Masters Degrees (Business Communication)

This course involves combining communication studies, applied linguistics, international management and intercultural communication.

Economic globalisation and rapid developments in ICT mean that many organisations now operate on an international scale, or at the very least interact with consumers, clients and/or partner organisations in other countries. Even ‘local’ companies and organisations may have a multicultural workforce, or offer their services or products abroad. As a result, communication has become increasingly international and intercultural.

Organisations seek to create communication strategies that support their overall strategy and objectives. In doing so, they need to interact with stakeholders who may have a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. These stakeholders may include employees, customers, suppliers, financial backers or even local governments. In the Master’s specialisation in International Business Communication, you’ll learn about the all factors, including cultural and linguistic ones, that play a role in communication and need to be taken into account in order to create effective communication strategies.

In your future career as a business executive or communication specialist, you’ll need to be able to assess the quality, reliability and validity of the research that informs your practical decisions ‘on the job’. In other words, you’ll need to be able to judge whether existing research – as well as your own – complies with the ground rules of academic rigor. The programme therefore places emphasis not only on training your research skills but also on developing your awareness of what ‘good research’ entails.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ibc

Why study International Business Communication at Radboud University?

- This is one of very few programmes in Europe (and the only programme in the Netherlands) that also focuses on the cultural and linguistic dimensions of international business communication.

- The specialisation deals with theory and insights that are relevant to achieving effective communication in various organisational contexts; from interpersonal communication in a meeting with (multicultural) colleagues, to marketing communication aimed at reaching international target audiences.

- Students do a (group) internship in which they work towards solving a particular communication issue or answering a specific communication question for a company or organisation. This provides hands-on experience in a relevant organisational setting.

- This specialisation attracts students from different countries and because admission to the programme is selective (max. 50 students per year), you’ll be part of a small group of highly motivated Dutch and international students. This means that to a certain extent, your learning environment is international as well.

- Guest speakers are regularly invited to share their knowledge about current developments in business, management and organisational communication.

- Although the main focus is on international communication in larger, multinational companies, graduates of this programme will be able to apply what they’ve learned in a variety of organisations – for profit, non-profit or governmental institutes.

Language(s) and management perspective

Languages form the heart of communication and that is why this Master’s specialisation is taught within Radboud University’s Faculty of Arts. The programme places a strong focus on the role that languages play in effective corporate communication. Of course, the languages used are not the only factor to consider in a multicultural environment - which is why you will be encouraged to also consider communication issues and strategy from an international management perspective.

In short, you’ll explore the impact of globalisation on business communication, the role of linguistic and cultural diversity in corporate communication, and the human and operational consequences of organisations’ language policy or strategies. In doing so, you’ll also come to understand how such issues can shape and affect an organisation’s performance.

Career prospects

With a Master’s specialisation in International Business Communication, you could pursue a career in government, semi-government, business or academia. For example, our graduates work as internal or external communication managers or press spokespeople in companies, government departments, health institutions or non-profit organisations. Many work in marketing communications at multinational companies, as communication trainers for consultancies, as social media managers or as PR consultants.

- International perspectives

Since the programme focuses on communication in international contexts, and on communication with international target groups, a sizable number of graduates have found jobs outside the Netherlands or with international organisations operating from the Netherlands.

- Wide range of communication functions

Job openings for our graduates can cover a wide range of communication functions, organisational types and (business) sectors. This is because organisations have increasingly come to realise that effective communication is essential to all organisational functions (e.g. marketing, PR, HRM, R&D, finance), and have made a real effort over the past decades to professionalise communications, making (international) business communication an increasingly important discipline.

Our approach to this field

Corporate communication involves orchestrating internal and external communication instruments to support an organisation’s core activities and to manage its relationship with different types of stakeholders. Due to the internationalisation of markets and businesses, corporate communication has gone global in recent years. Organisations that operate internationally need to take different cultures and language backgrounds into account when designing their communication. Culture and language(s) may affect international communication at three levels:

- The management level: e.g. when CEOs communicate with internal or external audiences

- The organisational level: e.g. when a company communicates about its Corporate Social Responsibility policy

- The marketing level: e.g. when products or services are promoted to an international audience in (corporate) advertising.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ibc

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In the English-language Master's specialization in Business Communication & Digital Media, you will focus on communication issues in the area of business communications. You will research how people communicate with one another using a variety of means, and how they process information through language, pictures, sound and computers. For example, you will acquire knowledge about pitfalls and misunderstandings when exchanging information, negotiating or managing conflicts in business settings, and the principles of marketing communications. The emphasis lies on the effects of digital communication on our society and culture. The program in Business Communication and Digital Media enables you to study the consequences/implications of media selection for effective communication transaction.

Internal communication

One of the most important issues within organizations is internal communication.
•How do teams communicate and make decisions?
•How do people deal with conflicts within their organization?
•How do managers use advanced business communication to motivate their employees?

These questions are all part of the internal business communication that you will deal with during your studies. You will focus on important aspects of interpersonal and group communication.

External communication

In this context, external communication is more than marketing and promoting the products on offer, it concerns the image of the organization.
•How do organizations manage a crisis situation?
•How do they communicate with media?
•How do organizations improve their image through communication?

These questions will be answered during this program. You will study various theories that explain how people make observations and form their opinions and you will learn about how organizations reach customers and convince them.

Digital Media

Over the past decade, the internet and new media have developed rapidly. The increasing importance of the internet and new media has a major impact on business communication. There are several issues that organizations are facing in this particular field of communication, such as announcing news by email, the most convenient way of communication with customers, the quality and user-friendliness of their website. Another part of this study is the social media aspect and how organizations deal with it.

Career Prospects Business Communication & Digital Media

After completing a Master's program with a specialization in Business Communication and Digital Media, you will be able to enter the education, research or business market. You will be able to analyze internal and external communications and to act as a consultant on these matters. You will also be able to give advice about communication tools within organizations. You can pursue an international career in various national or multinational organizations. After the Master's specialization, you can specialize further, as an academic researcher.

Graduates with a specialization in BDM may find positions such as:
•Web editor
•Marketing Officer
•Communications Officer
•New Media project manager
•Head of PR and Communications

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Explore the key role intercultural business communication plays in the global economy and gain the skills you need for a career in international business ventures.

Intercultural business communication deals with the study of communication in intercultural and cross-cultural business contexts. It plays a key role in the global economy and world commerce as it cuts across cultural differences between international business partners and clients.

This course will give you a solid understanding of intercultural business communication and a range of issues related to cross-cultural business. You'll be well prepared for a career in international tourism, commerce and marketing.

See the website http://www.napier.ac.uk/en/Courses/MSc-Intercultural-Business-Communication-Postgraduate-FullTime

What you'll learn

You’ll critically examine issues related to cross-cultural business behaviour, cultural dimensions, the key role of language, critical cultural awareness, and training for intercultural sensitivity.

You’ll discuss the works of major intercultural researchers and the critiques they have received in order to contribute to a more widening debate of intercultural theory and research.

This course gives you grounding in the global economic environment and the opportunity to specialise in an area of business. You’ll also study an in-depth introduction to research methodology, appropriate to undertaking research at this level.

With an international outlook, MSc Intercultural Business Communication attracts students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. By the end of the course, you’ll have a systematic understanding of intercultural business communication and competing theories of culture and communication.

You’ll also have the ability to critically and flexibly apply theoretical models to cross-cultural business contexts, including those of international marketing, commerce, advertising and tourism.

This is a one year full-time course starting in September and is split up into three trimesters. You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and independent study.

Modules

• Intercultural Business Communication
• Understanding Language in the Global Workplace
• Developing Intercultural Competence in the Workplace
• Advertising as Cultural Discourse
• Two options
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

One option from:
• Global Economic Environment & Marketing
• Contemporary HRM
• Principles and Practice of Marketing
• Marketing Communications
• Business Skills for Event Management in the Tourism Industry
• International Business Event Management
• Postgraduate Language -French, German, Spanish or Italian

One option from:
• Global Marketing
• Organisational Change management
• Case Studies in International Tourism
• Postgraduate Language -French, German, Spanish or Italian

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Careers

Opportunities in international tourism, commerce and marketing and also human resources, where trained professionals are required to negotiate business ventures with overseas clients and markets and train and support international workforces.

You could also progress to further academic study on a higher research degree.

How to apply

http://www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate/how-to-apply

SAAS Funding

Nothing should get in the way of furthering your education. Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) awards funding for postgraduate courses, and could provide the help you need to continue your studies. Find out more: http://www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate/fees-and-funding/saas-funded-courses

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Develop an understanding of teaching English as a foreign language and the key role intercultural business communication plays in the global economy.

English is a business language for global communication among people who do not share the same native tongue.

This course understands that cultural differences can create barriers, even when English is used as a common language. It thus combines a systematic approach to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a solid understanding of intercultural business communication.

On completion of the course you’ll be well prepared for a career in international business.

See the website http://www.napier.ac.uk/en/Courses/MSc-Intercultural-Business-Communication-with-TESOL-Postgraduate-FullTime

What you'll learn

There is an increasing demand for proficient speakers of English and for highly qualified teachers of English as a foreign language. An advanced command of English alone does not ensure the success of cross-cultural business: this course involves a critical examination of issues related to English language teaching and learning, along with cross-cultural business behaviour, cultural dimensions, critical cultural awareness, the key role of languages and training for intercultural sensitivity.

You’ll develop your understanding of approaches to the teaching of English as a foreign language and your ability to critically apply teaching practices to training for intercultural sensitivity. You’ll learn from both disciplines and develop the necessary skills to mentor colleagues who need cross-cultural training.

You’ll also gain an in-depth introduction to research methodology appropriate to undertaking research at this level.

This course has an international outlook and attracts students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

This is a one year full-time course starting in September and is split up into three trimesters. You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and independent study.

Modules

• Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• Intercultural Business Communication
• Understanding Language in the Global Workplace
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• Developing Intercultural Competence in the Workplace
• One option
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

One option from:
• Advertising as Cultural Discourse
• Tourism, Society and Visual Culture
• Case Studies in International Tourism
• Postgraduate Language -French, German, Spanish or Italian

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Careers

You could find employment in areas of international business acting as a trainer for colleagues in cross-cultural skills or as a negotiator of international business ventures.

Additionally, you could pursue a career in English language teaching or progress to further academic study on a higher research degree.

How to apply

http://www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate/how-to-apply

SAAS Funding

Nothing should get in the way of furthering your education. Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) awards funding for postgraduate courses, and could provide the help you need to continue your studies. Find out more: http://www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate/fees-and-funding/saas-funded-courses

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MA Intercultural Business Communication will be of interest to those wishing to work in careers related to, or who have already worked in international business and management contexts. It will also be relevant to those who wish to become more successful in understanding communication or who are cultural specialists in their own professions.

The postgraduate course raises awareness of theories of communication, culture, language and society and their applications in business interactions. The distinctiveness of the programme lies in the focus of the course’s three principal components: emphasis on intercultural and communication theories applied to work-related contexts in International Business; multi-disciplinary pathways; and Research Training.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ASSESSMENT

You will receive input from a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. A student-centred approach is emphasised in the teaching and learning process.

We use a variety of assessment procedures including essays, portfolios, presentations, projects and examinations. The assessment methods and criteria we use are linked to the learning outcomes specified for each module.

COURSE OUTLINE

You have to complete a total of nine modules of which the Dissertation or Work Placement Project (based on a work placement of at least 6 weeks) are triple modules. Four modules are taught-core compulsory modules and two are option modules.

OPPORTUNITIES

At the end of the course, you will have acquired knowledge and understanding of principles and theories of communication, language, culture and society; developed an awareness of how cultural differences can create conflict; and learned skills for undertaking independent research.

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The Master in Intercultural Business Communication is an interdisciplinary study programme offering knowledge and skills to support the communication of market actors (enterprises and non-profit organisations). Particular attention is paid to the command of languages, contemporary modes of business administration, including internet marketing and international strategies, and key soft skills of intercultural dialogue and intercultural relations. The objective is to provide robust knowledge of the specificities of conducting business in the Euro-Mediterranean region and beyond as well as to develop communication and intra-personal skills of individuals allowing them to assume managerial responsibilities with confidence.

Information on studying in Slovenia can be found at the following website, provided by the Slovenian government.

Information on study programmes and studying in Slovenia

?Unique features of the programme


Ability to communicate and operate effectively in the Euro-Mediterranean and broader area not only because of a good command of the language, but also because of being equipped with soft skills of communicating in an intercultural and interreligious environment;
An international and intercultural study environment that stimulates curiosity and tolerance;
A mobility option, where students conduct a one-semester study exchange programme at the partner institution – the University of Urbino Carlo Bo
Diverse international faculty from reputed EU and Mediterranean universities;
Modern, active teaching methods and field work;
Ample possibilities to organise and conduct internships;
A combination of methods, exploring also distance learning as a tool of growing significance;
Small classes, allowing team work, close interaction with instructors and most effective uptake of knowledge.


* The students who will take part in the study mobility at the University of Urbino Carlo Bo over one semester, gaining a minimum of 24 ECTS, will receive a master’s degree certificate also from the University of Urbino Carlo Bo. In order to participate, students are required to have the knowledge of the Italian language at least at the level B1, as the courses will be conducted in Italian.

?Mobility option 

The students who will take part in the study mobility at University of Urbino Carlo Bo over one semester, gaining a minimum of 24 ECTS, will receive a master’s degree certificate also from the University of Urbino Carlo Bo. In order to participate, students are required to have the knowledge of the Italian language at least at the level B1, as the courses will be conducted in Italian.

Career progressions

The graduates are qualified to be hired for managerial positions in intercultural business environments, public and private, profit and non-profit institutions and organisations and are prepared for independent entrepreneurial endeavours.

A master’s degree demonstrates a high level of knowledge in a specific field. But the most important is how you use that certificate. With the master’s degree in IBC at EMUNI, you will enhance your employability in the business sector, international organisations, as an entrepreneur or as a member of the civil society. The master’s will just as well provide a step into continuous training, including an academic career. In advancing your career, the EMUNI’s nature of being also a hub of regional dialogue and a network will provide you with vast opportunities. By being part of EMUNI’s events and projects, you will be able to discover various career options well before graduating. In addition, by conducting a placement or an internship that you are likely to organise with EMUNI’s contacts, you will be able to use your new found skills to their full potential. 

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This new programme aims to develop a high level of language competence and intercultural communication skills in a business context alongside providing specific business knowledge so that you can respond to the demands of the modern international business environment.

If you have a first degree in a language and are interested in entering a career in business and management, this programme will allow you to develop relevant knowledge and skills and to use your language for professional business purposes

You may have a first degree in business management and have high-level language skills as a result of living or working in a non-English speaking environment. This programme will provide excellent opportunities to apply your language knowledge in a business context.

The programme has a strong international focus and attracts students from all around the world, creating a rich learning environment where diverse international experience and practice is shared.

Languages available:

Arabic
Chinese
French
German
Spanish

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The International Business and Management MA and the International Business and Management MSc are two courses which are designed to advance your knowledge and develop the analytical and evidence-based skills that are needed in your future professional life. In terms of knowledge, the focus is on a range of business and management disciplines. In terms of skills, you will be helped in building up critical thinking, presentation, negotiation and communication skills, sound decision making and evidence based problem solving skills, all of which are desirable for effective business personnel and leaders in a fast changing global business context.

A highlight for many students is the study trip and company visits. The course team will continue to develop this kind of experiential learning that fosters an application-orientated approach.

The courses place much emphasis on the integration of theory and practice within an international environment and this is reflected in the teaching and learning strategies. A variety of teaching methods aim to enable you to master the key concepts in the business and management field and to achieve a deeper understanding of these. You will be encouraged to be proactive in your approach to learning, by undertaking research and working in teams. You will also be expected to spend an appropriate amount of time in private study.

Students are supported via the Virtual Learning Environment accessing their study materials and supporting resources on the Blackboard site. Each student has a personal tutor, who will provide you with academic support and guidance throughout your university journey so that you can achieve full academic and personal potential. Employability and career development is an important part of both courses. Our graduates have developed their careers in a wide range of multinational corporations, management consultancies, financial services, government institutions and also family businesses around the world. A number of our graduates have moved onto PhD study, developing a research-focused career in academia.

The International Business and Management MA and International Business and Management MSc are differentiated by one core module and options. The MA and MSc Project modules are distinguished by the focus of topic, the type of research method(s) and the type of data analysis applied in the project.

Download a suggested timetable for International Business and Management MA.

Course structure

The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Core modules – MA and MSc

• Financial Analysis for Managers
• Business Research Methods
• International Economics
• International Marketing and Communications Management
• International Business Strategy
• Leading and Managing in a Global Context
• Project

Core module – MA

• HRM Strategies for the International Manager

Core module - MSc

• Digital Information Management

Option modules - MA

• Marketing Creativity and Innovation
• Digital Information Management

Option modules - MSc

• Global Financial Markets
• Modern Finance
• Quantitative Analysis for Marketing Management
• Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Internships

All students on our full-time Business Masters courses can apply to undertake the PG/MBA Internship Programme, which forms part of the Reflective Practitioner Module.

The internship allows you to test drive a career and explore one of your career interests before you complete your Postgraduate studies!

Completing an 8-12 week accredited internship helps students gain invaluable work experience. This fantastic work experience can be taken in addition to option modules. Students are responsible for finding their own internship with the support of the Business Experience Team.

To express an interest in the module, students must submit a completed application form and a copy of their updated CV. This will give students membership a dedicated website that offers exclusive access to internship vacancies, one to-one CV guidance appointments, mock interviews, employability workshops and much more.

Students can apply to London-based organisations and have the flexibility to take their internship in the summer period or alongside their studies.

Every year we receive very positive feedback from both postgraduate students and employers and expect that the internship programme will continue to remain popular amongst our students.

Find out about postgraduate internships 

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The course is designed for recent graduates seeking a career in traditional and new media organisations. It provides a combination of business and media skills designed to equip you to take up an entry-level position in today’s media organisations. 

You will learn how media organisations are engaging with the challenges resulting from the emergence of digital media technologies and platforms. The course introduces you to the processes by which media organisations develop their corporate strategies, business plans, marketing and production operations as they respond to radical change in the commercial environment. 

The course is designed to enable you to find and take up work placements and internships at media organisations in London during the course of your studies. Our students have successfully completed internships at TV production companies like the BBC, technology companies like Google, as well as many other multimedia, advertising and news organisations in London. Some have successfully started their own businesses in the UK. 

Whether you are planning a career in a media organisation or seeking to create your own new business start up, the MA International Media Business aims to provide the analytical insight, operational knowledge and planning skills you will need to prosper. The course is taught alongside a suite of Masters courses in Westminster’s highly successful Centre for Creative Industries Management. 

Course structure

The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Core modules

• Media Business Dissertation
• Media Business Strategy
• Media Markets
• Media Production Skills
• Media Work Experience

Optional modules (Semester 1)

• Global Media
• Media Operations
• Political Analysis of Communications Policy
• Study Skills
• Technology and Communications Policy

Optional modules (Semester 2)

• Chinese Media
• Corporate Communications
• Consumer PR
• Fashion Marketing and Brand Management
• Fashion PR
• PR and New Media
• Marketing, Creativity and Innovation
• Music Marketing Management
• Policies for Digital Convergence

Career path

International Media Business students have gone on to work for many social media business including Facebook, Youtube, Google as well as traditional media firms like Sky, Disney and Bloomberg. They have also worked as creatives and digital content producers for small and large business including Land Rover, AEG and BSI Global. Others have continued their education at PhD level.

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The Masters in Intercultural Communication with International Business combines linguistic studies, cultural studies, international business components and training in research methods.

You will take six compulsory modules, two optional modules and write a dissertation where you have the opportunity to specialise according to your personal interests. The programme includes numerous opportunities to apply and develop your skills through practical tasks.

The programme is ideal for business professionals who wish to enhance their profile with a postgraduate qualification; and for graduates of humanities, English language or business disciplines who would like to deepen their insight into business across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Programme structure

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time over two academic years. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.

Example module listing

The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.

• Introduction to Research Methods 
• Organisational Behaviour 
• International Business Management
• Intercultural Communication for Business Purposes
• Teaching Intercultural Communication 
• Interpersonal Communication 
• Global Diversity in Language and Communication
• Theories of Professional Communication 
• Identity: Marketing and Communication in Practice
• Globalisation: Theories, Discourses and Practices
• Organisations and Written Communication 
• Dissertation

Career prospects

This degree will prepare you for a career in the areas of communication and intercultural consultancy, particularly, though not exclusively, where the use of English is required.

More specifically, the programme will appeal if you are seeking to work in multinational and international business, in particular in the fields of intercultural training, human resource management, and communication and marketing.

It will provide valuable preparation for careers in government overseas agencies and international diplomatic organisations, the voluntary sector, local government community initiatives and business consultancies, as well as in the communication industries.

Many of our graduates go on to find employment in a wide range of international organisations and businesses; others choose to take research degrees in their subject.

Academic support

As a student of the School of Literature and Languages, you will benefit from the expertise of a vibrant, multidisciplinary group of academics. You will also have access to a number of conferences, seminars and workshops hosted throughout the year.

These events cover a range of topics to broaden your thinking in the fields of literature, language and linguistics, cultural studies and creative writing.

The business component of the programme will also allow you to benefit from the close affiliation with the Surrey Business School, a leading provider of internationally recognised postgraduate vocational management degrees.

The School has strong links with industry and has established a number of high-profile partnerships with multinational organisations. You will be supported by a team of international staff with a wealth of global experience and specialist expertise.

English language support for all

Programmes available to all students include:

• Oral Skills
• Academic Listening
• Contemporary British Society
• Pronunciation
• Critical Thinking
• Legal English
• Academic Reading and Note-Taking
• Grammar Revision
• Essay Writing
• Essay Writing for Native English Speakers
• Thesis / Dissertation Writing

Educational aims of the programme

The overall purpose of the programme is to:

• Provide a comprehensive and differentiated understanding of intercultural communication in contemporary socio-cultural contexts
• Supply the tools enabling students to apply this understanding to the task of addressing the market needs of the international business environment
• Instil in students the capacity for carrying out advanced supervised research in an area of Intercultural Communication

Programme learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Students will be able to demonstrate:

• A critical understanding of different types of communication, in particular intercultural, cross-cultural, non-mediated (face-to- face) and mediated (telephone, internet,etc.) communication
• A critical awareness of the issues and concerns involved in mediated and non-mediated intercultural communication
• A comprehensive knowledge of the strategies and processes of social interaction either spoken or written
• A detailed understanding of business organisations, their management challenges, and the changing external environment in which they operate

Intellectual / cognitive skills

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an ability to create and carry out a project in the field of (non) professional communication of significant complexity
• Demonstrate an ability to reflect upon the knowledge gained and incorporate this into independent learning strategies
• Critically appreciate the different frames for analysing social interaction to be applied to the research work required for the writing of the MA dissertation

Professional practical skills

Students will have the skills to:

• Create appropriate strategies for effective communication with members of the same and/or other (sub)cultures
• Evaluate communication processes already in place in different contexts and implement communication policies

Key / transferable skills

Students will be able to demonstrate:

• The capacity to work both independently and with others in order to achieve common goals
• An ability to manage learning self-critically

Global opportunities

We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.

In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.

Learn more about opportunities that might be available for this particular programme by using our student exchanges search tool.

Professional recognition

Surrey Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

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This unique course in intercultural communication will expand your awareness of different cultures and workplace diversity, enhance your understanding of intercultural communication, and encourage you to reflect on your own culture and language use. You will also improve your professional and business communication skills, including written, oral and interpersonal skills, in international settings. The programme, which is based within Birkbeck's MA Intercultural Communication in Business and Professions, values the importance of bridging the gap between theory and practice in the field of intercultural communication and is structured to strike a balance between ideas and real-world experience.

This course is specifically designed for intercultural trainers, coaches and consultants interested in enhancing their existing knowledge and experience, and for professionals working in fields such as communication, public relations, human resources, management and business consulting, who want to expand their global perspective and increase intercultural effectiveness. You will develop the professional and business communication skills you need to proceed to a career in the international business world.

The programme benefits from a combination of knowledge-based and skills-oriented training, world-class experts in intercultural communication, Birkbeck's flexible, student friendly support, and London's position as an international multicultural and multilingual city.

If you unable or unsure about committing to a full Master's, this programme will help you gain cutting-edge, practical knowledge of the field of intercultural communication. Upon completion of the course, you can choose to go on to complete Birkbeck's MA Intercultural Communication for Business and Professions, if you wish.

Why study this course at Birkbeck?

Arts and humanities courses at Birkbeck are ranked third best in London and 11th in the UK in the Times Higher Education 2015-16 World University Subject Rankings.
Our intercultural communication programmes are internationally recognised higher professional qualifications, which could help you improve your employment prospects.
This multidisciplinary programme brings together communication studies, applied linguistics, language studies and business studies.
Applied linguistics has been taught at Birkbeck since 1965, making this one of the oldest departments in the world. You will be taught by leading researchers in the field.
The programme takes an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach, with staff expertise in a wide range of sub-disciplines, from humanities to social sciences and life sciences. Teaching and research take place within a strong research culture.
Birkbeck’s central London location and unique evening study is ideal for working professionals. A unique advantage of studying this programme at Birkbeck is that students who are working professionals in London are taught side-by-side with others coming from across Europe and around the world.
We have a multimedia library and computing facilities. Birkbeck Library has a large holding of books, as well as over 40 current print journal subscriptions in the subject area, with an additional 100 available electronically. We are located within walking distance of the British Library and libraries at the Institute of Education, School of Oriental and African Studies, University College London and Senate House.
Birkbeck's Applied Linguistics Society, an official University of London society, was formed to bring together students interested in applied linguistics and related fields (for example, multilingualism, intercultural communication, TESOL etc) in the London area. You will also benefit from intercollegiate seminars and lectures offered by various departments located in Bloomsbury.
Birkbeck's Centre for Multilingual and Multicultural Research hosts visiting scholars from all over the world and runs regular research seminars given by speakers from overseas and other UK institutions. The centre also supports postgraduate training in applied linguistics, bilingualism, intercultural communication and translation.

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The International Pre-Masters Certificate in Business and English is designed to prepare non-native English speaking students for postgraduate study in business related disciplines.

The aims of the course are to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to confidently achieve at postgraduate level in a business discipline.

The course aims to develop your understanding of key business vocabulary, theories and concepts integral to postgraduate business courses, and your linguistic competence in specific Business English to enable successful study at postgraduate level. It also aims to develop your academic, cognitive, meta-cognitive and professional skills required for successful study at postgraduate level in a business-related area, and to provide you with the necessary personal, professional, interpersonal and key skills to enable development as independent, autonomous learners in preparation for postgraduate study.

The course is delivered in two modules

• Study and Research Skills for Business develops your language, academic and study skills
• Principles of Business provides you with a broad exploration of key contemporary business issues

You have the opportunity to carry out research projects with local and regional organisations, which will be an enriching cultural experience and enhance your employment prospects.

Successfully completing the course enables you to choose from a range of postgraduate courses to suit your interests and career development needs. These are available at Sheffield Hallam and other academic institutions.

Sheffield Business School runs postgraduate courses in

• accounting, banking and finance
• business and management
• food and nutrition
• tourism, hospitality and events

If you successfully complete this course you will be eligible for a discount on your fees on a full-time Sheffield Business School postgraduate beginning in September.

The course focuses on three areas of skills and knowledge

• Academic and Business English
• Academic skills for postgraduate study in a Business context
• Principles of Business

Course structure

Full-time – 12 weeks

September to December for masters courses starting in January.

Study and Research Skills for Business

The Study and Research Skills for Business module constitutes the larger proportion of the two modules during the twelve week course. In this module you will

• acquire and apply academic skills, such as researching, referencing, critical reading and writing to a level equivalent to IELTS level 6
• develop listening skills in the context of academic settings, such as lectures, and business settings, such as meetings, debates and news broadcasts to a level equivalent to IELTS level 6
• develop oral communication skills for business negotiation and presentation to a level equivalent to IELTS level 6
• develop employability skills: apply your business knowledge, theory and understanding in a real work context in an assessed project collaboration with a local business

Principles of Business

The Principles of Business module provides you with fundamentals of Business Strategy, Global Business and Finance. The module is designed to give students an understanding and appreciation of the contemporary issues faced by businesses, both within national and international markets.

It will interlink three broad subject areas: Strategic Management, Business Practice and Financial Management and will introduce students to the fundamental features and concepts of business management. For those students who do possess some business experience the module will provide academic underpinning to their business practise.

By engaging successfully with this module a student will be able to appreciate and appraise different theories and frameworks in the context of Business and Management, evaluate real life company situations by applying conceptual knowledge and understanding of business practice, and apply theories, concepts and frameworks to analyse and evaluate practical management solutions and formulate operational strategies.

Employability

This is a pre-masters course which allows you to progress to a postgraduate course leading to many careers in all business-related areas.

If you successfully complete this course you will be eligible for a discount on your fees for a full-time Sheffield Business School postgraduate beginning in September.

The course is designed in such a way that it contributes towards Sheffield Hallam University Postgraduate attributes. High level transferable skills, such as knowledge application, creative and critical thinking, research and enquiry are integral to the course. You will be encouraged to develop skills that will underpin your future academic and professional development. For example, during the assessed debate students propose a new sales strategy for a UK company, and present and defend their idea to their peers who take on the role of directors of different departments of the company, understanding the different drivers from each area of the company in the decision-making process.

The modules include case studies, team working and industry examples. Module content and related assessment will focus on past and present business scenarios and will form a vital chain in connecting theory with practice. These situations and practice led examples will enhance the student experience and will count towards greater student employability.

A major enhancement to the course will be the opportunity for you to carry out an assessed project based on real-world business problems faced by local organisations, which will be supported by the Venture Matrix team and by module tutors. The project aims to enhance your business awareness and take an enquiry-based approach to learning. The opportunity to visit and communicate regularly with a company will be particularly beneficial to you as an international student from the point of view of business engagement and real-life practical experience. You will be supported through this experience by the module teaching team to propose research-led solutions to a real business issue for a real company.

Examples of previous projects have included market research for a luxury snack company, researching new markets for a local engineering manufacturer, investigating the potential for a sportswear start-up and a competitor analysis for an online service provider.

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This course offers you an opportunity to raise your cross-cultural awareness and enhance your intercultural communicative competence in international business settings, to reflect on your own culture and language use, and to develop the professional and business communication skills necessary to advance your career in the international business world.

It focuses on intercultural communication skills, including written, oral and interpersonal skills, and is specially designed for:

- Language and communication graduates who are looking to develop a career in international organisations or the business sector.
- Business graduates who would like to improve their professional and business communication skills to enhance their employability.
- Professionals working in fields such communication, public relations, human resources, management and business consulting who want to expand their global perspective and increase effectiveness.
- Intercultural trainers, coaches and consultants interested in enhancing their existing knowledge and experience.


The programme benefits from a combination of knowledge-based and skills-oriented training, world-class experts in intercultural communication, Birkbeck's flexible and student-friendly support, and London's position as an international multicultural and multilingual city.

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The one year MSc program offers four tracks:

• Business Communication and Digital Media
• Communication Design
• New Media Design
• Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence

Besides the 1 year Master, also a two- year Master is offered:

• Research Master in Language and Communication

The MSc in Communication and Information Sciences offers a unique program in which you learn about how people acquire and transfer information and how new means of communication can be used creatively and innovatively. The approach taken at Tilburg University is unique in the sense that the broad concept of communication is examined from many perspectives, including those of linguistics, cognitive and social psychology, computational modeling and document design.

This program is intended for highly talented and motivated students with a keen sense of intellectual curiosity and intellectual ambition. In this Master’s program, you will encounter state-of-the-art research in the broad interdisciplinary field of communication. The point of departure is natural communication: how is information transferred from one person to another? For what purpose? You will participate in a wide range of courses such as communication strategies, non-verbal communication and computer vision. This unique combination of approaches and research traditions will enable you to work as a communication expert, and answer questions such as:

•What is the best way to present information to an audience?

•How do people communicate within an organization?

•How can you influence people's behavior through language?

You take a particular interest in language and you are seeking to broaden and deepen your academic knowledge. You are interested in the many different aspects of communication such as the effect that words can have, how people produce language, and linguistic phenomena such as metaphors, and the stories behind them.

This one-year MSc program offers four different specializations: Business Communication & Digital Media, Communication Design, New Media Design and Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence.  

Career Prospects Communication and Information Sciences

After completing your MSc program in Communication and Information Sciences, a broad range of career paths in business, research and education will be open to you. You will be able to analyze and consult on internal and external communications. With a Master's degree, you can start your career as a scientific researcher in this field. And remember that these opportunities are worldwide because your studies are internationally-oriented.

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Summary

The purpose of this programme is to enable both practicing and aspiring professionals in the business, communication and information technology sectors to better understand how to leverage digital media technologies and platforms to achieve competitive advantage.

About

In contrast to traditional methods of communication, digital media channels facilitate greater consumer interactivity and empowerment. In a highly competitive and connected global marketplace the unique properties of digital media communication can therefore present both opportunities and challenges for firms. Increasingly, communication professionals are expected to embrace digital media to encourage customer and partner engagement. Equally, professionals in technical roles are now required to apply their knowledge of digital media more strategically to drive business value.

Recognising the vital role of digital media for effective organisational and business communication, and the growing importance of open, collaborative working practices, this course combines expertise from both technical and communication disciplines to provide an enriching and multidisciplinary learning environment.

Specifically, this course will provide you with the opportunity to:

• critically assess the changing communication and technology landscape to establish strong foundations and confidence in decision making in an ever changing digital environment
• compare and contrast a variety of online digital media communication tools and techniques
• apply the latest online digital media communication tools and services to achieve business communication objectives in support of organisational goals.

Attendance

Full-time students normally complete between two and three modules per semester. Modules are normally delivered in intensive block sessions, from 1.00pm until 9.00pm. The maximum number of intensive block teaching days per module is 4 (although not always on consecutive days), plus approximately 2 days x 3 hours seminar attendance. You will also be expected to engage in group and team work in some of your modules and so will need to have further meetings outside of class time. In addition, you are also expected to dedicate adequate time for independent study. Part-time students normally complete between one and two modules per semester.

Career options

This course enables both practicing and aspiring professionals in the business, marketing, communication and information technology sectors to better understand how to leverage digital media technologies and services to achieve competitive advantage.

Key aspects of the course that will help to equip you for a career, or support your continued professional development in the communication or information technology sectors include:

• Ongoing input from leading practitioners, ensuring exposure to the experiences and insight of professionals working in the digital arena.
• The use of case studies, enabling the identification of real-world business problems, and the design and defence of appropriate solutions.
• Enhanced ICT skills, through first-hand experimentation with a range of online digital media tools.
• Activities and assessment which require the application of learning to an employer or an equivalent organisation.
• The opportunity to learn in a multidisciplinary setting indicative of today’s more integrated and collaborative corporate culture.

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