International Business and Management

Course overview

The study of international business is more important than ever. Technological, political and economic developments mean that daily business transactions can be conducted on a global scale, and international managers have added advantages in the employment market.

Studying BSc (Hons) International Business and Management will help equip you to navigate international business challenges through both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This degree offers core strategic management skills in an international context.

In a constantly evolving business landscape, our degree allows you to select from a wide range of modules to tailor your studies, aligning your career goals while staying adaptable to the dynamic global business environment.

You will benefit from international exposure, a double degree option and a mandatory placement year, enhancing your employability and global competence.

You will be taught by a mixture of academics and practitioners with industry experience, creating a diverse and culturally rich environment, enhancing the international focus.

The course is delivered by Aston Business School which is part of an elite group of global business schools that hold the gold standard of ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

“Think about what you want out of your university experience. If you’re anything like me Aston University will tick a lot of your boxes. I grew so much as a person, my employability was enhanced ten-fold, I got a strong degree out of it and overall, I had an amazing time.”

Daniel Pitcher

BSc (Hons) International Business and Management

Finance Analyst, Sky

Why International Business and Management at Aston University?

Excellent prospects

Aston University was named runner-up in the University of the Year for Graduate Employment Award (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024)

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Professionally accredited

This programme leads to accreditation or exemptions from several professional bodies, including CII, CIM, and CIMA

66th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024)

Chukwudi's story

Chukwudi takes you through his experience studying at Aston University and how his time here helped him start his own business Chefiesta.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Course description

BSc (Hons) International Business and Management

Our BSc (Hons) International Business and Management degree at Aston University will equip you with the skills and practical understanding of business knowledge as well as international specialism.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. Our inspirational teaching staff have established a reputation for developing innovative teaching methods, pioneering the use of simulations to make your learning experience more rewarding.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

What you will provide
You must be able to demonstrate critical thinking and have passion for business and be excited about what contributes to the economy and society – this includes thinking beyond the norm in both business and culture. It is important that you show a willingness to learn and have an ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
You will develop management and leadership skills that are applicable to real life situations. Our graduates are problem solvers who have developed the essential skills needed to keep up to date with the ever-changing world of business.

Placement year
We all know that taking a placement year will boost your employability – it’s what makes Aston University graduates some of the most employable in the country. It’s for this reason that we encourage every student to take one. The placement year gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills.

The placement year is compulsory for BSc (Hons) International Business and Management students. International students can request permission to opt out of the placement year, but we strongly recommend that it is completed where possible.

For this course only, home students must undertake the compulsory placement year outside of the UK.

Career prospects
As an Aston University International Business and Management graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work across the public, private and third sectors for organisations including: Ernst and Young (EY), Accenture, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, Muller Dairy, Next Retail and Vodafone.

How you will learn

Our teaching approach is both modern and innovative. Alongside traditional lectures and training in the latest analytical tools, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience during your placement, enhancing your overall learning. At the beginning of your course, you'll be assigned a personal tutor for individual study guidance. Module tutors are readily available to answer questions, and all lectures are recorded for future reference.

Our emphasis is on practical knowledge application, with guest lectures from prominent business leaders and mentoring programs offering unique insights. Our renowned Visiting Professors, top UK business figures, share their expertise and expectations from students and graduates.

Complementing traditional teaching, our virtual learning environment provides electronic support materials. You'll have access to the University Library's extensive collection of over 25,000 books and electronic journals. University-wide services like the careers service, Jobshop, counselling and advice services, sports facilities, and Chaplaincy enhance your overall university experience and prepare you for your professional career.

Aston University also offers an array of extracurricular activities, including clubs and societies like Aston Bright Futures, which works with leading businesses across various sectors. These activities not only enrich your student experience but also help you explore your specific interests and career pathways.

What you will learn

The degree will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the various functions of management, alongside the opportunity to specialise in areas of business that interest you, preparing you for a successful management career. Your lectures will provide you with essential theories and underlying concepts with more specialised engagement in seminars and groupwork activities.

First year

In your first year, you will study a wide range of management related subjects, designed to ensure you have a broad foundation and knowledge of management. You will consider the economic, financial, human and legal issues managers deal with, and learn the tools and techniques they use to resolve them.

Second year

From the second year onwards, you will have greater flexibility to tailor your degree, specialising in areas of your choice. You will apply core theories of management to given scenarios, explore alternative solutions and provide recommendations.

Placement year

The Aston University placement year forms an integral part of your educational journey and gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills. Our award-winning careers and placements team are on hand to support you through every step of your placement journey.

For home students, the placement year is compulsory and must be undertaken outside of the UK.

Placement stories

This course offers an Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway, meaning you could study overseas at one of our partner institutions during your placement year and graduate with two undergraduate degrees for the price of one.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

Final year

You will learn key business and management theory and practices and formulate a business strategy. You will also recognise and evaluate leadership, reflecting on your own and others behaviour and competencies, apply innovative thinking in problem-solving to produce clear, structured, and evidence-based solutions and produce effective communications of business plans, proposals and solutions in a variety of media.

Making global connections

Maheen Sifddiqui spent her placement year studying abroad in Austria - allowing her to step out of her comfort zone and make connections with people from all over the world.

Discover Maheen's journey

Course objectives

Enables the use of necessary theoretical underpinning and techniques to bring about sound analysis, design and delivery of management solutions in an international context; including clear and original thinking in problem-solving.
Applies skills in critical analysis and evaluation towards your own work and that of others, and towards your own personal development.
Develops the intercultural awareness needed to work and communicate effectively in an international business context.
Enables you to work effectively as an independent self-managed learner and as part of teams; demonstrating graduate-level transferable skills and learning approaches needed for continuing professional development of yourself and others.
Provides a wide perspective on international business and management, including social responsibility and ethical practice in professional contexts.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Introductory Accounting for Business	15
Introduction to Organisational Behaviour	15
International Perspectives in Organisations	15
Law for Business	15
Introduction to Marketing Management	15
Principles of Operations Management	15
Foundations of Business Analytics	15
Introduction to Business Economics	15
Total	120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Describe the core functions of business and management and explain what the principle aims of decision-making are within these different areas.
Discuss how the international and intercultural context affects the functioning of business and management.
Identify a range of theories across the core areas of business and management by explaining how the theories can be used to examine international business and management problems.
Identify and use appropriate analytical tools and techniques to examine business performance and evaluate solutions to simple business problems.
Perform mathematical and statistical calculations to identify and solve applied business problems.
Interpret information to develop arguments and contrast different approaches to the study of international business and management.
Present argued business recommendations in written reports and oral presentations.
Work effectively as an independent and self-managed learner to complete tasks by deadlines.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
International Business and Emerging Market Economies	15
Introduction to Intercultural Communication	15
Business, Government and Society	15
Virtual Business Simulation	15
Total	60

You will choose one the following finance modules:

Module Title	Credits
Strategic Finance	15
Corporate Financial Management	30

You will choose from the remaining 30 or 45 credits from the following modules (selecting no more than 45 credits in any one area):*

Communications for Business:

Module Title	Credits
Language at Work	15

Accounting and Finance:

Module Title	Credits
Financial and Management Accounting for Managers	15
Business Tax	15
Audit, Governance and Company Law	15

Business Analytics:

Module Title	Credits
Optimisation and Decision Analytics	15
Data Visualisation	15
Programming for Data Analytics	15
Business Analytics in Practice	15

Business and Government:

Module Title	Credits
Global Society	15
Racisms	15
Welfare	15
The Modern Business World in a Cultural Context	15

Business Psychology:

Module Title	Credits
Employee Resourcing	15
Psychology and Work	15
Effective Teamwork	15
Developing Creativity	15

Business Economics:

Module Title	Credits
International Business Economics	15
Intermediate Microeconomics	15
Intermediate Macroeconomics	15
Quantitative Methods	15
Markets, Games and Strategy	15
Sports Economics and Finance	15

Information Systems:

Module Title	Credits
Dashboards and Spreadsheets	15
Doing E-Business	15
Cloud Computing for Business	15

Law:

Module Title	Credits
Principles of Commercial Law	15
Principles of Employment Law	15
Principles of Intellectual Property Law	15

Marketing:

Module Title	Credits
Market Research	15
Services Marketing and Management	15
Digital and Social Media Marketing	15
Stakeholder Relations Management	15
Fundamentals of Strategy	15
Events Management	15
Sports Marketing	15
B2B Marketing and Sales	15
Understanding Consumer Behaviour for Managers	15

Operations Management:

Module Title	Credits
Business Operations Excellence	15
Enterprise Systems	15
Managing Service Operations	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Apply core theories of international business and management to given scenarios, explore alternative solutions, decide upon action and evaluate the effectiveness of those actions.
Discuss critically the economic, social, environmental and policy context in which international business and management is conducted.
Apply a critical intercultural lens to communicate and work more effectively across cultures.
Apply original thinking in problem-solving, by critically evaluating evidence, selecting appropriate methods of analysis, considering different perspectives and approaches to the problem.
Work effectively as part of a team to make decisions.
Develop and communicate structured business plans and proposals in a variety of media.
Recognise social responsibility, sustainability, accountability and ethical practice in professional contexts and apply it in your own professional practice.
Reflect upon and articulate your own learning, plan and implement strategies to build upon this learning.

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

For the BSc (Hons) International Business and Management programme, the placement year is compulsory for home students and it must be taken outside the country of origin. Although not compulsory for international students, students with overseas status, from outside the UK, can complete this part of the programme in the UK.

Placement year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Work and/or study effectively in an international environment and apply intercultural awareness in your professional practice.
Apply original thinking in problem-solving, by identifying and analysing a live organisational issue, gathering and evaluating evidence, and recommending actions to the organisation.
Evaluate critically the use of academic theories in analysing real-life issues and recommending actions.
Reflect upon and articulate your learning and development; plan and implement strategies to build upon this learning.

Final year modules

In your final year you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Advanced Topics in International Business	15
Total	15

You will choose at least one of the following international business modules:*

Module Title	Credits
International Finance	15
International Marketing	15
Sustainable Operations Management	15

You will then choose at least one of the following integrating modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Effective Management Consultancy 1	15
Effective Management Consultancy 2	15
Implementing Business Decisions	15
Knowledge at Work	15
Leadership and Management Communication	15
Advanced Leadership and Management Communication	15

You will then choose at least one of the following strategy modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Strategic Management	15
Strategic Human Resource Management	15
Marketing Strategy	15
Operations Strategy	15

You will choose the remaining 60 credits from the following modules selecting no more than 45 credits in any one area:*

Accounting and Finance:

Module Title	Credits
Tax Policy and Personal Tax	15
Risk Management	15
Financial Analysis	15

Business Analytics:

Module Title	Credits
Performance and Efficiency Analytics	15
Business Analytics and Data Mining	15

Business Psychology:

Module Title	Credits
Employment Law for Human Resource Management	15
Learning and Development	15
Global Working	15
Employee Relations	15
Critical Issues in Human Resource Management	15
Theories and Practice of Leadership	15

Business Economics:

Module Title	Credits
Further Topics in Macroeconomics	15
Further Topics in Microeconomics	15
Environmental Economics	15
International Trade	15
Competition Policy	15
Innovation	15

Information Systems:

Module Title	Credits
Managing Information Technology in a Global Context	15
Information Security	15
Technology and Practice of e-Commerce	15

Law:

Module Title	Credits
Fraud, Bribery and Corruption	15
Product, Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship	15
Business Ethics	15
Data Protection Law	15
Ethics in a Crisis	15
Emerging Technologies, AI and Law	15

Marketing:

Module Title	Credits
International Marketing	15
Retail Management	15
Strategic Brand Management	15
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship for Marketing	15

Operations Management:

Module Title	Credits
Supply Chain Management	15
Simulation	15

Sociology of Work and Business:

Module Title	Credits
Health Policy	15
Corporate Power	15
Education and Digital Society	15
Bodies, Power and Resistance	15
Work, Organisations and Society	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Final year outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Apply a systematic understanding of key international business and management theory and practices to the formulation of business and management strategy.
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of at least one area of international business and management, which is informed by the research and practice at the forefront of that discipline. Critically apply that knowledge to original business scenarios.
Initiate and implement problem-solving; produce, clear, structured and evidence-based solutions to business and management problems that consider multiple perspectives.
Appraise critically intercultural factors and their impact on business and management decision-making; show intercultural sensitivity when working across cultures.
Demonstrate effectiveness in constructing and communicating arguments using a variety of media.
Reflect critically on your own and others’ behaviour and competencies; develop plans for future development and increased effectiveness at work.
Articulate and evaluate personal and organisational responsibilities towards multiple stakeholders in terms of professional ethics, accountability and sustainability.

We regularly review our modules to provide the best possible teaching and learning experience, incorporating academic developments, student feedback and employer feedback.

There may be some change to some of the modules on this course for 2025/26 entry.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any changes to modules at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints may mean it isn’t possible to take some module combinations. The structure of some courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBB (standard offer)
BBC (with EPQ or Core Maths minimum grade B)
BBC (contextual offer)
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDD (standard offer)

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM (contextual offer)

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

31 points overall in the IB diploma with grades 5,5,5 in 3 higher level subjects.

You must also have Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics and grade 5 in English Language.

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 21 credits at distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.

The following T Levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade D
Digital Production, Design and Production - grade D
Education and Childcare - grade D
Onsite Construction - grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction - grade D
Digital Business Services - grade D
Digital Support Services - grade D
Health - grade D
Healthcare Science - grade D
Science - grade D
Accounting - grade D
Finance - grade D
Management and administration - grade D
Design and development for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Legal Services - grade D

GCSE Maths – grade C/4
GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a first year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 3 entry onwards: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 or final year.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,250
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£21,500
During placement year:	£2,500

Fees listed are for 2025 entry. For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies. For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

Assessment is provided through a mix of coursework and examinations. In addition, you will also be assessed on your portfolio that will be produced as part of your placement experience. You will reflect on your experience and evidence your analysis of a situation identified within the placement organisation which draws on learning from your previous studies.

Career prospects

Our BSc (Hons) International Business and Management programme will prepare you for a range of careers across the public, private and third sectors. Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, according to the 2023 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO). This data shows that five years after graduation, employed Aston University graduates have the 15th highest median salary among all UK Higher Education Institutions, with a median salary of £36,100.

The transferable skills that our business and management programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

Management consultant
Senior associate
Performance analyst
Commercial officer
Project manager
Accountant
Corporate and commercial banking graduate
Business development manager
Digital marketing assistant

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Ernst and Young, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Rolls Royce, Mondelēz International, Virgin Media, BT, PwC and Accenture.

Dreaming big

Ali-Reza Panjwani talks about his experience at Aston University and how it propelled him to becoming an executive director at J.P. Morgan in New York City.

Discover Ali-Reza's journey

Aston Business School graduates achieve some amazing things - whether it's setting up their own businesses, landing competitive graduate schemes, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Simba's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I went on The Apprentice

Sunjay's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I worked with Kylie Minogue

Christine's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I founded a global football franchise

Frequently asked questions

Why study international business and management?

You’ll get a good foundation of business knowledge as well as an international specialism, and you can shape your degree to focus on specific areas in your second and fourth year. This means you can develop accredited career paths in your chosen area, plus benefit from an integrated placement year overseas and choose to study a language for free alongside your degree.

How will a placement year benefit me?

Whether you choose to study abroad or do a work placement, Aston University’s links with employers and universities around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work.

Our work placements give you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt on your course while gaining valuable professional and paid experience. It can enhance your graduate employment prospects and help you to make more informed career decisions. Around one in five of our placement students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employer.

Find out more

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham