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.
International Business and Management
Understanding business from an international perspective has never been more important. This course will develop business-critical expertise to enable you to understand issues from cultural differences to political influence.
Location: Aston University, Birmingham
Course overview
Course description
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.