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International Business

International Business graduates have a range of employment options open to them although the majority are interested in a career with an international flavour. Students are provided with a thorough understanding of key business and management disciplines in an international context. As a result International Business graduates, particularly those with additional language skills, are recruited into all areas of business but particularly multinationals or those companies working with international clients.

In 2010/11, six months after graduating:

71.7% of graduates with a first degree were in employment

10.0% were in full-time further study

1.7% were combining work and study

In 2010/11 International Business graduates were employed in the following positions:

• Project Solutions Manager/Pensions Consultant
• Events Assistant
• International Admissions Officer
• Accountant
• HR Administrator
• Recruitment Consultant
• Employment Coach
• International Merchandising Assistant
• International Product Manager
• HR Analyst
• International Coordinator
• Logistics Coordinator
• Environmental Product Manager

In 2010/11 International Business graduates entered further study courses such as:

• MSc European Political Economy
• MSc Global Supply Chain
• MSc Marketing
• MSc Marketing Management
• MSc Social Responsibility & Sustainability
• MSc Supply Chain & Logistics

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.

Placement leavers from International Business experienced the following outcomes:

• 92.3% progressed into employment or further study
• 75.0% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 72.7% of employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £24,400. 

The graduate labour market remains competitive and relevant experience is increasingly required for graduate level jobs. For those without related experience job search strategy is often about getting a ‘foot in the door’ in order to compete for graduate positions later. As a result some graduates were working in entry level occupations in order to gain the experience required.

A growing national trend is for many students to delay their job applications until completing their studies, preferring to focus on achieving the highest grade possible. This can result in some graduates initially continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. As a result some graduates were working in non-graduate level positions including sales, customer service and administrative occupations.

The DLHE survey provides a snapshot of a very short amount of time (six months) after graduating and while many have progressed into relevant graduate jobs others are taking time out, travelling, waiting to start a course or continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. Many graduates have moved on in their careers since completing the questionnaire.