Introduction to Master of International Business at Wuhan University

The Master of International Business (MIB) Program at Wuhan University is based on the interdisciplinary strengths of four first-level disciplines rated as Class A: Theoretical Economics, Applied Economics, Management Science and Engineering, and Business Administration. It also draws on the research strengths in regional and country-specific issues from two Ministry of Education (MOE)-registered bases for regional and country-specific studies: the Institute for U.S. and Canadian Economic Studies and the European Studies Research Center. Additionally, it leverages the brand advantages of three major international business accreditations: AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB. The program was approved as a degree-granting point in 2010, making it one of the earliest International Business professional master degree authorization points in China. Since 2011, it has continuously admitted full-time professional master's students. It was the first to adopt a bilingual teaching model for internationalization. The curriculum includes classic core courses necessary for the cultivation of international business talent and has good compatibility with the talent cultivation systems of global top universities. In 2022, it was approved by the MOE for the Chinese Government Scholarship "Outstanding Award" for international students, titled "China's Economic Development and Globalization," a full-English master's program. Currently, it recruits both domestic and international students, offering classes in both Chinese and English.

The School of Economics and Management at Wuhan University has a faculty with high academic qualifications, high quality, and a broad international perspective. 16% of the faculty members are recognized as high-level talents, and 87% hold senior professional titles. The faculty for the Master of International Business all have doctoral degrees and overseas educational backgrounds, from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries. The full-English teaching system is mature, with a faculty team that has more than 10 years of full-English teaching experience. Combining the global green development and energy transition with the research strengths in European and American regional and country-specific studies, the Master of International Business Program at Wuhan University integrates the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) concept into the training program, focusing on the practical issues faced by international business in terms of environment, society, and governance. The program offers courses such as Digital Trade, International Business Data Analysis, and Big Data-Driven Global Supply Chain Operations and ESG Management. It connects with the digital transformation practices of international enterprises to enhance students' data analysis, technology application, and innovation capabilities. By introducing advanced digital technologies and cases, it cultivates international business talents with an international perspective, ESG awareness, and digital capabilities.

Full-time Master's Program in International Business

Professional Degree Category/Field Code: International Business (0254) - Awarding Master's Degree in International Business

I. Program Objectives

The Master's program in International Business aims to cultivate high-level international business professionals who can adapt to global economic competition and the international ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) development trend, serve national development strategies and global socio-economic development needs, possess a global vision and a sense of national identity, and master international business theories and professional skills. Graduates should be proficient in international communication and modern information technology, understand the international business environment and rules, and be capable of engaging in international business operations and management in enterprises, government departments, and social organizations. The specific requirements are as follows:

1.  Ethical and Legal Compliance: Adhere to international law and national regulations, possess good moral character and ethical standards, have noble professional ethics and a proactive spirit, and demonstrate a global vision, national identity, awareness of the rule of law, rules, and innovation. Graduates should be physically and mentally healthy.

2.  Knowledge and Skills in International ESG Business: Master the knowledge and practical skills related to international ESG trade, investment, and finance. Graduates should have the ability to learn, identify, analyze, and strategically respond to the complex and changing international business environment.

3.  Global Adaptability and Leadership Potential: Be capable of adapting to the complex global economic, political, social, technological, cultural, and linguistic environments, as well as policy and regulatory frameworks. Graduates should have strong international business analysis and decision-making abilities, risk management capabilities, and leadership potential in organizing and coordinating international business activities. Proficiency in a foreign language and the ability to engage in cross-cultural communication are essential.

4.  Professional Competence and Teamwork: Meet the needs of the country's high-level opening up to the outside world, possess good professional ethics and teamwork skills, and be able to apply professional knowledge to analyze and solve practical international business problems.

II. Program Overview

With the increasing global concensus of the United Nations' sustainable development goals, ESG has become the common sense and universal values for multinational business operations. Faced with the opportunities and challenges of the ESG wave, there is a significant talent gap in ESG-related international business positions within many international economic organizations, enterprises, government departments, and social organizations.

The Master's program in International Business covers areas such as international ESG trade, finance, and investment. It aims to equip students with specialized ESG knowledge and skills for internationalization, enabling them to manage and operate sustainably in a globalized economic environment. Graduates will be prepared to work in various sectors, including goods and service trade companies, modern manufacturing and service industries, foreign direct investment and outsourcing firms, foreign affairs management departments in government, international industry associations, trade and investment promotion institutions, educational and research institutions, and international organizations. They will be capable of engaging in ESG investment analysis, data reporting, performance assessment, project management, international trade ESG policy consultation, and overseas market ESG standard implementation.

III. Training Methods

1.  Professional Ethics Emphasis: Strengthen the cultivation of professional ethics.

2.  Full-time Study Mode: Adopt a full-time study approach.

3.  Mentorship Team and Dual Mentor System: Establish a mentorship team with a "dual mentor" system. This team will include experts with overseas educational backgrounds, business officials with relevant academic qualifications, and practitioners with rich experience, promoting diversity within the mentorship team.

4.  Interactive and Discussion-Based Teaching Methods: Adopt heuristic and seminar-based teaching methods. The teaching content is concise and essential, linking theory with practice and emphasizing practical application. Courses are jointly built by the university and enterprises, aligning with domestic and international ESG certification requirements. A variety of forms, such as classroom lectures, seminars, case studies, academic competitions, industry qualifications, and social practice, are organically combined to focus on cultivating students' thinking abilities and their capabilities to analyze and solve problems. Experts with rich experience from practical departments are invited to give lectures and hold seminars, and two-way interaction between on-campus and off-campus mentors are encouraged.

5.  Practice-Oriented International Business: Emphasize the practical orientation of international business, strengthen the construction of diversified training bases, and innovate practical teaching forms and content.

IV. Duration and Study Period

The program adopts a full-time study mode with a standard duration of 2 years. The maximum study period is 4 years.

V. Curriculum Structure

The curriculum includes three types of courses: public courses, core professional courses, and elective professional courses. Students must earn a minimum of 36 credits:

1.  Core Courses: A minimum of 19 credits, including 5 credits for public courses and 14 credits for core professional courses.

2.  Elective Courses: A minimum of 11 credits, including designated electives, free electives, and direction-specific electives.

3.  Required Practical Components: A minimum of 6 credits. The thesis must complete two required components, thesis proposal and thesis midterm report. Students must earn the specified credits to proceed to the thesis application stage and complete the graduation thesis.

For specific course settings and credit requirements, refer to below attached table.

VI. Required Practical Components

Under the guidance of the mentorship team, students must participate in international business practice and internships as a required training component. They must submit a practice report to earn 6 credits.

During the study period, students must ensure at least a total of six months of professional practice. This can be achieved through a combination of concentrated and segmented practice in foreign-related enterprises and relevant government or institutional units. After determining their thesis mentor, students must develop and submit a practice plan under the mentor's guidance. Each practice component should be completed according to the planned schedule. Upon completion of each practice segment, students must conduct a self-assessment, which will be evaluated by the guiding instructor (who can be either an on-campus or off-campus mentor or an expert from the practice unit). After completing the practice, students must write a practice summary report.

VII. Thesis Requirements

Students must independently complete their thesis under the guidance of the mentorship team. The thesis topic should reflect foresight and contemporary relevance. The primary criteria for evaluating the thesis are the student's ability to apply the learned international business theories to solve practical problems, as well as the originality and practical value of the content.

The thesis can be written in English, and should be no less than 15,000 words. The mentorship team and thesis defense committee should include at least one expert from a practical business department.

Students who complete the required credits, finish the professional practice, and successfully defend their thesis will be reviewed by the university's degree evaluation committee. Upon approval, they will be awarded the Master's Degree in International Business and receive a graduate diploma.

Full-time Master's Program in International Business - Graduate Training Plan Table