Sept 2027 Entry
1.5 years
31
Early Round: 2026-10-20
Main Round: 2027-02-25
Early Round: 2026-10-20
Main Round: 2027-02-25
What's New
- Taught Postgraduate
- Undergraduate
- Undergraduate
Programme Aims
This programme aims to develop future leaders who are effective problem solvers and change makers in an increasingly complex international environment. We seek to equip our students with deep understanding of human behaviours in a broad range of business functions, and to empower them to become responsible global leaders of tomorrow.
Characteristics
- Develops mindset, skillset, and knowledge to lead in the 21st-century business environment.
- Analyses human behaviours and decisions in cross-cultural and cross-sectoral settings.
- Applies concepts in people management, leadership, marketing management, and sustainable development.
- Tackles real-world issues through idea exchange and facilitated problem-solving.
- Empowers students to achieve career potential via professional coaching and career services.
Master of Science in International Management and Leadership
Programme Structure
Programme Details
For the MSc degree, students must obtain 31 credits:
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4 Compulsory Subjects
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3 Core Subjects
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4 Elective Subjects
Students can obtain a Postgraduate Diploma after completing 4 Compulsory Subjects and 4 Other (Core/Elective) Subjects (22 credits).
Core Areas of Study
The following is a summary of the core areas of study.
Compulsory Subjects+
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Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business
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International Business Policy
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Leading Global Sustainability
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Organization and Management
Core Subjects+
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Cross-Cultural Management
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Field Study for Business Management
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International Management
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Global Marketing in Cross-Cultural Perspectives
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Global Risk and Decision Analysis
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Global Sourcing and Supply
Elective Subjects+@
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Cross-sectoral Leadership for International Business
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Decision Analytics by Machine Learning
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Decision Making for Leadership
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Entrepreneurship
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Global Economic Environment for Management
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Human Resource Management in China
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Independent Projects
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Marketing Management in China
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Managing Volunteerism
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Marketing with Purpose: ESG and Sustainability
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Mediation at Workplace
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Negotiation and Conflict Management
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Research Methods
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Strategic Management
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MM MSc Career Workshop (0 credit)
Information on the subjects can be obtained at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/mm/study/tpg/iml/.
+ Offerings are subject to class quota availability.
@ Students may also choose from a list of Common Pool Electives” subject to the requirements of the programme curriculum. For details, please refer to www.polyu.edu.hk/fb/study/tpg-landing/common-pool-electives/.
Note: The programme structure and content are subject to continuous review and change.
Mode of Study and Duration
Mode of study: Full-time mode
This is a full-time programme (taking 9 credits or more in a semester) with lectures scheduled for weekday daytimes and evenings. Each 3-credit subject requires 39 contact hours over a teaching semester, with one 3-hour class per week.
Students normally complete the programme full-time in 1.5 years. Students who wish to extend their studies beyond the normal duration can submit a request to their Department/Faculty for consideration.
The programme offers a structured progression. Students are encouraged to follow this progression to benefit from the cohort-based structure.
31
Programme Director
Prof. Zhan Xueyong
BS, MS, MPA, PhD
Deputy Programme Director
Prof. Melody Zhang
BA, PhD
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A Bachelor's degree or equivalent academic/professional qualifications.
If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the University’s minimum English language requirement for admission purposes. Please refer to the "Admission Requirements" section for details.
For further information, please contact:
Tel: (852) 2766 7381 / (852) 2766 7121
Email: mm.msc@polyu.edu.hk
For academic matters, please contact:
Prof. Zhan Xueyong
Tel: (852) 3400 3648
Email: xueyong.zhan@polyu.edu.hk
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend admission interviews.
Please click here to download.
HK$417,000 per programme (HK$13,900 per credit) for local and non-local students
* The 1-credit AIE Subject is non-chargeable.
MM Taught Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme
• Entry Scholarship available for applicants with outstanding academic and non-academic performance.
• Successful awardees may receive a full tuition fee waiver.
• Non-local applicants may be eligible for an additional living allowance of up to HK$50,000.
• Please click here for details.
PolyU reserves the right to change or withdraw the scholarship at any time. In case of any dispute/disagreement, PolyU’s decision is final.
In today’s interconnected business world, understanding how to lead across cultures is no longer optional; it’s essential. The MSc in International Management and Leadership programme at PolyU gave me the strategic lens and practical confidence to do exactly that. The curriculum balances rigorous theory with real-world application, combining core subjects like strategic management, cross-cultural management, and international business policy with immersive experiences that extend far beyond the lecture hall.
One of the most valuable aspects was the programme’s emphasis on experiential learning. The field study and case-based projects pushed me to apply frameworks to live business challenges, while class discussions brought together perspectives from a highly diverse cohort. Collaborating with classmates from different industries and cultural backgrounds sharpened my ability to communicate, negotiate, and lead across borders - skills that I now draw on every day. The marketing management in China module, in particular, gave me a nuanced understanding of China’s rapidly evolving consumer landscape, which directly informed the direction of my own venture.
My start-up venture, which helps small brands build locally relevant cross-border e-commerce strategies, was born out of the thinking cultivated throughout the programme. Using the strategic planning tools and cross-cultural insights I gained, I was able to identify underserved niches and test solutions long before graduation. The faculty’s mentorship and the programme’s forward-looking mindset turned what began as a rough idea into a viable business.
I am grateful for the holistic perspective that the IML programme offers. It not only prepared me to navigate global business, but it also empowered me to create my own path within it.
Both copies of transcripts and certificates are required.
