International Business BA (Hons)

• Overview

  BA International Business enables students to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to effectively and ethically navigate the complexities of a changing, culturally-diverse global business environment. The programme explores contemporary issues in International Business (IB) across a variety of organisational contexts, with strong emphasis on socially responsible on socially responsible business management, cross-cultural capabilities and international strategy.

  We’re so confident that our International Business graduates will secure employment, that we created the Northampton Employment Promise. We’ll help you build on your strengths and secure practical experience so you stand out to future employers. If you are dedicated to your studies and complete our Employability Plus Gold programme or Changemaker Gold Certificate and haven’t found full-time employment a year after graduating with a 2:2 or higher, we will support you into a postgraduate course or find you a 3-6 month paid internship.

  Course

  Highlights

  • Funded international business visits to explore the different cultural approaches to business* subject to Government and local guides related to Covid-19.
  • Language learning component supported throughout the course.
  • Authentic and creative assessments and learning activities facilitated by staff members from diverse backgrounds.
  • Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.

  HP Laptop and software included with this course.*

  *Terms and Conditions apply

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  Experiencing creative learning activities and authentic assessment tasks, students on this course will navigate the complex world of international business with strong emphasis on cross-cultural capabilities, ethically-responsible business management and international strategy. By the end of the course, a graduate will be able to:

  • Analyse and respond to the potential influence of ethical and social responsibility issues within international business
  • Evaluate strategic decisions in international business, considering success and risk factors and competing organisational priorities
  • Critique and apply principles of cross-cultural management appropriate to the organisational context and priorities
  • Critically analyse and evaluate the implications of cultural factors, both national and organisational, in effectively operating in diverse business contexts

  • Make judgments by interpretation and critical analysis of a range of business-related data and information to support organisational decision-making
  • Identify and respond to the complex interrelationships and integration between business and functions
  • Identify and use relevant data from a wide range of resources, including industry sources and academic publications, and competently undertake research tasks
  • Analyse a range of factors relevant to the global business environment in order to access the implications for business operations.

  If you choose to study International Business you will benefit our funded international business visits with our experienced teaching team, who are themselves from a variety of cultures and have many years of international experience living and working abroad. This opportunity will provide you with a greater understanding of the subject by having the chance to apply your learning to real-life experiences whilst travelling abroad*.

  Our teaching style challenges you to think critically, and to see business from a broad integrated perspective rather than a narrow functional one. You will be expected to regularly read and engage with articles from the quality business press such as Financial Times and The Economist, as well as other recommended material to be able to get the most from your seminar discussions and understand the context in which international business operates.

  Methods of Learning

  For this course taught study would be a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops, usually for 12 hours class time per week, although this may drop in later years of the programme. In addition we recommend that you spend at least 18-24 hours per week in self-directed study time.

  Once you have graduated from this course you can choose to progress onto a full-time, part-time or distance learning postgraduate course. This will enable you to focus your studies in a specialist area or gain a general management qualification such as the MBA.

  Assessments

  A variety of assessment methods will be used – from business reports, individual and team projects and student-led seminars, essays, case study analyses and examinations. Many modules also use multi-choice tests and portfolio style assessments.

   

  *Future study trips are dependent on Government and local travel guides relating to Covid-19.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Work Placement Year

  You are encouraged to undertake a placement year in between Years Two and Three of study. If you choose to take up a placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career. We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

• Careers and Events
  • The Northampton Employment Promise.

    *We promise to secure paid experience for you, if you need it.

    We work with employers to understand what they’re looking for and we’re confident that if you follow one of our structured awards, as well as committing to your studies you’ll be in a competitive position when it comes to applying for graduate jobs.

    We’re so confident, that we promise to secure a paid 3-6 month internship for you, if you need it. Find out more about the Northampton Employment Promise, including how it works and who is eligible.

    
  • Open Days

    Discover your Course

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying with us.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Student Story

    Zhi Li

    “My three-year degree study at the University of Northampton has given me an important foundation for the future development. I had lots of international trips included in the program study, it opened my eyes and helped me build cultural awareness.

    In addition, we also had lots of group activities and reflection training. I have benefited greatly from these experiences. Three years training at the University of Northampton has given me the time to practise and make mistakes, those experiences have made me confident as I embark on my Master’s.”

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    Graduates, based on their interests and personal preferences, can find themselves employable as: Export/Import Manager, Import Agent, Sales Agent, Global Team-building Agent, Trade Commission Analyst, International Trade Negotiator, International Relocation Specialist, International Conference Organiser, Business Liaison Manager, International Financial Trader, Inernational Customs Agent, Airline Agent, International Business Analyst, Forex Trader, International Tour Guide, Oversees Start-Up Agent, Supply Chain Manager, Global Marketing Analyst, Global Insurance Representative.

    
• Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC. We welcome international applications and applications from students with work experience in international business.

  For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  Foundation Study Framework Entry Requirements

  Admission to this foundation course is normally DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  Contacts

  Course Enquiries

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Optional Placement Year
  • Stage 3
  • Foundation

  You will be introduced to various cross-cultural issues which arise in business and the foundations of cross-cultural communication and theory behind this. Analytical tools will be used to help you to understand differences in language but also undertake national cultural profiles to analyse the behaviour and thought processes of different cultures. There is considerable focus on European Business which is reinforced by trips to Europe.

  • Social Impact of International Organisations (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS1021

    Core Module Y
  • International Business in Practice (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS1022

    Core Module Y
  • International Trade and Commerce (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS1023

    Core Module Y
  • Working Across Cultures (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS1024

    Core Module Y
  • Intercultural Management (40 Credits)
    Module code: BUS1025

    Core Module Y

  You will review cross-cultural management issues at a more complex level via a module on Asian Business and a compulsory three-week Asian trip to China and Vietnam. This trip gives you a wealth of interesting material to reflect upon in terms of cultural immersion, group dynamics and team building, and your individual development, personal power and effectiveness.

  • International Strategy (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS2021

    Core Module Y
  • Data for Decision Making (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS2022

    Core Module Y
  • FDI and MNEs (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS2023

    Core Module Y
  • Organisational Challenges in International Business (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS2024

    Core Module Y
  • Reflections on International Business (40 Credits)
    Module code: BUS2025

    Core Module Y

  Students will need to have successfully completed 100 credits at Level 5 in order to undertake a placement.

  • (Optional Placement Year) The Placement Year Experience: Organisations in Context (40 Credits)
    Module code: HRM2053

    Core Module Y

  You will build upon the knowledge and skills that you’ve gained in stages one and two of the course and you will further explore international business and cross-cultural leadership issues as well as key strategic issues facing international organisations.

  • International Business Project (40 Credits)
    Module code: BUS4004

    Core Module Y
  • Social Responsibility in Practice (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS3022

    Core Module Y
  • Contemporary Issues in International Business (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS3023

    Core Module Y
  • Trade and Trade Blocs (20 Credits)
    Module code: BUS3024

    Core Module Y
  • Negotiating Across Cultures (20 Credits)
    Module code: MKT3025

    Core Module Y

  • Investigations into your Subject Area 1: Business, Education and Social Sciences (40 Credits)
    Module code: FDN011

    Core Module Y
  • Investigations into your Subject Area 2: Business, Education and Social Sciences (40 Credits)
    Module code: FDN014

    Core Module Y
  • Investigation into your Subject Area 3: Changemaking (40 Credits)
    Module code: FDN016

    Core Module Y

  Module information is quoted for 20/21 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  This distinctive course has several unique features:

  • diverse student body
  • multi-national and multilingual teaching team
  • optimum cohort size with intensive staff/student allows for greater support
  • compulsory European and Asian trips totalling five weeks abroad
  • the opportunity for international placements and involvement in local business and charitable projects
  • various extra-curricular activities include theatre trips, guest lectures and visits to local and foreign businesses, as well as the potential to engage with major international networking opportunities
  • extensive use of the free FT.com as a tool for studying geo-politics and international business
  • an in depth look at business practices in key regions of the world – with a focus on Europe and Asia
  • an introduction to the case study methodology
  • opportunity to engage in year-long work placement abroad
• Further Studies
  • Postgraduate Opportunities

    Further your Study

    Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

    International Business Management MSc

    Master of Business Administration MBA

     

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
  • Research

    We are committed to delivering outstanding research that makes a difference to society. Our Research Institutes and Centres work closely with external partner organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. We produce internationally renowned and relevant research and disseminate knowledge on an international scale.

    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU
  • International

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module
  Foundation Framework: £6,750 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate).

  Additional costs

  The two field trips are funded by the Faculty of Business and Law (flights and accommodation (bed and breakfast) approx. £2,000 pp (subject to terms and conditions)). You will need to allow an £20-25/day in Europe and £10-15 in Asia for your expenses (to cover lunch and evening meal, costs of local activities and ground transportation). You may need to purchase a visa for the study abroad trip.

  The first five-day trip to Belgium and Germany is at your expense and will cost around £270 pp. You will need to allow an additional £20-25/day for your expenses.

  Please note that tuition fees for EU students will remain the same as UK fees for 2018/19. For more information, please visit the Gov UK website.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,400 per 20 credit module
  Foundation Study Framework: £6,600 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,900
  International Foundation Study Framework: £12,900

  Additional costs

  The two field trips are funded by the Faculty of Business and Law (flights and accommodation (bed and breakfast) approx. £2,000 pp (subject to terms and conditions)). You will need to allow an £20-25/day in Europe and £10-15 in Asia for your expenses (to cover lunch and evening meal, costs of local activities and ground transportation). You may need to purchase a visa for the study abroad trip.

  The first five-day trip to Belgium and Germany is at your expense and will cost around £270 pp. You will need to allow an additional £20-25/day for your expenses.

  For information on the scholarships available to you as an international student, please see our International scholarships page.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,500
  International Foundation Study Framework: £9,800

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  Sir Thomas White Scholarship

  The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

  Wilson Endowment Scholarship

  The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

• Foundation

  Course information

  The Foundation Study Framework offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for International Business we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year International Business programme which includes a Foundation Study Framework Year. The Foundation Study Framework will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

  Course Structure

  In your first year of study on the four year International Business you will study three 40 credit modules that form the Foundation Study Framework. These are:

  • Investigations into your subject 1 – Academic & Investigation skills. Introduces the concept of research and provides the tools of how to do it, with short assessment tasks involving identifying resources and describing how they would be used.
  • Investigations into your Subject 2 – Employability and Professional Context. Provides a framework and opportunity to start relating research to own practice and employability – making connections.
  • Investigations into your Subject 3: Changemaking, Introduction to Social Innovation. Focuses specifically on the generation and development of ideas around our social development aspirations.

  Upon successful completion of these modules, you will progress to Stage two International Business.

  Typical timetabled week of study

  Foundation Study Framework teaching will be a combination of lectures, seminars and/or workshop based sessions. Each module involves a teaching contact time of 12 hours per week and you are also expected to engage in approximately 12 hours of independent study, to support your learning experience.

  Foundation study will help you to build a solid understanding of the study skills and general theoretical and practical aspects that will underpin International Business. Throughout all stages of your programme you will also be supported by a Personal Academic Tutor, to guide you through the learning experience and help you make informed study choices.

  Foundation study will enable you to acquire the necessary study skills to succeed in higher education, as well as developing your understanding of key subject concepts delivered through taught sessions, tutorials and online support.

  Visit our Foundation Framework page to learn more.

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*Course data provided by Unistats