Carrying Newcastle coals to Amsterdam: the launch and running of a business and management master’s degree at a new international campus

Effective international management has become an essential ingredient in the development of competitive advantage for large and small and for profit and not for profit organisations alike. The purpose of this paper is the share the experience of launching an existing master’s degree in International Management at a newly formed international campus. The paper looks at the design and implementation processes involved with the MSc Business with International Management degree largely targeted for Dutch conversion (to business) undergraduates seeking to enhance their personal profile and employment prospects. The main issues relating to the success of this project appear to be the speed and agility involved in the setting up, running and management of this project that has led to student satisfaction, fulfilment in teaching, and the strengthening of the relationship between Northumbria University at Newcastle and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences as part of a Memorandum of Understanding involving partnership and investment. In order to make this project succeed there was a need for clear objectives, evidence of both programme content and skills and competencies needs, a committed, competent and strongly led team with network connections and a strong support team. The whole process that is the sum of these elements was put in place to ensure continuous, successful development.