Program Overview

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Global Business with Pathways - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Developing global business leaders of the future.

Summary

Studying the Global Business with Pathways degree means you have the choice to specialise in one of 5 key areas from year 2. These specialist areas (or pathways) are: Accounting, Data Analytics, Enterprise, Marketing, and Sustainability. Or, due to the flexible nature of this degree, you can opt to study a range of modules from across these subject areas, in addition to your core modules, to give you a broader understanding of global business.

This degree therefore gives you the freedom to shape your studies around your personal interests and career goals. You'll also benefit from high-quality work placements - either locally or abroad - thanks to our strong industry connections across the North-West and beyond, many of which have a global footprint. Combined with opportunities to live, work, or study internationally, this degree equips you with the specialist knowledge, experience, and global perspective needed to become a future leader in international business.

About this course

About

When you study the Global Business with Pathways degree you have the flexibility to specialise in one of 5 core disciplines (Accounting, Data Analytics, Enterprise, Marketing or Sustainability) from year 2, alongside your core modules, allowing you to shape and develop your own career and professional aspirations. Alternatively, you can choose from a mix of these subject areas from year 2, should you have an interest in more than one of these specialisms.

In addition to gaining exposure to a range of innovative modules and subject pathways, you will have the option to develop language proficiency or study abroad through partner institutions.

The Department of Global Business and Enterprise also have strong connections to industry throughout the North-West area and further afield. This provides you with the option to work at home, or abroad should you prefer, allowing you to experience other cultures and business practices, and gain valuable hands-on experience in an internationally focused environment.

In addition to equipping you with specialist knowledge and industry experience, throughout your degree you will also develop core skills such as creative thinking, project management, strategic planning, problem solving and interpersonal skills and general management skills, all of which will set you up for success as a future business leader.

Our graduates consistently go on to develop highly professional and successful careers in their chosen fields or continue with postgraduate study in business and other related master's programmes to further their learning.

Attendance

This is a part-time course where students can take up to seven years (without placement) to complete the programme. It is possible to fully complete the programme within five years. You will normally complete four modules per year, with class contact time approximately three hours per week per module. You will be expected to undertake independent study to supplement that contact of around 10 hours per week per module. You will have 6-7 class contact hours per week on the Magee campus.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

In this programme, a blended learning approach is adopted and a varied and stimulating mix of learning and teaching methods are embedded in modules to enhance knowledge and understanding, as well as provide opportunities for students to apply their skills. Examples of these include:

• formal lectures, as one of the core methods of knowledge transfer;
• tutorial/seminars/workshops that focus on applying the core theories, principles and concepts introduced in lectures to practical contexts and contemporary issues in order for students to gain a more fuller understanding of the materials in a small group setting.
• Project based work and research activity which engages students in complex and critical thinking and is considered a highly effective method of preparing students for life after graduation.

These methods advance a range of wider skills required for employment including written and oral communication skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills, negotiation skills, project planning and management skills, presentation skills, problem analysis and decision making skills and increase self-awareness. Moreover, these will provide important opportunities for students to engage with both their peers and their tutors.

Assessments are open, flexible and based on the learning outcomes outlined for each module. Learning will be assessed through a combination of both individual and group coursework as well as individual examinations (where appropriate). Assessment has been designed to reflect the need for inclusivity of varying student abilities. Assessment taken at each level of study demonstrates progression and expands on the knowledge and skills developed at the previous level. It is expected that all learning outcomes will be achieved by all student participants and where required, students will receive additional support in the form of reasonable adjustments. Any adjustments will be tailored to the individual’s requirements and best interests of the student participant.

Examples of assessment can include a range of assessment types, including digital assessment, oral assessment and written assessment.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

• Global Business Environment
• Fundamentals of Human Resource Management
• Professional and Academic Skills
• Introduction to Accounting and Finance (optional)

Year two

• Organisations and Management
• Digital Transformation
• Principles of Marketing
• Management Information Systems (optional)

Year three

• Global Economics and Finance
• Global Strategy and Management
• Professional Skills Development
• Data Analytics for Business (optional)
• Applied Global Project (optional)
• Business Innovation Concepts and Practices (optional)
• Introduction to Sustainability (optional)
• Sustainable Challenges (optional)
• Business Law (optional)
• Marketing Management (optional)
• Consumer Behaviour (optional)

Year four

• Global Trade Management
• Contemporary Issues and Trends in Global Business
• Leadership and People
• Diploma in Professional Practice (optional)
• Business Venture Creation (optional)
• Study Abroad (optional)
• Entrepreneurial Business Solutions (optional)
• Global Marketing (optional)
• Consumer Insights (optional)

Year five

• Sustainability Reporting and Governance
• Business Ethics and Sustainability (optional)
• Progressing Towards Sustainable Industry (optional)

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

Grades CCC

Applied General Qualifications

• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite) Award profile of DMM
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite) Award profile of MMM
• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite) Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade C
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite) Award profile of MM plus A Level Grade C
• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma (2012 Suite) Award profile of M plus A Level Grades CC
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate (2016 Suite) Award profile of M plus A Level Grades CC

Irish Leaving Certificate

96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

Grades CCCCC

English and Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.

Scottish Advanced Highers

Grades DDD

English and Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.

International Baccalaureate

Overall profile is minimum 24 points (including 12 at higher level)

Access to Higher Education (HE)

• Overall profile of 55% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course) To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.
• Overall profile of 45 credits at merit (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course) To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics, (or equivalent).

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Application of Number will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE Maths.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Additional Entry Requirements

Acceptable alternative qualifications include:

Pass HND with overall Merit to include 15 distinctions in level 5 credits.

Pass HNC with overall Merit to include 45 distinctions in level 4 credits.

You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University.

Exemptions and transferability

Most students enter Year 1. Applicants who can provide evidence of previous relevant study, awarded in accordance with the Credit Accumulation Transfer System, (CATS), may be considered for exemption from particular modules or entry to later years.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• Citi
• Health Service
• Alchemy Technologies
• Deloitte
• PWC
• First Derivatives
• Catalyst

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Graduate Management Programme
• Finance Officer
• Project Management
• Marketing Consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Data Analyst
• Sustainability Consultant

Career options

This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge, mindset, and experience to lead in today’s global, digital, and diverse business world. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, global citizenship, and professional development, you'll build key attributes like adaptability, creativity, and resilience.

You’ll gain industry insights through modern learning environments, employer engagement, and career planning support - helping you graduate with the confidence and capability to thrive in both regional and international business settings. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, as well as further study or research in related fields.

You may also proceed to postgraduate study or research in related areas. Throughout your degree you will be supported and encouraged to reflect on career choices and plan your graduate career path through employer engagement, career fairs and careers staff counsel and advice amongst others

Work placement / study abroad

Work Placement/Study Abroad is an optional year for students on this programme.

In this programme there is a strong emphasis on the delivery of a quality work-based learning experience and development of graduate employability skills for students. Specifically, this programme provides opportunities to engage with Work-based Learning through the optional placement in Year 3 for full-time students.

You can opt to complete a study abroad year, a year-long paid placement with local or international employers, or by seeking your own enterprise entrepreneurship placement. These options provide you with an opportunity to focus on your skills development and apply your learning and understanding of business from the taught modules. Assessment in the placement year allows you to reflect on both your work-based skills development and learning experience whilst demonstrating impact on the host company, organisation or institution.

Satisfactory completion of the placement year will lead to the award of the Diploma in Professional Practice or Diploma in Professional Practice (International) if you complete your work placement internationally. With the option to study abroad for a year; satisfactory completion of a study abroad year will lead to the award of the Diploma in International Academic Studies.

Fees and funding

Module Pricing

The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.

For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:

Fees Credit Points	NI/ROI Cost	GB Cost	International Cost*
120	£4,860	£9,535.20	£17,010
60	£2,430	£4,767.20	£8,505
30	£1,215	£2,383.80	£4,252.50
20	£810	£1,589.20	£2,835

NB: A standard full-time undergraduate degree is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.

*Please note our on campus part-time undergraduate courses are not open to international (non-EU) students.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

Student achievements on the BSc Hons Global Business with Pathways will be recognised by a number of prizes and awards.

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.