International Business BA (Hons)

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:

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.