Programme Overview

Academic Level

Postgraduate/Masters, Single Major

Awarded by

Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK

Programme type

Full-time, 1 year

Campus location

SIM Campus

Application Dates

Now till 2 June 2025

Estimated Fees
(incl. GST)*

S$41,005.80 to S$42,771.60

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* Exclude application fee, preparatory or bridging course fee, and other fees. Refer to the Fees & Financial Aid section for details.

Programme Outline

Awarded and developed by: Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK

As the business sector continues to undergo a digital transformation, it has become even more important that the next generation of leaders understand the challenges facing international business. When studying our MSc in International Business, you will consider the latest practical issues facing international firms, including, the multifaceted concept of responsible business, trade-offs in operations, cooperative strategies, and new approaches to enhancing competitiveness. Through this research informed and practice-orientated programme, you will develop your problem solving and decision-making skills to ensure you are ready to handle the fast pace of global business.

The programme is designed around a pathway-to-practice approach that focuses on developing key skills including understanding the latest business models, international competition, optimising modern technology, innovation, and data analytics.

With responsible and ethical business practices embedded at its core, this programme will enable you to become part of a new generation of leaders who can make positive and sustainable changes to the industry. On this programme you will join an innovative community of leaders studying International Business.

Recently, the inaugural International Business Week was held for students studying the MSc International Business in Singapore between 25th March to 28 March 2024. The business week included visits to Monetary Authority of Singapore and a tour of one-north, the 'Silicon Valley' of Singapore. These visits allowed students to delve into various industries and acquire valuable insights. Click here to read more.

Why a Master’s from University of Birmingham?

Degrees are of the same standings and standards as those awarded in the UK
Long tradition and established track record of teaching business and management
Established international reputation of the University and the Business School
Research led – cutting-edge research feeds directly into teaching
International syllabus with a focus on the issues of globalisation
Dedicated staff who provide continuous support for your studies
Join the alumni community of more than 300,000 graduates. From television and sport to research and government, the University has outstanding alumni across all sectors.

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Learning Outcomes

You will:

Appreciate the global nature of business
Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding in key areas of international business
Apply theoretical knowledge, practical skills, tools and techniques in a written dissertation
Improve and enhance your skills and practice for the fast-paced changes now faced by many international businesses.

Further Studies & Career Prospects

Armed with the knowledge and skill set relevant across the globe, graduates can further their career in MNCs, government bodies and institutions that have an international, cross-border footprint. While some will accelerate their careers with existing employers, others can create potential for change.

Major directions include jobs in:

Banking
Global Business analysis and development

Cross-border Management and strategy consulting
Global Corporate finance and investment
Global Human resource management
International Marketing

Graduates may further their studies in the PhD and doctoral programmes in universities around the world on programme completion.

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Hear from our students

Prashant Kumar

After witnessing how his parents’ jobs were made redundant multiple times during their corporate career, Prashant Kumar knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur who could take the reins of his own destiny. More importantly, he is passionate about making an impact in his community with job creation. A graduate of the University of Birmingham, Prashant co-founded FREO Labs, a B2B brand, design and digital consultancy and shared his experience on this challenging but rewarding journey.

Read story

Why study at SIM x University of Birmingham

SIM is the leading private education institution in Singapore.

University of Birmingham ranked 80th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025).

Among Masters in International Business, Birmingham Business School was ranked 9th globally, 6th in Europe, and 3rd in the UK. (QS International Trade Rankings 2023 - in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation)
Ranking is based on University's Edgbaston campus data.

First choice for graduate employment among UK’s top employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research).

University of Birmingham ranked 22nd in the UK (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).

Learn more about University of Birmingham

Intake Dates

Oct 2025 Intake

PROGRAMME DURATION

1 Oct 2025 ‐ 30 Sep 2026

APPLICATION PERIOD

Now till 2 June 2025

Date & period is subject to change by the University.

Pre-sessional English Course
Applicants who have not reached the required IELTS English Language proficiency level or equivalent shall have to complete and pass a Pre-Sessional English Course before progressing to any of the MSc programmes. Please refer to Pre-sessional English Course (If Applicable) below for the latest intake details and closing dates.

Scholarship
A scholarship of SGD 5,000 will be offered to new students of the University of Birmingham’s Master of Science programmes who meet the scholarship requirements and have successfully been offered a place of study at SIM for Academic Year 2025-2026. The application cut-off date for the scholarship is 1 July 2025.

Please click here to view the administrative details and terms and conditions for the University of Birmingham scholarships.

The programme is designed to be completed in a year.

There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the programme within the candidature period.

Curriculum

Structure

Comprises 6 taught modules (120 credits) and a written dissertation (60 credits).
Fully taught by Birmingham academics from the UK home campus to ensure equivalent academic inputs to the Singapore programme.
Average teacher-participant ratio is 1:80
Exemptions: Nil
Minimum class size to commence: 25 students
If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.

Taught Modules

Delivered on a block teaching basis through classroom learning.
A 20-credit module is equivalent to two weeks of intensive weekday lectures. One to two modules are expected to be delivered monthly.
Class duration: Typically 6 hours per day on SIM campus with each lesson about 3 hours. Saturday classes may occasionally be scheduled if required.
Face-to-face Delivery: Generally held on SIM campus unless otherwise stated.

Dissertation

There will be workshops, consultation sessions and assigned supervisors to guide students on dissertation.

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Assessment & Attendance

Attendance requirement – 100%
Typically, students will need to complete each module’s assessments before progressing to the next module.
Assessment schedule is subject to change by the University.

Taught Modules

Taught modules are assessed by individual and group assessments and projects.
Assessment and projects are normally scheduled one to two weeks after a module's completion.
Re-assessment will be advised by the University for students who did not fulfil the passing requirement of any taught modules.

Dissertation

Students will need to complete a 10,000 – 12,000 words dissertation for submission. The submission period is normally in August/September.

*Coursework can take a variety of forms including essays, practical assignments, presentations and reports etc. Some coursework may be group based.

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Requirements to Graduate

Obtain a total of 180 credits to attain the Master of Science International Business awarded by the University of Birmingham.
A degree congregation presided by University of Birmingham is annually held in November on SIM campus. Alternatively, graduates may choose to attend the ceremony in July/December in the UK.
The awarded degree and degree certificate is the same as that awarded in the UK.

Student Performance Outcome
Above 92% passing rate over the last 3 years.

Graduate Performance Outcome
Above 76% postgraduate students achieving Distinctions and Merits over the last 3 years.

(Source: The statistics are derived from the combined average of last 3 years.)

Modules

Year 2025 Modules

A 20-credit module is equivalent to 60 contact hours.

International Business (20 Credits)
International Strategy (20 Credits)
Practising and Managing International Business (20 Credits)
Governance and Global Responsibility (20 Credits)
International Business Data Analytics (20 Credits)
Disruptive Innovation and International Business (20 Credits)
Dissertation (60 Credits)

View list of modules and descriptions (including Dissertation) (PDF 183 KB)
View a list of lecturers’ teaching modules (PDF 66 KB)

The modules listed here and on the University’s website may occasionally be subject to change to ensure consistency with the UK programme. In such a scenario, you will be informed of any changes.

Note: Students are required to own a laptop equipped with at least Microsoft Windows 10 or Apple MacOS Catalina (10.15) and 8GB RAM (recommended).

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Admission Criteria

All admissions are based on merit and are subject to the final approval of the Programme Director. Applicants may be interviewed prior to acceptance into the programme.

Accepted Entry Qualifications

Designed for bachelor’s degree holders who wish to understand business in the international context.

Bachelor's degree in any discipline (Upper Second Class Honours degree or higher) or an equivalent qualification

English Language Requirements

A minimum C6 pass in English as First Language at GCE ‘O’ Level; or
IELTS 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0); or
Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: PTE Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills; or
TOEFL iBT: 88 (with no less than 20 in Listening, 21 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing; or
Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced or Proficiency - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component; or
Successful completion of a SIM Pre-Sessional English course, Certificate in Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes; or
Equivalent

Other Requirements

Two satisfactory references of which one must be academic-related; and
A letter of academic interest and your objectives in undertaking postgraduate study.

Pre-sessional English Course (If Applicable)

Developed and awarded by SIM, Singapore.

Applicants who have not reached the required IELTS English Language proficiency level or equivalent shall have to complete and pass a Pre-Sessional English Course before progressing to any of the MSc programmes.

This full-time course aims to improve all four Academic English Language skills in Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing to the required proficiency level for entry to the respective MSc programmes.

A certificate of completion will be awarded upon successful passing of Part One and/or Part Two of the Pre-sessional English Course.

There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the course within the course duration.

* The PSEC is not open for direct application. The selection into the course is based upon recommendations by the Admission Committee (AC) for those who have applied to the respective MSc Programmes.
** Fees are inclusive of 9% GST and are payable in full before each part of course commencement. Fees include online course materials.

Structure

Mode of delivery: Lessons will be delivered via blended learning with a combination of face-to-face lectures and e-learning components.
View module synopses
Class duration: Typically 6 hours on weekdays. Some lessons may also take place on Saturdays if required.
Assessments: Continuous assessments include in-class tests, individual / group assignments, online quizzes etc. There are no re-assessments.
Average teacher-student ratio – 1:30
View a list of lecturers’ teaching modules (PDF 84 KB)
Minimum class size to commence – 25
If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed at least 1 week before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.
Attendance requirement:
- Local students – at least 75% rate
- International students – at least 90% rate

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Certificate in Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (CPEAP)

This programme is available through institutional collaborations, and not applicable for direct applications by prospective students.The selection into the programme is based upon recommendation by the Admission Committee for those who have applied to the Master of Science Financial Management and Master of Science
International Business programmes awarded by University of Birmingham.

This programme is developed and awarded by Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore. It aims to improve all four Academic English Language skills, Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing to IELTS 6.5, through two parts.

2025 Intake (Full-time)
Programme Duration: 1 Oct 2025 - 30 June 2026*

^{*Dates are subject to change}

For more information, please click here.

Fees and Financial Aid

All fees are inclusive of prevailing GST and payable before course/term commencement (exclude textbooks). Valid for 2025 intake and assumes that students complete the programme in one year.

View all payment modes.

Programme Fees 

Pre-sessional English Course* (If Applicable)
(Fees are valid for intake in 2025)*

Part One & Two: S$5,450.00
Part Two: S$2,725.00

*Fees are inclusive of 9% GST and are payable in full before course commencement. Fees do not include textbook.

Master’s Programme*
(Fees are valid for intake in 2025)*

Local Students:

Total Programme Fees: S$41,005.80

International Students:

Total Programme Fees: S$42,771.60

*Fees are inclusive of 9% GST and are payable in instalments based on the number of taught module credits undertaken in a term. Fees include online course materials.

Scholarship

A scholarship of SGD 5,000 will be offered to new students of the University of Birmingham’s Master of Science programmes who meet the scholarship requirements and have successfully been offered a place of study at SIM for Academic Year 2025-2026. The application cut-off date for the scholarship is 1 July 2025.

Please click here to view the administrative details and terms and conditions for the University of Birmingham scholarships.

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Mandatory One-time Fees

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST.

International Student Induction Fee

A one-time fee payable by new full-time international students. This fee covers pre-arrival and arrival support, including activities to enhance the international student learning experience.

As applicable, payable with the programme fees’ first instalment.

S$436.00

Application Fee

Payable for each application form that is submitted. Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee will be refunded fully only if the intake does not commence. Unpaid applications will not be processed.

Local applicants:
S$109.00

International applicants: S$545.00*
(*Not inclusive of all fees related to Student’s Pass application)

Scholarships & Bursaries

SIM GE Bursary

The SIM GE Bursary aims to provide financial assistance to needy students studying at SIM GE. This award is given based on our eligibility criteria, as well as the assessed level of neediness of the applicants.

Learn more

SIM GE Bursary

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Master of Science International Business

Programme Overview

Academic Level

Awarded by

Programme type

Campus location

Application Dates

Estimated Fees
(incl. GST)*