Program Overview

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Business Management (International Business) BSc (Hons)

The BSc Business Management (International Business) is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes sought by employers to help students start or accelerate their international career. This flexible and student-centered course offers a range of compulsory modules and the opportunity to follow a placement route, applying learned skills in a work setting and building a professional network.

Course Overview

Employability and flexibility are integral to this course, which introduces students to the key functions of business in an international context, develops a global mindset, and widens understanding of how organizations and individuals operate across borders.

Why Choose This Course?

• This course offers a range of compulsory modules designed to set students up for an international career.
• It provides the opportunity to follow a placement route, allowing students to apply what they have learned in a work setting, build a professional network, and develop key skills and mindset desired by employers.
• The course content has been developed by world-leading researchers whom students will meet in the classroom.
• Students will have the chance to study alongside a diverse group of students from different countries and at different stages in their careers.

What You Will Learn

Students will engage in active learning with academics and expert practitioners to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will support them in whatever route they want to take after completing their studies. They will gain a breadth and depth of understanding of businesses in an international and multicultural context, the world in which they operate, and the key role that managers play.

How You Will Learn

Learning will be via a range of different methods, including lectures, seminars, presentations, and group discussions. To help students gain practical knowledge firsthand, the course hosts guest speakers and offers live case study sessions and panel discussions with entrepreneurs and practitioners. Students can study this course full-time or part-time and can choose their own timetable for core/compulsory modules, selecting whether to study them in the daytime or in the evening.

Placement Route

The full-time placement route is designed to enhance employability, giving students the opportunity to develop their skills in the workplace and apply learning from their degree in a professional setting. Students will also be supported in areas such as effective job searching, the development of key application, interview, and assessment skills, and how to make a personal impact in the workplace. Please note that this option is not available for students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Foundation Year

If students opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare them for undergraduate study. It is ideal for those returning to study after a gap, who have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or who did not achieve the grades needed for a place on their chosen undergraduate degree.

Key Information and Modules

Business Management (International Business) BSc (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2026

• Year of entry: October 2026
• Duration: Three years
• Full-time or part-time: Full-time
• Style of study: On campus
• UCAS code: N137
• Status: Fully Approved
• Awarding body: University of London

Business Management (International Business) with Placement BSc (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2026

• Year of entry: October 2026
• Duration: Four years
• Full-time or part-time: Full-time
• Style of study: On campus
• UCAS code: N141
• Status: Fully Approved
• Awarding body: University of London

Business Management (International Business) BSc (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2026

• Year of entry: October 2026
• Duration: Four years
• Full-time or part-time: Part-time
• Style of study: On campus
• Status: Fully Approved
• Awarding body: University of London

Business Management (International Business) with Foundation Year BSc (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2026

• Year of entry: October 2026
• Duration: Four years
• Full-time or part-time: Full-time
• Style of study: On campus
• UCAS code: N138
• Status: Fully Approved
• Awarding body: University of London

Business Management (International Business) with Foundation Year BSc (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2026

• Year of entry: October 2026
• Duration: Six years
• Full-time or part-time: Part-time
• Style of study: On campus
• Status: Fully Approved
• Awarding body: University of London

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge, and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgment of academic potential.

UCAS Tariff Points

• 3 years full-time: 112 points (e.g., A-levels BBC)
• 4 years full-time with Placement: 112 points (e.g., A-levels BBC)
• 4 years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

GCSEs

You will normally be expected to have grade C or grade 4 GCSE-level English and mathematics. If you do not hold this level of qualification, you may be required to carry out a skills audit at a selection evening, which comprises English and mathematics.

Foundation Year Degrees

Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree.

Alternative Entry Routes

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DMM

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

Fees

Business Management (International Business) BSc (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Part-time home students: Ł7,335 per year
• Part-time international students: Ł13,875 per year

Business Management (International Business) BSc (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Full-time home students: Ł9,790 per year
• Full-time international students: Ł18,500 per year

Business Management (International Business) with Placement BSc (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Full-time home students, 3 years of study: Ł9,790 per year
• Full-time home students, placement year: Ł1,955 per year

Business Management (International Business) with Foundation Year BSc (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Full-time home students, Year 1: Ł5,760 per year
• Full-time international students, Year 1: Ł18,500 per year
• Full-time home students, Year 2+: Ł9,790 per year
• Full-time international students, Year 2+: Ł18,500 per year

Business Management (International Business) with Foundation Year BSc (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 202627

• Part-time home students, Year 1&2: Ł2,880 per year
• Part-time international students, Year 1&2: Ł9,250 per year
• Part-time home students, Year 3+: Ł7,335 per year
• Part-time international students, Year 3+: Ł13,875 per year

Teaching

At Birkbeck, most courses are taught in the evening, and all teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials.

Methods of Teaching on This Course

• Formal lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars involving case studies
• Formal presentations

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations.

Methods of Assessment on This Course

• Mid-term tests and end-of-term examinations
• Individual or group presentations
• Written essays
• A research project/dissertation

Careers and Employability

You will find international business graduates in a variety of roles in multinational companies or companies engaged in international business. The range of transferable skills gained are greatly valued by a wide range of employers in diverse sectors, including critical reflection and analysis, presentation skills, the ability to work under pressure in diverse teams, and a broad knowledge of business and management.

Possible Professions

• Management consultant
• Accounting or finance executive
• Corporate investment banker
• Human resource officer
• Marketing executive
• Logistics and distribution officer
• Systems analyst

Course Structure

Course Structure Listing

Business Management (International Business) BSc (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2026

• Year 1: six compulsory modules
• Years 2 and 3: five compulsory modules and one Level 5 option module in each year
• Year 4: four compulsory modules

Year 1 Compulsory Modules

• Business Data Analysis
• Business Information Systems
• Introduction to Accounting
• Personal and Academic Skills for Success
• Understanding Management
• Understanding Organisations

Year 2 Compulsory Modules

• Operations Management
• People Management
• Principles of Marketing (Undergraduate)
• The Economics of the Firm
• Understanding the Economy

Year 3 Compulsory Modules

• International Business
• International Marketing
• Marketing Strategy
• Research Methods (Undergraduate)
• Strategic Management (Undergraduate)

Year 4 Compulsory Modules

• Business Project
• International Financial Management
• International Operations
• Project Management (Undergraduate)

Indicative Level 5 Option Modules

• Digital Marketing
• Financial Management
• Financial Reporting
• Management Accounting
• Managing Digital Transformation
• Marketing Communications
• Services Marketing
• Sustainability and Stakeholder Marketing

Business Management (International Business) BSc (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2026

• Year 1: eight compulsory modules
• Year 2: six compulsory modules and two Level 5 option modules
• Year 3: six compulsory modules

Year 1 Compulsory Modules

• Business Data Analysis
• Business Information Systems
• Introduction to Accounting
• Personal and Academic Skills for Success
• Principles of Marketing (Undergraduate)
• The Economics of the Firm
• Understanding Management
• Understanding Organisations

Year 2 Compulsory Modules

• International Business
• International Marketing
• Operations Management
• People Management
• Research Methods (Undergraduate)
• Understanding the Economy

Year 3 Compulsory Modules

• Business Project
• International Financial Management
• International Operations
• Marketing Strategy
• Project Management (Undergraduate)
• Strategic Management (Undergraduate)

Indicative Level 5 Option Modules

• Digital Marketing
• Financial Management
• Financial Reporting
• Management Accounting
• Managing Digital Transformation
• Marketing Communications
• Services Marketing
• Sustainability and Stakeholder Marketing

Business Management (International Business) with Placement BSc (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2026

• Year 1: eight compulsory modules
• Year 2: seven compulsory modules, including an uncredited placement preparation module, and one Level 5 option module
• Year 3: work placement year
• Year 4: six compulsory modules

Year 1 Compulsory Modules

• Business Data Analysis
• Business Information Systems
• Introduction to Accounting
• Personal and Academic Skills for Success
• Principles of Marketing (Undergraduate)
• The Economics of the Firm
• Understanding Management
• Understanding Organisations

Year 2 Compulsory Modules

• International Business
• International Marketing
• Operations Management
• People Management
• Preparing for Work
• Research Methods (Undergraduate)
• Understanding the Economy

Year 3 Work Placement

• Work Placement Year

Year 4 Compulsory Modules

• Business Project
• International Financial Management
• International Operations
• Marketing Strategy
• Project Management (Undergraduate)
• Strategic Management (Undergraduate)

Indicative Level 5 Option Modules

• Digital Marketing
• Financial Management
• Financial Reporting
• Management Accounting
• Managing Digital Transformation
• Marketing Communications
• Services Marketing
• Sustainability and Stakeholder Marketing

Business Management (International Business) with Foundation Year BSc (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2026

For the Foundation Year, students take four core Level 3 modules to a total of 120 credits. If they successfully complete these modules, they will then take the remaining modules on the three-year, full-time, evening study BSc Business Management (International Business).

Foundation Year Core Modules

• Essential Maths and Data Analysis
• Fundamentals of Study
• Introduction to Management
• Leadership and Organisational Change

Business Management (International Business) with Foundation Year BSc (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2026

Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow students to spread out their Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student, they can take 60 credits in each of their first and second years before starting the main four-year BSc Business Management (International Business). This means that they can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.

Students take two core modules in each of Foundation Years 1 and 2. If they successfully complete these modules, they will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BSc Business Management (International Business).

Foundation Year 1 Core Modules

• Fundamentals of Study
• Introduction to Management

Foundation Year 2 Core Modules

• Essential Maths and Data Analysis
• Leadership and Organisational Change