BA (Honours) International Business
UCAS code
N124Attendance
Full-time
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-timeAt a glance
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the increasingly complex global business environment and the challenges and practicalities of doing business internationally. You have the chance to put what you learn into practice by applying for a one year work placement with a national or international organisation.
Key points
Specialise in the international aspects of business and management.
Develop your personal employability skills to help you secure employment.
Gain professional insight and experience through a one year placement.
Take the option to learn a language as part of the course.
What is international business?
Increasing numbers of businesses are operating across national borders or competing against rivals from other countries. The field of international business is concerned to understand the particular challenges and decisions faced by firms and managers who operate in this international context.
About this course
Studying international business provides you with the theoretical knowledge, practical understanding and range of skills required to pursue various careers in business or management, with national or international organisations.
As well as developing your specialist expertise in international business, the course helps you to develop key skills that are valued by graduate employers, such as research, analysis, critical thinking, report writing, team-working and delivering presentations.
During year three, you can complete a paid one year work placement in the UK or abroad. Placements give you a practical insight into the working life of an organisation and the opportunity to apply and develop your new knowledge and skills in real situations.
Our students have recently completed work placements with a wide range of national and international organisations including Enterprise Rent-A-Car EON UK Experian GE Capital Solutions IBM UK Metropolitan Police Microsoft UK Nestle UK Nissan Motors Royal Mail Viiv Healthcare Walt Disney Company.
If you do not take a work placement, you can still gain valuable work experience through our work-based learning module.
You also get the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills through a real-life consultancy project during your final year.
As part of the support you receive as a student, you have an academic and professional adviser in each year of your course to support your overall progress and help you develop your academic skills.
You also benefit from the Universitys investment in excellent facilities including modern lecture theatres, computer suites and an award-winning learning centre.
Key areas of study
You develop specialist expertise in international business by studying key topics such as globalisation multinational enterprises cross-cultural management international strategy international market entry global supply chains.
You also study more general areas of business such as marketing and organisational behaviour, and you have the option to study a foreign language.
Associated careers
Graduates from this course can pursue careers in multinational or domestic business organisations, or in the public or charitable sectors.
Potential careers include account manager advertising executive business analyst business developer buyer distribution manager insurance underwriter events coordinator investment advisor IT consultant management consultant market research analyst personnel manager recruitment consultant retail manager sales director system analyst.
Our recent graduates have found employment with organisations such as Allianz Asda Bloomberg Central Manchester NHS Trust Centrica Fujitsu Kent County Council GE Money IBM Metronet UK Norwich Union O2 Pirelli Royal Bank of Scotland SAP Tesco Westfield Health.
Some of our graduates also go on to study for a postgraduate degree.
Course content
Year one core modules
perspectives in international business business analysis business environment managing resources understanding and managing customers
Year one options
One from financial and management information foreign language
Year two core modules
managing in a global context multinational enterprises and inward investment cross-cultural management managing decisions understanding and managing organisations
Year two options
One from small firm internationalisation managing markets business planning and enterprise management foreign language
Year three
optional work placement
Final year core modules
international strategic operations contemporary issues in international business global governance global supply chain management work-based learning (three year route only) career management and professional development (four year route only)
Final year options
business in the EU international financial markets global marketing foreign language
Top up route (operated at EASB, Singapore)
contemporary issues in international business global governance business in emerging markets international strategic operations financial information for business decisions strategic marketing management
Assessment
coursework examinations
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
We expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in and awareness of business or some level of practical experience.
Normally, five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
300 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications are not included.
Access an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and at least 15 of these Level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
2013 entry requirements
We expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in and awareness of business or some level of practical experience.
Normally, five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
300 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications are not included.
Fees
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £11,880 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,880 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk