UDINBUSM - BSc International Business Management

This course was created alongside the Business Management area in which it grounds much of its foundation. The programme provides and explores themes of knowledge management, sustainability and leadership. Designed in conjunction with leading industrialists, it recognises the importance of today’s international business community which demands graduates with sound business skills and knowledge, appreciation of cultural differences, and comprehension of the variety in governance regulation, legislation and practice. These are the rudimentary necessities for graduates to operate effectively and confidently within multinational organisations.
To equip students this course thus develops an understanding of the global business environment through the study of economics, law, human resource, marketing and finance. Integral to the course is the development of decision-making skills from the operational to the international strategic levels. Transferable skills that are necessary for a career in international business management are developed through engagement with real life and virtual business issues, enabling the study of key aspects of management and leadership. Additionally, due to the nature of the course, the learning environment mirrors that of an international organisation where students are encouraged to learn with and from each other about their different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. This is complemented by external guest speakers from industry and a Simulation Programme specifically designed for International Business Management.
In the words of a previous student, “I really enjoyed working with people from different cultures, and some modules have helps me spend more time in doing research to understand the significance of diversity and cultural differences in business. Our workshop classes had a great diversity of people in terms of languages and cultures (13 nationalities speaking 16 languages, among just 20 students). My research has enriched me with vast knowledge and understanding of why culture really matters when it comes to international business: the international business manager needs to be sensitive to cultural differences which can help to control a company’s relationship and operations in the world markets.”

The principal aim of the International Business Management course is to provide an academically rigorous programme of study that gives student knowledge and understanding of core subjects relevant to business management with a particular emphasis on the international context of business.

The purpose of the course follows that set out in the QAA benchmarks for Business and Management:
• The study of organisations, their management and the changing environment in which they operate
• Preparation for, and development of, a career in business and management
• Enhancement of lifelong learning skills and personal development to contribute to society at large

The underlying philosophy of the course is to provide an education experience that gives student a sound academic base in the core disciplines of business management, with a particular focus on the international business environment. As a multi-disciplinary course of study, it is designed to demonstrate coherence and progression within the different business management disciplines.

The course curriculum provides students with an understanding of the international business environment and the techniques, concepts and principles that make businesses successful and efficient. Students will have the opportunity to study the management of international business, acquire real life and virtual business experience and explore the factors that influence business from an international perspective. Students will also be able to develop an appreciation of the wider context of their studies in terms of social and ethical issues and a respect for cultural diversity.

Expressed by a former student: “In the era of globalisation, this International Business course provides you with a practical approach and essential keys to decipher its mechanism by giving you a more objective and understandable vision of the enterprise world. Moreover, its programme is an excellent background for further studies and offers great job opportunities.”

NOTE: Students who have completed the first two years of a university degree in Business Management or equivalent qualification from international universities or colleges of Higher Education, and who seek to develop their career in international Management, may be allowed to progress directly into the One-Year Top-Up course, depending on demonstrated previous learning and/or relevant experience (see Entry requirements).

The course learning outcomes are formulated with reference to the relevant knowledge and understanding set out in the QAA General Business and Management benchmarks. They relate in general to organisations, the environment and management and in particular to markets, customers, finance, people, operations, information systems, communication and information technology and business policy & strategy. Contemporary and pervasive issues are also central including sustainability, globalisation, corporate social responsibility, diversity, business innovation, creativity, enterprise development, knowledge management and risk management.

The student is expected to:
1. Acquire an understanding of the factors affecting multinational business and how technological change, structural change, cultural and historical background influence the shape of these businesses
2. Be aware of the social, political and ethical dimensions within which international businesses operate
3. Be aware of developments in the analysis of business organisation, structure and strategy

By the end of the course, the student is expected to develop:
1. The ability to carry out independent, scholarly research and investigation within the field of international business management
2. High-level intellectual skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of concepts, ideas and theories within the disciplines of business organisation and management
3. Self-awareness, problem solving, working with others, communication, self- management, leadership and decision making skills

Upon completing the course successfully the graduate in International Business Management will therefore be expected to have developed generic as well as specific competencies and skills along four strands:
Knowledge and understanding:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a wide range of theories and conceptual frameworks from several disciplines relevant to international business management
• Acquire knowledge and understanding of general international business management related areas of study as well as the more specialised areas of international business management including entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, sustainability, knowledge management and risk management
• Explain how management procedures and processes allow for effective decision-making against different objectives
• Appreciate and discuss the impact of the international environment on these organisations, including economic, ethical, legal, political, sociological and technological influences
• Understand and consider how the functional areas of business integrate to allow for appropriate decision-making underpinned by real life experiences from external guest speakers
• Develop an ability to recognise complex international business and related social, political and ethical issues and to formulate a clear and coherent research plan
• Cultivate an appreciation of recent developments in International Business and Management and of the wider context of international business management in general, including issues of cultural diversity based on class interaction with external business experts
Cognitive intellectual skills that can be applied in the pursuit of a wide range of occupations relating to international business management, or alternatively, post graduate education; these skills are reflected in the student’s ability to:
• Apply intellectual skills and critical faculties with particular emphasis on the development of the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of concepts, ideas and theories that characterise the management of international business
• Develop self-awareness and a range of study skills, problem solving, working with others, communication, self-management and decision-making which will enhance opportunities for future employment
• Develop intellectual discussion in the international business management related core disciplines and an awareness of the academic debates and approach to business related disciplines
• Initiate and carry out independent and scholarly research and investigation, specifically to develop the ability to review critically relevant literature, retrieve data, to interpret and apply complex information
• Develop a capacity for critical reflection and judgement in the light of evidence and argument about international business management issues
• Apply the skills of seeking, handling and interpreting business information as part of the process of addressing business problems and formulating new or alternative solutions through independent research, taking into account ethical considerations and cultural diversity
Transferable skills, including employability and professional practice, reflected in the student’s ability to:
• Develop personal skills including skills in study, problem-solving, working with others, independent learning, communication, self-management, self-presentation and decision-making
• Interpret and critically analyse business problems in order to produce solutions demonstrating awareness of ethical considerations and cultural diversity, complemented by external business practitioners
• Demonstrate an ability to assess their own progress, identify and formulate issues on which assistance is needed and to act on feedback given
• Demonstrate development of their personal and professional attributes within the context of qualities and transferable skills necessary for career and personal development, lifelong learning and employment, including information management, autonomy, self-evaluation and communication
• Show an ability to produce an updated personal development plan which reflects on progress and achievement based on actual job opportunities and posits some future directions
Subject-specific practical skills, reflected in the student’s ability to:
• Acquire appropriate information and knowledge from a variety of sources; specifically, to use IT to access sources of information and to work with discipline-based software programmes
• Conduct general business analysis using a variety of statistical and theoretical tools
• Be a competent communicator of complex ideas and analysis through written and oral expositions
• Design, plan, organise and deliver an individual research report
• Apply knowledge critically to comment upon and evaluate real business world facts
• Search, handle and interpret statistical information relevant in the analysis of the operations of modern business organisations – with emphasis on the international dimension of contemporary business operations

General benchmarks for Business Management apply to this course

Student learning is organised around direct contact time with the teaching team and directed learning activities. In addition to formal learning activities, such as tutor-led interactive sessions, lectures or tutor-facilitated workshops. Students are expected to complement this with reading additional materials as directed, such as academic journal articles, press material and text books. A range of learning materials will be available via the University’s current Virtual Learning Environment (BlackBoard/WebLearn).
In relation to the course’s learning outcomes, the student is expected to:
1. Acquire an understanding of the factors affecting multinational business and how technological change, structural change, cultural and historical background influence the shape of these businesses
2. Be aware of the social, political and ethical dimensions within which international businesses operate
3. Be aware of developments in the analysis of business organisation, structure and strategy
By the end of the course, the student is expected to have developed:
1. The ability to carry out independent, scholarly research and investigation within the field of international business management – developed through lectures, seminars and tutorial workshops. In particular, seminars will focus on problem-solving activities based on case studies. At Honours level, drawing upon their own research, students will carry out a piece of independent work
2. Self-awareness, problem solving, working with others, communication, self- management, leadership and decision making skills
3. High-level intellectual skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of concepts, ideas and theories within the disciplines of business organisation and management – these transferable skills can be applied in the pursuit of a wide range of occupations relating to international business management, or alternatively, post-graduate education

Transferable skills are introduced and initially developed through compulsory modules at level 4 and via specific core modules at subsequent levels. The study of international business management, its problem-solving processes and decision-making issues means that the core skills of communication, numeracy, information technology, self-management, interpersonal skills and the conduct of research are present in all of the core modules on the course. Critical thinking is developed and stimulated throughout the whole curriculum at all levels of study and culminates in the final year Management Investigations module. The development of employability and professional practice skills throughout the course will enable students to record achievement and evidence of personal development planning (PDP) in their progress files.

As part of our Undergraduate Student Promise, every student will undertake accredited work-related learning (in either the form of a work placement or ‘live’ project with a partner organisation or planning to set up small business) for a minimum of 70 hours as a core, compulsory element within their course programme.

You will have the option of taking the “Learning Through Work” or “Create a Winning Business” 15 credit module in the second or third year of your course programme. Additionally you have the option of taking an additional 30 credit 12 month sandwich placement module (which would extend your course to four years).
Work-related learning provides students with:

• the experience of a competitive recruitment process or pitching for an opportunity
• a work-related experience or project which impacts a real organisation
• assessment and feedback on their reflections on their experience of the work-related learning and planning for their future career.

Where required, students will be supported in finding suitable opportunities which can be either be a placement, part-time role or ’live’ project for an external organisation untaken within the University. We have dedicated placements and careers teams who will assist learners with all aspects of their job search and application. The suitability of the opportunities will be assessed by the Module Leader on an individual basis. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for opportunities and engage with the relevant University personnel who to assist them in gaining a suitable role.

Learners may be able to utilise their existing part-time / vacation employment (whether or not this relates to their subject area), providing they can demonstrate that it is personally developmental and involves responsibility (decided upon submission of the role details by the Module Leader).

The course conforms to the framework and University Academic Regulations.
Permission shall be sought when necessary to vary the optional module list to suit particular arrangements with partner universities whose students may be seeking dual awards and require special programme planning.

Level 4 Core Modules – Certificate in Higher Education 120 credits
Understanding Business Information (30 credits)
Fundamentals of Management (30 credits)
Corporate Environment (30 credits)
Globalisation and the Modern Corporation (30 credits)

Level 5 Core Modules – Diploma of Higher Education 240 credits
Level 4 modules PLUS:
Business Research and Decision-Making (30 credits)
Transnational Business Management (30 credits)
International Business and World markets (30 credits)
Plus: optional modules

Level 6 Core Modules – BSc (Hons) International Business Management 360 credits
Levels 4 and 5 modules PLUS:
Management Investigations (30 credits)
Strategy: Choices and Change (30 credits)
Business without Borders (15 credits)
Organising & Managing across Cultures (15 credits)
Plus: optional modules

To prepare students for a career in international business management and to enhance life-long learning skills, students will get the opportunity to engage with employers through a variety of mechanisms in core modules at levels 4, 5 and 6, including curricular and co-curricular activities taking place throughout the course. During the course of level 4 students will complete a ‘skills and employability audit’, which will feed into the more detailed focus on professional experience and work placement at levels 5 and 6.

With regard to reflective learning, most core modules contain explicit statements concerning the practice and assessment of students’ reflective skills both individually and in groups. A wide range of the course modules also assess the student reflective practice through learning journals or logs contributing to personal development planning and career management. In this way, students will be encouraged to develop specific skills increasing their employability prospects by the end of the course.

As illustrated by a previous student, “One of the most important aspects of the modules is that they have given me the confidence to seriously embark on reflection on how the whole IBM course fits into my future plans. For example, I have always had the desire to do an MBA course, but have never been able to really reflect on the benefits of having an MBA degree. However, I am now more aware that in order to be able to harness my vast work experience and language/communication skills, I need to be more flexible and adaptable to the changing business environment in UK and internationally.”

The Faculty of Business and Law has a large number of international students and supports them by clearly identifying course leaders and personal/academic tutors, and by liaising closely with University services, particularly the International Office and the Undergraduate Offices.

For this reason, the Faculty’s designated International Student Co-ordinator has particular responsibility for the recruitment, welcome and induction, communication and support for international students. Additional induction sessions are arranged for overseas students to assist them in making the cultural and academic adjustments to study in the UK and regular meetings are held to obtain feedback. Additional language support is also provided through workshops in the Learning Centre, and a peer mentoring scheme helps students with these adjustments.

Furthermore the course offers modules specifically designed to aid student’s employability and career aspirations. The aim of these modules is to raise student’s self-awareness of their strengths and capability, identify their career aspirations and goals and support them on their journey.

Possibility of gaining credits from our partner institutions (especially in Europe).

This course can open up globe-hopping career opportunities in international corporations, management, government, consultancy and business research. It also provides excellent preparation for postgraduate study.

Roles landed by our graduates include Financial Operations Manager at Thomson Reuters, Retail Manager at Zara and Delegate Events Manager at Closer Still. One particularly noteworthy example is Ondrej Mrklas, Company Director of Czech Industry Company and two more companies in China and Singapore.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• 280 or more UCAS points, including at least 180 from two or more A levels (or equivalent, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma) in academic or Business subjects.
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent) are also required.

These requirements may be varied in individual cases.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Extended degree

Applicants who do not fully meet the entry requirements may be eligible to start a BA Business Management extended degree. Apply for year 0 entry.