A woman stood in front of a white board talking to 5 adults all sat at a table looking in her direction
Apply Now Book Open Day

BSc (Hons) International Business Studies

UCAS CODE: IBS3 (Full-Time) or IBS4 (Foundation Year)
TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-Time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
Jump to:
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Three Years
  • Start Date: April and September 2024

If you are looking to improve your knowledge of business and dream of a career overseas, our BSc International Business Studies programme is your next step. 

Designed by our industry experienced academics, this course will give you the skills to manage diverse projects, teams and organisations across international borders.

aerial view of a woman sat at a table making notes next to her laptop
An award icon with a star in the middle.
No. 1 in England for Student Satisfaction*
*Measured by % of positivity across all questions within the larger providers only: taught or registered population (NSS 2023)
A trophy icon with a star in the middle of it.
No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*
*As ranked among taught students at non-specialist HEIs (NSS 2023)
Pound symbol inside of a house icon
Top for our response to the cost-of-living-crisis*
*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023
A star sitting on top of a laptop in an icon drawing.
5th for learning opportunities*
*NSS 2023
A handshake icon.
Top 10 for student support*
*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023

* Please note the BSc (Hons) International Business Studies with Foundation Year course for September 2024 is currently Subject to Validation.

Why study International Business Studies at BNU?

Our BSc (Hons) International Business Studies course has been specifically designed by our industry experienced lecturers to reflect the ins and outs of international business management and allow you to understand the function and operations knowledge needed to succeed in global business industries. Helping you to develop the knowledge and understanding of agile project planning and management skills for local, regional, national and international organisations and groups.

 

 

If you are interested in International Business Studies, but feel you want to develop your confidence in degree-level learning first. Our course is also offered as a four-year programme from September 2024 including an initial Foundation Year.

The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto the undergraduate programme. Once you pass your foundation year, you are guaranteed a place onto your chosen course and will enter the first year of the degree programme.

Would Map
Students sat around a table

What will I study?

With our BSc (Hons) International Business Studies course, you will gain knowledge and expertise in managing global organisations.

You’ll cover diverse subject areas, including global strategies in digital business and managing people across cultures. Alongside developing key skills such as understanding financial decision making, enhancing your attention to detail and analytical thinking. Studying such varied topics will help you understand the impact of global businesses.

During your second year you will study international trade and leading and managing diverse teams. This will help you develop skills including working effectively in a team as well as an understanding of how external environments impact organisations across the globe. You will be able to choose optional modules including intergenerational business: family business growth and business law.

In your final year, you will focus on preparing for your future and career after graduation. In addition to learning about international finance, supply chain resilience and sustainable strategic agility and innovation, you will undertake an independent professional project. This allows you to examine a contemporary global business management issue, whilst using your time management, professionalism, and personal discipline skills.

Students sat discussing business ideas
Flags on a globe

How will I be taught and assessed?

Teaching is interactive and student-focused. We blend lectures, workshops, independent study, case studies, live briefs, and guest speakers to enhance your learning experience. We will give you a blend of knowledge, skills and abilities, allowing you to become a day-one-ready graduate. We’ll help you to seamlessly fit into any organisation you choose to join or start as an entrepreneur.

Our assessments are heavily real world centric. With live briefs and cases that challenge you to produce a result and not simply demonstrate knowledge of a subject. We ask for management reports, business plans, people management strategies as well as global marketing campaigns. These are assessed through a mixture of presentations, short films, management reports, memos and briefings.

In your final year you will undertake an independent professional project. You’ll carry out a major piece of independent research, focused on strategic global business issues chosen by you. During this project, you will be supported by an academic supervisor with regular meetings throughout the academic year.

We organise industry visits so you can see how theory is applied in the real world. Our active alumni network provides guest speakers, live briefs, careers talks and job application advice across all three years of your degree. Discuss with business professionals the challenges and solutions they use. Network and gain valuable contacts. Feel prepared for your future career.

Useful Documents

BSc (Hons) International Business Studies Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-Time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Core Modules
Credits
You’ll learn about the overlap between study skills and employability skills and develop your existing abilities in both areas. You’ll be prepared for successful progression to Level 4 academic study whilst preparing yourself for employment through inquiry-based learning, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.
You’ll develop the skills associated with leadership and self-development and social and ethical awareness and responsibility, which are essential for success in higher education and in the world of work. This module will prepare you for successful progression to Level 4 academic study while allowing you to learn about employment in the twenty...

Read more

This module introduces you to the different business functions within an organisation, including finance, marketing and HR. You’ll learn about the business environment, including the internal and external factors which impact on businesses. This module will equip you with appropriate business language and terminology ready for undergradua...

Read more

This module has been designed to develop your understanding of key concepts and themes as well as basic methodologies and approaches to academic work. You’ll have the opportunity to analyse a problem or question that relates to your subject area, making use of information gathered from various sources using different methods and strategies.
Core Modules
Credits
This module will introduce you to concepts of sustainability within a range of business contexts and across a range of different countries.
This module is to provide an introduction of a range of internationally recognised financial and accounting skills, to help develop your understanding and managerial decision-making skills.
This module will cover fundamental concepts and functions of marketing within a commercial business activity. You’ll explore the marketing planning process: segmentation, targeting and positioning of a brand offering with respect to the competition. You’ll also cover topics including, context, market research and decisions.
You will investigate literature and case studies on the benefits of diversity of culture in teams, as well as some of the challenges they may encounter. Cultural intelligence self and peer-assessment will form part of the formative assessment element of the module, while tools and techniques for conflict resolution will be applied in simulations du...

Read more

This module will introduce the importance of big data and business intelligence, Before examining how today’s digital business can apply business intelligence to develop new products and services along with improvements in efficiency and its business processes.
The module will encourage you to think about and apply skills and knowledge in equity, diversity management and inclusivity in current and future roles. You will examine good practice in inclusivity; barriers to inclusivity and; how to lead and support organisation-wide adoption of inclusive practice across a range of contexts and countries.
Core Modules
Credits
This module will introduce you to the concept of international trade, with the use of case studies to enable you to practice skills in assessing international trade issues, managing international trade projects and evaluating the key processes involved in trading internationally.
The module will examine how data analytics can be used across functional areas within the business such as marketing, e-commerce and partnerships, operations and logistics, business strategy, HRM and finance.
The module will enable you to discuss and analyse multiple facets of diversity in the workplace and society, investigating the root causes of under-representation of some groups in the workplace.
This module will introduce responsible business practices with an emphasis on professional, moral and personal responsibility. To improve your knowledge of the diversity of approaches taken in different parts of the globe and how to maintain high standards for employees, contractors and others in the supply chain.
Optional Modules
Credits
The ability to effectively communicate with all internal and external stakeholders is key for business leaders and becomes even more crucial when doing business across borders. This module will explore key communication and human resources theories.
This module delves into the unique dynamics and challenges of family-owned businesses across generations. With a focus on sustainable growth, you will explore the intricacies of managing and expanding family enterprises while balancing the interests and values of multiple generations.
This module will introduce the key definitions relating to entrepreneurialism and the differences between this and the concept of acting as an intrapreneur in organisations.
This module will examine the legal relationship, and legal obligations, of businesses to their stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and their employees.
Core Modules
Credits
This module covers major topics in International Finance: the role of finance and the fundamental concepts of the time value of money and valuations;  the major decision areas facing financial managers in the world of uncertainty: cash-flow analysis, capital budgeting, financing (corporate capital structure or leverage decisions), and dividend...

Read more

Evaluate the role innovation plays in both shaping and creating strategic options for both incumbent and new businesses. This module will equip you with the necessary skills for understanding, designing and assess strategies from an orthodox and agile perspective in a fast-moving business environment.
In an era marked by unprecedented disruptions, ranging from natural disasters to geopolitical tensions and global pandemics, the ability of organisations to build and maintain resilient supply chains is paramount. This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of supply chain resilience, a critical aspect of modern business operati...

Read more

You’ll complete a major piece of independent research that will enhance your employability. This module will enable students to identify their own research question, set research objectives, gather and analyse appropriate literature, secondary and primary research to meet those objectives. Students must analyse and evaluate the theories and concept...

Read more

Optional Modules
Credits
You’ll examine the different schools of leadership and complete various leadership, management and personality assessments to build on your strengths. Graduate and placement applications, volunteer activities and working with careers teams and advisers will also form part of the activities when required.
Take on the role of executives within a simulated business environment. Through the use of cutting-edge simulation software, you will be tasked with making strategic decisions related to various functional areas of the business, such as marketing, operations, finance, and human resources.
You will build on knowledge gained from levels 4 and 5 marketing modules to develop a deeper understanding of key concepts, theories and contemporary debates in international marketing. This module will enable you to recognise the opportunities, issues and complexities surrounding the international markets and marketing decisions.
This module will provide you with substantive knowledge and understanding of the basic legal rules and principles underpinning Public International Law.

What are the tuition fees

Home
  • Home, Academic Year 2023 - 2024: £9,250 per year
  • Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £9,250 per year
International
  • Overseas/International, Academic Year 2023 - 2024: £15,000 per year
  • Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £15,150 per year

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our Enquiries team by calling 0330 123 2023 or emailing advice@bnu.ac.uk.

What are my career prospects?

We see your journey with us as much more than a degree, we are committed to supporting you to carve out the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills in managing global businesses, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation.

You will have gained a wide range of knowledge and skills, so that you can pursue a career in any profession or business role around the globe.

This programme offers the opportunity to go on to postgraduate study, either on a full-time basis or part-time whilst working. You may choose to study for the MSc (Hons) International Business Management course offered by the University.

Other courses that might interest you
A lady stood up showing a presentation with 6 others sat at a desk watching
BA (Hons) Business Management
A woman sat at a desk pointing at her computer screen
MBA International Master of Business Administration