MBA International

Program Overview

The MBA International program at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), United Kingdom, is a distinctive postgraduate degree primarily designed for recent university graduates with limited or no prior work experience who aspire to develop successful careers in international business and management. This comprehensive Master of Business Administration emphasizes employability and critical professional development, aiming to engage and educate students for managerial and strategic roles within the global business arena. The curriculum encourages a systematic review of international business theories, policies, and practices, reflecting an international body of thinking and addressing complex business problems in today's dynamic global environment. With a strong focus on developing the "whole person," the program cultivates skills in management, strategy, decision-making, and communication, preparing future leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for an unpredictable global trading landscape.

Curriculum: The curriculum of the MBA International is meticulously structured to provide both theoretical understanding and practical application in a global context. Key modules typically include "Strategy and Globalisation," "Global Economics and International Finance," "Innovation, Entrepreneurship and International Perspective," 1 and "International Business Communications and Marketing." Some variations of the program also feature modules such as "International Human Resource Management," "Market Research," and "Intercultural Leadership and Personal Development." The program culminates in a significant individual business plan (or independent study), ranging between 10,000-12,000 words, allowing students to apply their learning to strategic trends and issues facing modern businesses. Teaching employs a blended learning strategy, combining interactive formal sessions, discussions, debates, and critique of theoretical concepts with their application to real-world business problems, extensive independent study, and utilization of the university's virtual learning environment. Assessments are entirely coursework-based, utilizing written assignments, reports, individual and group presentations, and projects rooted in practical workplace scenarios.  

Research Focus: The MBA International program at Canterbury Christ Church University is underpinned by a strong emphasis on research, driving its academic and critical approach to international business. The course encourages a rigorous and systematic review of international business theories, policies, and practices. While specific faculty research projects are not extensively detailed, the program is informed by the experience of a leading team of researchers and professional practice tutors, ensuring a pragmatic focus that enhances students' business careers. This research-driven approach helps students gain insights into the latest trends in international business and UK private and public sector organizations. Furthermore, graduates of the program are encouraged to engage in further research on the MPhil/PhD programme, demonstrating the university's commitment to fostering advanced scholarly inquiry in international business.

Industry Engagement: The MBA International program at CCCU is heavily oriented towards the international business landscape and prioritizes active practitioner involvement. The course is designed to "bring reality into the classroom" by integrating examples of professional practice into each module and through guest lectures led by industry specialists. Assessments are often rooted in authentic and practical workplace scenarios, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to dynamic, real-world contexts. Students have opportunities to hone their presentation skills and engage in group tasks, fostering a collaborative learning environment that mirrors professional settings. Additionally, some iterations of the MBA International program offer a dual certification, with students attaining both the MBA International from Canterbury Christ Church University and a "Certified Manager Programme" certification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), further enhancing their industry recognition and employability.

Global Perspective: The MBA International program at Canterbury Christ Church University is inherently global in its design and delivery, with "Internationalisation" being a thoroughly examined notion throughout the course. It provides students with a clear understanding of the macro and micro environments in which international businesses operate, considering aspects such as law, economics, marketing, finance, governance, politics, and culture across different countries and cultural backgrounds. The program fosters lively debate and the consideration of diverse experiences and practices, which is central to understanding the complexities of international business. By helping students investigate international business problems in the current, complex global environment, and reflecting an international body of thinking and study, the program prepares graduates to navigate and lead in today's interconnected and rapidly changing global trading environment.