International Business BA (Hons)

Course Content

• 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.

  Modules

  Information about these modules for this course can be found on the award map:

  BA International Business modules

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• Optional 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.

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• Frequently Asked Questions

  How will I learn?

  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.

  How will I be assessed?

  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.

  Are there any special features for this course?

  • 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
  • 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

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

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• Entry 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.

  Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements

  The standard entry requirements for the Integrated Foundation Year are DEE at A level or MPP at BTEC.

  For more information on how to make an application please visit our How to Apply pages for Home and EU, and International students.

  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.

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• Integrated Foundation Year

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) 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 Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year 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.

  Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.

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• Fees and Funding

  UK & EU

  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
  Integrated Foundation Year: £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
  Integrated Foundation Year: £6,600 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

  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: £12,900
  Integrated Foundation Year: £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
  Integrated Foundation Year: £9,800

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join this full time degree at Northampton you will receive a laptop when your course begins. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks visit our Student Perks page.

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• Postgraduate Opportunities

  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

   

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• Student Story

  Zhi Li’s Story

  “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.”

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Careers and Employability

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