Degree: International Business and Management Educational and Qualification Degree: Master
Professional Field: Economics Professional Qualification: Economics	Study period: 2 years / 4 semesters Mode of study: Full-time

І. Course overview aims

The course overview of the “International Business and Management” Master programme aims to:

• describe the set of delivered modules;
• present a short description of professional knowledge and skills to be acquired by the successful graduates;
• introduce career opportunities and career development.

“International Business and Management” is а Master course of University of Economics-Varna (UE-Varna) fully taught in English language to Bulgarian and international students both in Bulgaria. Its main objective is to enhance knowledge and practical skills in the field of international business, economics, strategic international marketing and management. The course “International Business and Management” is designed to meet the challenges of internationalisation and global development of businesses through application of contemporary business solutions.

The tuition in this course uses a blend of scholarly and professional business practices in teaching and learning in order to reinforce student comprehension and competence building.

 ІІ. Professional knowledge and skills

This course has been designed for future managers who want to develop their international awareness and strengthen their understanding of areas and concepts critical to the success of 21st century business. This learning is tightly connected with a practical application of acquired skills and knowledge, in particular through a real life business projects which will be offered.

The framework of this full-time course, enables keeping up to date with a range of dynamic modules relevant to the aspirations and needs of a new generation of international business experts. The curriculum is adopted from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and it is reviewed and developed through consultation with other international students, employers and alumni. Central to the course design is engagement with external businesses and organisations, leading to direct experience of case-based business work.

Modules included within the “International Business and Management” course are:

• Economy and Society in the European Union;
• International Economics;
• English Language;
• Dissertation Seminar;
• Global Business Environment;
• International Entrepreneurship;
• Contemporary International Marketing Strategies;
• International HR and Information Management;
• Research Methods;
• Social Responsibility, Compliance and Accountability;
• Contemporary Issues in International Strategic Management.

Teaching and learning methods are centred around interactive workshops which are highly participative in nature and employ case studies, problem-based learning (PBL), discussions, business simulations and group activities. Interactivity is key to the teaching process and the staff is committed to providing modules that adopt teaching methods that are appropriate to the student background and the specific market demands.

UE-Varna ensures that support and guidance is in place, especially during the early stages of the course and assessment periods, to help students become comfortable with working in a student-centred learning environment.

The course “International Business and Management” provides opportunities to acquire skills through innovative teaching and learning methods, and inclusion of local and international business experts that bring about:

• Equipping students with broad expert knowledge across a wide range of strategic management subject areas.
• The specific modules focus on contemporary global business challenges and cross cultural management issues.
• Understanding of how organisations capture value through new product and services and deliver value through international positioning strategies.
• Taking decisions on matters related to the changes of the global business environment and social responsibilities of modern business enterprises.
• Getting a unique opportunity to complete real life projects.
• Learning from the best by attending guest lectures from leading business experts.
• Opportunities for gaining further knowledge through extra-curricular activities.

Given the global market dynamism it is necessary to understand the importance and scope of international business and the variety of ways through which new market entry strategies affect global business operations. In such a turbulent environment, international managers need to be aware of the complex issues faced by all companies in order to select the best strategy to enable their company to prosper.

III. Organisation of educational process

The tuition process within the “International Business and Management” course incorporates up-to-date theoretical knowledge and market-tailored practical skills that are backed up by innovative teaching methods such as: applied business research, solving real life case studies offered by companies, PBLs, role-play tasks, etc. The interactive nature of the taught sessions offers the opportunity to gain feedback on students’ performance before being formally assessed and increasing use is made of e-learning to further support the feedback process.

A range of assessment methods are used across the course, the choice of which reflects the needs and demands of the different types of modules. Some modules will assess students’ ability to work collaboratively in a team and others will assess individual capabilities. Types of assessment will range from examinations to group presentations including academic essays, business reports, strategic analyses, critical literature review, and research based projects. 

IV. Career opportunities

The purpose of the course is to prepare qualified managers to work in different types of international companies and/or their divisions enabling efficient performance of their activities. Graduates from the “International Business and Management” course occupy senior management positions which include but are not limited to:

• International business analysts;
• International brand managers;
• Transnational marketing executives;
• Department Managers;
• Communications Managers;
• Sales Managers;
• International HR managers;
• Import and export specialists;
• CEOs of service companies.

Students may join graduate management trainee programmes and can be offered jobs with companies for whom they have completed business projects as part of the course. Alternatively, graduates can set up their own business or they can work in local or international companies as managers in the field of international trade, marketing, logistics, HR or other as well as to develop and implement international business projects.