Master of International Business

This course aims to provide students with wide ranging skills that will enhance their effectiveness as managers working in international business. It provides a solid grounding in strategic thinking, relative to international and global market operations, and an understanding of how operating across borders impacts on functional areas (such as marketing, accounting, finance and HRM). This course should also develop an awareness of the policies governing the world trade and investment system, from the perspectives of a sovereign country, a regional trade bloc and a supra-national institutional (such as the IMF, World Bank and WTO). The course emphasises the Asia-Pacific region and pursues a cross disciplinary approach to analysing and solving complex problems.

1. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be able to generate and analyse data relevant for strategic management decisions in the area of international business.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Describe, explain and apply the body of knowledge, including recent developments guiding strategic management;
• Identify the various sources of sustained competitive advantage of firms engaged in international business; and
• Evaluate the impact of cultural, political and environmental factors on decision making in international business.

2. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be cognisant of the fundamental differences between doing business across borders and operating in a home market environment.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Identify and explain how foreign markets, institutions and cultures differ from one another;
• Identify and explain how policies related to trade, investment, intellectual property, and labour and environmental standards imposed by nation states and supra-national bodies impact on international business;
• Understand and moderate the impact of cultural differences in the operation of international business; and
• Understand and communicate the contested nature of globalization.

3. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be effective decision makers in international business and the related public policy domain.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Apply ethical principles and corporate governance strategies relevant to international business;
• Evaluate the applicability of various theories and techniques to international business issues;
• Employ a range of tools of analysis’ pertinent to the evaluation of evidence in international business sector;
• Use evidence based research techniques to support and communicate decisions;
• Demonstrate a capacity to successfully work independently with personal accountability; and
• Execute a project requiring research of real-world application.

4. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be critical thinkers in the field of international business and adept in developing solutions to problems.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Explain and critically analyse factors that influence decision making within international firms and in their home and host countries;
• Identify issues and solutions in relation to the internationalization strategies of firms; and
• Apply knowledge of theory to analyse case-based and hypothetical problems in a variety of domestic and international markets.

5. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable in the core areas of international business/international management and possess the capabilities to manage a range of functions within those organisations effectively.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Describe the core areas of international management and the related management principles, theories and models;
• Analyse and evaluate the key competencies needed to become a successful international manager including strategic management, human resource management, marketing and other functional disciplines;
• Critically analyse international organisation’s problems and apply relevant models and theories to generate effective and creative solutions; and
• Demonstrate creativity and initiative in the application of knowledge to problem solving and innovation.

Students enrolled in the 200 Point Master of International Business will need to successfully complete 16 x 12.5 point semester-long subjects comprising three foundation subjects, eight core subjects, two capstone subjects and three elective subjects over four semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time. Students entering the course with 50 points of advanced standing should click on the 150 point course link below.

200 Point Master of International Business

Foundation Subjects

Foundations subjects should be completed in the first semester of study.

Students must complete the following subject:

Students must complete one of the following subjects:

Students must complete one of the following subjects:

Core subjects

Students must complete all of the following core subjects:

Capstone subjects

IBUS90001 Global Corporate Strategy must be taken in the final semester of study.

Elective subjects

Students must choose three elective subjects from the graduate offerings within the Faculty of Business and Economics. This will be subject to the student receiving approval from the Program Director as well as the relevant subject coordinator. The MIB elective list is available here.

Students are permitted to take as one of their electives (maximum 12.5 points) a foreign language subject ie. one in which they are a non-native speaker. Students do not require permission from the MIB program director to undertake a language subject, but must undertake Language Placement Testing. For details, please see: http://languages-linguistics.unimelb.edu.au/students/language-placement-testing.

Students enrolled in the Master of International Business are eligible to undertake a select range of elective subjects from the Master of International Relations (up to a maximum of 37.5 points) offered by the Melbourne School of Government.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree in any discipline, or equivalent; and
• a personal statement outlining why they wish to be considered for the course.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• the personal statement.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 6.5.

Notes:

1. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a business/commerce or related discipline may be awarded up to 50 points of credit.
2. Students who discontinue from the Master of International Business but have successfully completed the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in International Business or the Graduate Diploma in International Business will be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in International Business or the Graduate Diploma in International Business, respectively, as an exit award. (The Certificate and the Diploma are only available as exit awards.)

The Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Faculty’s programs.

The BCom and Masters degrees of the Faculty of Business and Economics equip graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The degrees include the following academic requirements for study:

(1) The ability to explain and evaluate concepts, theories, institutional arrangements and operations of modern mixed economies; (2) The ability to critically evaluate the economy, commerce and business in the broader social and political context; (3) The ability to explain and apply concepts across a range of commerce and business disciplines in solving business and policy problems; and (4) The ability to contribute positively to the development of organisations and society in relation to business, government and the commercial professions.

All students of the Faculty’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Faculty. Candidates for the BCom degree and for FBE Masters degrees must have abilities and skills in communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

I. Communication: The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and/or written form. A student must have the ability to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of a discipline, principles or practices during assessment tasks, and in some discipline streams.

II. Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem‐solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish study plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities. Students should also have the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and cross disciplinary information related to the BCom and Masters degrees.

III. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A student must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment and the emotional health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in FBE courses.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving the inherent academic requirements of the BCom and FBE Masters courses are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit. Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, but students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

On successful completion of this course, students will be:

• Able to generate and analyse data relevant for strategic management decisions in the area of international business;
• Cognisant of the fundamental differences between doing business across borders and operating in a home market environment;
• Effective decision makers in international business and the related public policy domain;
• Critical thinkers in the field of international business and adept in developing solutions to problems;
• Knowledgeable in the core areas of international business/international management and possess the capabilities to manage a range of functions within those organisations effectively;
• Critical evaluation of evidence in support of an argument or proposition;
• Problem solvers in international business/international management through the application of appropriate management theories, principles and data;
• Effective communicators of business and management ideas, theories and solutions to peers and the wider community;
• Able to synthesize ideas, theories and data in developing solutions to business and managerial problems;
• Ethical in their practice through a knowledge of corporate governance processes and implementation;
• Adept at retrieval of relevant information from a variety of sources; and
• Effective team members through participation in collaborative exercises in class room discussion and written assessment.

On successful completion of this program, students should have enhanced their skills in:

• Critical evaluation of evidence in support of an argument or proposition;
• Problem solving in international business/international management through the application of appropriate management theories, principles and data;
• Communication of business and management ideas, theories and solutions to peers and the wider community;
• Ability to synthesize ideas, theories and data in developing solutions to business and managerial problems;
• Ethical practice through a knowledge of corporate governance processes and implementation;
• Retrieval of relevant information from a variety of sources;
• Engagement in collaborative activities such as group based work; and
• Interpretation and communication of research results and recommendations to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Graduates of the Master of International Business can progress to an advanced Master’s program with a research component if they wish to seek admission to a PhD.

Duration

A full-time student should complete the course in four consecutive semesters. A part-time student should complete the course in eight consecutive semesters.

Graduate Certificate in International Business

Students enrolled in the Master of International Business who are either unable, or who choose not to continue with their studies, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in International Business. Students must have successfully completed a total of four Master of International Business subjects approved by the program director (of which 3 must be designated foundation subjects).

Graduate Diploma in International Business

Students enrolled in the Master of International Business who are either unable, or who choose not to continue with their studies, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Diploma in International Business. Students must have successfully completed a total of eight subjects from the Master of International Business approved by the program director (of which 3 must be designated foundation subjects, and 3 must be designated core subjects).