International Business BSc

Summary

Today’s business is increasingly international in scope. There are advantages in combining knowledge of modern business with the experience of another culture. This International Business course will appeal to students who are considering a future career in international management, but who either do not wish to study a language to degree level, or who wish to develop language skills.

Key facts

UCAS code: N120

Duration: 4 years

Start date: September 2013 (Check to see if this course is receiving applications for September 2012)

Places available: 65 (The number of places for the whole of the BSc International Business suite)

Applications in 2011: 694

Professional accreditation:

Depending on the options you choose, you may be able to gain partial exemption from the examinations of professional bodies such as CIM, CIMA and ACCA. This will depend on the options chosen in your second and final years.

Entry requirements

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: AAB

Required subjects and grades: GCSE Mathematics at grade B if not offered at AS or A2 level; GCSE English at grade B if not offered at AS or A2 level.

General Studies: not accepted as one of three A2s, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer and have General Studies as a fourth A2

Additional information:

Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements

International students:

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 35–36 points

Standard English language requirements apply 
Learn more about international entry requirements

Contact details

Admissions Tutor: Dr Paulina Ramirez
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 2929
Email: ugadmissions-business@bham.ac.uk

How to apply

Apply through UCAS at www.ucas.com  
Learn more about applying

Fees and funding

Standard fees apply
Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships 
Learn more about our scholarships and awards

Programme overview

This International Business undergraduate degree programme will appeal to you if you are considering a future career in international management, but do not want to study a language to degree level. Our four-year programmes equip you with the expertise needed to understand business on both a national and a global scale. They are structured to reflect the changing world of commerce, providing you with a firm foundation for the world of work.

First year

In the years you spend in Birmingham, you will follow the core modules offered on the three-year BSc Business Management degree. You will also be prepared for your year overseas.

Second, third and fourth years

After two years at Birmingham Business School, you will spend your third year abroad at one of our partner institutions all of which are highly regarded. As the number of places at each institution varies from year to year, you’ll need to be flexible about where you go. The exact subjects you study will depend on where you go but are compatible with the Business Management and the Business Communications degrees. Please note that your year abroad is conditional upon a good performance in the first and second year exams, more information can be found on the programme web page. If at the end of your second year you decide you do not want to take up the year abroad you can choose to transfer to the three year programme.

Career opportunities

As this degree gives a more specialised understanding of aspects of international business, it is suited to students who are seeking employment in a multinational enterprise. Recent research has shown that companies value students who have lived and worked within another culture; as business becomes increasingly international, they need graduates who can work abroad on long or short placements and who can interact effectively with their overseas customers and suppliers.

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Course Structure

First Year

Core modules

Optional modules - choose from:


Second Year


Core modules

Optional modules - choose from:


Third year (for Business Management with a Year in Industry and International Business programmes only )

  • Year in Industry ( for BSc Business Management with Year in Industry programme only)
  • Year abroad (for BSc International Business programme only)

Third Year


Core modules

Optional modules - choose from:

Why study International Business BSc at Birmingham?

Our undergraduate business degree programmes develop in response to thechanging economic, commercial and financial environment, to ensure thatthey are directly relevant to the needs of industry as well as students.

Working with industry

Our strong links with industry mean that rigorousundergraduate academic study is combined with a real practical focus –and they also lead to excellent job opportunities for our students.

An international approach

We offer undergraduate modules on the international aspects of business – from international accounting through to understandingthe impacts of globalisation – and we currently have students from over 35 countries on our undergraduate programmes. We also welcome students who want to come to Birmingham on the

Employability

Work Experience bursary Schemes

Undertake unique work experience opportunities to enhance your employability and rise above the competition.

Work Experience provides an ideal opportunity to gain invaluable skills and knowledge that will help further your career plans. With generous support from Alumni, undergraduate students (excluding those in their final year) can apply for funding to cover their incurred costs whilst they are working.

  • careersGlobal Challenge Bursary (apply for one of our sourced opportunities)
     Up to £9000 available
  • Gateway Bursary
     Up to £2000 available
  • International Bursary
     Up to £800 available
  • UK professional Bursary
     Up to £800 available
  • Research Experience Bursary
     Up to £500 available

This funding can help you pay for:

  • Accommodation costs
  • Travel expenses
  • Living costs

Our business degrees have long been recognised by major employers across all sectors of the economy. Our students find employment in areas as diverse as retail management, financial services, accountancy, motor manufacturing, management consultancy and pharmaceuticals; some become self employed.  The latest graduate destination information shows that six months after graduation the vast majority of our graduates are employed, whilst others are undertaking further training. Some of our students have also gone on to set up their own businesses after graduation.

The University is investing £3.5m in sector-leading employability services which will provide Birmingham students with access to mentoring by some of the University's most successful alumni, internships in the UK and overseas, and specialist staff offering unique careers guidance tailored to each academic subject area: ensuring that Birmingham graduates continue to succeed after university. We are also building on our personal academic tutoring system to provide the support and guidance that you will need to achieve your full academic potential.