Taught course

Intercultural Business Communication

Institution
Heriot-Watt University · School of Management and Languages
Qualifications
MSc

Entry requirements

Good (first or second class) Honours degree, or its non-UK equivalent, from a recognised British or overseas university.

Applicants with a degree in a directly related area and/or relevant professional experience and language background should contact us for an informal assessment of suitability as a candidate.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Overview

During your studies, you’ll apply your learning directly to intercultural business contexts which are relevant to international organisations and teams, allowing you to work with people from all around the world.

This programme is embedded in Heriot-Watt University’s highly respected Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies. You’ll develop advanced practical communication skills in the context of diverse business settings, alongside a broad range of professional transferable skills. You’ll cultivate a critical cultural understanding of the complexities of communication in a globalised world. You’ll also gain insights from communication studies and cultural studies to develop a comprehensive understanding of effective communication in business settings, so you’ll be ready to thrive in dynamic workplaces.

You’ll be taught and assessed entirely in English, which makes it suitable for those who would like to adapt their English language skills for a professional context and develop an understanding of intercultural issues in international business.

Our Expertise

Our teaching team comprises interdisciplinary experts in communication, cultural studies, and business psychology, ensuring an interdisciplinary educational experience.

Our faculty includes active researchers who engage with cutting-edge research in the field, as well as experienced professionals with hands-on experience in cross-cultural communication who bring real-life examples to their teaching.

Your learning environment

You’ll learn alongside students from all over the world and will find yourself working in multicultural teams to apply your learning in real-time. As a result, you’ll be uniquely prepared for a career in international business and global leadership by the time you graduate.

This degree is taught through a variety of teaching and learning methods, including group-based work, projects and the completion of a dissertation.

Outside of the classroom, you can join Heriot-Watt’s Business Society which holds regular social events and provides networking opportunities and insights into career prospects in business and other relevant industries.

Customise your learning

You’ll have the opportunity to focus on the areas of intercultural business communication that interest you the most. You can customise your degree to match your specific interests or career pathway by having the chance to choose specialist course options.

Near the end of your study, you’ll ‘deep dive’ into your chosen area of international business communication in your dissertation. You will be required to demonstrate your knowledge of the subject area by demonstrating discursive and analytical skills required for original and creative thinking at a master’s level.

You can choose whether to study the programme full-time or part-time and can start in September or January. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle.

You may have the opportunity to Go Global on our Inter-Campus Transfer. Opportunities for postgraduate study abroad are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if you are interested in studying at our Dubai campus or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer, you should contact the Go Global Team.

Industry

We work closely with the industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of the industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.

Our MSc Intercultural Business Communication programme is informed by the Intercultural Research Centre (IRC). Through its research at Heriot-Watt University, IRC aims to:

  • build understanding of interactions between cultures on a wide variety of levels, including sub-cultures, gender cultures and linguistic cultures

  • develop an appreciation of the experiences and discursive representations of living with, or between, different cultures, identities, communities or languages

The work the IRC carries out helps to inform the courses on our degree programme by providing the latest insights into intercultural studies and their main research themes.

Accreditation

The Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies is a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). We are also an official higher education partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists– a professional body that maintains the highest standards for practising interpreters and translators.

In addition, we are founding members of CIUTI, the world's oldest and most prestigious international association of universities that train interpreters and translators.

Fees and funding

UK students
£9,152 (full-time) £4,576 (part-time)
International students
£20,376 (full-time) £10,188 (part-time)

See University website

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MSc
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    part time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Admissions Office
Email
studywithus@hw.ac.uk