- This programme enables you to ‘top up’ your qualifications to achieve a highly respected International Business and Finance degree.
- We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, so you will graduate with an impressive portfolio of skills in economic analysis, strategy, finance and accounting
- Our Financial Markets Lab puts a wealth of international business data at your fingertips and gives you a thorough grasp of economies across the world
- You will join a highly diverse international student cohort, sharing business experience from different countries and strengthening your global mind-set
- Inspirational workshops, masterclasses and networking events will introduce you to international business leaders and financial experts
- Our experienced team of lecturers will keep you up to date with the latest developments in the global business arena and you will benefit from the support of a personal tutor throughout
Reasons to choose this top-up degree
Whether you are from the UK, EU or overseas, this top-up programme is an excellent route to a highly regarded degree qualification. It is ideal if you already have an existing qualification and want to transfer from a more generalist background to specialise in international business and finance.
The top-up route is ideal for international students, who can obtain a globally recognised degree after one-two years of study in the UK.
Our course delves deeply into the workings of international financial markets and international business strategy. You will also develop the broader abilities which employers value, including problem-solving, decision-making, analysis, report-writing and presentation skills. When you graduate, you will join our network of alumni worldwide – ideally prepared for an influential career in today’s increasingly internationalised and dynamic business environment.
Global thinking
Our focus is on developing your international outlook. You will become attuned to what is happening in the world economy and make the most of our global student community, sharing your views and experiences with fellow students from different countries.
There are opportunities for study trips overseas. Our students visited Copenhagen to explore issues surrounding art fraud and business ethics; observed a conference and attended specialist talks at the UN Office in Vienna; and travelled to Dublin to gain insights into the work of IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for inward investment. Our programme of visits is constantly expanding and there may be options to head further afield to countries such as China.
Hands-on learning
Real world learning lies at the heart of this degree. You will meet business experts, industry leaders and finance professionals through specialist workshops, masterclasses and networking events. Our students have attended taster days and career events with companies such as PwC and PKF Cooper-Parry as well as the Institute of Directors.
The emphasis is on developing your practical skills, drawing on actual case studies from around the world. You may find yourself creating strategy documents, producing international business reports, delivering presentations and videos, or analysing information from Datastream and Bloomberg on international markets.
Expert teaching
Our enthusiastic team of lecturers are experienced in all aspects of international business and their research will enrich your learning. They are supported by industry experts, including our Visiting Professor of Banking and Financial Economics, Professor Trevor Williams, formerly Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
We provide a friendly and supportive learning community, with small classes where you will receive plenty of one-to-one advice. Every student has a personal tutor who is part of the teaching team and who will offer you support and guidance on your career development.
Facilities and resources
In our Financial Markets Lab you can harness the software used in financial markets worldwide to gain vital insights into the fast-paced environment of the trading floor.
The lab puts a wealth of data at your fingertips, including company and director profiles plus analysis of current affairs from Bloomberg Intelligence. You will receive training from Bloomberg specialists, have access to their helpdesk and can even work towards the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate to complement your degree qualification.
An extra qualification: the Futures Award
Our Futures Award scheme has been developed for students to showcase their versatility and professionalism to potential employers. You could gain an additional qualification which recognises any extra-curricular activities you undertake to improve your employability and career development. These activities could include attending our workshops on CV design and improvement; developing techniques for interviews, assessment centres or psychometric tests; taking part in business networking events, or leading a small project within a student society or voluntary role.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
You will learn through a combination of:
- interactive lectures
- talks by external experts
- problem-solving seminars
- group work and discussions
- workshops
- case study analysis
- computer lab work
- practical analysis
- engagement with businesses
At the start of the course, you will benefit from substantial direction from our teaching team. As your studies progress, you are expected to work more independently, taking greater responsibility for your own learning – but always with the support and advice of your tutors.
Showcasing your skills
You could raise your professional profile by taking part in prestigious competitions and challenges. Derby students have, for instance, scooped major awards at the University Trading Challenge, which entails a simulated trading market to test students’ abilities to think strategically, analyse evidence and present their ideas to a panel of traders and bankers in the City of London. There are opportunities to enter other competitions such as the IBM University Business Challenge too.
How you are assessed
We use a wide range of coursework assessment methods, many of which are designed to improve your transferable skills. They cover both individual and group work and you may be marked on elements of reflective practice. Methods include:
- Essays, strategy documents and business analysis reports
- Analysis of information from Bloomberg
- Presentations and videos
- Computer-based assessments
- Creating a portfolio of relevant work
Feedback will be provided at every opportunity so you can monitor your own progress and development.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
You need to have an HND or Foundation degree in a relevant subject.
You need at least five GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English at grade 4/C or above.
When you apply, please send us a transcript of the modules you have already studied so that we can make sure that the HND or Foundation degree is compatible with the top-up programme.
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
Your aim may be to work for a financial sector organisation such as an investment bank or hedge fund; to join the financial department of a major international company or government agency; or to secure a place on a prestigious management training programme. Alternatively, you may be keen to use your business and finance decision-making skills in an SME such as a small-scale exporting company which will rely on your expertise in areas such as exchange-rate management.
Whatever your career ambitions, the BA (Hons) International Business and Finance will ensure you are highly employable in roles covering international trade and investment, risk management, business consultancy, export finance, foreign exchange services and business process outsourcing, among many other functions. Further qualifications such as the Bloomberg Market Certificate and the Futures Award will add extra substance to your CV too.
Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with support from day one of your course to ensure you leave Derby as a ‘work-ready’ graduate – industry aware, motivated and enterprising - and help you gain relevant business work experience through part-time internship opportunities . Throughout your studies, you will also benefit from our Personal Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and develop your career ambitions.
The support continues once you have completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.
Further study
You could take your studies to the next level with one of our exciting masters programmes such as the MSc International Business, MSc International Business and Finance, MSc International Business and Marketing, MSc International Business and HRM, MBA Global and MBA Global Finance. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us January start is available to home students only
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
- Database usage within modules with access to Finance Lab for specified assessments, statistical analysis software
- Some taster events - transport costs covered
- Opportunities to enter IBM University Business Challenge or equivalent.
Optional costs not included in your fees
- Printing
- Textbooks
- Opportunity to apply for CMI student membership and Institute of Directors student membership
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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