The highlights
- We adopt a multidisciplinary approach to international business, so you’ll graduate with an impressive portfolio of skills in economic analysis, strategy, law, finance, marketing and human resources
- You can apply business theory to practice with optional placements and internships in the UK and overseas – or choose to study abroad with one of our international partners
- Our Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab puts a wealth of international business data at your fingertips and gives you an in-depth understanding of economies across the world
- You will learn from an experienced team of lecturers who have a strong research profile and excellent business contacts: they draw on live briefs, real time data and topical case studies to keep you up to date with the latest developments in the global business arena
- Inspirational workshops, masterclasses and networking events will introduce you to industry leaders and finance professionals
- This course is accredited by leading professional bodies the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), meaning the course is mapped against the skills employers are looking for and provides you with additional awards and/or exemptions towards professional body memberships
- View our Derby Business School brochure
Preparing you for business challenges
Our BA (Hons) International Business gives you a thorough grounding in how to meet the challenges of today’s increasingly global and complex business environment. It brings together vital disciplines including strategy, business management, economic analysis, marketing, human resources and trade legislation – all from an international perspective.
We keep you right up to date with what’s happening in the world economy. You will analyse the different economic, financial, political, legal and cultural factors affecting international businesses, consider how international regulations and policies influence corporate strategies, explore ways of attracting customers in international markets, and look at how to expand a local business into a global one.
Alongside your knowledge of international business, you will gain the broader skills that employers worldwide expect in their graduate recruits. These range from problem-solving, decision-making and strategic thinking to research, analysis, report writing and presentation skills.
Global thinking
Our focus is on developing your international outlook. As part of your degree, you could spend an optional year or semester studying abroad with one of our educational partners.
There are opportunities for study trips overseas too. Our students have 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. There is the chance for you to undertake a year-long work placement or a summer internship – in the UK or overseas – to apply business theories to practice in the workplace.
You will also 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. 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
We provide a friendly and supportive learning community, with small classes where you will receive plenty of one-to-one advice. You will benefit from a personal tutor throughout your degree.
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 Commercial Banking.
Facilities and resources
In our Bloomberg 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.
We have invested in these exceptional learning facilities in partnership with Bloomberg, the global business and financial information leader. 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 has been developed for students to showcase their versatility and professionalism to potential employers. It is 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.
Benefit from a unique partnership with CIMA
Graduates from this programme will be allowed a quicker route to the CIMA Professional Qualification and the global professional designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). On successful completion, you’ll gain two exemptions towards the CIMA Certificate level qualification, which means you can achieve membership of the professional body quicker and accelerate your career progression.
To complete the BA (Hons) International Business, you will take modules such as:
Stage one
- Markets, Prices and Strategy
- Introductory Mathematics for Economics
- Academic Skills for Accounting, Finance and Business Economics
- Introduction to Macroeconomic Concepts and Data
- Market Failure Analysis
- Finance and Business Performance
Stage two
You will study modules such as:
- Data Analysis
- Applied Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Industrial Economics
- Current Debates in Applied Economic Theory
You will also choose two options from the following list:
- Asset Management
- Enterprise Management
- International Political Economy
- Managing Financial Resources
- People Resourcing and Talent Planning
- PR and Media Management
Between stages two and three, you can choose to go on a year-long work placement, undertake a summer internship or take a study abroad option.
Stage three
You will study modules such as:
- International Economic Environment
- International Business Strategy
- Comparative International HRM
- Sustainable Development and International Business Law
You will also choose two options from the following list:
- Critical Analysis in International Business
- Econometrics
- Financial Risk Management
- The Lean Business Venture
- Marketing Across Cultures
- International Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
- Corporate Governance
- International Banking
- International Business Performance Appraisal
- International Economic Relations
- International Entrepreneurship
- Managing the Evolving Employment Relationship
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
Our assessment strategy is designed to ensure you can identify issues, decide how to collect and analyse evidence, come to reasoned conclusions based on that evidence, and present your findings via various methods of communication.
- At Stage 1: computer-based assessments help you gauge your own level of learning and gain constructive feedback. Some modules involve more traditional essays and business reports as well as a mixture of individual and group tasks. You are also encouraged to keep a reflective portfolio.
- At Stage 2: there are further assessments of your individual and group work and your report writing skills. You are expected to develop professional analysis experience through data retrieval and quantitative analytics using Bloomberg. This is reflected in computer, portfolio and report-based assessments as well as a media broadcast interview.
- At Stage 3: you are assessed on your research, analysis and consultancy skills in a global business economics context. This entails a wide range of assessment methods, including posters, presentations and reports.
Who you'll meet
At Derby you will discover a friendly and supportive learning community, with small classes where you will receive plenty of one-to-one advice.
You will be taught by an enthusiastic team who are experienced in all aspects of business and whose research will enrich your learning. They are supported by industry experts, including our Visiting Professor of Banking and Financial Economics, Professor Trevor Williams who is Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank PLC.
September 2019 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 120 (up to 16 from AS-levels) |
| Specific requirements at A-level | No specific subject requirements |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| IELTS | 6.0 (with 5.5 in each skills area) |
| Interview / Audition | N/A |
| Portfolio | N/A |
Alternative entry qualifications:
- BTEC - DDM
- Access to HE Diploma - 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
High-calibre international business graduates can command excellent starting salaries and look forward to rapid career progression. In comparison with more traditional degrees, our BA (Hons) International Business offers a broader and deeper business education which will give you a career advantage. Further qualifications such as the Bloomberg Market Certificate and the Futures Award add extra substance to your CV too.
On completing the course, you will be well prepared for graduate management and consultancy training opportunities. It could be your stepping stone to senior roles in many rewarding fields including international trade, transport and logistics corporations, financial and investment institutions, government agencies and global business consultancies.
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 and year long placements. 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 4 with optional placement year
Download programme specification
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, state-of-the-art 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.
Included in your fees
- Bloomberg data usage within modules with access to Bloomberg terminals for specified assessments
- Statistical analysis software SPSS for use in modules
- Some taster events - transport costs covered
- Opportunities to enter IBM University Business Challenge and University Trading Challenge
- Partly funded international trips to Europe, such as Copenhagen, Vienna and Dublin and China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hefei. Optional with limited places available.
Optional costs not included in your fees
- Printing
- Textbooks
- Opportunity to apply for CMI student membership and Institute of Directors student membership
- Some taster events- transport costs
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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