International Business Management BA (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    BA: N121
    BA with Foundation: N122

  • Level

    Undergraduate

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3 Years
    Full Time with Foundation: 4 Years
    Part Time: 4 - 6 Years

  • Starting

    September

  • BCC at A Level
    DMM at BTEC

  • UK Fees 24/25

    Full Time: £9,250
    Part Time: £1,540 (per 20 credits)
    Foundation: £9,250

  • International Fees 24/25

    Full Time: £15,200
    Foundation: £15,200

  • Location

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Overview


The BA International Business Management degree at the University of Northampton 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 International Business degree 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.

As part of the learning activities, students enrolled in the BA (Hons) International Business Management course will have the opportunity to travel abroad. This will provide them with valuable experience and insights into different cultures and markets.

Updated 19/03/2024

Highlights


  • The international business degree includes funded international business visits to explore the different cultural approaches to business.*
  • Language learning component supported throughout the course.
  • Authentic and creative assessments and learning activities facilitated by staff members from diverse backgrounds.
  • HP laptop and software included with this course for eligible students. Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply.

Course Content


  • Experiencing creative learning activities and authentic assessment tasks, students on the International Business Management course will navigate the complex world of international business with strong emphasis on cross-cultural capabilities, ethically-responsible business management and international strategy. University of Northampton graduates with a degree in international business 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.
    Placement Year Opportunity

    You are encouraged to undertake an optional placement year in between Years Two and Three of study for your international business degree in international business. 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.

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

      • Module code: BUS1021
        Status: Compulsory
        This module explores the ways in which the interests of international firms align with the interests of the rest of society. Learners explore how businesses, as part of society, can be the locus of productive activities harnessed for the greater good of society at large.
      • Module code: BUS1022
        Status: Compulsory
        In this module, learners examine international business practices, which have grown exponentially due the rise of the Internet, reduced trade barriers and a commercial and political orientation towards internationalization. Learners explore globalisation, speed and uncertainty of change, and how businesses operate in dynamic international markets.
      • Module code: BUS1023
        Status: Compulsory
        This module equips learners with contemporary theoretical knowledge about how international trade is facilitated through exporting, importing and countertrade, and the role played by governments? trade policies, and foreign exchange markets. Learners explore some of the challenges and opportunities of international trade, and their implications for current business practices.
      • Module code: BUS1024
        Status: Compulsory
        This module aims at equipping learners with the professional tools and skills of working across cultures and multicultural organizations. The module focuses on enhancing cultural awareness, basic skills of working in various cultural contexts, and guides the learners through the process of entering the international job market.
      • Module code: BUS1025
        Status: Compulsory
        This module examines the concepts of culture, cultural identity and diversity in the context of contemporary international business. Learners explore cultural theories and management principles to consider the connections between different cultures and individual, group and organisational behaviour, and the implications for effective management.
      • Module code: BUS2021
        Status: Compulsory
        This module focuses on fundamentals of international business strategy in theory and practice to examine how organisations formulate, implement, and evaluate strategies. Learners explore how organisations measure their successes and compete effectively in their international markets.
      • Module code: BUS2022
        Status: Compulsory
        This module introduces learners to big data and business analytics, and their application to real-world challenges in international business. Learners identify valid, reliable tools and methods to collect, analyse and visualise data, and explore how that data is utilised and managed to support decision-making in a range of industries.
      • Module code: BUS2023
        Status: Compulsory
        In this module, learners explore foreign direct investments (FDIs) and multi-national enterprises (MNEs) and their roles in global economy. It focuses on evaluating the potential impacts of FDI on local businesses and MNEs? role in transferring technology, knowledge and talent, in the contexts of emerging as well as developed economies.
      • Module code: BUS2024
        Status: Compulsory
        This module takes an integrated and strategic view of international business challenges and their implications for organisational decision-making. Applying key concepts, models and tools of international business to real cases, learners identify and analyse the core issues, and synthesise a variety of data to produce appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
      • Module code: BUS2025
        Status: Compulsory
        In this module, learners reflect on the dynamics of international business practices across cultures. Through a range of reflective models and taking part in international business visits, learners are exposed to the practicalities of traveling abroad on business and interacting in a range of group dynamics.
      • Module code: BUS3022
        Status: Compulsory
        This module focuses on ethical and sustainable business practices given the challenges facing international operations and their communities. Using practice-based examples, learners explore current issues such as finite resources, climate change, and global social issues in conjunction with the roles, responsibilities and ethical stances of international businesses.
      • Module code: BUS3023
        Status: Compulsory
        In this module, learners explore changing international business trends and their implications for multi-national enterprises? (MNEs?) strategy processes. Learners research, debate and evaluate contemporary and emerging forces driving significant changes to firms? international strategies, subsidiary control mechanisms and management practices.
      • Module code: BUS3024
        Status: Compulsory
        This module provides a theoretical framework of economic integration and its impact on business activities in a globalised world. Learners explore opportunities to establish business and commercial relationships with(in) the main trade blocs in the world, sustained by the trade treaties / trade agreements currently in place.
      • Module code: BUS3025
        Status: Compulsory
        This module builds on the learners? knowledge of national cultural dimensions and organisational cultures and focuses on managing multi-cultural teams and conflict resolution in international business contexts. Highlighted in this module are the challenges of negotiating across cultures, cultural intelligence, motivation and empathy with self-analysis at the core.
      • Module code: BUS4006
        Status: Compulsory
        This module enables learners to apply knowledge and skills gained throughout the programme in a capstone international business project. Learners practise project management in a real-world piece of work, exercising choice over project format between an international-business case study, a business plan, a market entry plan or a thematic paper.
  • Standard entry requirements apply for this International Business degree. A typical offer to study the course would be:

    • BCC at A Level or
    • DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
    • Pass (C and above) at T Level.

    We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

    We welcome international applications and applications from students with work experience in international business.

    For 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 for the international business degree are:

    • DEE at A level or
    • MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
    • Pass (D or E) at T Level.

    We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

    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.

  • 2024/25 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK Full Time: £9,250
    • UK Part Time: £1,550 per 20 credit module
    • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
    • International Full Time: £15,200
    • International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

    For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

    Additional costs

    The two field trips included in the International Business degree 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.

    2023/24 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK Full Time: £9,250
    • UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
    • International Full Time: £14,750
    • International Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • 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 our full-time BA International Business Management 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 or dedicated International Perks page.

    *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

  • 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.

    The University of Northampton’s  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.

  • How will I learn on the International Business degree?

    The University of Northampton’s BA International Business course is taught by 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 on the International Business degree?

    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

Careers and Employability


Graduates with an International Business Management degree, 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
  • International Customs Agent
  • International Airline Agent
  • International Business Analyst
  • Forex Trader
  • International Tour Guide
  • Oversees Start-Up Agent
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Global Marketing Analyst
  • Global Insurance Representative
Master’s Opportunities

On completion of your BA International Business Management degree, you will have the opportunity to further your education by undertaking study of one of the University of Northampton’s postgraduate degrees. Some of our industry-relevant master’s degrees include:

Campus Facilities


As a BA International Business Management BA student at the University of Northampton, you will have access to on-campus facilities, study areas, and services to help support you through your studies.

Learning Hub


The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.

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Senate Building


The main reception for the University and additional teaching spaces.

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