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International Business (with French) BA (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • Typical Offer: 112 - 120 UCAS tariff points
  • UCAS Code(s): N1R1 (with placement)
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: Four years full-time
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
  • Campus: City Campus
Information for 2024

Introduction:

With today’s challenging market you will need something different to stand out from the other graduates. At Nottingham Business School we offer International Business (with French) as a specialist dual award course.

Accredited by both Nottingham Business School and KEDGE Business School (Marseille Campus), this dual award course provides you with an exciting four year course with a comprehensive international curriculum. This course gives you an understanding of European and global business environments, and the structure will allow you to immerse yourself in French culture and language.

This course will develop you into an attractive graduate with excellent prospects by providing you with strong academic foundations, real-world experience and outstanding language skills.

As the course is dual award you will graduate with a BA (Hons) International Business (with French) from NTU, and an International Bachelor in Business Administration from our partner institution KEDGE Marseille.

The course is four years full-time during which you will spend two years at Nottingham Business School [your first and fourth years], and two years at KEDGE Marseille [years two and three], with a half year internship in France or in a French-speaking company.

EFMD Global has awarded EFMD Programme Accreditation to our suite of undergraduate BA (Hons) International Business courses. Learn more about EFMD Programme Accreditation

  • 98% of BA (Hons) International Business students are positive about the learning resources on their course (NSS 2023).
  • You will graduate with a BA (Hons) International Business (with French) from NTU, and an International Bachelor in Business Administration from our partner institution KEDGE Marseille.
  • 94% of BA (Hons) International Business (Sandwich) students are in work and/or further study within 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).
  • 92% of BA (Hons) International Business students are positive about the teaching on their course (NSS 2023).

Join our internationally accredited business school

Nottingham Business School is accredited to AACSB and EQUIS, the highest international standards for business school education. We are one of 47 global PRME Champions - a United Nations-supported initiative leading the way with sustainable and responsible management education.

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  • EQUIS logo
  • PRME Champions Logo

What you’ll study

During your first year you will be studying full-time at Nottingham Business School.

In your second and third year you will be studying at KEDGE Business School (Marseilles Campus) studying at their institution and undertaking a half-year internship in France or with a French-speaking company.

Your final year will be back at Nottingham Business School studying full-time.

The course begins in September 2024. 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

As you will have already studied French to at least an AS-level standard, NTU is able to offer advanced level courses in French to develop your language skills further ahead of your two years in France. 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.

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 be introduced to the key applications, policies and practices that are involved in the management of human resources, and will analyse their underlying theoretical basis and the effects on the organisation and society in general.

Fundamentals of Marketing

The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the basic principles of marketing and operations. You will be introduced to core marketing and operations functions, and develop your understanding of the key concepts, frameworks and models within the area of marketing and operations.

You will develop the knowledge and skills needed to identify differing marketing orientations, in particular how organisations identify, understand and satisfy their customers. It will also provide you with the skills required to develop marketing objectives and to translate these into operational processes that satisfy the needs of the customer. Alongside all this, you will learn about the dynamic relationship between operations, organisational performance and competitive position, and will develop effective team building and communication skills.

Quantitative Methods for International Business

This module will introduce you to a variety of quantitative techniques that are relevant to international business. It will develop your knowledge and proficiency with quantitative techniques, and will also enhance your confidence and attitude towards numerical aspects of your future studies and career.

Principles of Macroeconomics

This module will introduce you to key macroeconomic variables, such as growth, inflation, unemployment and trade, and to theoretical perspectives on their determination applying models in a national and international context. It provides the building blocks for further critical analysis later in the course.

Half-year study at KEDGE Business School

Modules will be set by KEDGE Business School.

Half-year internship in France or with a French-speaking company

Full-year study at KEDGE Business School

Modules will be set by KEDGE Business School.

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.

International Strategic Management

Using a strategic management viewpoint, this module examines international business that uses 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 focus on 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.

International Tourism: Sustainability Development & 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.

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.

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.

Plus one optional module from:

French Language

During this module you can continue to develop your French language skills. We are one of the few UK universities to offer language training on this type of course and 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.

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

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’ needs.

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.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Florian Javaud

International Business (with French)

I would 100% recommend studying abroad, you get to embrace new cultures, improve your language skills, develop your independence, and most of all you, create unforgettable memories.

Aleksandra Dorozko

It’s an amazing opportunity to get to exchange with people from all over the world (literally, every continent!) and gain a lot of appreciation for culture whilst gaining first hand international experiences.

Hamish Caughey

“The lecturers at NTU are fantastic, showing a lot of enthusiasm in their modules. When I was abroad, I received a lot of support, specifically from my course leader, making sure that there were no issues.

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How you’re taught

This course is taught at Nottingham Business School and KEDGE Marseille in France.

While you’re at NBS, a wide range of teaching methods are employed 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 France, you will be taught in both English and French. All lessons during the first term are taught in English and then from the second term you will being to take more and more classes in French as your language skills develop.

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:

Whilst at NBS, you will typically be assessed through a combination of coursework, projects and examinations. Your work in France will be assessed through a mixture of coursework and exams. These marks will be converted back to contribute towards your overall degree award.

Full time version of the course (4 years)

  • Year 1 coursework (47%), written (19%) and practical (34%).
  • Year 2 Partner Institution (100%).
  • Year 3 coursework (40%), written (40%) and practical (20%).
  • Year 4 coursework (66%), written (27%) and practical (7%).

Contact hours

Full time version of the course (4 years)

  • Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%) and independent study (74%).
  • Year 2 Partner Institution (50%) and Internship (50%).
  • Year 3 Partner Institution (100%).
  • Year 4 lectures/seminars/workshops (22%) and independent study (78%).

Staff Profiles

Mr Ian Gregson - Principal Lecturer

Nottingham Business School

Ian has been teaching in further and higher education for over 20 years. He joined the University in 2011, and has experience in teaching, development and delivery of marketing and

Rachel Welton - Principal Lecturer - Assistant Head of Undergraduate Programmes

Nottingham Business School

Rachel Welton is a Principal Lecturer in Tourism and International Business.

Jing Wang - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham Business School

Jing Wang teaches accounting and finance at undergraduate level, and supervises undergraduate research project, postgraduate consultancy projects in addition to supervising doctoral students.

Ms Becca Hardy - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham Business School

Becca is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Mentor within BA (Hons) International Business (BAIB).

Careers and employability

Graduates from this course have gone onto working in both public and private sector, undertaking positions such as:

  • English Language Teacher
  • Supply Chain Management Trainee
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Account Executive
  • Commercial Graduate

In the last few years, graduates from this course have gone onto securing roles with well known employers such as:

  • TEFL Academy
  • The Body Shop
  • ACAS
  • Softcat
  • LUMO Clothing

Accreditation

Our BA (Hons) International Business courses have a Dual Award status with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) should you wish to take advantage of this opportunity.

Campus and facilities

We are continually investing in our facilities, and transforming our learning and teaching environment to create an inspiring and innovative atmosphere.

Our School is based in the impressive Newton building on NTU's City Campus. The building was recently involved in a £90 million regeneration project on the site. The Grade II* listed building was transformed into an ultra-modern complex while keeping its historic beauty.

Fantastic facilities

  • You can take advantage of the Link Lounge, a space dedicated to Business School students, located on floor zero of the Newton building.
  • Access industry-standard software in our specialist Business Lab facility, as you work with live financial data from across the global markets.
  • Explore your career prospects with the help of the University's Employability Team.
  • You will benefit from spacious teaching rooms and lecture theatres and a variety of social spaces.
  • Our Student Services Centre will also be on-hand should you need support.
  • A new City Campus Students' Union building giving you an exceptional array of social, leisure and wellbeing facilities.

IT resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City Campus, with PCs providing access to:

  • Microsoft Office
  • email
  • web browsing
  • networked file storage
  • high-speed online printing services.
  • the University’s main resource room in the library is available 24 hours a day.

Book and library resources

In our library you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within business, Marketing, Finance, Economics and HRM. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our:

  • electronic resources
  • journals
  • books.

We have a liaison librarian who is available to give you detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources. They can also help you with things such as Harvard referencing and research skills.

City location

The location of the City Campus also means that you have easy access to:

  • sports facilities
  • shops
  • student accommodation
  • music venues
  • cafés.

Find out more about the KEDGE Marseille campus.

Entry requirements

  • Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level French or equivalent.
  • Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level French or equivalent.

Contextual offers

A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.

Other qualifications and experience

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

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.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

  • 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level French or equivalent.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)

You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before.  This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Fees and funding

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.

Library books

Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Field trips

Students are required to contribute towards tourism field trips in the final year. There may also be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Placements

Students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst studying in France and on placement.

Your internship will be with a company in France or within a French speaking company internationally. Travel grants and funding may be available to help fund international travel costs.

Print and copy costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

How to apply

Ready to join us? Apply through UCAS. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Writing your application and personal statement

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.

Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.

Keeping up-to-date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

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