International Business BSc(Hons)

Overview

Today's global business climate provides excellent career opportunities for graduates who can demonstrate cross-cultural skills combined with a sound knowledge of international business.
This course provides a strong foundation for a wide range of careers in the global business environment. You will have the opportunity to develop:
- experience of studying or working in an overseas country
- French, German or Spanish language skills (optional)
- a thorough understanding of the full range of business disciplines
- cultural diversity awareness and skills in cross cultural management
- strong links with international students from partner universities
During year 3 you can gain experience of living abroad by continuing your studies at a university in France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Australia or the USA.
In Canada, France, Germany, Turkey or Spain you can attend classes held in the local language and in some cases there are options to divide studies partly in the host language and partly in English.
There are also opportunities to take a placement year working abroad.

Course duration
Full-time: 3 years
Sandwich: 4 years

UCAS code N110
Course content

Course structure

The course is delivered through seminars, lectures, workshops and tutorials. Assessment is through coursework assignments and exams.
Year 1 provides the essential foundations of economics, marketing, finance and organisational cultures within their contextual environment. You will work on academic skills such as research and analysis, and business skills including communication, time management, IT and problem-solving.
The second year will develop critical and analytical skills in key business disciplines with an emphasis on developing cross-cultural capabilities. Specialist options include language study, sustainability, innovation, corporate governance and ethics.
During year 3 you can gain experience of living abroad by continuing your studies at an English-speaking partner in France, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Australia or the USA. Alternatively, you can opt to study at a university in Canada, France, Germany or Spain where classes are held in the local language. There is also an option to take a placement year working abroad.
Students with appropriate international experience may be exempt from the international study/work placement.
During your final year you will develop your managerial skills. The dissertation/project or research modules provide the opportunity for in-depth research into an international issue of your choice. You will be able to choose from a wide range of options, enabling you to tailor the course to suit your career aspirations.

Syllabus

Year 1
- Global Business Environment
- Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
- Principles of Marketing
- Financial Knowledge and Skills
- Understanding Cultural Difference
- Academic and Professional Skills
- Optional: French, Spanish or German Language
Year 2
- International Business Analysis
- Business Operations and Systems
- Business Law
- Working Across Cultures
- Building Cross-Cultural Awareness
One option from:
- Environmental Sustainability
- Creativity in Enterprise
- Design and Innovation
- Purchasing and Supply
- French, Spanish or German Language
Study or work placement year abroad
Final year
- Cultural Insights for International Business
- Strategy for International Business
- Year Abroad Report
Choose from a range of over 50 options, such as:
- French, Spanish or German Language
- International Finance
- Employee Selection and Development
- Law of International Trade
- International Marketing
- Project and Event Management
- Globalisation and International Markets
Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
A-levels:
BBB. Applicants with only two full A-levels or a double award will be considered on an individual basis. Must include French, German, or Spanish if planning to study in a non-English-speaking partner institution (study with English-speaking partners also available). Excludes General Studies.
ND/C (Level 3):
DDM.
International Baccalaureate:
32 points with 16 at Higher level.
QAA-approved access course:
acceptable, subject-specific units.
GCSE (minimum grade C):
at least three subjects including English language and mathematics.
Foundation degree/HND
direct entry to year 2 may be possible with relevant subjects. HNC may also count towards direct entry.
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.
Other:
European Baccalaureate: 75 per cent overall
Location

Location Moulsecoomb
Career opportunities

Graduating with an International Business degree provides you with a huge choice of careers.
You can follow many different routes, such as international management, sales and marketing, finance, human resource management, purchasing and logistics. It will also prepare you with the skills appropriate to non-profit international agencies.
The course will enhance confidence and the ability to work effectively in business, whether you are working for a global business in the UK or working abroad in a different culture.
Recent graduates have joined companies such as:
- AIG Europe SA (Accountant, Helsinki)
- IBM (IT professional, German)
- McCann Erikson (Account Executive, London)
- Bayer AG (Project Leader, German)
- Danone Group (Marketing Assistant, Rome)
- Kimberly Clark Europe (Customer Service, France)
- Ralph Lauren (Human Resource Officer, America)
- Pricewaterhouse Coopers(Associate, Germany)
- American Express (Financial Analyst).
Others have progressed to post-graduate courses in a range of specialisms including environmental studies and fashion management.

Visit the careers centre website.
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

BSc(Hons) International Business [J1EG009]

UK/EU 9,000 GBP
Island Students 9,000 GBP
International 10,500 GBP

When on a placement (sandwich) year, students pay a reduced fee in the placement year of this course. This is currently £750 for Home and Island Students and £1,760 for International students. This fee is likely to increase with inflation.
More details

Why study at Brighton Business School?

Tackle real life business problems, ready for your career. We approach the academic theory of business from a practical perspective that closely reflects true-to-life issues and scenarios, giving you a real entrepreneurial edge.

Benefit from excellent teaching and learning support. We have 40 years' experience of running business courses. You will be allocated a personal tutor who will help support and guide you through your first year.

Gain the knowledge and the skills that industry want. Our partners in industry and the professions contribute to course development and teaching.

Be part of an institution that is innovative and relevant. The Research Assessment Exercise (2008) ranked us in the top 15 UK business schools in terms of world-leading research outputs.

Live and study in an outstanding location. Brighton is a city with an extremely lively cultural and social life. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

More reasons to study at Brighton Business School

Helping develop your career

We provide career support from the first year. This is the only way to ensure our students are employable in the highly competitive job market. We do this by:

The university's Careers Service offers guidance relating to any aspect of your career planning and development. The service is in regular contact with over 1,800 employers who post vacancies and attend our careers fairs.

Beepurple is the university’s entrepreneurship network. Taking part in beepurple activities, you will meet like-minded people, hear how other recent graduates have set up their own ventures and gain key enterprise skills that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Momentum is our award-winning mentoring scheme. It pairs students with professionals who wish to share their experience. Students and their mentors meet regularly to exchange ideas, allowing the student to develop new skills and enhance their career prospects.

International students

Brighton Business School is a truly international place to study.

As an international student, you will be supported from the moment you start with us. This includes:
- a free orientation programme
- a free pickup from Heathrow or Gatwick airport
- free English language tuition (throughout your first year)
- guaranteed accommodation in your first year
- a range of scholarships and bursaries
- a team of support staff to assist you, including a personal tutor.

More details on support for international students

Your level of English

The level of English you need depends on the course. The details are included in the course information, but for more general information read our information on English language requirements.

However, we provide a number of ways to improve your English before you start your course, and free English language support you while you are studying.

Meeting entry requirements

We can help you meet our academic entry requirements if your qualifications are not the correct level to study at university in the UK. The preparation courses at the University of Brighton’s International College have been specially designed to help international students to progress to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course at the university.

More about our university preparation courses