About this course
- 22nd in the UK for Business and Management (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Top 20 in the UK for Business, Management and Marketing Teaching Quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
- Top 20 in the UK for Business, Management and Marketing Student Experience (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
International business is defined as ‘multi commercial transactions (i.e. sales, investment, logistics and transportation) taking place between two or more regions or countries beyond their political boundaries’. Why is this important? In the fast-paced business world companies are looking to gain a more competitive global presence. Therefore, the demand for graduates with high international management knowledge and a broad understanding of business is critical.
At Nottingham Business School we have recognised that demand early with our BA (Hons) International Business course, which develops outstanding graduates that are well equipped to influence and make significant contributions to international business and management.
The course will equip you with the understanding of accounting, finance, culture, marketing, logistics and operations within an international business and how these impact the real world. We’re one of the only UK universities to offer language training on this type of course, developing your intercultural literacy. In year one and two studying a language is a compulsory part of the course, and in the final year there is an option to continue with further language study. We offer the opportunity to participate in the UNILANG certification scheme, giving our students a real advantage when it comes to competing for the best jobs. For further information, please visit the ULP web page.
Due to the international status of this course, gaining an international experience is a key requirement and an integral part of the course. The four-year sandwich route gives you the opportunity travel overseas to study and/or work, immersing yourself in a different culture, to achieve this.
This course can also be studied over three years full-time, and if you choose to study on this route, you will have the opportunity to gain your international experience through an international internship or travel abroad to study in the second half of Year Two.
In addition, on this course you will be able to get involved in a variety of practical opportunities and international competitions including the IBM Challenge and the PolyU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Student Challenge.
EFMD Global has awarded EFMD Programme Accreditation to our suite of undergraduate BA (Hons) International Business courses in 2021. Learn more about EFMD Programme Accreditation.
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Our students get great jobs — we’ve been ranked 1st in the UK for employability (Uni Compare 2025). -
Complete a paid placement — our students have secured experience with organisations like Amazon, BMW Group and Rolls Royce. -
Learn from the experts, at a university rated TEF ‘Gold’ for teaching and learning. -
Study in the heart of Nottingham — one of Europe’s top 25 student cities, and home to over 75,000 learners.
What you’ll study
The course begins in September 2025. Take a look at the academic calendar for term dates. The academic calendar will apply throughout your course, aside your placement year (if you have chosen to undertake one).
Accounting and Finance for International Managers
Through this module you will develop the skills and competencies needed to make effective use of accounting information, especially for control and decision making purposes.
You will explore how business organisations are financed and the constraints and limitations that financing imposes on them. You will also learn about the calculation of accounting profit and its importance to an organisation. You will develop skills that will allow you to identify relevant cash inflows and outflows of a proposed business project, and learn about utilising the techniques of break-even analysis in project decision making. The importance and use of budgeting for forward-planning, communication, coordination and control within an organisation will be covered, as well as the importance of cash and liquidity within an organisation and the construction of cash and working capital budgets. You will learn how to use cash and working capital management models and techniques and how to construct financial statements.
Other areas covered in this vast module include financial appraisal of long term capital investment proposals and valuation of company shares.
Language
Language training and cultural studies are at the heart of the course. We are one of the few UK universities to offer language training on this type of course. In year one and two studying a language is a compulsory part of the course, and in the final year there is an option to continue with further language study. We offer the opportunity to participate in the UNILANG certification scheme, giving our students a real advantage when it comes to competing for the best jobs.
The course offers language tuition at a range of ability levels and in a variety of languages: French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, and Italian. Business English classes are available at a series of levels for those whose first language is not English. All languages can be taken from beginner level, and for those with A-level pass grades or equivalent in French, German and Spanish can be taken to even more advanced levels.
Personal and Academic Development
Helps you recognise the personal skills, behaviours and attributes you currently have, and supports you in formulating a continuous personal and professional development plan to develop the skills and knowledge you need to achieve your future ambitions and realise your full potential.
Foundations of Managing and Organising
Both work and management are carried out by people, the human resources of the organisation. The focus of this module is on the management of work in organisations, and will provide you with a holistic understanding from the viewpoint of both the worker and management. You will examine some of the key applications, policies and practices involved in the management of human resources, and will analyse their underlying theoretical basis and the effects on the organisation and society in general.
Quantitative Methods for International Business
This module will introduce you to a variety of quantitative techniques that are relevant to international business. The module will enhance your knowledge and proficiency with quantitative techniques, and will also develop your confidence and attitude towards numerical aspects of your future studies and career.
Fundamentals of Marketing
Students will learn to recognise and apply the concepts and techniques used in the interpretation of markets and market trends, undertake the development of marketing materials and obtain an appreciation of marketing planning and decision making undertaken in a business organisation. They will also develop an awareness of the practical and theoretical issues relating to design plus an awareness of design principles and processes in the external marketing environment. Students will develop an appreciation of design and will be able to evaluate the role of design.
First half of Year Two – Core Modules
Economics for International Business
This module will introduce you to a range of key economic concepts, ideas and skills, which will help you to understand how the international economy works. In addition to understanding core economic concepts, you will also learn to appreciate the potential of economic analysis to clarify contemporary issues for decision makers in international business and management.
During the module you will be introduced to methods such as opportunity cost and resource allocation; demand, supply and price determination; and market structure and the behaviour of firms. You will l also explore international trade theory concepts, including the gains from trade; absolute and comparative advantage, ‘new’ trade theories and the theory and practice of trade protection.
International Business Environment
This module will provide you with an overview on how international business is conducted, focusing on what makes international business different from domestic business. You will explore the major theories that explain international business transactions and the institutions influencing those activities. You will also learn about measuring and facilitating international transactions and the dynamic interface between countries and companies that are attempting to conduct foreign business activities. You will explore the subject in reference to the strategy, behaviour and management of multinational corporations and the actions and policies of international regulatory bodies and agencies.
Language
During this compulsory module you can continue to develop your language skills. We are one of the few UK universities to offer language training and the opportunity to participate in the UNILANG certification scheme, giving our students a real advantage when it comes to competing for the best jobs. All languages can be taken from beginner level, and for those with A-level pass grades or equivalent in French, German and Spanish can be taken to even more advanced levels.
Managing Culture Across Borders 1
This module focuses on cross-cultural issues at global, national and organisational levels and how these impact, in both theoretical and practical terms, upon the management of business functions across national borders. A solid theoretical and empirical basis is utilised to examine managing across borders as a foundation to understanding practice within management functions. The module examines contemporary issues within cross-cultural management and uses emerging empirical contexts to inform and develop knowledge. The module uses interactive student exercises to inform their learning (role-plays, seminars, case studies) to allow the cultural experience and knowledge of the multinational student group to inform the module's objectives
Second half of Year Two
Students on Sandwich courses continue with taught modules in the second half of their second year, and are able to use their sandwich year to study or work abroad. International students continue with taught modules in the second half of their second year.
Core modules
Applied Professional Development
Following on from the Personal Development module in Year One, this module supports you to build upon and reflect on your personal and professional skills, attributes and behaviours. You will attend a conference with a varied programme of events focused on the future of work, and later in the module you will immerse yourself in a period work or work-like experience to develop a range of skills designed to enhance your employability.
Managing Culture Across Borders 2
Contemporary issues within cross cultural management are explored at a global, national and organisational levels within this module. A strong theoretical underpinning and a range of interactive student exercises enables an understanding of a wide range of cross cultural management issues across borders.
Language
Continue to develop your language skills in this year long compulsory module. Take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the UNILANG certification scheme
Plus one optional module from:
Managing the Global Supply Chain
Covering various areas of marketing and operations, this module will provide you with a practical understanding of the structure and organisation of supply chains, including sustainability and ethical issues. You will be introduced to aspects of operations, logistics and procurement, and further develop your understanding on the importance of the flow of goods and information in providing value through global delivery systems.
Management Accounting for Decision Making
The manager and entrepreneur of the future must have sound financial skills to enable them to take advantage of their environment. Critical to this process is understanding the environment in which you operate and the financial structure of your organisation. You need to understand the information that is required to successfully manage your organisation and how to interpret it. During this module you will examine a range of management accounting techniques that are used in business decision making, and explore how accounting and finance information could evolve to meet the needs of organisations operating in competitive markets.
You will study the value and limitations of accounting information for managerial decision making, planning and control purposes within organisations, and develop your understanding of problem solving techniques that are frequently used by teams operating in an organisational context, and how these techniques could be used within the accounting and finance framework.
Digital Marketing
Develop the operational skills and knowledge necessary in planning and implementing digital marketing campaigns. In today’s digital marketing arena, you will be expected to understand the importance of digital campaign tools, planning, implementation and monitoring. You will follow the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) syllabus and assessment for Digital Marketing.
In order to gain their international experience, and achieve the requisite credit points, students on the 3-year full time route can choose either:
Option 1 – Study Abroad
Experience life in another country by studying at one of our partner universities. Choose from a host of countries in Europe or go further afield and study in the USA, South America, Australasia and South East Asia. You will study and be assessed in modules aligned to the course. This is a great opportunity to develop your independence and explore another culture.
Option 2 – International Internship
This assessed module consists of a full time 16-18 week international internship, giving a taste of the international working world and gaining some essential industry insight. The experience allows you to put your learning in to practice, whist at the same time improving your future career prospects, and sharpening your interpersonal, intercultural and professional skills.
Placement year
A vital and integral component of our sandwich degree is the international experience that takes place during your placement year.
You can study abroad and experience life in another country at one of our partner universities. Choose from a host of countries in Europe or go further afield and study in the USA, South America, Australasia and South East Asia. You will study modules aligned to the course, whilst taking advantage of the opportunity to develop your independence and explore another culture.
Another option is to complete an international work placement, giving a taste of the international working world and gaining some essential industry insight. The experience allows you to put your learning in to practice, whist at the same time improving your future career prospects, and sharpening your interpersonal, intercultural and professional skills. This time spent working in business provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. We have links with a wide range of sectors, firms and organisations that offer student placements. The international experience lasts between 35 and 48 weeks dependent upon if you work or study abroad.
Both options sound good? You can choose to study abroad for half the year, and work for the other half!
Our Employability Team is here to inspire and enhance every stage of your career planning and as a graduate of NTU, you will be able to access their services for three years after your course has finished.
Services they provide include:
- finding placements, internships and part-time work
- pursuing self-employment
- taking gap years and time out
- getting into volunteering
- providing advice on further study.
Students on the 3 year full time route
Please view the 'Final Year' tab for your list of modules.
Developing Professional Impact
This module is designed to expand your horizons and challenge your attitudes and behaviours both in relation to subject specific issues and wider business concerns such as global citizenship and sustainable business practices. It will encourage you to build on your strengths and explore a range of possibilities as you embark on your next steps.
International Tourism: Sustainability Development and Impact
This module aims to provide you with an insight into the global patterns of tourism development and the impacts (economic, environmental and social) that can result, particularly within heritage tourism.
You will explore the fundamental principles of international tourism management and review the demand for, and supply of, international tourism.
You will also study the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism at both the destination and global level, and develop the ability to look critically at contemporary issues within international tourism.
International Strategic Management
During this module you will use a strategic management viewpoint to examine international business with an integrative framework. You will study the main trends that facilitate the globalisation of markets, and explore how small, medium and large organisations build their international strategies. You will also study new insights into contemporary international management challenges.
You will cover a range of topics including: ·
- the conceptualisation and theorisation of international strategy
- multinational companies in the context of globalisation and regionalisation
- integrated global, multi-domestic, international and trans-national strategies
- developing international strategic capabilities and achieving international excellence
- corporate social responsibility and multinational strategy
- traditional and new modes of entry to international markets.
Global Business in a Changing World
This module is designed to develop your understanding of the key developments and issues that affect global business. You will explore current issues and developments, and unique insights into the most pressing business and managerial topics. This will include focusing on different regions and contexts, with reference to the opportunities that are emerging within global business.
You will also cover aspects of sustainability and social responsibility, and explore changes at a political, economic, legal, socio-cultural and technological level, with reference to the strategy, behaviour and management of organisations and to the actions and policies of regulatory bodies and governmental agencies.
Plus one optional module from:
Language
This module will give you the opportunity to develop your language skills further by continuing with a language you have previously studied.
Language modules are available in a variety of levels and languages: French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Arabic, and Italian. Business English classes are available for those whose first language is not English. You will have the opportunity to participate in the UNILANG certification scheme, giving you a real advantage when it comes to competing for the best jobs.
Global Supply Chain Strategy
Working at a strategic level, this module will clarify how marketing, design, distribution, logistics and project management may be integrated, and help you to develop a broader and deeper understanding of how supply chain performance can be strategically improved.
You will cover a number of areas during the module including:
- looking at supply chains from a strategic and global perspective
- key concepts in supply chain improvement
- interpreting lean and agile supply
- supply chain dynamics – forecasting, information flow and bullwhip
- design for the supply chain – postponement, mass customisation, product life cycle, sustainability
- managing CSR in the supply chain – sustainability, environment and transport
- managing risk in a supply chain.
Digital Customer Experience
Customer behaviour has dramatically changed with the digital revolution. This module provides you with insights into the digital customer experience and highlights ways to adapt to this changing market, allowing you to fulfil customers’ strategic needs. It will provide the knowledge and skills to select appropriate channels to market to meet objectives. It will also help to ensure you provide the desired customer experience, by understanding the customer's journey while complying with relevant legislation and regulation.
Investment and Portfolio Management
This module examines appropriate Investment and Portfolio Management theory. You will have the opportunity to put this theory into practice principally via the construction and running of a portfolio of equities.
Optional modules to choose from:
Applied Business Research Project
For this module you will undertake a purposeful, individual, in depth study of a relevant topic, developing your independent learning, critical thinking and knowledge of research techniques relevant to your subject area.
The project will develop your ability to manage a major piece of work, for which you will be completely responsible, and will be completed over a period of several months. You will learn to utilise and improve your time management and communication skills, as well as test your initiative and resourcefulness.
To support your development during this module you will study essential skills such as critical thinking, conducting a literature review, understanding the appropriate research framework, practical research methods and skills, report and academic writing skills.
Sustainability in Enterprise Project
This module is designed to give you a deeper understanding of sustainability issues affecting firms. It incorporates a live consultancy experience, where you are required to apply your knowledge to critically review aspects of enterprise practice and infrastructure and recommend ways to reduce carbon emissions. You will learn how to critically review sustainability issues presented by an enterprise and analyse evidence, arguments, concepts and data to formulate sustainability and carbon management recommendations for an enterprise.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you're taught
We use a mixture of teaching methods including traditional lectures and seminars, IT workshops, guest lectures, problem-based learning and group discussions. You can explore one of our lecture theatres on our Virtual Tour. You'll then be expected to increase your understanding of the subject area through independent study for each module.
In addition to this you will also be involved in a variety of practical work such as individual and group presentations, student-led seminars, role play, industry-sponsored competitions, and project work. The project-based learning and group activities form important elements of your learning, developing your ability to work in a team and enhancing your employability.
You will also have a number of one-to-one sessions with your course tutor each year, which will allow you to:
- discuss your personal and professional development
- discuss and gain feedback about your work
- ask questions about the projects you're working on
- raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your University experience.
You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that gives you 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.
How you're assessed:
This course uses a range of assessments across all levels to support you in building key skills alongside demonstrated your knowledge and application of what you have studies. Methods of assessment can include, but are not limited to, business reports, group presentations, essays, time-constrained assessments, in-class activities, and poster presentations.
This course does not currently require students to undertaken closed book, on-campus examinations.
Your overall profile of assessments will also depend on the option modules you select during your studies.
Careers and employability
Graduates from this course have gone onto working in both public and private sector, undertaking positions such as:
- Account Executive
- Business Development Executive
- Commercial Graduate Trainee
- Loyalty Consultant
- International Graduate Trainee.
In the last few years, graduates from this course have gone onto securing roles with well known employers such as:
- Kraft Heinz
- The Walt Disney Company
- Goldman Sachs International
- Expedia Group
- Talk Talk
- VF Corporation
- Cummins Inc.
- DHL Supply Chain
- Amazon
Accreditation
Our BA (Hons) International Business courses are accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Newton building, at the centre of our vibrant City Campus. As well as a range of classrooms and lecture theatres, our facilities include dedicated market research reporting platforms and digital resources (e.g. Mintel, Passport, SPSS, and Adobe Creative Cloud) and the Business Lab — a trading floor equipped with Bloomberg terminals, which enables you to delve into the global markets for real.
NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to keep occupied between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our superb Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets catering to every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and so much more!
If that’s not enough, just take a few steps off campus, and you’ll find yourself in the beating heart of Nottingham — one of the UK’s top 10 student cities, and one of the top 25 in all of Europe. It’s a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
For more details, why not take a Virtual Tour?
Entry requirements
UK students
Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
