MA Business Communication for International Leadership with Professional Experience

The MA in Business Communication for International Leadership degree at the University of Portsmouth is a two-year, CMI-accredited programme that offers opportunities for professional experience to its students. In this course, you will learn the principles that govern business, communication, and leadership.

During this programme, you will understand how to communicate effectively in the business world, how to address cross-cultural differences, and sharpen your leadership skills, particularly on an international scale. In addition, you gain transferable skills such as negotiation techniques, critical thinking, problem-solving, and presentation skills. Through these, you will gain the ability to manage diversity, lead negotiations, and implement sustainable leadership.

The MA Business Communication for International Leadership (with Professional Experience) programme at the University of Portsmouth uses a teaching method that includes traditional and guest lectures, interviews, and discussion forums with industry experts and practitioners.

Notably, this course option offers you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through the 8-10 month work placement. During the placement, you will practice all you’ve learned and gain valuable experience working with real organisations.

The University of Portsmouth was established in 1992 and is located in Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom. Since its establishment, the university has gained a reputation for the top-quality education it offers to over 25,000 students. Presently, the university offers a wide range of courses (undergraduate and postgraduate) across several disciplines, including Business, Engineering, Science, Law, and Technology.

The University of Portsmouth boasts modern facilities like specialist laboratories, a multi-million-pound sports centre, and accreditations by bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It also holds strong professional accreditations across its courses, including from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

These are the standard entry requirements to study an MA in Business Communication for International Leadership (with Professional Experience) at the University of Portsmouth:

Grade requirements

Applicants should have a second-class honours degree or its equivalent in a relevant subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work, and training courses.

English Proficiency 

Non-native English speakers may need to demonstrate proficiency in the language, typically through an IELTS score of at least 6.5. TOEFL or other equivalents are also allowed.

The tuition fee (2025/2026) to study MA Business Communication for International Leadership (with Professional Experience) at the University of Portsmouth is £17,900 per year of study. However, this fee does not cover additional costs such as the placement (£2,875), accommodation, and transport, among others.

International applicants can choose from some funding options offered by the University of Portsmouth. The Chancellor's Global Academic Merit Scholarship, for example, is a merit-based award for international students who pay for themselves. It is a £5,000 fee reduction for the first year of study.

With an MA in Business Communication for International Leadership (with Professional Experience) from the University of Portsmouth, students graduate ready to work in the industry as

• International Communications Manager  
• Public Relations Specialist  
• Corporate Communications Director  
• Brand Manager  
• Global Marketing Communications Executive  
• International Business Consultant

To apply for this course, you’ll need to go through UCAS. To find out more about this process, speak to one of our trained counsellors.