BA (Hons) International Business

Description

Businesses today operate across borders, nations and cultures. Organisations function around the clock to supply to the product and service demands from across the globe. Hence, skills and competence with regard to working with, and working for the international firm is of high importance. The International Business Degree programme offers the insight into various business dimensions and their interactions in an international setting. As such, this programme has an array of subject areas designed to cover economical, technological and institutional dimensions that are necessary to succeed in the competitive world of international business. Students will learn to analyze and evaluate information and apply strategic decisions that are necessary for the benefit of the international firm.

Progression Pathway For Completion Of The Degree

The Degree is designed for four (4) years in total1, inclusive of the option of a work placement year. However, students who wish to go through their theoretical learning faster may decide not to utilize this option. The work placement is usually 48 weeks long and offers 120 credits and will be noted in the transcript. The BA (Hons) International Business degree requires 360 Credits, hence, the students will do well to utilize the work placement year to gain industry exposure and equip themselves with skills that will make them highly employable following graduation.


Programme Structure
  • BA (Hons) International Business with Work Placement (4 Years)
  • BA (Hons) International Business (3 Years) *

Year 1 (Level 4)

▪ The Business Environment
▪ Introduction to Business Functions
▪ Business and Management Essentials
▪ Data Communication

Year 2 (Level 5)

▪ Multinational Enterprises and Cross-Cultural Management
▪ Managing Personnel and Human Resources
▪ International Financial Management Techniques
▪ Business Analysis and Operations Management
▪ Marketing Principles for Business
▪ Planning Your Career OR
▪ Transition to Work

There are possibilities to transfer to UCLan, Preston Campus in UK, after completing the 1st Year. *Selected to completing 360 credits.

Year 3 (Level 6)

▪ Contemporary Issues in Business
▪ Business Strategy
▪ Electronic Marketing
▪ Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Elective 1

▪ Continuing Professional Development
▪ Personal and Professional Development for Business

Elective 2

▪ The Business Environment
▪ Introduction to Business Functions
▪ Business and Management Essentials
▪ Data Communication

Assessment

Each module will have it’s own assessment structure. The assessment guidelines maybe collected from lecturers once the student is registered in a particular year. Assessments may vary from submitting an assignment or report to presentations and exams. Each module may have one or more forms of assessments to match the learning outcomes specified in the module descriptor. Each assessment will have a marking rubric that defines how marks are offered.

Career Opportunities

Students studying for BA (Hons) International Business gain niche with carefully chosen curricular that instil technicality with strong financial and marketing abilities, soft skills in making strategic business decisions and making and maintaining business relationships in an international setting. Our students are ready for engagement in areas such as, but not limited to, Strategy Making, Accountancy, Financial Analysis, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Process Analysis, Logistics, and Cross-Cultural Management. In this programme, students are not restricted with just class room study, instead, has the opportunity to practice their learnings during the work placement/sandwich year. Students may find a position suitable for their work placement or seek the assistance of the dedicated career guidance team at UCL in identifying potential employers. The work placement will provide students with the advantage of having work experience and industry networking prior to graduation.

Module Description
Year One
    The module aims to develop a critical understanding of the complexity of the external environment in which organisations operate. This is achieved through the introduction of the core political, legal, economic, socio-cultural and technological environments of business, and their interrelationships.
The module will introduce students to the roles and responsibilities of key organisational functions. Drawing upon a range of material from a single case study of an organization, it will build students understanding of how the functions interrelate and work together.
The module aims to equip students with the capability to understand and deal with typical projects faced by managers. This module aims to build an understanding of task planning as a process and of techniques for problem solving and improvements within the context of specific subject disciplines.
This module aims at enabling students to develop an understanding of how to effectively describe and communicate data in the context of organisations. It includes aspects involving the presentation and visualisation of data, data security and protection considerations as well as developing an appreciation of the implications for businesses and the use of data in business decision-making.
Year Two
This module aims to develop an understanding of international trade theories and their significance for the activities of international business. It also gives a deeper understanding of international business activities and operations within the global economy. Students will get the opportunity to examine differing cultural values and their impact on doing business.
This module aims to enable the student to develop an understanding of the key theories and concepts of human resource management. It provides the underpinning knowledge and understanding of the key practices associated with the deployment and management of people at work.
This module introduces students to the additional problems of risk in a business which trades internationally. It aims to cover exchange rate risk and interest rate risk. Students will learn the importance of exchange rates, how they change, and the techniques associated with dealing with risks they bring.
The module aims to develop the quantitative modelling/IT skill set of students. Models from various functional areas of business are introduced and developed within a quantitative modelling framework.
The module aims to provide a solid introduction to marketing to lead into further specialist modules. It addresses key issues such as how the marketing function operates within business organisations and how organisations can use the marketing mix to influence consumers/customers.
This module will provide students with the skills to apply for, attain positions and thrive in the workplace. Students will learn about techniques for reflection on and evaluation of personal experience and performance, working environments, requirements and expectations of employers. It is designed to develop confidence among students to identify role and responsibilities, focus on the work related tasks in efficient manner and to develop additional skills for work or internships.
Year Three
This module will enhance student awareness and understanding of the key contemporary issues facing business, organisations, industries and society in general across the range of disciplines and in the external environment, and to continue development of the student’s ability to appraise critically recent, new and future issues.
This module seeks to provide students with a background in business analysis, strategic decision making and strategy development. The focus is on the development of strategy and strategic concerns given that strategy is inextricably linked to the nature, structure, and success of business.
This module aims to provide a sound understanding of both theory and practice of Digital marketing, confidence and ability to discuss the use of the Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies in marketing. Students will develop ability to make marketing decisions using case study material, and an appreciation of the practical issues concerned with Digital marketing.
This module aims to help students understand how supply chain management links the marketplace, the distribution networks, and how the manufacturing process and procurement activity work in a way that customers may benefit from better levels and at a lower total cost.
This module will enrich the students’ learning from placement by exploring the experiences through ethical concepts and through the dissemination and interaction with others. Students will continue to develop the students’ career management, life-long learning and higher order transferable skills which will in turn enhance their employability skills.
This module aims to consolidate personal competencies in a wide range of areas associated with work activity and practice in order to ensure an effective transition from university to work. It will also provide opportunities for students to further develop transferable skills for an effective role in management.
This module aims to develop the student’s knowledge of the issues surrounding international financial management and accounting. The students will be given the opportunity to explore the problems of international financial management and accounting and develop an ability to critically evaluate issues and proposed solutions to such issues.
This module develops an understanding of marketing in an international context. It will enhance the research skills of students and to develop their ability in critical thinking, applied to the international marketing situation. Key theories will be applied to an international context to understand of effective marketing can be done for a global marketplace.
The module aims to provide students with an insight into the actual process of running of a small business. It is aimed at students who may be considering starting their own business or working with a small business to help it grow.