Key facts

Entry requirements

112 or DDM

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

N578

Institution code

D26

Duration

3 yrs full-time, 4 yrs with placement

Three years full-time, four years with a placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition fees:
£16,250

Entry requirements

UCAS code

N578

Institution code

D26

Duration

3 yrs full-time, 4 yrs with placement

Three years full-time, four years with a placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition fees:
£16,250

We live in a world that is becoming increasingly complex and intertwined. The interconnectedness of the global economies accelerates every year, amplifying and modifying the challenges and opportunities that countries, businesses and individuals face. As a result, we see a growing number of firms wishing to take advantage of global opportunities and engage in various cross-border business activities, namely international business. We see an increasing demand for individuals equipped with knowledge and understanding of how international business works and how to function within it effectively.

International Business BA (Hons) has been structured to provide you with up-to-date knowledge and insight of the critical issues in International Business. This degree cultivates knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an increasingly globalised marketplace when conducting cross-border activities such as business expansion abroad or trading internationally. The programme explores how businesses operate in different contexts locally and across borders. It also looks at the supporting regulatory, legislative, and political environments that facilitate trade and direct investment between companies across international boundaries. You will study the international dimensions of various subject areas, enabling you to understand the complexities of conducting business across borders.

Key features

  • International Business opens doors to career opportunities across the world.
  • You’ll study a range of contemporary modules that will equip you with insights on how multinational companies work, the specifics of business in emerging markets, the aspects of economic geography and the practical elements of trade management.
  • Employability is embedded throughout the course including guest lectures, external visits, real-life case studies and assignments that are linked to the business requirements.
  • Our Careers Team offer support to help you gain the skills and qualities that today’s employers are looking for through placement opportunities with local, national and global companies. Previous students have secured roles at Rolls Royce, IBM, Walt Disney, the NHS and Siemens.
  • Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

What you will study

Block 1: Global Business Environment

This module introduces you to the complexity of the global business environment. We will explore key dimensions of globalisation and the diverse aspects of the ever-evolving global business environment. You will explore the facets of the global business environment and their impact on business operations and strategy.

Block 2: Business Dynamics, Ethics and Culture

The module is designed to provide you with an overview of the business foundations. You’ll explore the foundational business concepts and various critical functions for the running of the organisations. By identifying critical success factors in the organisation's context, you will be able to make plans and measure the organisation's performance. At the same time, you will develop a dynamic view to track the development of theoretical discussions and their reflections in the real business world.

Block 3: Economics in Global Business

This module aims to introduce the key principles of economics that shape the business world. You will explore the tools and concepts of economic analysis at the individual, market and country levels. The module includes an analysis of consumer behaviour, business development and alternative market structures. You will learn how to apply different economic theories to real and current problems, develop critical thinking and discuss ideas from different perspectives.

Block 4: Marketing for International Business

This module introduces you to core marketing principles, theories and practices, their application in the international business context, and provides an awareness of cultural considerations. You will gain a good understanding of the marketing process and the ability to make critical reflections upon contemporary marketing practices from this module. 

Choose one option for Block 4.

Block 1: Multinational Enterprise in the Global Economy

This module aims to broaden your understanding of various geopolitical issues that impact international business. You will learn the core concepts and ideas of the international business field. The module introduces and advances your understanding of the main concepts of international business – such as multinational enterprise (MNE) and foreign direct investment (FDI) – and the reasons for firms to engage with FDI. Additionally, it explores broad strategic and organisational challenges that MNEs face on a global scale and explores the link between the economic development of a country, the decision-making process in the MNE and investment location choices.

Block 2: Data Analytics and Research Skills

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the research process and data analysis in business. It equips you with the necessary knowledge in applying various tools and techniques in data collection, analysis and interpretation. It also teaches you to examine business opportunities and challenges that will contribute to developing a business research project and its execution.

Block 3: International Organisational Behaviour and Leadership

The module explores the role of organisational behaviour in the context of international business and management. By examining the impacts of organisational setting, the individual and groups, and the international environment, the module expects to help you establish understandings of how people interact in organisations, how internal and external influences interact, and how these interactions shape the organisations.

Block 4 option: International Supply Chain Management

International Supply Chain Management (ISCM) plays a vital role in improving productivity and competitive positioning of a wide variety of businesses around the globe. You will gain appreciation of operations and supply chain processes, which is of the essence to create a competitive advantage. This module will develop a data driven and analytic perspective in you that is vital to success for supply chain analysts. With increased international competition and the pressures of an uncertain and everchanging environment, there is growing attention to the effective management of supply chain, logistics and operations, and to help managers understand the complexity of the structures and system of today's international supply chains.

Block 4 option: International Financial Management and Decision Making

This module aims to enable you to understand and analyse the information found in published financial accounts and other accessible data sources and to evaluate the financial performance of a business.

Choose one option each for Block 2 and Block 4.

Block 1: International Business Strategy and Governance

This module explores the internationalisation process of the multinational enterprise from the strategic point of view. This core international business strategy module advances your understanding of the main concepts of international business strategy such as firm-specific and location-specific advantages, and how the recombination of these advantages can create value for a multinational enterprise.

Block 2 option: Emerging Markets: Economic Geography and Trends

This module explores the spatial distribution of economic activity in the emerging markets and its implications on the past, present and the future development of the countries and regions. It also explores the challenges that foreign firms are confronted with in the emerging markets and offers strategic solutions.

Block 2 option: Dimensions of Digital Transformation

Digital technology is part of everyday life in a modern organisation. This module explores the key dimensions of digital transformation such as technology, data, people and organisation. You will explore the opportunities and disruptive threats that digital transformation brings into the organisation, and how to identify and implement possible solutions. 

Block 3: International Trade Management

The module explores the key aspects of international trade, its regulations and policies. It provides you with a theoretical and practical understanding of international trade operations. Not only does it investigate international trade from an international political economy point of view, it also looks at international trade from management point of view. You will be introduced to the essence of import and export operations, legislation, trade agreements, international payments and the role of procurement in supply chain management. In this module, you will gain various valuable knowledge that can be applied where firms are operating at global scale.

Block 4 option: Business Project

The module provides an opportunity for you to undertake an independent project of a specialist area within the business area. You will put into practice your research skills and planning skills, learn how to frame business problems and offer practical solutions.

Block 4 option: Dissertation

The module provides an opportunity for you to undertake an independent exploration of a specialist area within the broad area of international business. You will put into practice your research skills, learn how to frame research questions and act on them to achieve the goal of the dissertation.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Our facilities

Hugh Aston Building

Learn more

Library and learning zones

Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources.

Library and learning zones

What makes us special

Photo of students working together

Block Learning

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time.

You’ll benefit from regular assessments – rather than lots of exams at the end of the year – and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging. Read more about block teaching.

DMU-global

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

In recent years, our International Business students travelled to headquarters of the United Nations in New York City to discuss topics such as hunger, health, education, climate change and social justice. Students also participated in a trip to Vietnam, where they visited one of Adidas' factories to gain valuable industry insight.

Where we could take you

placements

Placements

During this course, you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Previous students have taken up placements in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, including some international posts, with leading companies such as Warner Bros, IBM, DHL and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Our award-winning Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

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Graduate careers

A degree in International Business develops graduates with the skills and knowledge to respond to the impact of globalisation on business.

Graduates go on to work for national, international and multi-national companies that need an understanding of conducting business in a global context.

Take your next steps

Leicester Highcross shopping area

Find out about Leicester

We’re a campus-based university situated in the city centre, with the hub of activity in Leicester right on your doorstep - we’re one of the few universities in the UK where you’re getting the best of both worlds.

Course specifications

Course title

International Business

Award

BA (Hons)

UCAS code

N578

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September

Duration

Three years full-time, four years with a placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,250

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

Entry requirements

GCSEs
Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and Maths

Plus one of the following:

A levels
A typical offer is 112 UCAS points. You need to study at least two subjects at A Level or equivalent (e.g. BTEC)

T Levels
Merit

BTEC
BTEC National Diploma - Distinction/Distinction/Merit

BTEC Extended Diploma - Distinction/Distinction/Merit

Alternative qualifications include:
Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE overall 112 UCAS tariff with at least 30 L3 credits at Merit.

English and Maths GCSE required as separate qualification. Equivalency not accepted within the Access qualification. We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

International Baccalaureate: 26+ points.

Mature students

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

UCAS tariff information

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Contextual offer

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find out more about contextual offers.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.