The main reception for the University and additional teaching spaces.
level:UG;top_up:true;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:false;start_month:September, January;location:Waterside
Strategic Management & International Business (Top-Up) BA (Hons)
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
N123
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Level
UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)
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Duration
Full Time (September start): 1 Year
Full Time (January start): January-July*
*see Highlights -
Starting
September, January
SEP, JAN
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Full Time: £9,535
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Full Time: £17,000
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Waterside
Updated 31/10/2025
Updated 31/10/2025
Get in touch
For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
This course was previously called BA (Hons) Commerce & International Business (Top-up). We have now changed the course name to “BA (Hons) Strategic Management & International Business (Top-Up)”. Any students who have applied for the previous course name will be considered for the new programme. Please contact international@northampton.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Our course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge that are needed in today’s global business environment. It can help you to gain insights in how to navigate the complexities of the global business landscape and making you an attractive candidate for a wide range of roles in various sectors, including international marketing, global finance, cross-cultural management, and international trade compliance. Our curriculum emphasises strategic decision-making and critical thinking to prepare you to tackle complex challenges, with United Nation sustainable development goals embedded throughout the course.
Highlights
- Comprehensive Curriculum: In-depth exploration of key theoretical and practical aspects of international trade and global business management. It opens up wider opportunities for your academic pursuits by focusing on international trade and business management.
- Start dates in September and January: The January intake is an intensive programme concluding at the end of July.
- Innovative Course Structure: Offering English training workshops and continuous support throughout the academic year to help students effectively prepare, write, and present academic work at the university level.
- Global Business Management Skills: This course provides you with a broad skill set and a global perspective which employers highly value. This can help students cultivate strong communication abilities, crucial for academic success at the undergraduate level, and establishes a solid foundation for their future academic pursuits or career opportunities. It empowers you to start your own business with a deep understanding of how businesses operate in different environments.
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Entry Requirements
Applications for the Strategic Management and International Business Top-Up BA are welcomed from students with an HND (Edexcel, ABE, NCC) or Foundation Degree (or overseas equivalent) in any subject. A background in a business-related subject is preferred but not essential, and applicants from other disciplines are encouraged to apply.
All International and EU students applying for this course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- Minimum standard – IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands.
Students who do not meet the English language requirement are encouraged to join a pre-sessional English class before the program begins. More information about IELTS test equivalents, pre-session English class, or English support can be found on our IELTS page.
Course Content
This strategic business management course includes key areas such as international trade, strategic management, and cross-cultural communication. We provide English language support and training workshops throughout the academic year to help you understand how to prepare, write and present your academic work at the university. Your principal module, Business Project, will allow you to have opportunities to work on a real project, and applying your knowledge in real business scenarios.
We use innovative teaching strategies and assessment methods to enhance your learning experience, such as blended learning for a flexible and personalised learning experience; formative assessments for ongoing feedback/support. This should help to make your learning experience be more engaging, interactive, and effective.
List of modules
Module list:
International trade and commerce – Module code: BUS3019
Status: Compulsory (20 credits)
The purpose of this module is to familiarise students with the tools and core concepts required to understand the forces that shape international trade and help determine trade policies, set within the context of theories and models in contemporary international business environment.
Strategic management across culture – Module code: BUS3020
Status: Compulsory (30 credits)
The purpose of this module is to equip students with the tools and techniques to manage business strategies that differ and may be divergent across cultures. Management practices and processes frequently differ across national and regional boundaries. As managers find themselves working across cultures, the need to understand and effectively navigate these differences has become increasingly important. This module examines why these differences exist and how as global managers students can develop multicultural competencies to deal with them effectively.
Business project – Module code: BUS4005
Status: Compulsory (30 credits)
The purpose of this module is to help students develop their essential research skills and business management skills and their ability to present, analyse and evaluate information in a reflective and critical manner, addressing either a strategic management or international business issue.
Applying academic conventions – Module code: EDU3066
Status: Compulsory (20 credits)
This module is to help students to develop their ability to effectively apply academic conventions in the subject area, focusing on subject-specific and academic language development for a variety of written and spoken contexts. Students acquire reading strategies to engage effectively with academic literature and develop communication skills to enable active contribution to collaborative tasks.
Academic Conventions for Critical Analysis – Module code: EDU3067
Status: Compulsory (20 credits)
This module develops language and thinking skills for critical analysis and evaluation in academic and subject-specific contexts. Students analyse and critique academically challenging texts to support academic arguments, making effective use of information from a range of sources and adapting use of language to the purpose and context.
How will I learn on the Strategic Management & International Business top up degree?
On this international business & strategic management course, you can expect taught study to be a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, industry visits and guest lectures.
How will I be assessed?
The assessments for all modules are given to students at the start of the course and are made up of presentations, essays, reports and reflective portfolios.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK Full Time: £9,535
- International Full Time: £17,000
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
There are no additional costs for this international business strategies top-up degree for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.
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.
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
- International Full Time: £16,500
Careers and Employability
Graduates from this management and international business university programme will be well placed to start their own business or take up roles world-wide in import/export, licensing, financial services, IT, pharma, retail and many other fields.
Alternatively, you may choose to progress to a Master’s programme in a specialist or general management field.
Master’s Opportunities
Our master’s courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.
Facilities
The University of Northampton has many on-campus facilities and services that you will have access to as a UON student. Below are just some of the facilities available to you if you study a BA Strategic Management & International Business (Top-Up) (Hons) degree.
