Overview
The International Business BSc is a highly relevant course in today’s commercial climate. It covers the fundamentals of national and international market economies and looks at the many forces that shape the operating environments of organisations worldwide.
The emphasis of this degree is on the challenges created by globalisation, challenges which are particularly relevant to multinational enterprises (MNEs) as they account for over fifty percent of global output. A deeper understanding of the commercial power of MNEs is key to understanding how and why companies expand in an increasingly competitive market.
The International Business BSc is designed for those seeking to operate within an international business setting or within companies and jobs where an understanding of international business is an asset. We’ll explore the impact of internationalisation on factors such as human resource management (HRM), entrepreneurship, and emerging markets. There will also be the opportunity to study modules on marketing, environmental sustainability, and global investment.
As well as the focus on international business, this degree will equip you with the broad business and management background and the analytical and interpersonal skills required to understand, analyse and address issues faced by today's companies. You’ll broaden your knowledge of business concepts as you work on real business issues and live case studies to develop your managerial skills.
Valuable technical skills will be developed in numerical methods, quantitative methods, and by using statistical software such as SPSS and EXCEL. This part of the course does not require A level maths or the overseas equivalent.
The course includes a module on Management Enquiry to help you adapt to university study through active learning sessions on topics such as working in groups, report writing and time management.
Brunel University is also a Chartered Institute of Management (CIMA) accredited university, which means you will gain exemptions from some of their professional papers if you wish to undertake further study towards being a chartered management accountant after you graduate.
You’ll also have the opportunity to take a year's paid professional work experience and be part of the team at an international company or organisation. Previous employers have included Adidas, Microsoft, British Airways, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Nissan. Occasionally students are invited back to a full-time graduate position by their placement employers so as well as offering experience, a placement can open doors. Find out more on our work placement year page.
Course content
Compulsory modules in your first and second year will cover the fundamentals on conducting business in a global market. Optional modules in your final year twinned with your dissertation, will give you the opportunity to branch out and specialise in an area which particularly interests you.
Compulsory
- Introduction to Management Enquiry
This module’s primary aim is to broaden students’ knowledge and skills in the use of IT and statistics in managing and analysing data for business to improve the quality of decision-making in a dynamic business environment.
- Managing Information with Technology
This module’s primary aim is to broaden students’ knowledge and skills in the use of IT and statistics in managing and analysing data for business to improve the quality of decision-making in a dynamic business environment.
- Organisational Behaviour
This module introduces students to the study of organisations. It outlines key sociological and psychological perspectives used to analyse organisations and occupational groups. Students encounter core topics including organisational design, bureaucracy and contingency theory. Theory and practice are linked via seminars, case study discussions and reflections on students’ experience of organisations.
- International Business Environment
Developing students’ understanding of the basic economic concepts and principles that apply to the international business environment with emphasis on European business, and developing analytical and conceptual skills in economic and business environment for them to be able to respond to problems associated with modern international business environment.
- Principles and Practice of Marketing
This module focuses on developing an understanding of concepts of marketing, marketing mix principles and practices. It also aims to develop students’ awareness of skills needed and ethical issues in marketing.
- Introduction to Accounting & Financial Management
The module introduces students to the essential concepts of accounting and financial management. As the foundation of all other accounting modules, you will study how financial information is prepared, communicated and used. You will develop skills in critically evaluating and appreciating the importance of the accounting and finance function within organisations particularly in connection with business decision making. Students will learn how to: prepare a set of essential financial statements for a business, prepare information for business planning - such as budgets, prepare information for decision making using techniques such as cost, volume, profit analysis and investment appraisal techniques.
Compulsory
- Economics for Business and Management
This module seeks to provide students with the analytical means to examine and assess the industry sector context in which firms make corporate decisions. In particular, this module provides students with an understanding of theories of markets and firms as the basis for evaluating strategic shifts in the international business and regulatory environment.
- Entrepreneurship and Marketing in Business
This module aims to help students develop an appreciation of the key characteristics of Entrepreneurship and Business ventures and addresses the theoretical and practical issues of marketing communications in a global context.
- International Business in Emerging Markets
The module aims to enable students to appreciate the wide ranging issues associated with the development of transnational corporations (TNCs) operating in emerging markets both from the point of view of foreign based TNCs, indigenous firms and host country governments. It also aims to introduce students to core concepts, topics and methodological approaches relevant to the analysis of the operations of international business within emerging markets, and to develop the student’s skill of combining theoretical and macro-level analysis with detailed empirical analysis of international business in a series of industrial sectors across selected emerging market contexts.
- Human Resource Management and its International Dimensions
The aim of this module is to introduce students to issues, debates, and controversies relating to the field of Human Resource Management. The module intends to develop students’ awareness of people management issues within and outside the workplace. The people management issues are set against the background of national and international issues that affect HRM policies and practices.
- International Relations
This module aims to acquaint students with the core concepts, processes, and issues of international relations. It examines the international society, international political economy in terms of classical and contemporary theories. The module additionally examines new issues in international relations.
- Quantitative Methods for Business and Management
This module enables you to become familiar with statistical techniques and concepts used in Business and Management, which are used frequently to understand real-world scenarios. As well as preparing you for the final year project (MG3117), the skills developed in this module are transferable for use in everyday life. Students of this module will be introduced to the concepts of probabilities, random variables, descriptive statistics, and hypothesis testing. Strong emphasis will be given to practical applications to "real-world" issues. For example, you will learn: how to effectively present and communicate your findings using graphical methods and summary statistics, how to select appropriate statistical techniques, to answer business research questions.
- Preparation for Placement and a Graduate Career
This module aims to prepare students commencing a career after graduation and/or a placement. It will give guidance on effective job hunting, and processes used by employers as well preparation for the assessment of the placement learning through self-directed learning and the use of career development tools to support reflection on personal development.
Compulsory
- International Business Strategy
This module provides students with knowledge of the economic and managerial underpinnings as well as managerial and business implications of global strategies. It discusses theories, concepts, and cutting-edge developments in the field of international business strategy and relates them to real world firm behaviour.
- Globalisation, Trade and Investment
This module aims to foster an understanding of the drivers of globalisation, that is, world trade and investment and their impact on global economy. This to include, but not restricted to, international trade theories (classical and modern) and their relevance in modern day globalised world, international trade in goods and services, protectionism, balance of payments statistics of a nation and its various components, exchange rates and international capital markets.
- Issues and Controversies in International Business Studies
This core module helps students to conduct critical appraisals of issues and controversies involving International business studies involving contemporary organisations and of managerial and strategic responses to these challenges. It also provides focused support in appropriate research methods and in the effective communication of research findings in oral presentations, small group discussions and an extended written report.
Optional
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Ventures
This module provides an integrated and critical analysis of entrepreneurship and small business management related theories and frameworks underpinning the practice and policy of entrepreneurship and small business management. It will enable you to draw on evidence and contemporary research to explore entrepreneurial value creation and capture, and the imperatives of innovative new technologies on small business growth, as well as identify and evaluate the opportunities and distinctive challenges faced by entrepreneurs and their firms.
- International Marketing
This module addresses critical understanding and ability in assessing the effectiveness of international marketing theory and practice. It targets principles and issues that drive markets world-wide. Students will develop insight and investigative ability concerning issues facing a business that needs to research markets and develop and implement market strategies, techniques and methods across a range of international sectors.
- Innovation and Knowledge Management
This module is designed to give students an understanding of the role of knowledge assets as a key to corporate success and particularly in relation to innovation. It examines how organisations create, utilise and exploit knowledge in the globalising knowledge-based economy, and the wider social and economic factors affecting knowledge creation and transfer.
- Business Ethics, Environmental Sustainability and Governance
The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain critical understanding of theories and contemporary approaches to business ethics, corporate social responsibility and governance in the age of globalisation, and the challenges of sustainable development and business responses to it.
- International Strategic Innovation Management
This module aims to introduce students to a range of models, theoretical perspectives and interpretations of the management of technological innovation in national and international firms, and to develop understanding and critical thought on the above through an analysis of relevant contemporary substantive debates and issues in technology management such as international technology outsourcing and alliances.
- Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
This module focuses on theories and practices related to the entrepreneurial and innovation process within established organisations. In particular, it emphasises intrapreneurship and managing innovation in organisations, and the processes, structures and culture pertinent to the successful discovery, evaluation and implementation of entrepreneurial and innovation opportunities in established organisations.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of undergraduate degrees at Brunel.
Careers and your future
We have extensive links with employers and industry and you’ll benefit from our networks as well as having the opportunity to learn from a variety of guest speakers. All our business degrees offer an optional work placement year and we’ll encourage you to take this up. This experience in the workplace is highly valued by employers and will give you the edge when you apply for jobs.
Our careers programmes are built with input from business professionals with the specific aim of helping you enter the workplace fully equipped and confident of your abilities. Some of the well-known names who value Brunel Business School graduates include Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, British Airways, Capgemini, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, McCann, Microsoft, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Xerox.
Our inspiring professional and personal development programme Business Life will also help you to prepare for the world of work with its range of optional sessions including training and practice in a range of skills like customer service, team working, presenting and project management.
Find out more about how we'll support your future goals.
UK entry requirements
2024/25 entry
- GCE A-level AAB-BBB.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in Business or Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship or Personal and Business Finance with an A-level at grade B. (Other combinations may be considered on a case-by-case basis).
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D with A-levels grade BC.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 4 or HL 4.
- Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma in Business, Business and Management or Business and Law with 45 credits at Level 3.
- T levels : Distinction overall.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.
Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£9,250 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£21,260 full-time
£1,385 placement year
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.
Teaching and learning
At Brunel Business School (BBS), you will experience a rich and engaging on-campus learning environment. Our modules are delivered through engaging lectures, and in most modules, through seminars that allow for interactions in smaller groups. Additionally, you will have access to a wide range of resources on Brightspace, our online learning platform, including PowerPoint slides, video recordings, and peer-reviewed academic publications that align with the module learning objectives. Moreover, BBS students benefit from a range of support and opportunities from our dedicated staff and faculty, such as:
- Extra-curricular activities designed to enhance your skills and expand your network, such as social events, guest speakers and industry visits/field trips (please note these may vary within programmes)
- A dedicated Student Experience Team to provide pastoral care
- A dedicated ASK Academic Skills support team to help you understand and address coursework requirements
- Personalised tutoring and wellbeing advice to support your academic and personal development
- Employability guidance and career planning from our in-house director.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, small group seminars, hands-on workshops, and one-to-one sessions with your tutor.
Many of our lecturers are internationally or nationally recognised for their innovative work and research, which results in challenging and stimulating course content. Lecturers may consult for major companies and have practical business experience, potentially from running their own companies. All of this contributes to real-time, real world observations and teaching.
There'll be email discussion groups and you’re encouraged to engage with online material using the university’s virtual learning environment. To support your course content, Brunel Business School (BBS) regularly offers research talks on key management issues and presentations by outside speakers. Throughout the course, you'll also be expected to undertake group work and individual projects and presentations.
Your personal tutor will be assigned in your first year and will be available to help with academic or personal issues. In your second year, this support will be continued through the Business School’s Pastoral Care programme – BBS Student Support – a team of specially chosen personal tutors who are available throughout the working week. Additionally, if you choose a four-year sandwich course, you'll be allocated an industrial tutor who will provide support during your work placement. In your final year you'll receive one‑to‑one supervision for your major project.
Academic staff are available for a number of hours each week should you need to get advice. Their availability will be displayed on their office doors so you can make an appointment or drop by to see them if they have any concerns about their studies.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Each subject is assessed either by a combination of continuous appraisal and examination or by coursework or examination alone. As a rough guide, the split is approximately 50:50 exam to coursework but the exact ratio varies depending on the modules you select.
Your results from Level 1 do not count towards your final degree classification, but you have to pass the first year to continue with the degree. Level 2 is worth a third of your final mark and Level 3 - the rest. In your final year you will undertake an assessed project of around 8,000 words worth a third of your Level 3 marks.