one of UEA's placement partners. This alternative pathway gives you the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience, work on live business challenges, and strengthen your professional skills before you graduate.
Whichever pathway you follow, you'll graduate with valuable, career-focused experience that enhances your CV and prepares you for your future career.
Find out more about our Placement Year.
Careers
Career Pathways
With an MSc International Business and Innovation with a Placement Year degree, you could launch a career in multinational organisations, government bodies, and international agencies as:
- International Business Manager or Consultant
- Global Strategy Analyst
- Innovation Manager or International Entrepreneur
- Trade and Investment Officer
- Business Development Manager
Career Support
Throughout this course, you will engage with industry perspectives and real-world business challenges that support your professional development. These experiences help you build practical skills, broaden your understanding of international business and innovation, and enhance your career readiness. They're designed to complement your academic learning and support you in achieving your postgraduate career ambitions.
After the Course
Graduates of our MSc in International Business and Innovation are equipped to lead in global, innovation-driven environments. You’ll gain strategic thinking, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication skills, alongside expertise in international business strategy and digital transformation. Career paths include multinational corporations, consultancy, marketing, innovation management, and “born global” start-ups. The programme also provides a solid foundation for further professional qualifications, equipping you to be adaptable, forward-thinking, and ready to make an impact internationally.
Study and Modules
Structure
The course begins with a foundation in international business and innovation, offered in spring for January starters and autumn for September starters. You’ll explore how organisations operate globally and how innovation drives competitive advantage. Optional modules also allow you to tailor your studies to your career goals, including areas such as emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, corporate governance, or research methods.
You’ll strengthen your knowledge of strategy, leadership, and business decision-making, while developing essential skills in research, project management, and problem-solving. These capabilities will prepare you for your dissertation, project, or advanced applied modules in the final stage of the programme.
In the final stage, you’ll consolidate your learning through advanced strategy, branding, responsible business practices, and emerging topics such as artificial intelligence in business and marketing. You’ll integrate your knowledge across disciplines—including management, marketing, innovation studies, and organisational behaviour—enabling you to make strategic, innovative decisions in real-world contexts. Optional modules also allow you to further specialise in areas aligned with your career goals.
Throughout the programme, you’ll cultivate employability skills such as leadership, strategic thinking, cross-cultural communication, and analytical problem-solving. By the end of the course, whether you start in January or September, you’ll be equipped not only with advanced academic knowledge but also with the professional skills required to drive innovation, lead teams, and make impactful strategic decisions in a global business context.
To prepare for year two, you’ll undertake a year-long Employability Skills module which will help to equip you with the relevant skills you’ll need to seek, secure and undertake your placement. You’ll benefit from workshops on CV writing, interview practice, and use of LinkedIn. You’ll have one-to-one meetings that will help you plan your application strategy and give you opportunities for mock interviews. Sessions will be a mixture of online and in-person. This is a pass/fail module, and you’ll need to ensure you attend 75% or more of the sessions to progress.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your second year, you'll complete a placement aligned with your area of study. During the first semester, you'll focus on securing your placement, supported by dedicated guidance and six in-person workshops designed to help you reflect on your progress, strengthen your applications and prepare for the recruitment process. If you're unable to secure a placement, you'll complete three employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations, giving you valuable practical experience.
At the end, you'll submit a portfolio of your placement search activities and a reflective report on your placement or industry project experience. This gives you the opportunity to showcase the skills you've developed, reflect on your professional growth and identify your future development goals. The module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. By the end of the placement, you'll have strengthened your CV, expanded your professional network and built the confidence and experience to take the next step in your career, whether in the UK or internationally.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and learning
You’ll learn through a combination of synchronous online and face-to-face teaching including lectures, workshops, seminars and case studies, with a focus on utilising your knowledge and skills in real business settings. As in a business context, you’ll undertake tasks individually and in groups, developing your teamwork and leadership skills. Throughout the course, you’ll be required to reflect on and justify your decisions and choices, developing a professional mindset. Each module will open up opportunities for you to excel and develop the transferable skills so essential for future success in your chosen career path plus success in your course outcome.
You’re also expected to engage in significant independent study to achieve the best outcome from your studies.
Assessment
You’ll experience a variety of assessment methods, including exams, coursework, group work, and presentations. You’ll be able to submit formative and summative work for assessment, and you’ll receive feedback to help you identify areas for improvement and areas of strength.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component).
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window) offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences (opens in a new window)
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
)
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
-
UK Students: £15,250
-
International Students: £27,000
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.