International Business and Finance, MSc

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International Business and Finance, MSc

Introduction

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, understanding international business and finance is more important than ever. This programme is designed for individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of global markets, equipping them with both analytical techniques and practical skills. By combining in-depth knowledge of management, international business, and finance-related fields, the programme prepares students to excel in a dynamic and competitive international business environment.

Study Information

Study Options

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
MSc
Duration
12 months or 24 months
Study Mode
Full Time or Part Time
Start Month
September or January
Location of Study
Aberdeen

The International Business and Finance MSc offers a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between global management and finance, equipping you with essential financial expertise and its practical applications. This programme combines in-depth financial knowledge with international business training, covering international business theory and practice, incorporating the latest advancement in academic scholarly understanding, and addressing the emerging real-world phenomena. You’ll develop a strong understanding of economic fluctuations and gain the skills to interpret and utilize financial data effectively in real-world scenarios.

Tailor your MSc International Business and Finance to your career goals by choosing from three strategic pathways—IBF Classic, IBF with Sustainability, or IBF with AI and Financial Technology—each designed to equip future business leaders with the skills and insights needed to drive impact in today’s global economy. Please note that the Classic, Sustainability, and AI options are currently only available for September starts, but may be introduced for January starts next academic year.

At the University of Aberdeen, a diverse community representing over 130 nationalities creates a dynamic environment for international discourse, fostering global exchanges and innovative thinking. As a leader in business and management education and research, the University builds on its strong reputation to deliver this cutting-edge programme.

The Business School is home to the Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability, a research hub dedicated to addressing critical sustainability challenges. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the centre integrates expertise from multiple fields to develop new insights and innovative solutions for pressing global issues in the African and Asian regions.

Available Programmes of Study

MSc

International Business and Finance

Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month Location  
MSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen More
MSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September More

Programme Fees

Fee information
Fee category Cost
UK
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £15,700
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *) £7,000

University of Aberdeen graduates are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, reducing tuition fees to £7,000 - matching the current SAAS tuition loan - See full terms and conditions

EU / International students
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £26,250
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) £18,250

The above fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.

Funding Opportunities

Alumni Discount Scheme - we are pleased to offer a 20% discount for postgraduate tuition fees to all alumni who have an undergraduate degree from University of Aberdeen.

Please note that the Aberdeen Alumni Discount cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other scholarship award.

Scholarships

All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.

To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

How You'll Study

You’ll attend a variety of stimulating lectures, seminars and tutorials, with your skills and competency assessed by a mix of presentations, traditional exams, essays and projects.

Although you don’t need to have a background in this sector, it’s an advantage if you’re already confident and competent with numbers. This programme will take these strengths and enable you to embed them in a financial context.

Learning Methods

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lectures
  • Peer Learning
  • Research
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Why Study International Business and Finance?

  • This programme has a distinctive focus on bridging the two integral components of the global economic landscape – International Business and Finance. International business involves economic activities that cross national borders, including trade and the operations of multinational corporations, which is facilitated by cross border investment and financial transactions.
  • Customise your MSc International Business and Finance journey with one of three exciting pathways—IBF Classic, IBF with Sustainability, or IBF with AI and Financial Technology—designed to align your studies with your career goals and the demands of a rapidly evolving global business landscape.
  • Ranked 1st in the UK for Positive Responses in Business Studies Studies in the National Student Survey 2025
  • Ranked 4th in the UK for Accounting and Finance and 8th for Business and Management in the Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Ranked 15th in the UK for Business, Management and Marketing in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 
  • We invite external speakers from industry to enhance employability. These speakers bring real-world insights, experiences, and expertise, providing practical knowledge, inspiration, networking opportunity, and a deeper understanding of industry trends.
  • The program enables students to develop practical skills in designing effective risk management strategies and the ability to adapt to diverse market conditions. In particular, this program helps students build up capacity to carry out independent learning and research, teamwork, and project work, and gain a wide range of skills, such as  analytical skills, presentation skills, computer skills, all of which are highly valued by employers.
  • This program integrates a research-led approach with a practical and professional focus, making it highly appealing for those seeking to develop their knowledge and analytical skills not only in management domain but also in finance-relevant fields.
  • You’ll also have access to world-leading facilities, including our in-house stock exchange, which gives you the opportunity to work with our Bloomberg finance lab and gain the hands-on practical experience that supports an in-depth understanding of finance.

What Our Students Say

Meera Sajwani

Meera Sajwani

Meera Sajwani

I am currently undertaking MSC International Business and Finance which is important because in today's world there is so much diversification and globalisation making it essential to understand the mechanics of the interlinked international economy.

Daisy Wang

Daisy Wang

Daisy Wang

Through study, I am more confident now. I have a clear goal, after graduation, I will work in Fintech and in the future, I will run my own business, that’s why I chose this program.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is an undergraduate degree at UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

Document Requirements

You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.

Degree Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
Personal Statement
a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

Careers

This degree is designed for both non-finance graduates eager to enter the lucrative world of finance and finance graduates looking to enhance their marketability with a broad understanding of international business. The programme meets the needs of students aspiring to become finance specialists, such as those pursuing careers in banking, while also catering to those seeking a broader management role to expand their career opportunities in the global job market.

This program prepares students for diverse career paths in the global marketplace.

Professional path:

  • accounting and professional services
  • investment banking
  • consultancy
  • supply chain management
  • corporate mergers and acquisitions
  • marketing.

Academic path:

  • a research career to through pursuing a PhD degree.

Industry Links

Experience three Professional Development Weeks annually, providing you with valuable opportunities to enhance your skills and career prospects. Additionally, participate in our Careers Fair, where you can interact with potential employers, explore diverse career paths, and make connections that can shape your professional journey.

Accreditation

The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.

This degree holds accreditation from

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Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024

Our results speak for themselves with 97.9% of graduates from the University of Aberdeen Business School in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024)

What our Alumni Say

Hancheng Zhang

Hancheng Zhang

Hancheng Zhang

Graduated 2022

The curriculum perfectly established an academic analytical framework for business management and financial concerns, but more importantly, it taught me how to think critically and collaborate well in a team.

Our Experts

You will be taught by and have access to a number of experts, many of whom are internationally renowned within their respective fields. These will include members of the Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability.

For more details on academic experts and those who will be teaching within your programme discipline please visit the People section of the Business School website.

Programme Leader
Dr Chunxia Jiang

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

World Class Facilities

The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is Scotland’s third oldest and the UK’s fifth oldest University. The university’s ancient campus reflects its long-standing academic tradition, with historic buildings such as King's College, which dates back to the 15th century. This blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities creates a unique atmosphere where students can experience the best of both tradition and innovation.

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Sir Duncan Rice Library

Sir Duncan Rice Library

The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.

Find out more
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Aberdeen City

Aberdeen City

Named Scotland's Safest University City (Unbroken Britain Survey, Provident Financial, 2018) and is in the top 10 in the UK for places to live and work (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2018).

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Affordability

Affordability

Aberdeen has been named the cheapest place for students to rent private accommodation in the UK. In 2024, StuRents reports that the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Business School
University of Aberdeen
MacRobert Building
King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX